The first spotlight of the year is with the hugely talented, Rebecca Simmons - an interior designer who I have admired from afar for a while now. Rebecca’s current projects include a diverse portfolio ranging from London homes to a Scottish castle and a Washington D.C. restaurant, showcasing her versatility and talent for designing across different styles and scales. Her expertise also extends to decorating with vintage textiles, making her a go-to for those seeking timeless, character-filled interiors.
How do you go about incorporating them into your work?
I tend to have no rules about where these could be used. We love creating headboards from vintage fabrics which make such an impact in a room. It's a lot of fun and they really do become works of art within their own right once hung in the space. We also use remnants of vintage fabrics a lot for cushions. You can buy all kinds of cushions out there from very little to astronomic prices. If you want something different and interesting - make your own using vintage pieces, it elevates a space beautifully.
How best to display them?
Cushions, artwork ottomans, headboards, you name it the list is endless! It's about having fun with them and using them not just for upholstery but small unexpected details too - napkins for example are a brilliant way of using small amounts of vintage fabric which look gorgeous on a table setting.
Where to start when using vintage textiles? Can they inspire a whole scheme?
If you are nervous or unsure, start small - perhaps an accent cushion or even framing a piece beautifully to hang on a wall somewhere or prop on a bookcase. Even the smallest of scraps could influence an entire scheme - the colour combination or pattern, take note of it and let it inspire the rest of the room as the design unfolds.
Unique creative ways of working with vintage textiles?
I think they could be used almost anywhere - practical or impractical. I use a lot of vintage fabrics as headboard and cushions, as it's always so exciting to see them have a new lease of life. Plus getting inventive with borders or piping often means they become a complete work of art within the room just by mounting it in a certain way.
I think framing vintage fabrics or papers is a wonderful way of showcasing designs that you may not wish to cut up and have sewn onto something.
Why do you love working with vintage textiles?
I gravitate so much more to vintage than new items in general. Their history, the way they are made, what they are made of, the colour and pattern. We are sadly losing this in the modern world with mass produced plastic based materials that have likely never touched human hands.
Vintage fabrics have often been handmade, either by an individual with a needle or a small team and a loom. There is something so powerful about that. I think colour, texture and detail is super important and something that doesn't always quite sit right with new or modern fabrics, however hard a manufacturer might try to recreate it.
Why would you recommend others to work with vintage textiles?
Your designs will be entirely unique, your own pocket that can likely not be found anywhere else and that is utterly magical. They bring an individuality and layering to a room that is unmatched. Aside from them being more sustainable than new bought fabrics, they just have the depth that makes such an impact. Half the fun is finding the pieces - Etsy has amazing finds otherwise get yourself to a car boot sale or eBay and get sourcing.
What would your top 3 tips be for anyone looking to start using vintage textiles?
1. If the fabric is thin or fragile, look to get this knit backed professionally which will give the fabric a little more structure and help with the wear.
2. Start building your own collection: I am obsessed with second hand shops and car boot sales, at which you will likely find some of the most interesting pieces - however small. I have filled a good handful of chests at home and the office with remnants of fabrics I hope to use one day or have already incorporated into schemes.
3. Pick them for you, not for trends: It's an unusual one as of course vintage tends to mean they are not 'on trend' as such, but don't just choose a fabric because you have seen someone else use it or similar. Pick it because you love it and you gravitate towards it for whatever reason. It will become unique to you, something you can treasure for a long time to come.
