Adding Vintage Character

5 Ways to Add Vintage Character 

to Living Rooms

Today I have an article to share with you written by a member of the Zillow team

Jennifer Riner of Zillow

I joined Zillow several months ago and have really enjoyed the inspiration I've found there.

Many at my job sit in between customers and browse the homes on Zillow.

Seems someone is always looking for a house.

But I've really enjoyed

It's similar to Pinterest where you can save you favorite inspiration photos in folders so when 

Jennifer contacted me and said she'd like to do an article for my blog, I thought Why Not?

and here it is...

(all photos came from Zillow Digs)

With the right accents, any home can feature the comfort, style and coziness that vintage character provides. 
Living rooms in particular should be welcoming as a common place for residents and guests to relax and converse. 
Modern interiors, while fashionable and fresh, don’t provide the same sense of security felt in older, charming homes. 
However, even the most contemporary living spaces can incorporate at least some sense of vintage character.

To create a space filled with warmth, consider these five amiable décor additions.

1. Charming Light Fixtures

Switching out chandeliers and bulbs is a simple way to incorporate character into bland interiors. 
Check out local thrift stores or garage sales for great deals on recycled pendant lights for an old, industrial look. 
For classic French flair, go with ornate chandeliers featuring crystals or faux candle lights. Not up for the hassle of installation? 
Adorn spaces with vintage floor and desk lamps, preferably made of ceramic or crystal 
and featuring shades with classic floral patterns.

2. Molding and Medallions

Crown molding completely transforms a bare space from unfinished to polished. 
Rooms fitted with molding appear more luxurious and well-crafted. 
Although wide moldings are often expensive, there are faux options for renovators on a budget. 
Consider home style and ceiling height before deciding on the type and size of trim for a space. 
As a general rule, ceilings 10 feet tall and higher should be adorned with molding at least one inch wide 
per foot of ceiling height. For example, a 10-foot ceiling would have 10-inch molding 
and a 12-foot ceiling would have 12-inch molding. 
Ceilings under 10 feet high should not abide by this rule and instead use a 
relatively thin trim to avoid overwhelming wall space.

Ceiling medallions are another great option for homeowners trying to spruce up dull living rooms. 
Homeowners can purchase these from hardware stores for as little as $20 apiece. 
Although they appear heavy and elaborate, urethane medallions are lightweight 
and easy to install with an adhesive.

3. Paneled Doors

Flat doors and cabinets are typical aspects of ultra-modern and contemporary style homes. 
Homeowners looking to add vintage charm into their interior spaces should consider installing panels 
onto flat surfaces to create a sense of elegance. 
Use frame boards (called stiles and rails) to border the base plywood. 
Paneling projects are relatively easy with the right tools and can be completed on almost any flat wooden surface. 
Don’t go too overboard; some sharp and clean lines help offset detailing 
to avoid a cluttered appearance.

4. Wood Ceilings and Beams

Exposed beams are a great way to add a vintage vibe to newer homes. 
Plain ceilings can be boring, but wood beams and/or panels provide comforting textures to an often overlooked surface. 
Consider using faux beams for an inexpensive upgrade since real support beams can cost thousands. 
Although more of an advanced project, beams (artificial or real) appeal to future homebuyers searching for properties 
and therefore increase homeowners’ resale values. 
Wooden accents expand the prospective buyer pool and may help increase competition 
on home purchases.

5. Vintage Hardware

Keep an eye out for embellished switch plates, genuine brass pulls and reclaimed doorknobs. 
These small, striking pieces have the ability to transform even the most modern of rooms. 
To top it off, they are the easiest upgrades to install. With a hammer, screwdriver and a couple of screws, 
any basic accents can be exchanged for more elaborate pieces. 

Transform a space from sparse to intimate with all five additions, or utilize one to two tips for a more welcoming feel 
in an existing contemporary space. 
Either way, incorporating antiquated traits turns any house into a home.

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Thanks, Jennifer!

Following are a few more photos I found inspiring this week on Zillow Digs.