Mixing the old with the new: URBANARA’s guide to making vintage pieces look at home

I was contacted with a request for a guest blog from Urbanara, and the topic fits the themes of Auction Decorating perfectly!

 From Pinterest

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As readers of this blog will know, an enduring trend in interior design is the incorporation of vintage furniture within contemporary spaces. However, selecting the right pieces for the right room is an art difficult to perfect. Vintage style can be beautiful, but knowing how to incorporate these pieces with store-bought items is essential to avoid that your place ends up looking like a thrift store.

Here are our top tips on what pieces to hunt down on vintage shopping trips ,and how to add these to your contemporary living space without a massive hit to your wallet.

Seek out the classics.

Look for classic pieces and shapes that have long been loved and imitated

While you’re unlikely to find originals for a low price,  the Eames Lounge Chair or Le Corbusier Sofa are great examples. Their ongoing appeal ensures you are buying a tried and tested design  with lasting style, adding vintage elegance to your home in a way that compliments vintage modern décor with timeless simplicity.

Reinterpret the old

Don’t feel confined by a piece’s original purpose. It’s easy to turn an antique sewing machine table into a desk or plant stand. With a bit of work, an art deco vase can be transformed into a unique lamp, or an old door repurposed into a coffee table.  Use a set of old lockers or a kitchen display cabinet to store your blankets or bed linen, a drinks trolley to display shoes on. Your imagination is your only limitation!

Customise old pieces according to your taste

By picking up furniture that has a solid body but tatty fabric or scratched paint job you will not only get a better price, but the opportunity to add your own distinctive style to a classic shape. Updating vintage chairs by adding a lick of paint or new upholstery can be easy and cost-effective, allowing you to match any piece you find with the existing colours and patterns in a room. Customising your finds to suit your style eases the transition between vintage and modern pieces in your home. 

 From House and Garden (UK)

 Make a statement.

Search for pieces that stand out. Vintage mirrors, lounges and dining tables add great character to a room. By adding just a few bold shapes or shades in contrasting styles to a minimally decorated room you quickly create colour and depth.

Add small touches

Don’t confine your vintage hunt to furniture. Accessories such as vases, lamps, record player or radios artworks and old photos all bring a touch of history to modern surroundings. Dotting vintage ephemera around the home adds an interesting juxtaposition, even if the record player or radio not longer works!

Get to know your decades.

Recognising when a piece was made and knowing what eras work well together is indispensable when sourcing and decorating.For example, the vibrant colours of the 1930s are harmonious with today’s white, minimalistic design. The current fervour  for mid-century pieces is testimony to the style’s longevity and success. Well before its time, the  functional design of the 1950s compliments the clean lines of modern décor and while adding that timeless, classic feel to any current space. Once you can identify the style you like it will be easy to bring new favourites into your home.

 From Apartment Therapy

Look beyond flea markets and second-hand stores

'When buying vintage, auctions can be a great resource, and you may get a great price! When buying at auction, do your research. Ask for condition reports, see the piece in person if possible (but not absolutely necessary) , and do your internet research on past auction sales for similar pieces so that you don't over bid.'

URBANARA is an online retailer of beautiful, high-quality homewares without the sky-high price tag. See their full range of bed linen, blankets and home accessories online.

Dramatic bedrooms!

Make your bedroom a sanctuary with some drama! I love a four poster or great headboards to make a bedroom a place you want to spend more time in than just sleeping.

 Elle Decor - Designer: Sig Bergamin

The designer Sig Bergamin used a wonderful carved Balinese bed to make a statement in this bedroom. Curl up, read, and relax in a cocoon! 

House Beautiful - Designer Jonathan Berger

The designer Jonathan Berger was inspired by an 18th century Venetian bed to create this dramatic headboard. I love the scrolls. 

This 15 foot tall Venetian painted and parcel gilt bed is included in the next Stair Galleries auction in Hudson, NY on September 14th. It's Lot 61 and has an auction estimate of $2,000 - $4,000. This would be a fabulous statement piece, and so much fun to sleep in! Obviously need a room with a tall ceiling - think loft.

