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 Your home is finally exactly how you want it. Each room is furnished with vintage finds you have carefully selected over many years that cleverly express your unique style. It hasn't been easy, especially when your cat decided to dig to China through the 1960 Swiss shag rug made from New Zealand wool, or when the movers reduced the 18th century corner table into kindling right before your very eyes, and even after your boyfriend moved in with all of his tools and his fourteen-year-old dog. A whimsical owl George Nelson Now that a baby is being thrown into the mix, you might be wondering if sticking with your vintage style may be shelved, like jogging or clubbing. You know you will be able to find adorable vintage pieces for your little bundle of joy, but your biggest concern is whether they will be safe. Have no fear, vintage can be baby friendly! Here are a few tips that might help you maintain your sense of style while gaining a family. 1) Find baby furniture with a natural finish. Lead paint was not banned in the United States until 1978. Leave it natural or choose one of the non-toxic paint or finishes entering the market. 2) Make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned with no repairs or rickety parts. 3) Vintage crib bedding should be in the original package, unused. 4) Follow the Consumer Product Safety Commission crib safety measures a) Crib should have a firm mattress that fits tightly into the crib. b) Make sure that the crib is assembled properly and that no parts are loose, missing or broken. c) There should be no more than 2 3/8 inches between the slats of the crib and there should be no missing or broken slats. d) The crib should have no cutouts in the headboard or footboard, in which the baby's head could get trapped. e) Doesn't have decorative knobs or corner posts higher than 1/16 inch. You might not want to go with authentic baby furniture from the early 1900's, but if Victorian is your style you may choose a new reproduction crib and complete the look with an antique dresser, armoire and rocking chair. If your place is already decorated with classic mid-century modern pieces, shop flea markets and vintage shops for specific pieces. You might also mix in a few reproductions. Knoll Kids (www.knoll.com) is a contemporary company that manufactures scaled down and hypoallergenic versions of the classics just for children.  An iconic theme, like vintage Winnie the Pooh for example, is very accessible with sheets, curtains, lamps, clocks, etc. available in vintage stores and online. Plus, there are places that carry vintage wallpaper and fabrics from 1950s cowboys and Indians to 1960s Peter Max type images.  Complete vintage Winnie the Pooh crib bedding still in package, never used, at www.etsy.com/shop/Sassydoggs. Courtesy of Karen Carroll. 5x7 framed collage, made from vintage paper and recycled elements. $35, klridge.etsy.com, Kimberly Ridge, Raleigh, NC Remember, stick with styles you already have in your house and pick a theme. The pieces do not have to be from the same era, unless a particular time period is your theme. If, you cannot pick a theme, start with one piece and build the room around it. With a little planning and a lot of fun, you can create a bright, baby-safe vintage nursery. |
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