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Two Mules And A Flock Of Seagulls
 | | Sascha Brastoff & Holmegaard vases circa1950s, "Rain Rain Go Away" 2005 Atticus Wolrab painting, Swedish bookends (Uno Westerberg), candleholders, and a vase circa 1960s. The book is Etiquette by Emily Post. |  |  | | |  | | |  | | |  | |
I believe vintage decor is the wave of the future, a paradox that tickles me all the way down to my 1950s mules (think Eva Gabor on Green Acres). Considering today's environmental imperatives, incorporating vintage decor into our lives is a simple and obvious solution to some of our unresolved issues with planet Earth.
I take pride in how I furnished my homes. However, my current place posed a particular challenge. The apartment is part of an Edwardian house built in 1910 that was split into three separate units in 1936. My unit has the original Victorian tile set in the fireplace surround, hardwood floors installed right before World War II, and a kitchen remodel circa A Flock Of Seagulls (1983). When furnishing my apartment, I took my cue from this mishmash of architectural details. I felt like the clashing styles made it easier for me to not follow the standard design rules. Clearly, I did not have to stick to one period or style. I decided I needed to create an ambience of warmth and comfort with a sense of style and sophistication.
I knew I did not have to adhere to a particular time period, but I was worried my eclectic mix of vintage furniture and decor (brought from my last apartment) might look shabby and make this multi-era unit seem cluttered. In the living room, I decided to only bring in practical elements, one couch, two side tables, one club chair, one coffee table, one bookshelf, one lamp, a television set, and a small stereo. All decoration would have a purpose other than only having a nice appearance and everything would correspond with one color palette. For example, to embellish the room I used vases and candleholders with candles, instead of tchotchkes or figurines, and hid the remotes in decorative boxes. I have quite a few vases, so instead of just lining them up, I decided to bunch them together in sets of two and three. The small groupings and sticking to one set of colors helped reduce the sense of clutter in the room.
The pieces I brought in were at least fifty years old, except the TV and stereo, so I also needed to make sure that my vintage furniture and accessories would not look ragged and tired. To brighten up the living room, I decided to add original contemporary art. I hung brand new artwork, made with recycled materials and reclaimed wood that I had bought directly from the artists. The furniture helped frame each piece on the wall. Art hung on walls should be looked at, appreciated, and admired. I didn't want the art to be overwhelmed by the room's decor, or to merely blend in. I wanted the art on my walls to stand out, but to look like it was supposed to be there.
Mixing unique one-of-a-kind works of art with carefully selected vintage furniture and decor (that did not cause this planet any more harm) is one way I can be part of the effort to go green, while being true to my one-of-a-kind self.
Lynnore Goldfarb has written Anthropological essays, produced award winning documentaries, acted as development director for non-profit art organizations, owned and operated two vintage furniture stores, plus two art galleries. She and currently designs interiors, stage houses for sale and writes for art and vintage decor magazines and websites. Goldfarb also has a blog at www.lynnoreg.blogspot.com.
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