Vintage Modern: What Does It Mean?
Objects With History Warm Up Clean Lines in Fresh, Eclectic Interiors
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More »
The phrase "Vintage Modern" has been floating around for at least five years, but what is it exactly? The fact that catalog companies have started using the phrase willy-nilly is not helping. I may not be able to clearly define it, but I know it when I see it. However, let's take a look at designers who have mastered the look and figure it out together.
| For me, Victoria, a.k.a. sfgirlbybay, was the first design blogger to define this style. As she constantly shopped, scouted, rearranged her place and documented it all for our benefit, the style became ingrained in our brains. Here she pairs vintage tulip-style chairs a reader helped her find on Craigslist with some vintage schoolhouse pieces. Her polished wood floors and crisp white walls keep the look modern. Private Comment
|
| To put it simply, vintage modern mixes old and new. But the devil is in the details. As for old, patina plays a big role. These rusty industrial pendant lights as well as the metal counter stools and wood ladder bring the vintage; the crisp contemporary kitchen amenities bring the modern. Private Comment
|
Another factor is color palette. A cheery green wallpaper, crisp white desk and clear glass keep things modern, while the cafe chair and the telephone bring on the vintage.
Private Comment
Scandanavian lands bring us lots of vintage modern style, and they have been since the Mid-Century Modern era. These wishbone chairs, tulip table and patterned drapes arranged in a clean fresh way make them vintage and modern at once.
Private Comment
Freshening up old furniture makes it modern. New fabric and a new coat of paint, combined with gray walls and a groovy ceramic lamp result in the look.
Private Comment
| Repurposing industrial pieces is another way to mix elements. These pendant lights combined with a wood farm table and modern chairs in this contemporary space achieve the balance. Private Comment
|
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Many pieces can be vintage and modern at once. These pieces are icons from the eras of International Style and Mid-Century Modern.
Private Comment
Metal pieces used in a spare way can create the look. The vintage modern piece de resistance in this room is the use of the wire baskets on the wall.
Private Comment
| Fresh shiny industrial pendants, a mix of chairs that include Bertioa wire side chairs, a farm table, Arts and Crafts wood trim and loads of natural light creates a vintage modern look. Private Comment
|
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Here the brick wall itself is vintage modern: It's an old material with a fresh coat of paint. The swing arm lamp and the print reinforce the vintage in this fresh space.
Private Comment
| Iconic pieces can help bring the look. Here warm wood Cherner Chairs are arranged with a metal cabinet that looks like it came from a laboratory and modern artwork. Private Comment
|
| A modern-day Logico Lamp combined with vintage wood and metal counter stools, white walls and lots of natural light is vintage modern at its finest.
Private Comment
What does vintage modern mean to you? Which designers and design bloggers do you think exemplify the look? |
Comments
Holyoke Home says:
The challenge for me has been throwing some 'Holyoke Home' in with all our vintage modern finds. I want our house to look less 'Mad Men' set and more 'Domino Magazine'.
16 months ago ·
Like
Becky Harris says:
Holyoke, I just clicked over to your profile - you sure live in a beautiful part of the country (are you still buried in snow? I heard parts of W. MA got 30"!) and your project sounds really exciting. I think freshly painted neutral walls, perhaps some geometric wallpaper (try Graham and Brown's styles), a few new clean modern pieces mixed in (Victoria has a nice new white couch, for example) and editing can make that transformation for you. If you love all of your Mad Men-ish pieces, it's not a problem, you can rotate some in and out if you have too many. Wish I lived closer, your project sounds really exciting even if you are in bathroom remodel mode at the moment :)
16 months ago ·
Like
Rebekah Zaveloff says:
Ah Becky, a post after my own heart...thanks for including a pic of ours! I'd say for me, it's about when something modern is put next to something vintage, they both look much more interesting than they would if they were in a room with other pieces of the same age and style. Thanks for a great post!
16 months ago ·
Like
Becky Harris says:
Rebekah, I had to edit from about 10 of your kitchen pictures I had chosen! And your farmhouse - you have that style totally down to a T!
16 months ago ·
Like
iheartliving says:
Love it. I'm currently decorating a condo I just purchased and have not been able pin point the style I've been going for, this sums it perfectly. It's clean and fresh, but still has character because of mixing in old pieces that hopefully are recycled.
16 months ago ·
Like
Becky Harris says:
iheartliving, I highly recommend following sfgirlbybay, if you don't already - she's actually moved from the place pictured above and it's been so much fun to watch her put together her new place!
16 months ago ·
Like
Desiree says:
Yes I should visit SFGirlbybay's blog more often.. The mix of bright white and worn pieces is totally my style .. in fact IKEA choose to do a foto shoot for the magazine in my house just because I have (mot my words) a great mix of new with little vintage corners and strange objects.
Loved tihis pot, thanks!
Loved tihis pot, thanks!
16 months ago ·
Like
Catherine Gardner says:
Becky and Rebekah, I agree with both of you. I love this trend and it is closest to my own
style. I throw in the mix some Hollywood Regency just to get everyone scratching their heads. This trend may have been inevitable due to the fact that it is very hard to live-in an all purely modern space. I am definitely sharing this idea book. Thank you, Becky.
style. I throw in the mix some Hollywood Regency just to get everyone scratching their heads. This trend may have been inevitable due to the fact that it is very hard to live-in an all purely modern space. I am definitely sharing this idea book. Thank you, Becky.
16 months ago ·
Like
Erin Lang Norris says:
my favorite style of all! it just works so well. it's not too heavy on any particular style, and that's what i love about it! beautiful photos in this post. :)
16 months ago ·
Like
Another great ideabook, Becky! We sometimes refer to styles so casually...like we all know what it is. But in reality, most people are "mystified" by design. I love your study of the elements...it brings a sense of logic into the mystery of design. Love it.
16 months ago ·
Like
kimberlyn says:
Becky, for years I have followed your ideabooks! You rock!!! I am hopeful you and your followers can please help me figure out a paint color for our modern-vintage style home? The siding and shingles are being put on this week! Eeek, its really happening! I am hopeful you can throw out your opinions as I would love your thoughts as you have awesome taste! Could I e=mail you a photo.....please?
16 months ago ·
Like
Drought Smart Plants says:
Thank you for putting a name to the style of eclectic country jazzed up with a few modern accents.
16 months ago ·
Like
I love modern vintage - it is the perfect blend! and it's green with the repurposing. Very interesting style
16 months ago ·
Like
Becky Harris says:
Kimberlyn, of course - you can add a photo to your comment here, but I suggest posting it on the Questions Board -that way you can get the attention of more of the Houzz community and get more opinions! And thank you :)
16 months ago ·
Like
Diane Trosper says:
I love , love this Ideabook!!! Now I have a name to give to people when they ask me what my design style is!! Thanks once again Becky!!
16 months ago ·
Like
Diane Trosper says:
One question Do the wall always have to be neutral, how bout a barely blue or another barley there color??
16 months ago ·
Like
Becky Harris says:
Dianne, they can be ANY color, or wallpaper! I think it's just a matter of balance - really just a simple mix of old and new.
16 months ago ·
Like
valley says:
I have finally created a folder on this vintage modern style as I have been loving it more and more and seeing it also as industrial cottage. You have dragged me kicking and screaming into loving some modern pieces which I can now combine with my eclectic country style!
15 months ago ·
Like
Becky Harris says:
Glad to have been of help Valley! I love the idea of "industrial cottage" - I may have to steal that phrase from you for an ideabook in the future :)
Becky
Becky
15 months ago ·
Like
Today's Articles