This simple but elegant 19th century Beidermeier bed is such a wonderful shape. I would almost perfer it sideways against a wall to allow the birch wood to be seen in all it's glory. I would also reuplster this one in a darker color to offset the light birch color. This sold at a Christie's auction for $750 off an auction estimate of $600 - $800.

Talking drama! This is a late 19th century Italian marquetry bed, and would make quite a statement. This sold at a Christie's auction for $5,000 off an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000. Obviously caught the attention of the bidders!

This walnut American Renaissance Revival half tester would take all the attention in a room! It says it all. This sold at a New Orleans auction for $1,168 off an auction estimate of $700 - $1,000. 

A dramatic bedroom is all about the bed. Choose a four poster, a half tester, or just a dramatic headboard. Pile it high with comfy pillows, and  crawl in to read, work, and even to sleep!

Rustic Rules - Again!

I ran across a wonderful house featured in House and Garden, UK. It's the home of the antiques dealer, Josephine Ryan, and is located in the South of France. The use of casual rustic furniture throughout makes for such a warm and welcoming feeling!

All photos from House and Garden, UK

The use of rustic furniture doesn't feel like Ryan has scrimped in any way. It shows great decorating confidence. She has created a space that you feel you can kick back and relax, and have lots of friends over for long Summer parties.

You might find rustic pieces at flea markets, barn sales, and, of course, at auctions. It just takes some vision! This early 19th century French fruitwood farm house table is perfect! It extends to 117 inches long, so would be great for your big parties. This sold at a New Orleans Auction for $1,845 off an auction estimate of $1,800 - $2,500.

This mid-19th century French pine table would be great in a kitchen.  This measures 72 inches long, and also sold at a New Orleans auction for $522.75, off an auction estimate of $500 - $800.

I love these Moderne metal chairs! Josephine Ryan mixed chair styles at her dining table, and you might do the same - some metal and some wood. These sold at a Copake Auction in Copake, NY for $50, off an auction estimate of $25 - $50.

Benches are great at dining tables, and this rustic set would be perfect. I like this table and benches because of their style, and their bargain price. This set sold for $700 at Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia, off an auction estimate of $300 - $600.

Notice how Ryan uses a rustic bench a a place for display in the bottom photo. The bench can double as extra seating when needed. This bench sold at a Stair Galleries auction in Hudson, NY for $100, off an auction estimate of $100 - $200. It is 112 inches long and is red-painted Swedish.

The top photo shows a metal chair in the back of the room fitted with a cushion. This chair is a close cousin. This sold at a Copake Auction for $50 off an auction estimate of $25 - $50. 

You can go totally rustic in your decor, and add some big cushy white upholstered IKEA sofa for maximum feeling of relaxed decor. Or you can mix in some rustic pieces with more refined furniture for an unexpected look. Just be creative and bold!

Cover your walls with black and white prints 'at auction'!

Black and white prints are a great way to add interest to your room - the more the merrier! Frame them in simple black frames, either the same size or lots of different sizes, and you instantly have a chic art installation with lots of interest.

All photos from Pinterest - Top one from Elle Decor via Pinterest

I love the first two photos for the almost haphazard way the pictures are hung. I am sure it's a lot more planned out than that, but I love the unpredictability of it. The frames need not be expensive. 

The bottom photo is about the symmetry and the frames. This is very controlled looking, and very chic.

Auctions are a great way to pick up interesting, and not necessarily expensive, prints (and frames).

Doyle New York  has a 'Doyle at Home' auction coming up August 15th. The 'At Home' auctions are usually filled with affordable decorative things, including prints. The print to the left is one of 6 illustrations in Lot 83 that have an auction estimate of $200 - $300.

For an instant collection of 17 framed prints, the Doyle auction Lot 92 has an auction estimate of $100 - $200. Almost no matter what each one is individually, I'll bet they'd look great as a collection on a wall. 

Stair Galleries in Hudson, NY often has affordable art offerings. They sold a lot of 5 engravings and prints, including this one to the left, for $50 off an auction estimate of $150 - $250.

