Beloved pieces, whether an old family treasure, a favorite chair, or a beautiful vintage find, allow a space to tell the owner’s story. Design isn’t about tossing out existing belongings and replacing them with something shiny and new. Instead, allow your favorite pieces to play a central role in a room. Or, considering upcycling or repurposing items to give them a new function. Mixing the old with the new is a great way to go green and reduce the cost of redecorating. Here are some stunning examples of preserving a bit of history:
An old farm table and copper fireplace are paired with modern chairs, a chalkboard, and clean, fresh white for an eclectic look. An Ikea shelving unit was outfitted with castors and turned on its side to create a low bookcase.
This sophisticated space incorporates the owner’s existing vintage table. New pieces, such as the sideboard, rug, and light fixture were added for an entirely new aesthetic.
The client had been collecting the vintage artwork that graces the walls for years and the coffee table was already in the home as well. A coat of paint, funky pillows, accessories, a rug from the 1960’s, and a new couch with plush fabric tie the space together.
An old dresser was given a makeover. The designer added glass cabinets and an orange sink to create a one-of-a-kind vanity. The unique floor tiles with matching backsplash, blush walls, subway tiles, and an antique mirror create an elegant, vintage feel.
If you can’t live without your chairs, have them reupholstered. These chairs were the clients and instead of opting for new ones, they were updated with textured fabric. The painted bookshelves, eclectic knickknacks, and neutral walls are perfect for a traditional space.
Mixing old and new can really make a space pop. The framed sea ferns were from the client’s own collection. The vintage chairs were covered in bright, bold fabric A few updates took the room from traditional to contemporary.
The cat seems right at home in this mix of global and vintage. The homeowner’s existing four poster bed was adorned with fabric and used as the centerpiece. Well chosen antiques, contemporary bedding, and an oriental rug make for a soothing bedtime retreat.
This stunning vignette is a collection of modern and vintage pieces arranged just right. The collection includes items of varying heights, boasts a cohesive color scheme, and leaves enough space to avoid a cluttered look. (BTW I love the lamp!)
The old wooden table serves as a fun, rustic twist, especially when paired with contrasting white chairs. The modern appliances, covered barstools, large island, and pendant lights shine in the sunny kitchen.
When designing a room for a child, tween, or teen, it’s important to mix in playful elements that suit their style with timeless pieces they can grow into. Add interest with accessories, fabric, and paint. This way, making alterations to adapt to their ever changing preferences will be affordable and simple. The vintage chair is upholstered in a tween-friendly fabric and the bright, cheerful color scheme ensures that the room is age-appropriate. Pieces, such as the desk, will last for years.
The open floor plan of this home creates a light, airy feeling. Contemporary touches, such as bold accents, and butterscotch and green walls, are tempered by the client’s existing dining room furniture and rich brown in the entryway and dining room. Substantial columns serve to create distinct spaces. While the home is new, the dark wood family table adds warmth and exhibits the homeowner’s personality.
While remodeling a home from the 1930’s, the designer wanted to retain a sense of the era, yet ensure that it was perfect for a young couple. Working with the existing, vintage dining table, Ball added texture to the wall with Moroccan-style wallpaper that complements the colorful chairs and mismatched host and hostess chairs. The vintage chandelier and gold wall decor infuse the room with a little glam. The result is a traditional, yet edgy, dining room.
The client’s antique French cupboard takes center stage. The table was crafted from reclaimed wood and new dining chairs were added to create this old world sensibility. The eclectic dining room was completed with luxe window treatments, a rustic chandelier, and heirloom china. The painted ceiling further creates drama without taking away from the history-soaked ambiance.
Do you have items that absolutely must stay? How do you work them into the room when you change decor?
If we all adopted a few “green” habits it would add up to one big impact on the environment. In honor of Earth Day and my love of sustainable design, here are some simple ways to reduce your ecological footprint:
Practice BYOB (bring your own bag) shopping. Store groceries, flea market finds, or craft store purchases in a reusable tote instead of plastic shopping bags. Eco-friendly totes come in a range of colors, patterns, and materials.
Put that Kindle to good use. Stop reading the print form of newspapers and magazines. Instead subscribe to the online versions.
Plastic water bottles are just plain evil. Use a Brita or Pur filter for drinking water. If you need it on the go, store it in a 100-percent BPA-free, stainless steel water bottle. Go traditional with a Klean Kanteen or sip from something sleek like the special editions from Kor.
If you can’t live without your print newspaper or plastic water bottle, definitely recycle them.
Consider installing dimmers in the rooms that you use most. Just dimming your lights saves a small amount of energy.
Get off junk mail lists. Check out Green Dimes. It makes it easy for you.
Opt for online billing.
Use a diaper service to do the dirty work. They provide you with cloth diapers instead of disposable ones. The Real Diaper Association is a great resource.
Do full loads of laundry and use the cold water cycle. Washing with cold water is effective thanks to detergents like Tide Cold Water. Your clothes will thank you too.
Recycle and reuse. Freecycle.org allows you to recycle your belongings and find gently used ones as well.
Work online, at home or in the office, and limit what you print.
Go meatless once a week. Cutting out animal products, even one day per week, substantially reduces your carbon footprint. Find recipes at Meatless Monday.
Repurpose your belongings. Turn weathered doors into a headboard or use a vintage suitcase as a bedside table. With a little DIY creativity, the options are endless.
Gather some friends for an evening of shopping. Each guest should bring clothing items that they no longer want. Everyone swaps for a fresh closet.
Switch to low-energy light bulbs.
What ideas do you have for going “green?” Tell us about your eco-friendly habits in the comments section. Happy Earth Day!
Inspired Design 