How to incorporate antique decor into your home | Catch My Job

One of the most sustainable ways to decorate your home is with antiques. Are you wondering how to incorporate antique decoration into your home? Not sure where to find the best antiques? Read more!

Written by Chere Di Boscio

Antiques are once again popular not only for their longevity and durability, but also for their sustainability. But where can you find them? And how can you make them work in your home?

These are just some of the questions we asked antiques expert Mark Hill. But we also learned a lot from him! For example, it tells us:

• Most people think that antiques will always be fashionable

• Art Deco has been named the UK’s favorite style of antique decoration

• Original works of art or antiques in your home are a status symbol in Britain

• Antiques can be great investments

That’s all great, but how do we make antiques look great in our homes? Read on to find out about this and other antique decor tips!

Pictures: frenchcountrycottage.net

Expert advice on incorporating antique decor into your home

What is the actual definition of antique furniture?

Many people own assorted vintage items and antiques, probably without even knowing it. An antique is technically an object that is at least 100 years old. It can be a large piece of furniture or a small piece of art. However, antique fairs usually have newer creations, such as designs from the 1950s and 1970s.

What other antiques are most sought after?

Among the most popular and sought-after pieces are the Art Deco cocktail cabinets from the 1930s and the iconic daybeds from the 1970s by designer Osc.ar Niemeyer. They are as highly prized by collectors and designers as an 18th century Windsor chair or traditional dresser. They also have a high resale value.

Antique works of art and sculptures never seem ‘old’, which is why they are sought after. They are also sold at a good price.

Why do you think antiques are so popular?

Antiques are popular for many reasons, but primarily longevity and sustainability. Research has shown that as a nation we really are antique lovers. Their apparently sustainable nature and perennial style have kept them in high fashion.

In fact, the numbers show that 62% of people say that antiques look good in their homes, no matter how long they’ve been there. And the majority (72%) see antique furniture as always in fashion. More than half (58%) believe they are making a fantastic, long-term investment and doing good for our environment with their sustainable credentials.

Also, solid wood furniture, which is antique, can be restored over and over again, giving it a lifespan of hundreds of years.

How do people best incorporate antiques into modern decor?

Fortunately, antiques are usually quite easy to transform into decorative schemes, as they are often one-of-a-kind items such as quirky chairs and occasional tables, or decorative objects and artwork.

When choosing your next antique decoration, consider the available space first. If you fall in love with a large piece, measure it carefully and check access to see if you can bring it into your home. Counter-intuitively, large pieces can sometimes seem larger in a small room if used correctly.

Once you’ve made sure a piece fits in a room, there are a few things you can do to keep your interior interesting. If you looking after your own existing assets, there’s nothing in the rulebook that says everything has to be in the same place all the time. Move things around and you’ll find that different pieces work with different color schemes. Making new combinations everything will look fresh.

What are your best tips for incorporating antique decor into a room?

• Look for materials and colors that match the scheme.
• It’s a good idea to carry a small purse with small cut-outs of paints and fabrics, and a tape measure, which can be essential when buying larger pieces.
• Interior designers sometimes use antiques to contrast and blend in with a color or pattern. They also know that mixing old and new elements prevents the house from looking like a hotel. It also gives it texture and soul and real personality.
• I recommend not to overdo the antique decor of that era. This can make your house look more like a museum than a home!
• Try incorporating small pieces like paintings and chandeliers until you learn more about how to incorporate antique decor into your home.

Where are the best places to hunt for antiques?

A mass of older pieces may have been passed down from older generations. These have not only historical but also sentimental value.

Chances are, however, that some of the antiques you’ve inherited feel dated, don’t fit in your room, or don’t match your look. Because of this, it’s important to know some good places to hunt for great antique pieces to match your decor.

From this point of view, it would be worthwhile to go to real estate auctions. A quick Google search should turn up some nearby. Alternatively, there are antique fairs all over the country. One of the best is London’s Winter Art & Antique Fair Olympia. At the fairs, a huge collection of the best specialist dealers is presented. Each offers a wide selection of high-quality, vetted artworks and antiques spanning centuries.

Some of the best auctions and fairs are of course in Europe. Mainly due to the long history of the countries.

Finally, how can you tell if antique decor is real?

True antique hunters will know what to look for in terms of materials and details. But if buying antiques is new to you, go to fairs and auctions, not stores. All items for sale are “inspected” before sale. This means it has been vetted by experts for quality and authenticity. However, some sellers offer certificates of authenticity.

For more information on the brilliant sustainability and longevity of antiques and how to best display them in your home, the Olympia Winter Art and Antiques Fair 1-6 November, with a private preview on October 31.