Design Tip Tuesday: Mixing Old and New

It’s been a little while since I’ve written a blog post so I figured there’s no time like the present to do a little spring cleaning and dust off the ol’ blog. Thanks to my good friend Lindsey, we will be bringing you Design Tip Tuesday, to give you a little decor inspiration each week. This week’s topic is mixing old and new decor.

Have you ever found yourself asking “What would Meredith do?” Well I’m here to tell you just that.

I don't play by the rules when it comes to designing spaces. I tend to make up my own rules. I love old things but I also like new ones too. For our March shop design, I’ve got a good mix of old and new. I also believe in designing what feels good to you.

In this particular photo, we have some new furniture mixed with some vintage accessories. Cozy blankets on the chairs add texture to the space. A small pillow with stripes gives the space a small pop of color. These are the cozy feel good things. Now, to add to the story, I added in the vintage pieces. Mixing old and new adds balance. Instead of using one larger end table, I’ve combined three small vintage tables that almost act as nesting tables. I like the different shape and style of each of these tables.

If you know me, you know I LOVE OLD BOOKS!! Old books are one component that is a constant in all of my designs. In this case, we took some books that had seen better days and repurposed them into a book garland.

I love the book garland because it adds dimension to the mantel plus it’s a conversation piece. You don’t see these everyday and you can’t buy it at any of the big box stores.

In addition to the book garland, I’ve got one of my all time favorite pieces on one of the small tables. An old book without its cover, wrapped in twine.

This book dates back to 1856, a true antique! What I love about it is how simple and elegant it is. I admire the writing and wish that my own handwriting was as beautiful as this.
Last but not least, I added in some faux greenery (because let’s be honest, keeping real plants alive is not my strong suit). Since Mother Nature refuses to cooperate, I’m bringing the spring feel inside. We also have some vintage style chocolate bunny molds on the mantel too.

All in all this space is cozy with a nice blend of old and new.

When you mix old and new, you keep the room fresh. It adds contrast and depth which ultimately gives the space balance. AKA: The space feels good!

Tips for Mixing Old and New:

•The number one rule is always be true to your own style. If you like mixing polka dots and stripes, you go for it. Be authentic to your style.

•Use what you have at home and then add what you need. If you are working with an older piece of furniture at home, add a few new decorative accessories to freshen it up and give it a new look.

•If you have new pieces in your home but you want to add some vintage charm, add in vintage decor. I personally love salvage pieces like corbels, old windows, doors or columns. As I mentioned earlier, vintage books are always a winner in home decor.

•Get creative: Vintage pieces are really fun to use and especially fun to get creative with. You don’t always have to use the item for it’s intended purpose either. For example, use an old chicken feeder as a table centerpiece. You’ll get kudos for being creative and you will have a fun centerpiece.

Mixing old and new in your home can add a lot of personality. What vintage or new items do you want to add to your home? Join us March 15th-18th at Eddy Street Vintage Market to find some one-of-a-kind pieces.

Ready, set, decorate!

Happy Styling!
Meredith

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Leave a comment with your questions for Design Tip Tuesday

And that's a wrap! Our first year in business is complete. Here's the recap!

The difference a year makes: 365 days ago a lot was going on! I changed jobs and moved from an established company to a startup, I was selling off my antique inventory, moving out of my space in the antique mall and without knowing it, starting my own business. When the startup failed, my back up plan was already in full swing. Reflecting back on the last year, I'm excited about how far Eddy Street Vintage Market has come and there is no doubt in my mind it's because of you. Growing up here, leaving for college and coming back, I realize how great our small community is. You have helped spread the word by coming to each sale, bringing a friend, referring a friend, and in the process becoming our friend.  Each person who walks through our door helps us continue to bring you the "Eddy Street Production" each month.  To commemorate the last year, let's take a stroll down memory lane. Here are the highlights from each sale!

Year 1 was a blast and I'm looking forward to all that Year 2 has to offer: the opportunity to meet new friends, bring you even better vintage treasures, the possibility of an antique fair Eddy Street Style, the introduction of the Eddy Street Express and I'm sure a few surprises along the way. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us! Cheers!

Spring Living Room Makeover

Each season I get an itch to change up the decor in my house. There is something about moving my furniture and adding new pieces to make it feel like a completely new space.

I love looking at Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs and Restoration Hardware for inspiration but I don't really care for the amount it would cost me to makeover my living room using their stuff. You can create the look (for significantly less) with a little bit of research, creativity, paint and determination.

So here is a tour of my Spring Living Room Makeover! I forgot to take before pictures (a common problem I have). I will be sure to remember for next season's make over. 

My living room is a long and narrow shape. One of the hardest spaces to decorate in my opinion. We have an entry table to the left of our front door that serves as a catch-all for our keys which live in this adorable little trophy from 1933 I came across on one of my treasure hunts.

I love using salvaged elements. I have several chippy white doors as decor around my house. Two smaller doors sit behind the entry table along with a beautiful piece of tin ceiling, a stack of vintage books and an Essence of Peppermint bottle with dried roses that have a hint of pink. 

I just received the latest Ballard catalog and I am loving some of their cabinetry, especially these grey and white pieces.

And even though items are currently 15% off... You are still looking at over $1000 for each piece! (My wallet hurts) So I decided to go about it my own way. 

I found two matching cabinets with beveled glass doors, lights, and covered storage on bottom (JACKPOT!). The structure was great, they were solid wood and they weren't  $3000. They weren't the color I wanted but I knew I could fix that. Yes, it was Super Bowl Sunday but Derek was willing to go with me to pick them up. What a guy!

I had the vision for them. So we sanded both and painted them. Knowing we had a looming deadline for game time, I may have sanded a little faster. The chosen color is called Brook Trout. It's a grey color with a hint of brown. Wanting to highlight whatever items I stored in the cabinets, I decided to paint the inside white...Swiss coffee to be exact. I changed the hardware from a mismatched wood knob to a rectangular antiqued brass knob. 

I'm a sucker for symmetry so these cabinets became the perfect frame for my fireplace. Inside I decided to showcase some of my favorite vintage luggage, a few art pieces, an ampersand and a figurine. Boy am I happy with the end result.