As a designer, it is my job to come up with a unique space for a client taking into account their preference in style. This often requires me to think outside the box. Personally, I love to break the ‘rules’ of conventional design, I tend to go in the opposite direction as I find it more exciting, original and challenging. I am inclined to stay away from exhausted design trends or the latest fads as I can see them dating way too quickly and not everyone is in a position where they can afford to keep changing and updating their homes to keep up with the trends. This is another advantage to vintage style decorating!
Vintage and Shabby Chic decorating is all about mixing and matching…Rooms that appeal to me are ones that break the mould. Instead of the conventional choice for a living room of a ‘suite of furniture’, I prefer to group different styles of seating together to make it more interesting. You can also introduce different colours, patterns and textures this way. With regard to bedrooms, instead of buying a bed with matching bedside tables, chests of drawers etc. choose different pieces in different materials to create a laid back vintage style. Who says you have to have a traditional style locker or nightstand? Why not use a beautiful french metal bistro chair? or a table? or a stool? why do they have to match on either side? This style is not about symmetry, clean lines and ‘perfect’ furniture, it is the complete opposite! To me, beauty is in the imperfections. A timeworn battered piece of furniture will always appeal to me more than a perfect glossy mass produced piece. That’s not to say I don’t love some contemporary pieces because I do but I love to mix them with old pieces.
I thought I’d share a few images of rooms that speak to me….
image via www.goldsnowdrops.com
How charming is this Somerset cottage bedroom? Notice how colourful it is even though the walls and floors are all white? So cosy, interesting and I love the mish mash of colours, patterns and furniture!
image via www.shabbychic.com
This is a truly scrumptious bedroom from Rachel Ashwell’s Bed & Breakfast, The Prairie. I adore every single detail about this room. I love how this room evokes a sense of laid back elegance…i love how the bedding is casually arranged and crumpled and I love the simple window treatment. Amazing.
image via www.whomperjawed.blogspot.com
This is a charming twin bedroom..soft colours, beautiful green timber cladded walls, soft bedding and lots and lots of light.
image via www.countryliving.com
This bohemian vintage styled room is one of my favourite bedrooms ever. The rustic brick wall provides an amazing backdrop for the furniture in the room and the white bedding really pops. Beautiful metal bedframe too.
image via www.pinterest.com
What a charming little room…. wouldn’t this be a lovely way to decorate the often over looked ‘box room’ ?
image via www.countryliving.com
The greens in this beautiful bedroom are so soothing and perfect for a bedroom and how adorable is that tiny little window treatment. It is touches like these that add character to a room.
image source unknown
This bedroom makes me go weak at the knees! Has anyone else ever dreamt of owning an old log cabin in the countryside with nothing but nature to entertain you? This room ticks every box for me. Cosy, warm, inviting, interesting and homey.
image source uknown
The white against all the wooden features in this room prevent it from looking too stark. The linens are a beautiful delicate touch.
Another of my favourites. Who would not want to dive into that yummy bed?! Snug and cosy = perfect bedroom!
image via www.countryliving.com
This charming guest bedroom proves that not everything has to match in a twin bedroom..different and equally beautiful antique metal beds, different bedding but not so different that they don’t complement each other.
I think this is a wonderfully designed bedroom in a somewhat awkard attic space. The designer has embraced the shape of this room and created a beautiful four poster effect using the rustic beams as the frame. The stone wall adds even more texture to this space. The fabulous vintage trunk provides storage for extra blankets and linens.
I hope these images have provided you with some inspiration or if not, some enjoyment!
As my mother always says… ” Dreams are for free” ! Noone can stop you dreaming!
Have a lovely day 
