Varieties and distinctive features of vintage furniture
An apartment decorated in an old style will not surprise anyone. But to create a reliable historical appearance of the interior in the house is not as simple as it seems at first glance. There are many subtleties of combining materials, decorating walls, textiles. One of the most unpretentious styles is vintage, which easily harmonizes with modern renovations. And to recreate it will help stylized vintage furniture, which has some features.
The main directions of style
Despite the inherent luxury of vintage style, it is not necessary to buy expensive antique furniture. After all, precisely because of the lack of funds for the arrangement of the interior, this direction appeared. In 2002, an American architect built an interesting house, which was supposed to be presented to the public. But there was almost no money left for the interior, so he went to the flea market, where he bought all the necessary furniture. The presented interior was liked primarily by the French, who gave the name to a new direction.
For the classification of furniture to a particular style of particular importance is the time period. Items used for vintage decor should be made from 50 years to 100 years ago.
The interior of 1920-1930 is especially popular. It was not so long ago, so a modern house can be quite easily furnished in accordance with the desired era. If a thing is under 50 years old, then it is considered a retro; if over 100 years old - then we have antiques.
Vintage furniture and style has some features:
- Natural materials - are of paramount importance. No plastic and other modern chemistry;
- The color palette is based on natural shades, dark or light, bright colors are muted;
- The interior in vintage style is not combined with stretch ceilings and other clearly modern decoration materials;
- As a decor, wood carvings, carved plates made of brass, copper are popular;
- In production, rough, simplified processing can be used;
- It is advisable to arrange the furniture symmetrically, so you should buy paired items: 2 armchairs, 2 identical chairs near the table, the same lockers;
- The age of old gizmos will give out scuffs, cracks, chips, peeling paint and other traces of past eras.
If we consider the directions of the interior, in which you can safely use vintage-style furniture, then this:
- Scandinavian, which shares the principle of naturalness of the material, color solutions;
- Classic - it should consider all the details and add only one large product from a past era, for example, a closet or chest of drawers;
- Loft and industrial - advantageously present antique objects against a background of brick walls;
- Eclecticism, boho, shabby chic, fusion are the most unpretentious trends with which cozy vintage furniture blends perfectly.
Pure vintage is rare. Having similar features with many stylistic trends, it can perfectly coexist with modernity and classics, but it is especially close to it in spirit: shabby chic, retro, Provence, rustic interior.
Popular types of furniture
The colors and finishes used in the interior design only prepare the basis for vintage, while the main role is played by furniture. Since stylistically furniture is difficult to attribute to one direction in the interior, looking at the photo of old objects, vintage can be described as - cozy, high-quality, natural, slightly battered antiquity.
For interior decoration, you should focus on finding objects that have a past. Although now many designers are releasing new furniture, made according to old sketches. The items used in the setting do not have to constitute one headset. The most important thing when choosing is one time period of manufacturing and appearance suitable for the interior. The most characteristic items are:
- Chest - a must in a vintage interior. Moreover, it is not a purely decorative element, but performs quite specific functions: they store things inside, from above it can be used as a surface for photographs, vases, figurines. In appearance, such a chest of drawers is low, massive, a little "puffy". Almost always, he is very old and stands on short legs. If full compliance with the chosen direction is not the main goal, then this subject is ideal for the implementation of various design ideas;
- Chairs - characterized by long, mostly wooden legs. The most popular vintage furniture model is called "Viennese";
- Chests are no longer solely for storing things. They are used as dressers or coffee tables. It can be a wooden, forged, leather or patterned object, the main thing is that in the room it resonates with some thing from similar materials;
- The secretary is an integral part of the vintage interior, designed to store documents, papers. A distinctive feature is the folding part, which turns into a table;
- Sideboard, sideboard, cupboard for dishes - attract attention with echoes of the past fashion. Now it is customary to exhibit dishes only among special connoisseurs-collectors, and before this was done everywhere;
- The bed is forged or massive wooden, with a large carved headboard;
- Antique mirror - massive, decorated with carved patterns on wood or wrought iron. After 50-100 years, such an object is covered with characteristic black spots on the amalgam;
- Heavy sofas, soft chairs - usually large, while they can stand on short thick legs. Among the upholstery, the rumpled genuine leather, the floral fabric, and velvet stand out.
In addition, a rocking chair, a chair on long wooden legs can be noted.
