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Get ready for autumn: antique and vintage interior design ideas
Posted by Chris on 16/09/2024
With a few days of rather unseasonably cold, wet weather in early September, came the slightly premature reminder that autumn is very nearly upon us here in the UK.
The rapid swing from shorts and sandals to winter coats and hot water bottles had half the country digging out their autumn wardrobe again – just a few months after they’d packed it away.
But with the return of autumn comes the shift in acquiring antiques. Whilst they are of course investments and collectibles, if you’re of the mind that antique pieces are also here to be actually used – which they are – then it’s a perfect time to think about searching for some pieces to make your home feel ready for the autumn.
Here are nine ways of zhuzhing up your home that will have you eager for the clocks to go back.
How to get your home autumn-ready:
- Liven up your fireplace: antique fenders
- Log bins and boxes
- Antique books
- Sculptures and vases
- Mantelpiece clocks
- Fireside armchairs
- Throws, blankets and rugs
- Candles & Lamps
- Antique maps and art
Liven up your fireplace
Now is a great time to pay your fireplace some attention and get it into a nice, cosy state, ready to throw some logs onto when the time comes. Here are some ways you can do that.
Antique fenders
Adding a nice antique fender to your fireplace really will elevate its presence in your drawing or living room. There are plenty of options here, from this highly decorative Victorian serpentine brass fender to this beautiful brass and leather club fender – both add a touch of class to the centrepiece of your room. For something a bit extra, how about this adjustable late Victorian fire kerb (pictured, above), with Art Nouveau overtones.
Accessorise
Once you’ve got your fender, it’s time to accessorise the rest of the fireplace. There are plenty of ways you can do this, from adding log boxes, trinkets, books, stone friezes and sculptures, vases, clocks and other decorative antique items.
Log bins and boxes
To store your firewood, you could go for something ornate like this 19th century carved oak log box (pictured, above) featuring coats of arms and dragon carvings; or this Georgian inglenook kidney shaped copper log bin, with beautiful brass claw feet.
Antique books
Decorate your fireplace and mantelpiece with some antique books – whether or not you’re planning on reading them. We could imagine this mahogany book rack, including a selection of eight Edwardian books, looking fantastic. So would this 19th century antique book rack stand, and a collection of six late Georgian Percy Anecdotes books.
Buying books individually is also a good option, like the The Life & Explorations of Dr. Livingston - an English language African travel and history book, dating to circa 1875 (pictured, above).
Antique sculpture
Adorn your mantelpiece further with some small sculptures, like this delightful art deco sculpture in plaster, by Salvetore Melani (pictured, above) – or a French chiselled sculpture by Auguste Moreau, depicting Le Message.
Antique vases
Vases add a lovely touch to fireplaces and surrounds, either as smaller pieces for the mantelpiece, or larger pieces to stand next to them.
For a touch of exoticism, add a 19th century Chinese vase with some dried flowers, or a more modern early 20th century British vase by Charlotte Rhead – with Clarice Cliff tones. This segues nicely into an actual Clarice Cliff Newport Pottery jug, titled ‘Autumn Leaves’ (pictured, above).
Mantelpiece clocks
A fireplace really isn’t complete without a clock. You may not have £57,500 to spare, but gilded bronze French Louis Quinze pendule / mantel clock (pictured, above) would command the fireplace area – or something a little less ornate, like this Edwardian Junghans mahogany mantel clock in good working order.
Rugs, chairs and textiles
Turning to textiles now, which importantly will help create a cosy, comfortable space for you to relax through the long autumn and winter evenings.
Fireside armchairs
When it comes to autumn, it has to be about the fireside armchair. Wingbacks are particularly prevalent in the antique space, conjuring up the typical drawing room image. This magnificent pair of early 20th century green leather and walnut pieces (pictured, above) would look fantastic in any room. Or something a little more contemporary, like a cream upholstered wingback armchair on casters.
Throws, blankets and rugs
Our favourite vintage piece to make your home autumn ready has to be this rare vintage Hermes fur blanket, circa 1970 (pictured, above) – made to order for the original owner and produced in very small quantities.
Rugs are an absolute must in autumn, especially if you have hardwood or flagstone flooring. Ordinarily, antique rugs – especially Persian – are priced in the higher range, but there are some more affordable examples, such as this vintage Sarouk rug, circa 1930; as is this vintage Choli Kilim handwoven rug.
If you did want to splash out on a spectacular piece with some seriously impressive provenance, consider this 70 year old Iranian wool and silk rug produced by the Shah Company, at an eye-watering £120,000.
See all antique and vintage rugs
Keep your throws and blankets in a blanket box like this Victorian pine blanket chest – which you could consider upcycling.
Add some sympathetic, warm lighting
Creating a suitable mood with lighting goes a long way towards making your space feel cosy and welcoming as the nights draw in.
Candles
Consider adding a pair of polished brass candlesticks, late Victorian cranberry Lustre, or this quality Victorian oil lamp.
Lamps
When you’re sitting in your fireside armchair, you’ll need a reading lamp – add an antique floor standing standard lamp with warm lighting tones to complete the set up. This Victorian telescopic standard lamp might be what you’re looking for, as might this late Victorian Scottish oak standard lamp.
Add a pair of table top lamps like these continental early Gothic style fine cast lamps; and consider putting them on a beautiful 1875 lamp table.
Antique maps and art
These won’t necessarily add cosiness to your room in the traditional sense, but they will contribute to its sense of gravitas.
Maps
Listed with us are a large range of mid 19th century lithographic British county maps, to help make you feel at home – all come framed for immediate hanging in your drawing room or study.
Art
You could also plump for some antique art, such as this ‘Autumn Jug’ oil on canvas by JR Gingell, or this 19th century Norman Macbeth oil painting of a ‘Scottish Gentleman’ for something more traditional.
Finally, add a carved wooden globe – which also doubles as a bar, for your winter port and sherry supplies.
Do you have any antiques to sell this autumn?
Sometimes in the antiques world, it’s out with the old, in with the… old. If you’re buying pieces for your home, and need to make some space, you could consider listing your pieces with us. It’s simple and cost effective to get them valued by our antiques experts, and then listed – thousands of buyers are looking for items just like yours. Get started now.
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