The Homeware Edit: Vintage and Modern Treasures

Whether it makes a valuable impression at a party or reminds you of a place you traveled to, an excellent piece of homeware can elevate a space aesthetically and emotionally. Carefully chosen vessels transform rooms from neutral spaces to places that reflect unique personal story and taste. Story can be present in the most unlikely of places. A strange trinket or ugly oddity can mean far more than its worth and look. Taste, as it pertains to collecting homeware, is more intentional. It hinges on education, inspiration, and pure visual desire. From old Hollywood regency to mid century modern, specific design movements can be an instrumental reference to bring together a cohesive interior design vision. For our homeware suggestions, we sought to capture the souls of rooms typically found in a home. Ranging from the communal playfulness of a kitchen to the intimate eruditeness of a study, we gave each a familial personality and homeware to match.

Kitchen

The Kitchen is the true mother hen of all rooms. Some of her greatest attributes include creating a sense of warmth, providing a place of gathering, and protecting a well-stocked pantry. Homeware pieces that mirror her colorful nature include the likes of Geocromia’s geometric porcelain espresso set and these colorful Antigua glass dessert bowls. A handpainted Victorian tea canister from Savage London delivers a sense of the sense of cozy, while a Maison Flaneur decorative plate which writes “I saw you crying at the discotheque” denotes a mother’s love and emotional support. Some eclectic choices include Chilewich’s funky citrus placemats, MOMA’s Artistic palette ceramic cheese board, and a set of glasses from LagunaB’s iconic Berlingot Evo Collection, which can easily bring the whole family together.

Living Room

The Living Room no doubt takes on the personality of the eldest child. As the center piece of an apartment or home, a living room has a lot to live up to - just like any first-born. With nods to the early twentieth century and art deco movements, these homeware pieces embody characteristics often associated with the eldest : elegance, duty and intellect. Think warm brass Everton sconces that can light a room for quiet, studious evenings. A vintage lacquered early twentieth century Chinese folding screen delineates privacy and chic boundaries. This Zoffoli Mappamondi Scorpius globe denotes a well-traveled dweller. A copy of Cecil Beaton’s New York on the mantlepiece declares “I’m the sophisticated sibling”.

Bar

The Bar is that fun cosmopolitan aunt we all want to be. They are social, magnetic, and celebrated. For barwear pieces, we turned to the Hollywood regency movement, the opulent theatrical aesthetic associated with the golden age of cinema. A perfect homage to this bygone glamour era exists in Laura Herrier and Tiffany Howel’s recent collaboration with Crate & Barrel. From the luxurious polished silver of this Romeo Ice Bucket to the fine lacquer finish of the Romeo Round tray, the collection oozes 1930s Los Angeles. The vintage aperitivo-inspired trio server from the Easton Crate & Barrel collection also pairs wonderfully with the pieces from Herrier and Howels’. For a more avant-garde contemporary spin, fun and sleek finds include a Schott Zwiesel Tour 88 Carafe, these Homa Studios Arch Cocktail Glasses, and the George Jensen Cobra Snack Bowl. With these pieces, we’re ready to transport to the glamorous parties silent startlets and Paramount moguls used to mingle at in old Beverly Hills.

Bathroom

The bathroom totally screams to be our younger sibling. From chaotic early mornings getting ready for school to ten-step evening skincare-routine rituals to makeup sessions for a date, it’s seen a whole lot. Like a laid-back and energetic younger sibling, the bathroom is the place to both unwind and turn up. Fun and cheeky wall photography such as this piece entitled Bikini Hangs by Helm and Oar or any work from Nick Mele (whose work is featured at the funky The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach) can channel the baby of the family’s joie de virvre. A Sedona White Tapered Waste Basket might come in handy for all the necessary tissues needed to handle a bad high-school breakup, while this colorful 1890s vintage Baccarat Bamboo Crystal from the Belle Epoqué period echoes a younger sibling’s station in the family - the joyous, spoiled, and beloved one.

Bedroom

The bedroom is a place of complete refuge from the world at large. Bedrooms are so personality-dependent that it's hard to choose a single family member to capture its vibe. It can range from a teenage shrine filled with band posters to a calm zen temple. But let’s imagine a father who never loses his inner sense of childlike wonder because it's a fun path to explore. Perhaps in this bedroom you might find this 1980s Punk New Wave Memphis Pop Art Bowl Dish from Fiorucci or this 1980s Space Age Mushroom Mid Century Modern Chrome side table lamp. Any dad would certainly appreciate the unique handcrafted metal of a cloissoné decor box, the perfect place to stash some watches. For days reading a history book or National Geographic magazine, he would definitely appreciate some soft light from the funky Mike Bliss Moma flower lamp as his back leans against these chestnut brown velvet pillows from Crate and Barrel.

The Study

With no doubt, The Study is the grandparent of all rooms. It’s full of soul, wisdom, and timeless warmth. For this space, imagine an old wood oasis filled with mementos from a life well lived. On a cherrywood desk, collectibles like one of Loet Vanderveen’s renowned bronze animal sculptures or a Agfa Billy Record vintage folding camera might sit next to a stack of hand-marbled leather bound Giannini Firenze notebooks. Shelves lined with Harvard’s Classic Gold Guilt Faculty Volumes are supported by these stunning Athens Beige Marble Decorative Staircases Bookends or some polished Burl wood Art Deco ones. Littered throughout the study, you’ll definitely find odes to favorite pastimes: vintage Americana boho Wilson tennis rackets, a black and white Como Tic-Tac-Toe board from Jonathan Adller, and a Remington Noiseless portable manual typewriter. These playful embroidered Playa Pillows would only add to the comfort and charm of this room, as would this Memphis Style vintage Ikea Lamp. Perhaps most importantly, this lovely collectible Tortoise brass resin picture frame from Crate and Barrel could hold a nostalgic family photograph.

From pre-loved shops to high street shops to custom made commissions, distinct and memorable homeware can be acquired from a variety of sources. Don’t be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone. It can be fun to collect items from street flea markets in other countries and find new local stores in your own neighborhood. Sometimes, you might even find a lost object on the side of the road. What’s most important is curating a visual eye for design. Through studying both your own personal interests and interior design history, you may find that you vehemently dislike certain homeware pieces, but you’ll understand why they were important culturally, economically, and socially at a certain place and time. Learning and lived experience are the best ways in which to sharpen your aesthetic focus. Ultimately, through both, you’ll have a more enjoyable experience selecting interesting pieces that tell the story of your life in your home.