MirrorBedChest of drawersChairsChestSecretaireSideboardSofaWood species and upholstery used
The materials used 50-100 years ago were completely natural, which is a prerequisite for creating furniture in vintage style now. For a long service life, objects changed their appearance, grew old, covered with cracks and other traces of time.
- Vintage furniture is based on wood, which has the most natural look, where the natural pattern clearly stands out. If paint was used, then neutral shades and only in one layer. Objects of that period that reached us have cracks and obvious abrasions. Among the popular and expensive species, walnut and mahogany are distinguished. At that time, Russia actively used Karelian birch, which is famous for its beautiful natural pattern. Among the new species that have been actively introduced into the furniture industry, one can distinguish beech, gray maple, ash, and poplar. Technologies were developed for using veneers and combining several different species in one subject at once;
- Silk, linen, velvet, leather, morocco were used as finishing materials for sofas, armchairs, and chairs. Often they were decorated with hand embroideries with silk, wool, and beads. From the same materials, inserts were made into the doors of cabinets and pre-fireplace screens;
- Copper and brass were universally used as finishing materials for wood: handles for cabinets and chests of drawers, as well as lamps, figurines and other accessories. Particularly expensive furniture used gilded bronze lining;
- Crystal - if you recall the typical table service 50 years ago, then numerous crystal dishes, glasses and even chandeliers immediately come to mind. Crystal is a symbol of luxury and prosperity. Now this fashion is returning even without reference to the vintage style;
- Wrought iron has found application in the creation of heavy beds with curly and ornate headboards.
The use of such materials in a modern interior will certainly add a touch of vintage.
Manufacturing technology at home
When choosing the right things, you should pay attention to flea markets and flea markets, which sell antiques and vintage furniture. If you search for yourself, then it is worth exploring the chosen era better. This will help to avoid disharmony in the interior due to items collected from different times. It is not always possible to buy a full set of furniture; you have to combine cabinets and sofas from different sellers.
If this approach seems uninteresting and expensive, then you can make vintage furniture with your own hands. The main goal will be artificial aging, which can be done in several ways:
- Craquelure - these are cracks created specifically on paint and varnish surfaces. This effect is created using special varnishes and paints, which can be purchased at hardware stores. Designers around the world use craquelure to visually age surfaces;
- Brushing is a special process of processing a wooden surface, in which the top layer of soft fibers is removed with a special stiff brush. This method helps to achieve a pronounced woody pattern and the effect of the effect of time on a tree, and is also great for tinting or creating a patina effect;
- Patina is a special plaque that forms on the surface of copper products, which decorates vintage furniture. A natural plaque that speaks of a whole story is formed in 80-100 years. It is not necessary to wait so much, because with the help of special tools you can create a similar effect yourself;
- Upholstery fabric gives objects the appearance of an old thing. And if you choose a good color and pattern, then vintage is provided. The most suitable will be a drawing of plant patterns or ornaments, while a chair or chest of drawers can be beaten partially or completely;
- Coloring is perhaps the leader among ways to change the appearance of furniture. It can be combined in the previously proposed options, for example, brushing or craquelure;
- Another way to create an old thing is decoupage.
Decoupage technique
So, decoupage is an interesting way to transfer images to a wooden object using napkins and glue. This technique has some features. For example, the surface on which the drawing will be applied should be absolutely even, smooth and dry, perfectly sanded, on which there is no paint and varnish.
To work, you will need:
- Prepared wood surface;
- Drawing from a napkin or special paper;
- Brushes;
- Glue;
- Varnish or paint, depending on the desired effect.
The process of creating a surface with a picture using decoupage is simple, but painstaking:
- The wooden surface for an additional “age” is covered with white paint in 3 layers, and after thorough drying it is sanded, wiped with the emery or brush with the desired places;
- In addition, you can create the appearance of a wood surface eaten by bugs using a brush brush on the drill;
- The necessary pieces with patterns are torn from the napkin, while only 1 layer of paper with the image is required, so you should try and separate it from the rest of the paper;
- Drawings are laid out on the surface in the necessary order and are carefully covered with a layer of glue with a brush;
- When the glue is completely dry, the surface is covered with the necessary varnish, for example, with the effect of craquelure.
Vintage surface finished! When creating a vintage interior, do not overload the space of the room. It should not only be forced, but carry a certain meaning, telling about the past era. No wonder this area is called not only very sophisticated, but also intellectual.
Dilute paintApply the first layerApply a second coat of paintApply glueWe process corners with sandpaperFinished work