Holiday entertaining with vintage style

The holidays are a great time to bring some vintage decorating into your home. Nostalgia, family traditions and heirlooms can evoke your family’s own special history and personality for all to share. Using treasured keepsakes on your table and in your decor is a great way to start conversations about their history.

There are limitless possibilities for using antique and vintage pieces for your holiday decor, and the best part is they look even better when you mix and match them all together. Practically speaking, vintage items are also often much less expensive, yet their quality is unmatched. Don’t worry if you can’t find complete sets of table ware, you can use a few items of each and combine them for a really great look. It’s the perfect time to bring out all those odd assortments of items you’ve collected over the years.

When using vintage items, think layers and textures. Mixing many different pieces gives a much more interesting look than when everything coordinates perfectly.

So gather up your collectibles and try to find new ways to use them. Antique upholstery springs and teacups can be combined to make some really interesting tealight holders. Old bottles can be used as decanters for your holiday bar … add some vintage glassware and you have instant mid-century style!

When setting your table for holiday parties, keep things on a smaller scale. Using a large mix of textures and materials creates a stunning look that is uniquely yours.

Start by layering vintage linens and table runners as your base. Then add to the layered look with a mix of wood and silver pieces. Adding personal touches to each place setting makes the table special and intimate. Creating small, individual floral arrangements for each guest instead of larger arrangements on the table adds a special touch and allows for better sightlines for your dinner guests. You can even send each guest home with their own arrangement as a keepsake from the occasion. Try using old silver teapots and other server-ware as interesting floral holders. Mix and match vintage glassware for an eclectic look at each setting. Old silver spoons can be bent into one-of-a-kind napkin holders.

Use old wood items as chargers, candleholders and backdrops for your table ware. Use repetition along the length of the table, but stick to the rule of using items in odd numbers for visual interest.

Use some vintage or antique pieces to decorate your mantle as well. Vintage sock stretchers are a unique and fun spin on traditional stockings. Metal heating grates, greenery, and wood spools layered together give a rich and beautiful focal point in the room.

Have some fun with it and don’t be afraid to try something new. Relaxed holiday entertaining that showcases your own personal style is what’s really chic right now.

 

Christine Roberts is a stylist and interior designer. An avid vintage collector, she makes furniture and home accessories from reclaimed materials and co-founded The Leslieville Flea.

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