apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Like anything else, 'granny chic' taken too far appeals only to the hardcore fans. Dowdy, but with irony, is a dangerous style trend - one step too far and it's just plain dowdy.

I'm all for using thriftstore finds and finding your own style using items that others might pass over...

...but I'm not seeing the "Modern/Approachable" here.

Perhaps if the walls were painted a brighter color, there were some overscaled pieces to balance all the underscaled items, the wall arrangements weren't so symmetrical, and the textiles were used in fresh ways such as being framed and hung on the walls or made into pillows rather than draped over the back of the sofa or the center of the coffee table the way Granny did it?

Much as I usually agree with bepsf, I must point out that these wee treasures are framed and hung, although inelegantly, over the couch. Much as Granny would have done, truth to tell.

Everything's so ditsy. Didn't Granny make anything big? Maybe frame all those needlepoint things in one big frame?

This is pure vintage, not just a "touch" of it. I don't see anything particularly interesting in how it was styled either. I mean, look at all that symmetry and centering! E.g. that little china vase perfectly centered on that tray which is perfectly centered on the doily thing...that's not fresh or new at all; it's just like how any fussy old lady would arrange her coffee table.

The frames for the needlepoints could've been changed out for ones with simpler shapes and matching finishes or colors. The textiles on the sofa could be more modern. Sleek, shapely lamps (maybe Laurels or bubble lamps with bold shades) on that console table would help update the silhouettes and mirror. Etc., etc. I mean, I understand the point of this post, and I agree that vintage pieces can add character and interest to a more modern interior, but this person's home doesn't really illustrate that principle.

i love the couch, the octagon tray and little white bird. of course the fireplace is amazing (i'm jealous!). but . . . i think what makes vintage pieces work is injecting a little more of your own personality. i feel bad for heather because she didn't volunteer for all this criticism, but i agree that it feels like 90% grandma, 10% heather. (unless heather really is a grandma. then it's 100% grandma heather.)

i think my mostly-vintage-furnished house feels young because of all the color and artwork, but i've seen it done in a lot of different ways. someone else might take lots of vintage pieces and paint them white - or black - kind of the opposite of my super colorful approach, but makes it unified and more modern.

heather, if this look is really you and you don't want to change it, then maybe go for it with a little more gusto. fill that whole wall with floral needlepoint. bust out your afghans, your vintage avon perfume bottles, your indoor hanging planters with the spider plants that come all the way down to the floor, your rag rugs, your framed jigsaw puzzles - embrace your inner granny!

I love Heather's vintage modern chic style. I have found that bringing order to my home in a chaotic world brings peace to the soul. She has captured this feeling flawlessly. Her non-stuffy so called "granny chic" style reminds the heart of a time of innocence, days spent laying on the grass in the sun. Her home is a warm embrace, a pleasant contrast to the stark minimalism that is pushed on us from the media.

I must disagree with all of the earlier comments referring to this decorating style as "grannyish". Personally I've never seen a granny with a Camera Obscura poster nestled against her other aged goods. The choice of the clean, muted colors adds a refreshing cleanliness and would seem to restoration to those crossing the threshold. Perhaps as decorators we have forgotten that ultimately we want our interiors to be welcoming and inviting, not just impressive and "modern". And I've seen many who describe themselves as vintage decorators be only a few notches above what one would find in cluttery, dusty flea markets. I would love to sit at that desk beneath the gilded mirror and journal. Heather's style is a breath of sincerity and peace in a world that strives to "keep it current."

I to find Heather's style inviting, refreshing, and comforting. I do not always feel that ones enviroment has to be bold and boundary pushing. Home decor is personal and the priority is not always to see how bold or shocking one can be with decorating. Priorities are more geared towards comfort and creating a place where one can call forth memories of times past and of family.
There is also something to say about understated elegance, it reminds me of a warm smile from a friend that doesn't need to be flashy or loud.
And the framed pictures above the couch seem to be vintage floral prints not granny's embrodiery. I feel like some of the negative un-constructive critiques above did not allow themselves to spend anytime with these five photos that probably do not do Heather's home justice.

I kind of love this.

I think her space is so lovely and inviting. I can definitely see her modern touches and I love all her vintage finds. Gorgeous stunning home!

Rachel @ Lovely Clusters