Vintage & Flea Market Finds

Every home should have at least one thing from a flea market. This is just one rule that we love to follow and it’s not just about aesthetics.  It’s about adding soul, or a feeling, to a space.  It’s about adding interest through unique pieces that resonate with the essence of the home. Your home doesn’t need to look like an antique store or like your grandmother’s home, but it should also not look like a page out of a Pottery Barn catalog.  In new spaces, either a new build or a remodel refresh, adding a piece that has a story, a previous life, is vital.  There are so many reasons why we believe in incorporating pre-loved pieces into your home.

Place Authenticity

There is a psychological concept that could very easily explain our innate love for all things vintage and it’s known as place authenticity.  “Place authenticity refers to the unique essence of a place that makes it feel genuine, alive, and connected to its history, culture, or community,” explains Ashley Krause, M.S., a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Florida.  When you experience a place and feel a connection, or a sense of belonging, the setting feels authentic to you.  This could explain why people enjoy and seek out uniquely decorated places such as coffee shops or independent boutique hotels.

“Place authenticity often manifests through a combination of sensory experiences, historical or cultural elements, and community connections,” says Krause. She gives five categories of examples: aesthetics (architecture and materials), sensory richness (smalls, sounds, textures), personal connections, history and tradition, and finally an element of warmth (spaces that feel lived-in). These characteristics all contribute to place authenticity and leads to a yearning of wanting to experience these spaces again and again.

New Spaces, Old Souls

When you have a new build, it’s just that—a new build.  Everything about the space is new.  If you are building a custom home, you do have the option to incorporate various details to add a little bit of architectural character.  You can also come in after the fact and add more to it architecturally speaking.  This is a great way to add unique interest to a space and not make it feel so flat.  If you buy an already-built, or nearly built, home, you also move into a space that looks nice but is missing that je-ne-sais-quoi.  No worries, you can bring in a lot of character through furniture and art.

Layering in unique furniture pieces, vintage art and flea market decor instantly adds a little something to a space.  This is where a designer could very much help curate a cool and interesting selection of pieces.  If you do not have a designer, then we recommend adding pieces over time instead of rushing to the finish line.  There is a sense that everything needs to get completed asap, right away and then I see people run into Target or HomeGoods and buy everything in sight.  Nothing wrong with these stores; however, these products are new so you’re just adding more new to new.

Vintage Goods

On the left we have a vintage console table that adds life to this entry. On the right we have a vintage pantry door that we found at an antique store in Round Top. We had the opening custom framed to the size of the door and added the fun, modern and playful decal on the glass. We love how both of these look! The Round Top Antiques Show happens three times per year and we are lucky enough to be within driving distance. Check out our previous post here!

Tips for Slow Decorating

1. As the name implies, take your time.
2. Edit what you already have.  Really pair back things that you don’t love.
3. Peruse vintage stores or flea markets in town or the on the outskirts of town.
4. Collect unique items that spark joy from your travels.
5. Favorite pieces to look for: art, objects, vases, trays

The bookcase on the right is styled with a combination of new items along with various vintage finds. The result is a unique layering that cannot be copied because of the vintage items scattered throughout give it a unique flavor, a unique personality. One of our favorite pieces on here are the brass urns that we picked up at a flea market! Here‘s a reel of us shopping for some unique vintage decor pieces in Austin!

“The more your space feels connected to the people you love, the more authentic it will feel,” says Krause.  And really at the end of the day, that is the entire goal!