Copake Auction in Copake, NY has an auction coming up August 25th. This lovely set of Currier and Ives 19th century framed prints is in Lot 433, and has an auction estimate of $150 - $250. Including some antique prints adds much more character to the collection.

The Doyle auction include quite a few lots of frames. This one is Lot 81, and has an auction estimate of $150 - $250. Just get some mats for your prints to make them fit, and this can be a very inexpensive way to frame your art. I even like them with some chips and nicks because it gives them more character. 

Check out auctions around where you are, and see what collections of prints you can start to build. Fill up an entire wall in the bedroom, hallway, living room, or entryway. Your collection will say a lot about your interests and style! 

 

Rustic chic seating in the entryway

I love the use of rustic pieces even in a refined space. It loosens it up a little, while adding another layer of interest. In an entryway, a rustic seating element can send the message that you want your guests to relax and enjoy!

From New England Home

There's a lot to like in this entryway! The horizontal stripes are unexpected and a very chic brown and white. A big mirror is a wonderful element in any entryway, and adds refinement to offset the rustic bench and vintage trunk. By all mean, decorate the top of the bench, but leave some space to be able to use it as a bench!

In my home, the rustic bench is a place for us to sit down to put on boots, or take off muddy shoes. It's also the place we leave our mail and keys!It's also a place for more obelisks!

Copake Auction in Copake, NY is a great source of inexpensive antique and vintage rustic furniture. This 19th century bootjack bench (50 inches long) is that much more interesting because of the remaining blue paint. This sold for $100 off an auction estimate of $50 - $75. This would fit in most entryways perfectly.

For something a little less rustic try this 19th century bench. It's 72 inches long and has simple turned legs. It sold for $135 off an auction estimate of $25 - $50.

This trunk is fabulous. It's 19th century and still has a lot of its blue paint. It also has wonderful brass straps that add some refinement to this rustic piece. This sold for $125 off an estimate of $50 - $100. In a smaller entryway, this could be a bench, and a great place to add decoration.

This 19th century campaign chest has handsome brass details, and the wood has a wonderful patina. This sold for $95 off an estimate of $100 - $150.

In a small entryway, at least find room for a small chair. It works as a place to put on your boots, but also a place to leave your keys and mail. I love this one! It's included in the next Stair Galleries auction in Hudson, NY being held July 28th. It's Lot 731, and has an auction estimate of $50 - $100. It's described as a Salvatore gilt metal patio chair. But it's so much more that that! Look at the design shape. It's fabulous. Snap it up! (Update: This sold for $225. Still bargain chic!)







In any room, I like the mix of refined and rustic. Each makes the other look better! If you use a rustic bench, make sure you add a great mirror or lighting. In an entryway, make your guests feel welcome and relaxed. A bit of rustic will do the trick!

Period pieces add style 'at auction'

No matter your budget, a period piece added to your decor will bring character and style to the room. It's amazing what a wonderful Biedermeier chair or a fabulous gilt framed Regency mirror will bring to a room that is furnished with a few pieces from IKEA.

From Skonahem (Sweden)

In a simple white dining room, the addition of a statement gilt framed mirror creates an elegant element to an otherwise unassuming space. 

From Skonahem

For those following my blog, I love color, and one way to add it would be with a great red lacquered Chinese chest like this one. My other design must is 'add an Asian touch'. Asian furniture is so chic and modern feeling, and works with any style. This piece is a great example with its simple lines, a fabulous brass disc for the closure, and the red pop of color!

This Chinese cabinet may not be red, but it has wonderful geometric designed inlays in a warm colored hardwood. This would stand out against a white painted wall, and make that IKEA sofa look like a custom design! This sold at a Stair Galleries auction in Hudson, NY for $375 off an auction estimate of $400 - $600.

I love the red and gold 'japanned' design of this cabinet, and the brass disc on the doors. This would make a fabulous statement piece. It sold at a Christie's auction for an amazing $375, off an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500. It's modern, and that may be why it went for so little, but who cares. It looks great!

