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The Top 4 Eras for Vintage Home Inspiration

Tiles are a great way to add an element of vintage design to your home. There are many different ways that you can use ceramic, porcelain, or other materials to create a unique and stylish design, and the options are practically endless. If you're looking for some inspiration for a creative vintage-inspired interior, you’re in the right place!

What’s your Vintage Home Era?

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to interior design. That alone is the beauty of it. This is true for retro home designs, too. The more in line with your personality and preferences, the better the results. So, before you dive in and to your vintage home; you should pin down what vintage style is more ‘you’ to begin with. Let’s walk through some of the most popular eras to help you kickstart the journey to decor discovery.

Is your style Turn of the Century?

Love the look of turn-of-the-century elegance? Our Gilded Age porcelain tiles have it in spades, thanks to an Impressionist-inspired background and elegant gold brushstrokes. These stunning designs add a dreamy glamour to walls and floors, but their delicate charm is a direct contrast to their durability. These gorgeous designs have all the look of a romantic wallpaper but are resistant to water, scratches, stains, and other pesky everyday messes. 

Our Gilded Age Ivory slabs add warmth and elegance to this welcoming entryway design. The antique-inspired mirror frame and pampas grass accent are a fun way to blend trending and timeless styles in your interior!

Are you into Art Deco?

Art Deco moments cherish one thing – opulence. This living room fireplace channels that with the aptly named Art Deco Black Marble and Brass Inlay Mosaic. It has the geometric motif of Art Deco, while the marble-brass mashup drips luxury. 

Art Deco is glitz, glam, romance; The era of bold, beautiful, and brass. Think speakeasies and swanky cocktails. Bob cuts and diamond rings with baguettes. This era loves deep gem tones, gold accents, and geometric patterns. Nothing short of opulent elegance is accepted. 

If you’re someone who lives for the motto “more is more”, this is your vintage home style. There is no shortage of shine or sparkle when it comes to Art Deco. So, pull out the brass and marble tiles, the velvet couches, and the crystal chandeliers, and get styling!

Check out more ‘20s inspired designs in artistic glass, marble, and brass in our Art Deco collection!

Does Mid-Century Modern flow with your home?

Midcentury modern has been a millennial favorite for years, and there’s little wonder why: It’s classy and retro! That said, you can give any space a personal twist, like this one did with a modernized hexagon terrazzo backsplash (our very own Stormy Sky Terrazzo). 

Mid Century design is all about mixing things up while keeping it sleek and chic. This design style originated in the 1950s, when people were looking for ways to add texture and interest to their minimalist decor. 

Mid Century design is all about simplicity, functionality, and clean lines. However, that doesn't mean that your space has to be boring. You can mix and match different textures and materials to create a midcentury-inspired space that is both stylish and comfortable. Terrazzo was a staple of this time - think Palm Springs - and check out our fun speckled tile options for an accent wall or floor.

More of a 1970s retro home vibe? 

Our Palisades Muslin Pickets are a fabulous option for a 1970s aesthetic home. Why is that? One core thing about the ‘70s is uses neutrals to effectively stack colors. Seen in this space, the tile does just that – salmon pink and spring green work exquisitely for a fun loving vibe. 

Far from the 1920s glam and 1950s conservativeness,  the 1970s homes are all about COLOR. Its a break from the crisp, clean look of Mid-Century. The 1970s was the era for experimentation and breaking free from societal molds. That came across in interior design. For those of you who are free spirits at heart, the 1970s vintage home design is the ideal setup for you. 

These homes find solace in unexpected, contrasting color schemes with bold patterned elements. You’ll want a salmon pink backsplash, bright, orange shag rugs, and amorphous lamp shapes to get started.

Amp up your vintage home with accent tiles

The beauty of tile is that you can use them to make outstanding focal points within your home’s design. While you might assume that the only way to use these materials are in your bathroom, or behind the kitchen stove – that’s not the case at all. Craft an exquisite, one-of-a-kind accent wall in your living area, or elevate your fireplace! 

A great example of using tile in a vintage home to craft a focal point is seen above. The feature wall is decorated with our Gray Deco Fan Glass Mosaic behind the bathtub. It gives off an art deco aesthetic without being overbearing. Your eyes are drawn into the room and move upward to the chandelier for a classy yet opulent bathing experience. 

This powder room uses tile to craft a focal point in a very subtle yet statement-worthy way. It simply uses our Palisades Gold Pickets in one small area behind the bathroom sink. Nonetheless, that minimal tile use creates a standout design. The elongated hexagons create fun movement, while the lux gold coloring ensures a retro chic aesthetic of the 1920s. 

