A Thoughtful Home : Mixing Old and New
Since spending so much time at home, it has made me think a lot about personal style and changing tastes. After years of trial and error, I have found what works for me, but I have also shifted focus to practicing the idea of a thoughtful home.
In my early twenties, I looked to modern lines and minimalism, but I have come full circle and now I gravitate towards timeless vintage pieces, rich textiles, and handmade ceramics. For bigger furniture it is about investment pieces that are well made and that will last a lifetime.
My east coast roots have surfaced and I am drawn to items I grew up with such as a vintage pine dresser, a hand crafted basket, and sterling silver flatware. But since living on the west coast, I have discovered design elements such as linen furniture, rattan accents, and local ceramics . I love the combination of the two when done well.
At the end of the day, what do I want my home to look like or say about me? I want it to look thoughtful, gathered, have a sense of design, but also to feel lived in and layered.
I thought I would share some of my favorite places where I like to source my home goods below.
Vintage
For vintage pieces, I find the best prices and unique items are usually at antique stores or flea markets. But there also great online options as well. For kitchen items like butcher boards, ironstone, transferware or glasses, I always browse on Elsie Green, who get their items a couple times a year from France. I also like websites such as Etsy, Chairish, or the vintage section of One Kings Lane.
RUGS and TEXTILES
Beautiful fabrics bring warmth to a home and I love mixing different textures in a similar color palette. I have some linen pillows and alpaca throw from Jenni Kayne. Rugs can be tricky and expensive. I like a natural weave rug like the ones from Armadillo and Co and West Elm. I also look for faded patterned rugs on places like Etsy and Rejuvenation.
SMALL ACCENTS
The best way to add some layering into the home is through small accents. I love keeping an eye out on my travels for something to bring home to add to my collection that has a story or evokes a memory. Home shops like Nickey Kehoe and Amber Interiors also have a great selection of curated goods. My favorite things to look for is unique ceramics, trays, a sketch or watercolor, candlestick holders, and new or used books.
