Eclectic or schizophrenic? Yes.

I'm thrilled to be contributing to "did you buy that new?" with some of the most fabulous people (and talented bargain-hunters) in all the interwebs.  By way of introduction, let me tell you a bit about myself and my passion for vintage-y things -- and I'll share one of my reasons for contributing to this site.

I live with my husband, two girls, and two cats in a sixties townhome in the Washington, DC 'burbs.  My home reflects my need for comfort -- no stuffy furniture showroom or magazine-cover decor here -- and my sentimentality for beloved (and well-loved) objects.  My decorative accents include the ancient chalkboard that used to hang in my grandmother's entryway, the vintage flatware we use on holidays, the old metal cracker tin that brings a bit of color to my all-white kitchen.

But in my house, the vintage pieces must peacefully coexist with newer things.  I love the aesthetic of my grandmother's old cane chairs -- however, they don't work well in a household with two young children.  So at least for now, the chairs are relegated to the basement in favor of a sturdy, modern dining room set.  (Their partner, the drop-leaf table, remains in the dining room -- it's a great sideboard.)   

This whole peaceful coexistence thing works well, for the most part.  Vintage and modern items don't need to be mutually exclusive.  But I do sometimes wonder if my decorating style is less "eclectic" and more "schizophrenic."

For example, observe my spice collection:

Of course there's a story here.  When J and I were newly married, I felt I needed an organized system to display our spices, and I bought the spice rack at left.  But recently I repurposed the old metal rack at right, which I'd snatched years and years ago from my parents' home.  It's old, it's battered, but I love the way it looks -- and it holds twice as many spices as its partner at left. 

Anyway, this is my ongoing challenge: finding a way to showcase my favorite vintage items, while ensuring they live in harmony with the more modern design elements of my action-packed, dust-bunny-filled household.   I really hope to glean some ideas from you all -- I'd love your thoughts on how you're creating what Deb describes as "a pleasant mash-up" of things old and new.   And in exchange for your advice, I look forward to sharing pictures and stories of my thrift store finds and family heirlooms. 

(Now I'm off to weed my spice collection.  Anyone need an extra jar of cinnamon?)

Posted by Nancy

Comments

[debbie]

I am SO glad you're here. This is exactly what I was getting at; the mash-up. The blending of things old and new. A way to embrace it all *and* feel chic and stylish. At the same time.

It's totally possible.

Thank you for articulating it so beautifully, just as you always do, Nancy.

xoxoxo Deb

[Marla]

I like your thinking - vintage caned chairs are just too tempting for pokes and prods. I personally remember a pencil/hole in cane chair episode in my childhood, and it caused my mother to reupholster the chair using a dish towel until I moved out.

[Jenny,Bloggess]

I'm just shocked by how many spices you have. I have 3. Margarita salt is a spice, right?

[daisybones]

I'm into this train of thought as well. My house looks a little bit like a yard sale threw up in it, which... OK, is totally me. My husband is of the zen minimalist aesthetic, though. Pairing that with a general need for less clutter and more simplicity has me seeking a balance of the vintage junk and clean crispy surfaces.

[Nadine/Scarbiedoll]

I need less clutter. I will be stealing your ideas for organization while keeping it looking retro cute. Welcome!

[nonlineargirl]

I should find myself a spice rack or two. Right now our spice cabinet is in constant disarray. I try to organize alphabetically, my husband organizes by what he uses most often (oregano and thyme end up in the Cs a lot...).

[califmom]

I love mixing old and new. I posted recently of some of my favorite spots in my home, one of which is the vintage silver dish and compotes I use to hold my jewelry. I have to have it where I can see it or I just don't wear it.