An interior devoid of color, texture, and architectural interest will seem generic regardless of how modern the design is. Ornate millwork, maximalist design, and antique discoveries are popular trends in house design this year as more and more homeowners and renters want to add some old-world flavor to their contemporary, cookie-cutter homes.
Even if not everyone has the opportunity of living in a historic home with original architectural characteristics, you may nevertheless create a new construction that seems antique. Homeowners are gravitating for softer, more varied styles that invoke nostalgia, according to blogger Annie Diamond of Most Lovely Things. “I think people grew bored of everyone having the same-looking home — those all-white, neutral, modern, clean homes stripped of any character,” she continues.
Here, we’re sharing our best ideas for creating an aged feel in your new home, including replacing the flooring in your foyer with reclaimed wood, creating a fake fireplace in your living room, or adding beautiful molding to every room. Alternatively, think of a renter-friendly concept like incorporating items from thrift stores, adding stained glass panels, or using antique artwork.
Just make sure you move cautiously. It’s simple to overdo it, says Hatchet Design + Build’s design director Matt Ransom. “If a contemporary space has too many historical elements that don’t tie together, then it’s going to feel strange,” he cautions. According to Ransom, the secret is to take your time handling the “historic” artifacts in the room. For instance, avoid “wood look” flooring, combine conventional wainscoting with simple crown molding, and add layers of ornamental lighting, such as floor lamps and sconces. Ahead, some more advice!
1.Consider Reclaimed Wood Flooring
Consider using salvaged wood panels, which are usually obtained from former factories, warehouses, or barns, in place of brand-new hardwood flooring. According to Kristin Harrison, owner of Bungalow 10 Interiors, “the texture, color, and wear add an element of lived-in luxury that you really don’t see in spec homes.”
2.Accept Checkerboard Flooring
The centuries-old design of checkerboard flooring seems ageless and classy. To capture the attention, Jean Stoffer and Grace Start of Stoffer Design arranged the marble pavers in this way: diagonally. Stoffer exclaims, “I adore their antiqued chiseled edges.” “It makes the tile look original.”
3. Exhibit Stained Glass
This Art Deco-inspired kitchen gains unexpected beauty from a stained glass window panel. The historic panel added seclusion without cutting into natural light, thanks to the hooks and medium-weight chains that designer Melissa Wood’s customers used to hang it.
4. Put in Ornamental Molding
Here, content developer Erika Vér from @peonyandhoney makes an effort to replicate Victorian-era architectural aspects in her house without sacrificing its contemporary vibe. This living room has a vintage feel thanks to the tall baseboards, crown molding, picture molding, and artwork.
Twelve Ways to Bring Vintage Charm Into a New House
5. Use a floral wall covering
Not only is floral wallpaper great for grandma’s home. As homes move away from stark white walls and ceilings, floral wallpaper—which comes in a variety of designs and shades—has grown in popularity.
Stoffer Design utilized a brushed bronze console sink and faucet, an antique gilt mirror, and Sherwin-Williams’ Evergreen Fog paint to finish this vintage-inspired powder room.
6. Replace with Antique Doors
Repurposing an ancient door may give an entrance a touch of historic flavor. These locally salvaged, hand-carved wood doors were found by the proprietors of this Hatchet Design + Build Italian house. In addition, they installed a ceiling lamp that was passed down through the family and painted a harlequin design on the floor.
7. Put on some wall paneling
To give blank walls architectural flair, use ornamental wall paneling. Go one step further and paint the walls a rich tone, such as navy blue, as Diana Lombard of Diana Lombard Interiors did in this comfortable living room.
8. Make Your Own Faux Fireplace
Whether you create a simply ornamental mantel or add an electric or gas fireplace insert, creating the illusion of a fireplace will make your home seem cozier. Create your own plaster or wood mantel with a vintage feel, or find an antique mantel (or one that simply appears ancient).
Over the white mantel, Hatchet Design + Build added an elaborate gold mirror to finish this beautiful room.
9. Display artwork and retro lighting
Attention, renters! There are methods to add individuality to a room with plain white walls without making long-term changes. In every room, artwork and lighting fixtures may have a profound effect.
Here, designer Lindsay Sherbondy combines two lantern sconces, big artwork, and an antique dining set.
10. Antique Weave
It goes without saying that adding antiques to your design will give it a more unique character. Follow the designer Ashley Montgomery’s example in this Lake Simcoe, Ontario, dining area and gradually add items like carpets, chairs, and a hutch.
11. Give Walls Texture
Texturing your walls may be a simple and affordable DIY project, even if there are many different styles and methods to select from (one method is using a roller to apply drywall compound).
Kelsey McGregor of Kelsey Leigh Design Co. painted the textured walls of this powder room a deep green (Sherwin-Williams’ Cast Iron) to give it a vintage air. She then added a 700-year-old vessel sink from an antiques store and a gold mirror with a vintage feel.
12. Apply paint on the porch.
Paint a traditional checkerboard design to give your front porch a modern (but rustic) aesthetic. “I believe that any type of painted floor adds age to a house,” writes Most Lovely Things blogger Annie Diamond. “It usually means you’re covering up something you would have in an old house, but it doesn’t have to be that.” Read more
