Antiques and other decorative items for the home

With so many beautiful antiques and unique decorative items available, it has never been so easy to create a stylish home. You can search for years to find complementary antiques for the whole home, or just use one or two cleverly integrated pieces that can create an elegant twist to a modern look. 

A simple way to create this look is by using decorative items. "I like to create little collections of things to make a statement," says Lyn Gardener of Empire Vintage.

"For example, I collect milk glass and group them together," she says. "Next to my bed I've got all these old perfume bottles in different heights and shapes that look wonderful in a group."

Decorative items for walls

Walls can be transformed with this technique. "I might put up a picture of a woman's face, and then add more portraits of people to the wall. It can be a mishmash of sizes, styles and frames, but all the paintings have the same theme," Lyn says. "At home I did this with florals."

If you try for collections of items, it's important to give the look a casual touch. "I never measure distances so that everything is perfectly in line; the more casual the better. Collections should just be placed naturally together so it doesn't look like you've tried too hard," Lyn suggests. 

Colour options for the home

Different colour schemes can work for different houses. "A big old apartment might need to be lightened," Lyn suggests. "I love crisp white walls with dark floors. Here you might only use white vintage items, or vintage fabrics in gentle stripes, plains or florals to create a sense of faded glamour."

For bright rooms, colour might just be the key. "I love Porter's paint because it makes the walls look older," Lyn says. "Lime washes are great, and you can use whatever colour range you're going for. Wallpaper will also mix in well for this kind of thing." 

Modern and antique combinations

If you want to maintain your modern furniture but create a stylish tone, try using antique glass to reflect and refract light. "You could have a modern glass table with beautiful old, floral chairs, or modern furniture with a big old chandelier from the 30s," Lyn says.

"Alternatively, you might have a beautiful new table but use old crockery. Or a new table with a fantastic mix of old white wooden chairs that are all different. Or a feature wall with wallpaper, or simply one amazing chair. It can be as simple or as layered as you want."

Contact a homewares specialist in your area to find out how you can get the perfect decorative items for your home: