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There is an undeniable charm to vintage decor – the sense of tradition, the weathered appearance, and the inherent beauty that comes from centuries of history. Nowadays, it seems that true vintage pieces are hard to come by. Instead, we are left with replicas or watered-down versions that fail to capture the essence of the past, blending into the flat and monotonous landscape of modern design.
Perhaps my perspective may seem cynical? Sure. But it is simply my way of expressing my deep admiration for all things old and traditional. This is not to say that I don’t appreciate elements from other styles of decor, but I believe that a delicate balance of various influences can create a truly harmonious and captivating space.
Nowadays, it seems that many individuals have been drawn to the idea of shopping at thrift stores in order to discover vintage items and high-quality goods, thus developing an appreciation for older things. There is nothing incorrect about this choice, as I myself have also opted for this route. After all, where else could I have stumbled upon a swiveling wooden chair for just $13 or a beautiful china dish for a mere $5?
However, I must confess that I did come across certain items on the internet. Dealing with a chronic illness has hindered my ability to frequently visit local thrift stores, so I resorted to finding some items online in order to achieve the desired aesthetic for my room.
While my mind wandered freely, I had to consider two important factors: space and budget. I needed to strategically plan how to convert my small room into a functional and aesthetically pleasing space, all while being mindful of my finances.
One aspect that remained constant in my plan was the essential furniture, which would stay throughout the year. However, I wanted to focus on incorporating Victorian-inspired elements that would bring a touch of Christmas and transport me back to the late 1800s.
My objective was to create a room that blended the styles of Victorian, Dickensian, English-cottage, and French Country. I aimed to create an ambiance that was moody, vintage, and cozy in essence. The inspiration for the Christmas decorations also stemmed from the enchanting scenes in “Little Women” movie, which showcased adorable festive decorations.
One of the remarkable aspects of decorating in traditional styles is that rooms never appear meticulously finished or adorned. Instead, they exude an organic evolution, much like their inhabitants. Despite this, the overall effect remains harmonious and exceedingly pleasing, which is precisely why this style is so appealing. There is an absence of contrivance or artificiality, as the various elements such as textiles, furniture, paint colors, art, and other accessories effortlessly complement each other without being meticulously color-coordinated.
When it comes to traditional styles, it is crucial that nothing appears new. Incorporating pieces that have a brand-new look is a definite faux pas when aiming for a vintage theme. The ultimate objective is to create an ambiance that suggests your home has stood for centuries, and every aspect should reflect that. This does not necessarily mean that everything in your home must be old, but rather, achieving an imperfect appearance is key to capturing the essence of these themes.
Based on my personal experience, these are the key aspects to consider when decorating your room for Christmas…
Furniture…
Victorian furniture is typically characterized by intricate carvings, dark woods, and opulent fabrics, while English cottage/French Country type of furniture features brighter, simpler, and more natural wood pieces. Personally, I wasn’t specifically aiming for either style, but rather a combination of both or any other furniture that I could find to incorporate into my small room.
Therefore, I decided to work with my white farmhouse bed frame and dresser. Although it’s not my favorite anymore, it still fits within the theme I was going for. Ideally, I would prefer an English metal bed frame or a traditional wooden one, but I will have to make that change in the near future. As for my current nightstand, it wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but I settled for it when I stumbled upon it at Marshall’s for $80. It turned out to be the perfect fit for the available space.
I came across the swivel country chair at a local thrift store, and to my surprise, it was only $13! I never really have a specific item in mind when I go thrifting, but I trust my instincts and let my heart guide me in making a decision. I believe that I will know what I need when I see it.
Ultimately, incorporating old furniture and antiques into your home is essential for adding character and warmth.
Art Gallery…
Having an art gallery is an absolute necessity! In the realm of traditional styles, there is a well-known tendency to blend the grandeur of high art with the simplicity of everyday life, whether it be through salon-style arrangements or orderly grids. From oil portraits and Victorian silhouettes to landscapes, etchings, old maps, botanical illustrations, and depictions of animals, the possibilities are endless.
Regardless of whether you are hanging a collection on the wall or placing it on a dresser, you have the power to transform all of your art collections into vintage Christmas prints. If you’re interested, here is a helpful link that provides guidance on how to create your own vintage Christmas prints from the comfort of your own home.
Plants…
Christmas plants are the perfect way to spread the holiday cheer whether it be a bright red poinsettia, a festive wreath, a celebratory centerpiece, or a snowy white bouquet of flowers. Poinsettias may not be everyone’s favorite but there are plenty of winter houseplants that aren’t quite so on the nose, such as the rubber fig, Christmas fern, rosemary bush, or north folk pine.
