Latest Interiors looks to the past for inspiration

Past masters

The continuing trend for eclectic interiors – that hard-to-achieve mix and match of styles and pieces – has breathed new life into the market for retro and vintage furniture. Brighton and Hove are particularly well served by specialist boutiques, second-hand and antique suppliers. But which styles or periods are best to invest in, and how do you spot a bargain? This week, Latest Interiors investigates our love affair with all things vintage and collectible.

Periods & pieces
It seems like yesterday to many of us, yet the 20th century style revival is in full swing. Themes and design from Edwardian, Art Deco, Modernist and post-war eras through to the ’70s are all popular – post-war pieces from the ’40s and ’50s in particular. We especially love Danish modern and post-war utility. Classic styles from the 20th Century are also influential in shaping contemporary trends. Many modern designers and pieces draw their inspiration from 20th century themes and styles. If you need inspiration, try visiting specialist museums and exhibitions – the Imperial War Museum (www.iwm.org.uk) in London gives a fascinating insight into British homes during our last great austerity drive, for example, and the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill (www.dlwp.com) is a stunning example of British Modernism at its best.

Also popular are antique, pre-20th century pieces. The Regency splendour of Brighton and Hove’s seafront squares, our own glorious Pavilion, and the wealth of Victorian and Edwardian architecture here help to sustain the antique market.

How to use vintage
The key to creating an eclectic style is to know your own taste, and blend pieces with confidence – but don’t drown them with too much contemporary noise. If you love the simplicity of ’40s and ’50s utility or Bauhaus, you can mix it with more flamboyant textiles, papers and accessories of the here and now with confidence. If, on the other hand, you’ve found a beautiful and ornate Regency chair, you can make a feature of it by ensuring it stands out in more neutral surroundings.

If your taste runs to a floor-to-ceiling period theme, however, then simply know your vintage – and stick to it.

What to look for
The wealth of stores, dealers and markets that we have make finding relevant pieces relatively easy – the key is to look for quality and a good price. Do your homework and see what pieces fetch online or at auction before you buy. Try to see pieces in person before you purchase – so that you can check for flaws or problems, and assess the extent of any renovation required. And if your fancy turns into a passion, once you’ve found a dealer or store you trust ask them to keep you informed of new finds and arrivals. Authentic vintage and period pieces will look fabulous – but they should also prove to be sound investments. If you take care of them, then their value should maintain or even increase as they age and become more collectible.