The Sunday News
Amanda Ncube
VINTAGE or retro style decorating is involves combining a variety of patterns, textures and colours to create a look that is as unique as the era that influenced it. When correctly done, a beautiful and elegant retro space can be created. Vintage or retro syle is any interior decorating theme influenced by trends and styles from the past . . . it encompasses styles from decades ago. Vintage style requires a bold approach and a certain personality, it should be unique.
A vintage or retro syle should be fun, lively, loud, busy, wild and funky. There is nothing laid back or casual with vintage style. Here are some ways of bringing retro or vintage style to your home.
To give your space a vintage feel choose colours that are bright and loud. Choose colours such as avocado green, purple, pink and mustard yellow, which are said to be the most popular retro colour choices. You can combine these colours with other colours such as brown, black or white. Do not be afraid to combine more than two colours . . . mix green, red, yellow and blue on one single item. In most cases retro colours are all fighting to grab people’s attention. You can also use fabrics with all sorts of colours and patterns which reflect a trademark of the vintage style. When decorating with retro or vintage style get rid of any reservations you have may have about mixing colours and patterns.
Almost all vintage furniture grabs people’s attention and they all work as focal points. Vintage furniture is sturdy, durable and completely usable. A vintage couch is broad and extremely long with different colours. Since retro means loud, add more colour by using multi-coloured pillows. The same can be done with your rug or carpet for an added dash of colour. By so doing, an attractive beautiful and funky atmosphere can be created.
Do not be afraid to go over the top. Everything should be bold from flooring to smooth plastics, soft vinyls, and crushed velvets. For flooring you can choose wood (natural), shag carpeting, and a bold mix of tiles with various pattern. Its textures, colours as well as well patterns should reflect retro style by being over the top, wild and busy. The more funky the better.
Accessories and accents should reflect past trends. Fuzzy throw rugs, door beads,decorated lamps, skate tables and scoop stools. Art and sculptures are typically bold and unusual, leaning more toward abstract pieces rather than simple landscapes and still-life. — Additional information from online sources
