How to Make Home Decor Look Antique
You don't need to buy expensive antique accessories to give your home an old-fashioned, vintage look. A few retro-inspired fabric pillows, a trip to the photo lab and some antique paint effects can transform your home accessories from contemporary to retro in a jiffy. By simply altering the decorative accents on your furniture and walls, you can give your home a nostalgic feel. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Scissors
- Pins
- Pillows or pillow stuffing
- Sewing machine (optional)
- Needle
- Thread
- Photographs
- Picture frames
- Brown liquid shoe polish
- Rags
- Cotton swabs
Instructions
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Vintage Fabric Pillows
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Buy some retro-style printed fabric, or find vintage fabrics at flea markets and thrift shops. The vintage fabrics don't need to be standard fabric by the yard. Recycle handkerchiefs, clothing, aprons, lace tablecloths and curtain panels to make into pillows.
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Use a pillow you already have, or buy pillow stuffing from a sewing or craft store. If you're covering a pillow, make sure you have enough fabric to cover the pillow, plus 1/2-seam allowance on all sides.
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Wash and press the fabric. Cut out two equal-sized pieces of fabric for each pillow.
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Pin the fabric pieces together with the right sides facing each other. The right sides are the sides you want on the outsides of the pillows. Sew the two pieces together with a sewing machine or by hand around the perimeter, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Don't sew completely around the pillow. If you are covering a pillow, leave one side open. If you are using stuffing, leave a few inches open.
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Turn the sewn pieces right side out and press, making sure to fold the open edge inside 1/2 inch to match the other pillow edges.
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Insert the pillow or stuffing into the pillow case. If you're using stuffing, make sure to pack the stuffing tightly. Hand-stitch the open edge of the pillow closed using a thread that matches the pillow fabric.
Heirloom Photographs
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Take your family photographs to any photo lab, and have them printed as sepia-toned black-and-white images. You can do this with any images, not just photos of people. Vacation images, architecture, flowers and landscapes work well too. It's easiest if you have the digital files, but some labs will scan prints for you.
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Mat and frame your new "heirloom" photos.
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Display them in groups on the walls or on tables.
Antiqued Picture Frames
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Buy inexpensive gold and silver painted wood picture frames that have carved surface patterns.
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Apply brown liquid shoe polish over the frames using the sponge applicator that comes with the polish. Rub the polish into the surface with a clean cotton rag, removing any excess polish at the same time. The goal is to produce a distressed, antique patina. Use cotton swabs to remove any excess polish from the detailed areas. Let the polish dry.
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Use the frames to contain your "heirloom" photographs or any other artwork.
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