Vintage Vibes

This month Sara Austin advises on how to achieve a modern take on vintage interior styling.

- Sara Austin

The month of September traditionally sees a major pace change of the year in the fashion and interior industry calendars. The 'September Issue' heralds not only the change of the seasons, but also the launch of the latest trends and must-have items. After working in the fashion industry for almost two decades, we recently returned to Ireland to embrace a slower pace of life with our young family. I began to re-evaluate the fast fashion ethos and consumer behaviours learned throughout my design career. Renovating our Victorian home, we sensed a need to source our homewares more sustainably; to make more considered choices. Keen that our home would reflect our experiences and individuality, we have found that combining vintage with statement, investment pieces has been the perfect way to tell our story.

Your Home, Your Story

For many years, no one wanted antique furniture, but recently the move towards sustainability has seen us rekindle our love for vintage. In a world of identikit interiors and fast moving trends, period furniture has begun to make its comeback.

Whether mid-century modern, or simple wooden chairs that you buy to paint, sourcing one-off antiques is a fabulous way of expressing your taste and personality and introducing a touch of vintage will always elevate your interior design scheme. Second hand furniture, with its scuffs and marks from bygone years, has a story to tell. Our own vintage kitchen table, refurbished just after our children were born, is full of scratches, dents and felt tip pen stains, but we dearly love those imperfections that tell our story.