Going retro and getting it right

Retro design is a popular and personal design. Nothing quite brings one back to their roots, their childhood memories of grandma's kitchen like retro design can. However, like with most design decisions, going retro in a room requires a little research. You don't want to just jump in because you stand the risk of having the end result look like an indoor garage sale and not the warm nostalgic space you envisioned.

Research
Do your homework for the specific time period you are interested in. This may require hitting up on various informational sources, including but not limited to, Antique malls, libraries, museums, and even grandma's house. In fact, if you take grandma along with you on your quest for authentic retro decor, she may be able to help you a lot with figuring out what is a great piece to add to your overall look. Research popular colors of the specific era you want to capture and don't limit yourself to just kitchen gadgets, there are a lot of vintage fabrics out there that you may want to look into such as table linens, window treatments etc.

Mixing old and new 
There are a lot of new appliances out there that have a retro feel to them. Don't be afraid to mix and match along the way, keep the focus of the overall feel of the space in mind and don't obsess over every little detail being completely authentic. There are new lines of retro inspired replicas and design accessories emerging every day that have some up to date advantages that shouldn't be overlooked. It is better to go with some of these updated options when dealing with anything electrical.

Remember, Rome was not built in a day
Be careful, it is easy to get overwhelmed when trying to bring a vision to life in decorating and design. Start off small and add as you go along. If you try to do too much too soon, you will most assuredly run out of money, patience and energy. Part of the appeal of retro design is it has a time worn, well loved and comfortable feel. This can't be achieved in a day, but takes time, love of the style and a good eye. Relax, enjoy the experience and let the design occur naturally, not under pressure. You want the look to be authentic not intentional.

Going too far 
One thing you don't want to do with your retro design is go too far. How can you go too far? Well, too much matchy-matchy deliberate accessories will  again, offset what you are trying to achieve and actually work against the design aesthetic, especially if you are trying to really capture a moment in time with your design. Better to have a few well chosen pieces, than to have a whole room where each element was bought from the same store, with the same logo, or color.

Also check out : Retro RefrigeratorDealer.com

Take a look at these wonderful retro finds that can really give you a jump start on your retro design scheme:

Vintage accessories for your kitchen design

Image by dawnella66 via Flickr Vintage décor never seems to go out of style, and finding wonderful vintage décor for your kitchen is easy when you know where to look. If you live in Columbia, SC you are lucky to have a great deal of options for vintage style in your home. Whether it is antique malls like, 763 Antique Mall on 763 Meeting Street in West Columbia, S.C. 29169 or online, you can find great inspiration. Try adding these vintage decorative and purposeful items to your kitchen to mix a little old with the new. The end result a polished kitchen with a little history thrown in.

Image by CodeCutter via Flickr 
Vintage Apothecary Jars- These come in a wide variety of sizes, make great storage for dried goods like cereal, pasta and grains. They add a lot of charm and sparkle to your kitchen counter tops and storage is always needed in any kitchen. They also make gorgeous terrariums, a great project to do with your kids this summer. Example : Apothecary Jars

Image by FUNKYAH via FlickrVintage food and kitchen ware metal signs- If you are going for an authentic retro look for your kitchen, you have got to have a few vintage signs for your walls. Look on Ebay, flea markets and antique malls to find some that go with your kitchen theme. Remember to ask for vintage metal kitchen signs and be sure to put that in your browser when looking online. Most are very reasonably priced and add a little hint of yesterday to your kitchen. Here's an exampe: Limeade sign

Image by H is for Home via Flickr Vintage serving trays- Whether you use them for serving or wall art they can certainly be a clever way to pull off a vintage feel or just to give a sense of style to a kitchen that is too “new”. If you have a home that lacks some lived in quality, or charm, a touch of vintage can be just what is needed. Example: Vintage serving tray

Image via Wikipedia 




Vintage Jadite-  Jadite was commonly used in restaurants &; homes during the 1930-50s. It was manufactured up until the 1970s. Jadite is fairly popular and usually goes for a good price. Its milky green color and durability made it a popular kitchen feature through out the US. Today, Martha Stewart is one of the most notable collectors of Jadite. You can find Jadite in many patterns, styles, from teacups to Cannisters. Jadite can be milky green to darker shades. Example: Jadite

Image via WikipediaMilk glass-  Milk glass is an opaque or translucent, milky white or colored glass, blown or pressed into a wide variety of shapes. First made in Venice in the 16th century, colors include blue, pink, yellow, brown, black, and the white that led to its popular name. You can find Milk glass vintage vases, jugs, dinnerware etc. in almost any antique mall or online for wonderful prices. The milky white color fits in well with many kitchen design schemes. Examples of lovely Milk glass can be found here: Milk Glass.

Tip: make sure you study up on your antique and vintage accessories. There are a lot of imitations out there that may be asking a high price. Look for good quality names like FireKing, and Fenton on your products. Do your research.

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Looking for decor inspiration in Antique Malls

Image via Wikipedia

Antique Malls are a great resource for interior decorating and design. Finding new uses for old things is a great way to re-purpose and reuse treasures that are still great decorative elements in the home. 
If you are a collector, antique malls should be your first stop on your list for finding the best deals. It is not unheard of to find many pieces of Fenton art glass, or Mccoy pottery. Furniture range anywhere from vintage bedroom pieces to Queen Anne styled Living room tables and chairs.

Antique malls  can also be a great way to find missing pieces to your China collection, one of a kind fabrics, vintage clothing, and beautiful lighting fixtures from an era gone by. For the ecclectic decorator, antique malls are a little slice of nostalgic Heaven and visiting one is not only budget savvy, but a little trip back in time.