Mixing New and Vintage Decor in the Beach House

Mixing vintage decor with new items in your home is a great way to add character and charm to your space. It worked in our beach house!

Whether you’re a seasoned vintage collector or just starting, incorporating vintage pieces into your home can create a unique and personalized look. Today I am going to explore some tips and tricks for mixing vintage finds with new items, using our beach house as an example.

Mixing New and Vintage Decor

A year ago we moved into our beach house with furniture that was fairly modern … the decor was “Pottery Barn” style in a color palette of taupe and cream.

I also spent a week last year (and this year) at the Round Top vintage show to find unique vintage decor items to add to our beach house. My expectation was that I might not buy a single thing.

Wait, what?

The beach house was more modern than anything I have ever done. So who knew if I could find vintage items that would work?

To be truthful, I was kind of nervous at first as I wasn’t sure how to mix the vintage finds with the new decor. But within a few hours at Round Top, I started buying!

I am not sure if it was luck or not, but the end result was amazing.

I bought a lot of really cool things. My “haul” included three cabinets, a large apothecary car, a marble bust, a large modern twisting Liana vine, various marble and wood containers, water filtration balls, glass pieces from a windshield factory, and more.

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A Cohesive Color Palette

The first step in mixing vintage finds with new items is to start with a cohesive color palette. As I mentioned, our beach house has a lot of amazing items I found at the Pottery Barn Outlet. The entire home also has a neutral color palette.

To add some interest and texture to the space, I added three vintage cabinets. The cabinets are made from a different type of wood and have a different finish than the Pottery Barn furniture, but the colors are still within the same neutral palette.

This allowed the vintage cabinets to blend seamlessly with the existing furniture.

Consider the Scale

It is important to consider the scale of the vintage pieces in relation to the new items. My favorite purchase at Round Top was the marble bust of a woman in a swimsuit. It is a unique vintage find that adds a playful touch to the beach house.

To balance out the scale of the bust, it was placed on a console table that is larger in size with a round mirror behind it. This creates a visual balance and allows the bust to become a focal point in the room without overwhelming the space.

Consider Texture

When mixing vintage finds with new items, it’s also important to consider the texture and materials of each piece.

While shopping at Round Top I fell in love with an interesting piece of wall decor. This piece is a large modern twisting Liana vine that measures about 4′ wide. Of course, I was most attracted to the texture and knew the neutral color would look great in our main living area.

The marble platters with old glass stoppers and recycled glass pieces from a windshield factory add a touch of elegance and interest to the space. The glass pieces have a natural and organic texture that complements the smooth texture of the marble.

In the entryway, I added another vintage cabinet, ironstone bowls, an old clay pot, and the apothecary jar with shells which add a natural element to the space. These pieces have a rougher texture that adds depth and interest to the overall design.

The mirror is from Pottery Barn.

Mix and Match

Another way to incorporate vintage finds into your space is to mix and match different styles. Here I mixed three vintage items with a very modern gold lamp. I think it looks amazing.

The vintage cabinets in the beach house have a traditional style, while the Pottery Barn furniture has a more modern aesthetic. By mixing these different styles, the space becomes more eclectic and interesting.

Additionally, the vintage decor accessories add a touch of glamour and elegance to the space. This creates a beautiful contrast with the more relaxed and casual beach house vibe.

Less is More

When it comes to styling your vintage finds, less is often more. Rather than cluttering your space with too many vintage pieces, choose a few key pieces and highlight them with new items.

In the beach house, the vintage cabinets are the main vintage pieces, while the decor accessories and marble bust are accents. By focusing on a few key vintage pieces, the space becomes more cohesive and intentional.

Practical is Good Too

Our washer and dryer have a space above each unit that has always seemed like it needed a basket or something. I looked for a long time at decor stores but just couldn’t find the right item. As soon as I saw these wire baskets at Round Top, I knew exactly where I would put them!

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Have Fun With Your Finds

Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your vintage finds. Mixing vintage with new items is all about creating a personalized and unique space.

The beach house incorporates vintage finds in a playful and unexpected way. The marble bust in a swimsuit is a quirky and fun addition to the space, while the vintage cabinets add a touch of elegance and history. The vintage decor accessories and apothecary jars with shells add a natural and organic element to the space. By experimenting with different vintage finds and new items, you can create a space that is uniquely you.

Vintage Finds at Home

I did keep some of the Round Top vintage finds in our one hundred year old home. This cutting board is simply amazing and I love it with the fresh lavender.

This apothecary jar is filled with my newest collection … old yardsticks! Aren’t these fun?

Mixing vintage finds with new items is a great way to add character and charm to your home. When mixing vintage with new items, start with a cohesive color palette and consider the scale, texture, and materials of each piece. Mix and match different styles to create an eclectic and interesting space.

When styling your vintage finds, choose a few key pieces and highlight them with new items. Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your vintage finds.

The end result may not only be surprising but fantastic as well.

You may be aware that I have been at the Round Top show again this week shopping for a few small items. I promise to share everything I bought as soon as I am home!

My Favorite Gorgeous Vintage Decor!

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A Home to Share by
Leslie Saeta

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