From the Floors Up

Retro Versus Vintage Design: What’s the Difference?

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Interior Design, architecture, and fashion have been complementing each other for centuries. As new fads come into the industries, designers continue to modify them and create a “new” style. Interior design has gone through many changes, some styles still being staples in today’s marketplace. As themes develop, they create subcategories or can even blend with other trending styles to create something entirely new.

However, with so many styles available, it can be confusing to tell similar styles apart from one another. Themes like Country and Rustic or Modern and Contemporary become commonly interchangeable words. However, these are completely different design styles with their own unique flairs and looks. Retro and Vintage are frequently used to describe a theme and are thought to be interchangeable. Although, these two designs have a very notable difference. Knowing what style you are trying to accomplish can help guide you when designing your space. Here is everything you need to know about these two styles and their unique differences:

Vintage

Vintage Design is highly influenced by its décor and has a very open color palette. It is reflective of the past and can incorporate many antiques to help strengthen the look. Think of your vintage design as telling a story. You should have elements which represent different eras and past trends. Try to have antiques or incorporate older décor into your home to accomplish this look. Additionally, you will find that Vintage is generally affiliated with the 1920s and its style reflects so.

Retro

Retro, which is short for retrospective, is a style that expresses the 1980s and 1990s. Your space will not feel outdated, but rather feel like a blast for the past. It will incorporate fun, past trendy concepts. Retro can have modern influence mixed into the equation without feeling unbalanced. Retro décor does not need to be outdated but can be brand new purchases reflecting past designs. Generally speaking, retro is newer than vintage and vintage is newer than antique.

Both these reflective styles are fun to incorporate in our homes. Whether you are looking to create a vintage dining room or a retro home theatre, these styles can always feel interesting. For more insight on design themes, make sure to subscribe at From the Floors up.

Fall Decorating Trends

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8679206_SFor those of us who need to be “the” home trendsetter, here is a list of what’s hot for this fall:

Neutrals: These are also called colorless designs, this trend is using texture and shape instead of color and contrast. Think fur, chunky knit throw pillows, 3-D art and cloth wall coverings.

Museum trend: Display your collections like they would in a museum. Also called the “curated” look, this trend is displaying what you love to collect in a whimsical and quirky way. To nail this look hang portraits in groups on your wall like they do in art galleries.

Mix and match: Get rid of the idea that everything has to be matchy matchy. This fall, mix modern and old pieces of art and furniture together. Make a vignette by grouping unique pieces you have collected like globes, books, shells, and antique toys in groups of three to five. Display these items in a hall on a table or on a bookshelf.

Tell a story: Do you travel all of the time, do you love to cook, do you sew, what’s your favorite color? Make each room in your house tell a story about your passions. Bicycles in the dining room? If that’s what you love, it can totally work.

Color: Instead of muted tones, clear bright high contrast color is very popular this year. Paint a wall black or dark grey and see how that will make other colors in your décor “pop”.

Vintage:  This is also called “Americana” design and it’s making a big splash. Shop at flea markets for vintage inspired accessories that celebrate handcraftsmanship. Old toys, quilts, kitchen items, dressers and baskets are all good finds.

Finally, add some bold graphic patterns to your home. Whether you decide to wallpaper an entire room or just add some new throw pillows, patterns are back in fashion. If you are not ready to do an entire room in a pattern try using graphic wallpaper on the back of a bookshelf, or cover your dining room table with super bold tablecloth.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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