Thursday, June 19, 2008

vintage in vogue


This is one magazine tear sheet that I have saved for years from ELLE Decor. Home of Designer, Trina Turk - she dines here in this chic dining room full of fabulous finds.  Vintage brass chairs by William Haines and a Herman Miller Table.  The table runner is an antique Japanese obi.   Note the bonsai tree.

New does not excite me as much as something "vintage."  Shopping and scouting for something 
from an era gone by has far more appeal.   The quality seems to far surpass some new things made today.  Certain materials were ever popular, brass, various woods, white leather and created to make practical designs with form and function in mind.  Also the allure of the hunt, the stories behind vintage along with learning about something old, makes me feel new.  

This is my home, my vintage home built in 1949.  Everything has a story and was given, found, or bought from thrift, antique or consignment shop(s).  The only items that were purchased new are the lamps and the dining chairs -in order to find a matching set of eight.  

Light up your space or closet with something great from another era.  Collect vintage and you will see how quickly your finds will increase in value and in vogue.   Do your homework on-line and start to look for your favorite vintage items.  Do you have a favorite vintage purchase or item in your home.  Does it have a story?  

19 comments:

Marnie said...

the hunt is fun and the stories are good too... I found this piece here and this piece there on such and such trip when...

heidi said...

what beautiful light your home has!!!

ArchitectDesign™ said...

I love your living room :-) As you know I also prefer vintage - older objects have a story to tell and a beautiful patina. My favorites -well, as you know I love antique china but also furniture! About 1/2 of my furniture came from my grandparents -not as hand-me-downs but as things I really wanted and love!

littlebyrd said...

Love this post on vintage items! Of course I have a favorite. It's an old rustic cabinet with white paint and a winow pane door on the front. It is the home for my cream dish collection.

simply seleta said...

So glad we were able to sneak a peak inside your lovely abode. Thanks!

Chairloom said...

Excellent living room. Love it. Thank you for sharing it.

Easy and Elegant Life said...

The vast majority of things with which we live is vintage and there are some great stories attached to each piece. There is the huge deco radio that my Father told me he was listening to when VJ Day was announced, for example.

Your home is very chic (which doesn't surprise me a bit....)

London Calling said...

PVE- Your home is lovely. Of course it would be! Wonderful rug! And chairs. I'm MAD about vintage. Funny I think the only new things we have are lamps and dining chairs too.

Kwana said...

Wonderful post pve. Your home is amazing but you already know I'm a big fan.

N said...

I love mixing and matching vintage with some new. Or new that evokes vintage, I should say. Looking forward to seeing your place in person!

My personal fave is an Indian dining table we use as a coffee table. The legs are red and the sides are carved. And it's somewhat kid-proof since it's already "lived" a while!

kari and kijsa said...

Your home is beautiful! Love the natural light and all the warm woods! We love furnishings and homes with a provenance! Everything has a wonderful snse of authenticity in these surroundings!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Fifi Flowers said...

I have a wonderful Duncan Phife dining room table given to me by a client... it had been passed down in generations through her family to her... she had two grown sons who did not want the table... she said she considered me the daughter she never had... makes me cry to tell this story... and she gave me the table... a few years ago she passed away... and that table now means even more to me! I have it in my last will and testament that the table is to be passed down in my family and is to never be given away.
Vintage is SPECIAL!

houseandglobe said...

Your living room is so inviting, the perfect conversation spot. Thank you for opening up this especially inspiring room of your home! And, actually, now that you mention it, one of my most thrilling finds has to be a pair of vintage chairs ($60 each) at an estate sale in my neighborhood. They're 1950's/60's-ish. I will have to share a photo of them with you as I'm sure you'll know their proper name.

Marina Capano said...

Hi! Nice to meet you! well, I love its, are so cute! warm regards, I hope you in my blog!

Mrs.French said...

I actually think you may have Trina beat...such a wonderful home you have! The problem I have is that I want instant gratification. I wan to replace everything in my home with something vintage and meaningful. I am trying...but it is a slow process.

Marie Louise said...

Love your home? Is it mid-century in design? I'd love to see more!

pve design said...

In response -

Yes, vintage or items inherited or given in love are the way to go. So many memories and stories which truly make life meaningful and can be handed down.

Our home is a mid-century modern and we have the original blueprints. We really did not know what we happened upon! Lucky us.

thanks,
pve design - patricia

My Notting Hill said...

Fun to see inside your home! The room is very restful - love all the vintage.

Elizabeth said...

I've always gone for antique or vintage before anything new. Yesterday I was furniture shopping with Mr.OM and all we looked at were mid-century looks.