“Let us show you how to” …create a dream corner in your living room.
“Let us show you how to”…create a dream corner in your living room.
Think of your corner as a little retreat with all the comforts and things that you love - a peaceful and blissful nook.
Using vintage and contemporary pieces, here are our key ingredients to create that dreamy space you've been after...
Ingredient One - It’s all about comfort
It may be your favourite armchair from another room. Or a vintage one that you have reupholstered or found at a market. Or a new one from an online store. As long as you can throw your shoes off and snuggle up comfortably with a book (or your phone), its a winner. Sam recently moved her green velvet armchair to the kitchen and with a new cosy reading corner in mind, she replaced it with a midcentury style armchair from the sofa.com Iggy range - supportive, snug and of course elegant. She was after a textured, woven neutral feel and this was a perfect combination. It is so comfortable that now the whole family wants to claim it as their own.
Ingredient Two - Rest those legs
Sometimes you want to curl up, but sometimes you want to stretch out those tired legs. A footstool is a must. Whatever you choose, vintage or new, upholstered or wood, make sure it doesn't mark easily and is sturdy enough to hold your legs. Sam chose the "Iggy Footstool" from Sofa.com to match her armchair with the same proportions.
Ingredient Three - Let there be light
A beautiful floor-standing lamp, or table lamp, creates mood and helps to define a space. Sam chose the stunning statement "Idol Floor Lamp" from Sofa.com as the vintage style brass and marble tied in with some of her existing vintage decor and furniture. But you can be a little bold here with pattern and colour too and its a way of adding in a different material and texture to the scheme.
Ingredient Four - Textiles and Textures
There is nothing quite like a big, soft blanket and glorious cushions to make you feel luxuriously relaxed and warm but throws and cushions also bring a design scheme together. You can be a little bold with these elements and its a brilliant way to add colour and pattern (and texture) if you are feeling adventurous. Sam wanted a textured neutral scheme (without pattern) - she also included some of her existing pieces - beautiful
green velvet and textured cushions and throws. Here are some ideas for cushions and some ideas for throws.
Ingredient Five - Stepping out
When you step down from your dream sofa, you also want to feel warmth and comfort on your feet. You may already have a carpet in your room (or perhaps a wooden floor) and either way, adding an extra layer is a beautiful way of creating warmth underfoot. It can be something earthy or patterned, vintage or modern.
Ingredient Six -
Surround yourself with nature
Plants, plants and more plants. In pots, baskets, vases, on the floor or on a shelf. The green of nature immediately creates a calming environment.
Ingredient Seven - Make it easy
A little sidetable (at the right height) is an important accompaniment to a comfy armchair. You want to be able to place your food and drink and other little necessities comfortably without having to reach. And of course a little sidetable in wood always adds lovely texture too.
Ingredient Eight - Create a visual story
This is such an important element of your little corner. Think of creating a beautiful 360 degree view. Art on the wall adds story and history. For Sam, a little trio of antique paintings created the perfect atmosphere and mood. Style shelves with books, art, plants and candles and interesting little objects, old and new. Look in your cupboards and be creative! Need a few vintage art ideas to get you started?
Ingredient Nine - R &R
Recline and relax and admire your beautiful corner.
Ingredient Ten - Fun for all the family
Sometimes you will want peace and quiet to enjoy your corner, but other times, its a perfect place for the whole family (dogs included) to gather around and chat.
We would love to see the cosy spaces you have created, so please do send us a picture to tamara@vintagecuratorinteriors.com
With love (and happy styling)
Sam and Tamara
And please don’t forget to subscribe to our journal which will include all kinds of creativity, inspired by our love for vintage, antiques and sustainable living
“Let us show you how to” buy vintage at an antique fair
“Let us show you how to”…buy vintage at an antique fair.
Always wanted to visit an antique fair in the UK but feeling slightly overwhelmed as to how to navigate it? Let us show you how to get the best out of a wonderful day out, immersed in antique, vintage and story.
Tip 1. Get up early and get there when the fair opens.
Tip 2. Take (lots of) cash, as most dealers prefer it and you’ll probably get a better price if you use it.
Tip 3. Wrap up warm, take water, snacks and definitely take a tape measure!
And take a trolley if you’ve got one…(link below if you’re interested in buying one)
Tip 4. Don’t go with a huge list. Be focused. Fairs are massive and can be really overwhelming so try to prioritise looking for one or two things e.g things for the kitchen or art or a sideboard for example. If you go looking for everything you’ll probably find nothing. And if you’re looking for furniture make sure you’ve got the measurements you need with you.
Tip 5. Be nice to the dealers!
Say hello, build a rapport, ask for information about the piece, and then ask for the price. As a guide you can usually get around 10% off of the first price especially if you’re buying a lot or you have cash. Either that or you can ask for their “best price” straight off the bat. If they give you their best it normally is their best so don’t try to beat them down as they may well tell you to get lost! Remember they probably slept in their van over night and were up even earlier than you were so be gentle with them if you want to get the best out of them.
Bonus Tips. If you buy something and leave it with the dealer make sure you take a picture of their van, where they are in the fair, and their phone number. We’ve all left things with dealers and not been able to find them that is soul destroying. If you need a courier there are usually ones on site but they can get booked up, so make sure you buy furniture early in the day and get it booked on with them before they run out of space.
Here is a list of a few of our favourite antique/vintage fairs:
If you’d like to do a search of all antique fairs in the UK, then head to www.antiquesnews.co.uk for more info.
If you are interested in buying a trolley (they are a must for visiting and shopping at a fair and handy for other things too), you can find one here www.vonhaus.com
And please don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly journal which will include all kinds of creativity, inspired by our love for vintage, antiques and sustainable living.
With love,
Sam and Tamara x