I was aiming for a moodier, Victorian side here so the rubber fig and the seven-foot artificial olive tree fit the theme perfectly. Place the plants in corners or them on the dresser to add texture and some freshness.
My dad gifted each one of my sisters and I the rubber fig plant for Christmas. So I found a plain white plant urn in our background and planted it into it. I also opted for an artificial olive tree from amazon. The one I chose was 7 feet tall and filled with branches and felt it was too large for the corner I had planned it for. With my time frame, I chose to settle for it and hopefully use it for a better space in the future.
Fabrics…
There is an abundance of traditional colors, textures, and patterns for these themes. I closely worked with a color palette consisting of subdued botanical colors that resemble the hues found in a botanical garden. It is crucial to create a color palette that captures the essence of the outdoors. Although English cottages or Victorian style homes may feature some vibrant colors, it is more common to observe a muted palette showcasing faded blues, sage greens, pale pinks, and muted reds, among others.
Including a multitude of patterns is arguably the most crucial aspect. This particular style does not hold back when it comes to incorporating toile wallpaper, paisley furniture, striped pillows, and an abundance of floral patterns. The conventional guidelines for mixing patterns are disregarded, allowing you to achieve a harmonious or eccentric look, depending on your preference, when combining various patterns within a space.
Books and Candles
Displaying a curated collection of beloved books adds depth and character to traditional themes effortlessly. It allows for easy access and exploration, showcasing a space that is cherished and lived in. When browsing through thrift stores for books, I search for specific attributes like color, titles, size, and antique texture. While some of my books are thrift store finds, others are renowned works by authors I am actively collecting. Including the exquisite emerald hardbound edition of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott in my collection was an absolute necessity.
Books offer endless styling possibilities, whether it’s using them as a riser for a cherished candle, adding height to other decorative pieces, or repurposing old pages as unique placements.
Candles are the perfect way to add coziness and holiday cheer to any space! A vintage bronze or black iron metal candle stick holder will add the perfect vintage touch to accomplish the traditional Christmas look.
Baskets…
Whether used for storage or as decorative pieces, baskets exude a certain charm with their natural elements, blending wood and wicker. Placed in corners or hung on walls, baskets effortlessly bring a rustic and cozy ambiance to any room. To achieve a traditional style, complement the look with Christmas plants, wood, Pinecones, or a snug blanket.
I discovered my large wall hanging basket at world market, where I managed to snag a 20% discount for a pickup. As a result, it cost me around $14. On the other hand, my floor basket was a previous purchase from the Ross store. Believe it or not, Ross offers a surprising variety of stunning baskets in their store.
Christmas Decorations…
Lastly, it is crucial to acknowledge the significance of Christmas decorations in creating an authentic atmosphere for a traditional Christmas setting. By infusing a touch of nostalgia, one can achieve an aesthetically pleasing traditional Christmas ambiance. The utilization of classic colors such as red, green, and gold can evoke a sense of warmth and familiarity throughout the holiday season.
To accomplish this objective, I opted for natural materials and earthy tones, such as pine accents, emerald garlands, velvet bows, and rustic metals. Additionally, incorporating antique elements further enhances the festive ambiance. I managed to find a thrifted rustic French horn on Mercari for $20, vintage skates on eBay for $18, a ceramic church from Joann’s for $6, sleigh from Michael’s for $12 and black lamp also from Michael’s for $7.
The globe was an item I already owned and discovered at a local thrift store for $7. I was a little late in the game in purchasing my rustic cow bells and unfortunately the $9 deal at Hobby Lobby were sold out. So I settled for a 16-inch hanging rustic cow bells from Amazon for $13.
I seized the quaint little Christmas tree, artificial poinsettia, black lantern and garlands from Michael’s during their 75% off sale. The optimal moment to purchase Christmas decorations from these craft stores is either during their largest sale before Christmas or their most significant markdowns after Christmas, which you can enjoy for the following year.
I must admit that the wall candle sconce I found on Amazon was the one item that caught my attention, and I couldn’t resist acquiring it. Although it exceeded my budget, the exquisite rustic look of it perfectly complimented my nightstand beautifully. With a bit more thrifting scavenging, I am confident that I could have discovered the ideal secondhand sconce had I exercised a tad more patience.
I also stumbled upon a lovely red floral bed set on Amazon. It featured a 100% Egyptian cotton with vintage toile design and included bedsheets and pillow cases. However, I decided to only use the pillow cases to avoid the pattern being too overpowering.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that traditional styles often have a slightly cluttered and busy appearance, but in the most charming way possible, as they are built upon the accumulation of antiques and treasures over time.