All of us feel like escaping our daily lives sometimes; to another era, perhaps, one that carries with it an air of magic. One of the best ways to achieve such a reprieve in one’s own home is to decorate the interior in such a way that it channels vintage vibes, especially subcontinent vintage. This is because the subcontinent has a unique historic aesthetic that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. According to interior designers in Pakistan, vintage décor is a classic way of creating an environment of timelessness in your living space. To achieve that, there are a few simple ideas that can be incorporated into the interior design of your home.

Artwork and Miniatures

One of the best ways to instantly create the look you are trying to portray is by putting up pieces of art that go with your theme. If we talk about South Asian art, there are endless eras as well as styles of art that can be utilized in the decoration of a room. The Mughal era, for one, popularized the art form of miniatures. Landscapes as well as portraits were created in miniature form with intricate details very carefully placed in the pieces by the artist. Such miniatures can be commissioned nowadays by artists or craftsmen across Pakistan – and they are lighter on the pocket than larger works of art! Miniatures are also easier to place around the room you are decorating. Two or three miniature art pieces following the same theme could be hanged on the wall above a decorative table to tie together a spot that might otherwise seem empty.

Vintage Woodwork

Vintage Woodwork

Throughout South Asian history, wood carving has been considered a serious talent that only certain craftsmen or craftswomen ever truly mastered. Nowadays, woodwork falls under the broader category of furniture design but that doesn’t mean that pieces made of wood cannot be as beautiful as they were back then! Furniture made of semi-polished wood can achieve a similar look while being safe to place around the house without fear of damage. To genuinely accomplish the aesthetic of old wooden furnishings, try looking for pieces that are carved, preferably by hand. Carved wood always achieves a unique look and no two pieces will be exactly the same. Another thing to combine with wood, as recommended by interior decorators in Pakistan, is inlays of tile or marble or any other kind that appeals to you. Mirrors with tiny marble designs inlaid into the frame, tables with turquoise colored stone inlays, chairs with patterns on the back; all of these are great options to uplift a simple item into a creative work of art. A great addition to any room in the house – especially a drawing room – is to put in a wooden chest with carvings or inlays for a grand look. Adding a handcrafted wooden jhoola to the living room is another idea. Artefacts of this sort will serve to create an ethereal, old time look.

Marble and Red Brick

Marble and Red Brick

Red brickwork and white marble structures are considered essential elements in architectural design of historical buildings in the subcontinent. If the basic architecture of your house does not have either of these, they can still be incorporated while setting up the interior! As per top interior designers of Pakistan, using red brick inside your home is very trendy as well as traditional. It can be put up as an exposed brick wall or used to build a fireplace. If you want to get really creative, you could source tiles that are made to look like red brick and tile your stairs with them! As for marble, there is no place that it does not belong. White marble is a gorgeous, classy source of beauty that has a calming effect on inhabitants of a home. It could be used in tiling; indoor plants could be placed in marble planters; or, for a very grand effect, you could have a medium sized marble fountain put up in the garden.

Decorating Your Walls

Decorating Your Walls

Walls are like blank canvases; leaving them bare is a waste of space that could be used to make your home stand out. A great way to utilize a bare wall while adding to the vintage look is to buy old maps! For example, a large map of the provinces of Pakistan on a rustic paper background would be a great addition. Bonus points if the maps have burnt or rough edges! They can be placed anywhere, like a poster; above your bed or next to a lamp. Similarly, adding an old clock to the living room or bedroom wall will add to the vintage vibe. Another way to use wall space is to put up shelves and add all your books to them. This will give the room a touch of literary energy along with the historic aura it will already have going for it.

The tips listed above can help you achieve the perfect vintage aura. Old maps, books stacked one on top of the other, carved wood and marble furniture all combine to create a completely unique look that you can easily put together. Not only will your guests love it, it will feel like a whole different world for you too; a safe haven retrieved from ages past.