One of the fastest ways to up the style of a room is to add a fabulous mirror! The simpler the furniture, the more elaborate the mirror! Some simple rules:

1) Go for gold - choose a mirror with a giltwood frame. The more elaborately carved the better.
2) Go for size - a big mirror will make a statement and reflect light back in to the room. It will make a small room bigger.

This George III style mirror has a terrific carved giltwood frame, and is 4 feet 6 inches tall. This ticks all the boxes. You could have has this one for $275 at a Stair Galleries auction. It had an auction estimate of $400 - $600.

If an elaborate frame is not quite for you, this Continental carved giltwood pier mirror might be the better option.  It's a simpler design, and leaves the curviest part to the top. This stands 4 feet 10 inches tall, and would still make a statement. This sold at a Stair Galleries auction for $125 off an auction estimate of $400 - $600.

At the beginning I mentioned Biedermeier. The style is so clean and looks fabulous in any modern space. Here is a pair of walnut bergeres from the second half of the 19th century. I would upholster them in a black horsehair for a graphic look. These sold at a Christie's auction for $2,375 off an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,500. Imagine them on either side of that IKEA sofa with a simple coffee table in between. 

You can find Biedermeier for less. This pair of walnut armchairs sold for $375 at a Doyle New York auction. They have wonderfully shaped backs, and would also look even better with a black covered seat cushion.







You don't have to have a big budget to add statement decorative details. Watch the auctions, and bid opportunistically, and you may well find a bargain that doesn't look like a bargain. Follow a few rules: add color, add Asian, go for the gold (mirror), and don't be too predictable!

Build a modern living room - start with the sofa!

Building a modern living room can be quite simple - start with a great sofa, add some end tables, and some wonderful lamps, and you have a great beginning. Auctions are great places to buy previously owned pieces that are stylish, and less expensive.

Once you have the basics, just add a rustic coffee table, framed prints and photos, and a dash of color in the pillows. Then invite some friends over to relax!

 Elle Decor - Designer: Tamzin Greenhill

Here we have the basics - white sectional sofa, bright yellow pillows, and an interesting table lamp. Build from there.

From Rue Magazine via Pinterest

 

I love the graphic black and white, along with a punch of yellow to jazz it up. 

The next Christie's Interiors sale in New York July 17th and 18th has some wonderful pieces to get started. This fabulous Jens Rison sofa (circa 1950) upholstered in white cotton, and on a walnut base is 80 inches wide and would set the modern tone.  This is Lot 484 and has an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500.

If you have a a big enough room, this banquette is sexy and made for a party! This was designed by George Cameron Nash, and measures 160 inches wide. This is Lot 471 and has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200.

For a slightly smaller space, this Italian camel suede chaise longue is perfect. This is a B&B Italia piece, measure 61 inches wide, and has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. It's Lot 511. Add a colored pillow for some punch. This sofa can be free standing or pushed in to a corner of a small room.

I love these end tables. They are simple and graphic. They are modern, and made of gilt metal, lacquer, and glass. These are 15 1/2 x 19 1/2, and have an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500. 

These end tables need wonderful lamps. This pair of blue Italian glass lamps are perfect. They have an interesting shape, and add some color in to the room. They are 35 inches tall (Lot 474), and the three of them have an auction estimate of $1,200 - $1,800. I'm sure you could find a home for the green one, if you successfully bid on the lot! These only need a simple shade and you're set to go.

Let's say we've spent $3,000 so far. We can add a coffee table, and for just a little bit more, and you're ready to call your friends over. One of my go-to auction houses for rustic pieces and bargain prices is Copkae Auction in Copake, NY. This 19th century pine table sold for $40! The top measures 30 x 45 inches, and I think the base is very interesting.

If you prefer to keep it modern, this mid-century Marsman coffee table sold at Copake for $90. It's 48 inches wide, and would look great with the Jens Rison sofa, or the B&B Italia chaise longue. 

 

 

 

Find some great designs to build your modern living room at auctions. White or neutral upholstery works well, but I always want some color. Add punch with pillows, colorful lamps and artwork on the walls.