Carlton International Dissects Interior Design
Setting the scene for your vintage decor and Interior Design
Beyond the furniture, tableware and accessories, the environment is important to make your Interior Design retro. To get the feel of the past, you can simply use retro wallpaper or cement tiles for retro charm. Film posters from the 60s and 70s, old car posters and advertisements are also a good way to transform your home into a period interior!
Wallpaper significantly changes the atmosphere of your home, so it’s important to know what style of wallpaper to use to achieve a vintage look. Opt for a paper with a geometric pattern that is both retro (like an original coffee table made from reclaimed wood) and contemporary. Then install furniture in more neutral shades to lighten things up.
Vintage furniture for an assured vintage style
If you want a vintage style, you have to respect some rules around your furniture! For the antique dealer Mr Guégin, “it is essential that your objects show traces left by time, that they tell a story”. It is, therefore important to choose furniture that has been through the years or furniture that has been found at flea markets, for example.
The old is the basis of the vintage. In the 1970s, the materials used were translucent and shiny, such as Plexiglas or resin. But if you want to have a more modern vintage style, wooden furniture is ideal to warm up your interior. You can also use metal for a more industrial feel, he advises. Black iron is very popular for chairs, light fittings and dining tables, giving an aged yet modern look. Today, the second most fashionable aesthetic style in France is industrial, so it’s a good mix if you want a vintage interior but not too much.
Playing with colours for a dynamic vintage effect
Vintage is characterised by pastel colours. As the antique dealer advises, pastel colours are very suitable for a softer and very art deco feel. Shades of blue, pink, yellow, red and green will create a cosy atmosphere in your living room. Aged shades are also perfect for a vintage interior, as they give a more natural and timeless feel,” he explains. The dominant colours of the 60s and 70s are acidic and tonic colours such as red, orange and pink, but also metallic colours reminiscent of disco parties such as grey, blue, gold or silver.
A little modernity to avoid the “too much” effect
If you don’t want to go overboard, choose more neutral tones such as beige or white. These shades will be easier to combine with your coloured furniture. Vintage decoration is not just about bright colours and crazy objects. With a little creativity and restraint, you can easily create a relaxing and pleasant environment rather than a flashy one. For your furniture, you don’t need to overload your interior with any old and mismatched objects. Just add a few retro touches to your contemporary decor for a unique and designer result. Modern vintage also likes to highlight warm shades of grey and brown or avocado, a colour that was very much in vogue in the 1960s.
The final touch for some completely retro decor and Interior Design
Don’t forget the objects, lights and plants, which will also play a key role in your vintage decoration. Items such as miniature antique cars add a vintage feel to the collection. Typical vintage lights can easily be found at flea markets. Small plants or dried flowers give a very old-fashioned tone, and plants go with any style, whether you are using a more modern or vintage style. Scrolls or old books are also good ways to get a vintage feel!
