The Vintage Retro Style
Vintage Retro is all about you. The style is a modified version of any previous era trend that has come back into fashion. Spanning across decades and design genres, you can individually mix your tastes and work with your personality and preferences. Classic original pieces are mixed and blended with modern versions to create a funky, eclectic look. Also known as mid-century styling, this expression could be achieved through statement furniture or complementary accessories.
Statement Pieces
Shabby chic, heritage, timeless, antique or ageless; the vintage retro style is referred to as many concepts. If you are unsure where to start with your interior, choose a single piece of nostalgic furniture that catches your eye. This is a great starting point to build from. You could also focus on an accessory with a certain colour or pattern scheme. You can take inspiration from a range of influences such as the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
When opting for a grand statement piece, don’t just limit yourself to downstairs. A stand-out Art Deco bed, such as the Orelia bedstead, will provide a very on trend, retro vibe. Other choices that embrace vintage quality include the metal framed Isabelle or Orleans sleigh bedstead.
Staying on Brand
Heritage remains an important part of creativity. Established brands such as Parker Knoll, G Plan and Ercol have their roots in classic designs. Having furnished homes since the early 1900’s, many modern pieces now take inspiration from such iconic influences.
In some cases, original designs have been relaunched, such as the Parker Knoll Statesman swivel chair. The brand notes that the Statesman swivel chair is a contemporary take on a traditional concept.
Then and Now
At Cousins, we often take ideas from original furniture and give it a modern twist. Available to view in our stores, the range of new alternatives is proving very popular.
Our Basquiat table lamp takes inspiration from the original German mushroom lamp, dating back to the 1970s. The brushed gold effect is modern and luxurious.
Our Bonita cornergroup sofa is influenced by modular leather seating designs. The comfortable padded seating offers extra support through the use of the reclining motion.
The Giselle accent chair is a take on a traditional 1950’s Italian design. The chair features tapered wooden legs with colouring from the 1960’s and 1970s’. This delivers a perfect retro vibe to your home.
Vintage Styling
Classic shaped furniture lends itself more to the vintage element of this style. Inspiration comes from country living and shabby chic painted furniture. Our Cheltenham dining range is a perfect example of a traditional, homely set up.
Perhaps the most notable, our Chesterfield sofas tick every vintage box. The timeless design sits beautifully in leather, fabric and classic wool. This design suits many different styles of Interior.
Interior designer for Cousins, Clare, said: “I personally like the Bamburgh or Warwick Chesterfields. These are available in beautiful leathers and soft velvet fabrics. “With vintage in mind, we often think about stately pieces. Featured fabrics include plaid, tartans and chintz. Woden and Saxby reflect this perfectly.
“Nostalgia is all about feeling warmth and comfort.”
Whether you are furnishing a living room, bedroom or dining room, we can help. Our expert advisors can assist you in creating your perfect vintage retro styling. Cousins offer a range of pieces from main furniture investments that will stand the test of time, to quirky accessory accents that reflect days gone by.
Browse our styles page and shop the Vintage Retro collection today.
