So Last Century, From an Interior Designer's Perspective
Clare from Clare Marie Design is a freelance Interior Designer, based in Beckenham.
After renovating her family home, Clare was often asked if she’d ever considered Interior Design as a career. Having a background in music, she worked with an Orchestra organising galas, and then at the Royal Horticultural Society where collaborated on high profile events such as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. During her time at the RHS she studied Interior Design at KLC School of Design and is now fully enjoying the world of interiors.
As a fan of vintage and a long-term supporter of our fairs and markets, we took the opportunity to ask Clare what she likes about So Last Century’s events, what vintage means to her and how we can all introduce it into our homes.
“I love attending So Last Century’s events as they consistently have a wide variety of traders, from furniture and lighting, to art, clothes and more”, she begins. “The friendly community atmosphere makes the whole shopping experience unique and special. It’s always such an enjoyable day and is why I keep going back time after time”.
What does vintage mean to you?
Buying vintage is more than just about the purchase. I love the suspense and idea of a hidden prize which has been lying there, biding its time, waiting for you to find it. I enjoy a browse, listening to traders share stories and hearing the laughter and chatter from people as they enjoy the hunt. On-line shopping is amazing, but it can never compete with this.
Why buy vintage?
Shopping for antiques and vintage has always been a passion of mine. It’s eco-friendly and a greener way of shopping, as well as being a great way to rediscover and breathe new life into furniture. Not only that, but it’s also an opportunity to express your individuality. Most pieces are one of a kind, and no one else will have them. What’s not to love?
What should we look out for when buying pieces for our home?
You want to be able to buy with confidence so look closely to see how the piece was made and, dependant on the item, try to find a signature, a label, or a stamp. Check for any damage so you can assess whether something needs repairing or replacing and decide whether this is something you will commit to fixing before buying. It may sound obvious but check that whatever you buy will fit inside your home, or a particular room that you’ve got in mind. You’ll want to enjoy and show off those vintage pieces, so make sure you’re clear in your mind where these items will go in your home. Buying smaller items is a great way to slowly introduce vintage pieces to your home and is also a beautiful way to decorate your home.
Any final words of advice?
I believe that our surroundings change the way we feel so always buy what you love. That way you will build your own unique timeless style with pieces that you will enjoy and keep forever.
Here are Clare’s Top 5 Never-Fail vintage buys:
Chairs
Who doesn’t love an accent chair? Fairs are great for picking up mid-century, French or English antique, and those bobbin chairs we all love now. Never be afraid to test them out - you don’t want a creaky old chair - and if it needs reupholstering, you can always ask the seller if they are able to do this for you.
Lighting
You cannot go wrong for lamps and ceiling lights. Most of my lamps and ceiling lights have been bought from fairs or antique shops. When sourcing it’s always best to check with the seller if they need to be re-wired.
Textiles
From cushions to quilts to rugs to tablecloths, the world is your oyster. Don’t be afraid of having a good look at the products and open out tablecloths and quilts fully so you can assess the quality of the fabric.
Books
Since the rise of zoom meetings, second-hand books have literally been flying off the shelves with people wanting their bookcases to look more interesting. A great way to do this is with second-hand books. I love old books and have them dotted around my house. From large coffee table ones to precious poetry books, they can really add that extra interest to your home.
Art
From vintage posters to oil paintings to watercolours, if you’re after something large or small scale then fairs are great places to start building your art collection.
If you want to find out more about Clare’s work, visit:
