Vintage decorating could give your home a whole new old look
| Text : Elizabeth Kerr | Photo : www.gailarlidge.com |
If you’re a regular Mad Men viewer you’re likely watching the hyper-cool retro clothes and throwback office décor as much as the drama. The impeccable production design of that television series has given vintage design new life, though it’s certainly not a new idea. If you’re thinking of redoing the living room or home office, a few vintage pieces can go a long way to adding a certain flair beyond putting an old rotary-dial telephone on an end table. There’s more thought required and one piece too many, one misplaced Bauhaus chair, and it’s game over.
The first step may be deciding whether you have the right space for the retro look. According to Katish Arlidge-Hung of Gail Arlidge Design, however, there is no truly “wrong” space for the vintage look. “Vintage decor can be adapted to any style of home in Hong Kong, from a city apartment to an old village house,” she states, pointing out that mixing old and new elements together can result in one’s own signature vintage style. “Along with incorporating a few vintage elements you can add character to a space without it feeling too cramped or cluttered.”
Requests for vintage décor aren’t that common in Hong Kong, Arlidge-Hung explains, referring to her clients’ general preferences for new or reasonably priced custom-made furnishings. So if standing out in a crowd is key, retro could be a solution — at least in part. “We often have clients who want their homes to reflect more of a ‘modern classical’ style. They are looking for a more comfortable feel for their home and we try to introduce vintage elements into their furnishings by using carefully chosen pieces.” Adding a few vintage pieces can inject personality to otherwise contemporary spaces. “Of course, we often have requests from clients to incorporate vintage pieces into our designs that have either been purchased or inherited from family members. Sometimes we use these vintage pieces as the cornerstone of our design themes and they can add a fun and interesting twist,” Arlidge-Hung adds.
Like many décor novelties — ultra-modern, Venetian, French Country — there’s a line between clever and garish that shouldn’t be crossed. Where is it with vintage decorating and what’s the most common error? “Some people confuse vintage design with either ‘shabby chic’ or antique,” Arlidge-Hung begins. “Even though these styles appear to have common ground, they are totally different trends.” It’s important to bear in mind that vintage doesn’t equate with traditional or classical interiors and that antiques and vintage accessories can indeed be used in modern homes. “The most common error when using vintage pieces is getting carried away and introducing too many vintage items into one room. This creates clutter and can distract from the focal point of a beautiful design.”
So what are the rules to follow when trying to step back in time at home? Should you go full-on ‘50s or throw in bits and pieces here and there? Arlidge-Hung recommends integrating a few items into a room to add character and a personal touch. “There are no specific rules when it comes to design but more recently we have been helping our clients re-furbish or update vintage pieces” that hold sentimental value for clients even if they may not fit into the new design concept. Re-upholstering and repairing chipped paint are among the most common ways to fit one of those aforementioned inherited items into a newer home. Doing that, “[makes] the piece look less antique and more modern, adding a funky element to the design scheme.”
Ultimately it comes down to taste and preference but in Arlidge-Hung’s experience mixing modern and vintage works best with careful pairings, common colour schemes and minimal clutter; it’s about finding harmony between conflicting ages and styles. As an added bonus, Arlidge-Hung finishes, “Using vintage pieces, as opposed to discarding them, is also … environmentally friendly — making it a green design solution.” Don Draper would approve.
Related Links on Squarefoot.com.hk
Home and Property Stories via our International Network
|