Add bathroom accessories!

This bathroom is giving us all the 1970s vibes. From the pink square ceramic tiles to the matching pink decor accents, this space is a blast from the past. And we have to say, we're feeling pretty inspired by it all. It's clear that this bathroom was designed with some serious free-spirited owner in mind. We love how the vintage rug ties everything together and really brings out the best of the 1970s aesthetic. Want a way to add some personality to your bathroom? We say go for it with pink accessories, and embrace your inner seventies diva.  

If you really want to go all out with the vintage vibe, consider using patterned or colorful materials in your vintage home design. Patterned tiles can immediately make for a sense of movement in the smallest spaces. Colorful designs, on the other hand, are a great choice for a retro 1960-1970s feeling in your home. Whether you choose a monochromatic color palette with pink tiles or a funky fresh design with a multi-color scheme, we assure you that you can’t get it wrong.

A golden moment makes this shower undoubtedly decadent. A must-have for any art deco inspired home. The use of our Gold Arabesque Mosaic as an accent wall and niche tile is just stunning.

Patterned or geometric shapes can be used to create beautiful designs. The other benefit? They can also help to hide any imperfections in your walls or  floors. Thanks to their intrinsic movement, depth, and interest, they act as a buffer and can make any bumps or scuffs in the space their in disappear – like magic! The other thing to consider when using tiles in your retro home is the accessories that match the wall or floor tile design. You can pair shower tiles with matching fixtures to create a cohesive, elegant vintage look. You can also adorn the area around a kitchen backsplash with complementary decorative accents – think, florals, vases, and other knick-knacks.

A well-decorated home is like a well-crafted cocktail: it's all about the right combination of ingredients. In the case of this vintage-inspired bathroom, the perfect mix of accessories creates a space that feels both chic and cozy. The use of our Brick Glass Mosaic as a choice for the wall immediately adds a touch of inspiration. The additional use of art along the bathroom wall's ledge further instills creativity and drives the retro home appeal further. And finally, the use of greenery within the space melds everything together, and gives the room a fresh, organic feel. In other words, it's proof positive that sometimes all you need to elevate your décor is a little bit of TLC - and the right accessories.

When in doubt, pull the art out. Art is an immediate and easy way to scale your retro home. Using framed prints or sculptures can enrich and enhance your bathroom, living room, or kitchen tile design instantaneously. The marvel of art is you can get pieces across budgets. So for those that are looking for accessories on a budget, this is one of the decorative pieces that can deliver in spades. Try searching around at a local Home Goods store – there are always gems there! Alternatively, if you're not sure where to start, take a look at some design inspiration online or in magazines.

Mix and match for a vintage home with visual interest 

A nod to the grandmillennial trend of 2023, this kitchen incorporates various colors and textures to ensure a vintage home that is unique as can be. The backsplash takes the centerpiece backsplash with our White Deco Fan Mosaic and contrasts it with orange accents throughout. Marvelous!

Adding texture to your home décor is a great way to add interest and depth. And when it comes to vintage style, there’s no such thing as too much texture. You can really get away with so much. 

Try pairing reflective mirror tile backsplashes with matte white cabinetry. You can also throw in some metallic hues into the mix to contrast with other more neutralized elements of your retro home. Another great way to add texture is through textiles. Incorporate rugs, throws, and pillows in a variety of patterns and textures to really give your space that vintage vibe. And don’t be afraid to mix and match! That’s part of the fun. With a little bit of creativity, you can create a unique and stylish space that reflects your personal taste.

FInally, be creative with how you use tiles! They can be for floors, walls, backsplashes, and more.

On the floors in the bathroom, kitchen or living room

Vintage homes can do well to use a floor tile. Just look at how this bathroom used our Nova Basket Marble Mosaic! The white marble with its specks of gray veining is a classic on its own; adding the basketweave pattern into the mix, and you have a truly beautiful result for any interior that craves a traditional, vintage touch. 

One of the most popular ways to use tiles in a vintage home design is on the floor. You can use most types of flooring in any room of the house, but it's especially popular in kitchens and bathrooms. A tile floor can give your space an instant feeling of sophistication. Plus, it's easy to care for and maintain, which is always a bonus.

As a backsplash in the bathroom or kitchen

Dazzling and darling, our Blue Deco Herringbone glass mosaic is front-and-center as the backsplash tile design in this home’s primary bathroom. The deep, dark blue is complemented by the midnight blue hue of the bathroom vanity. The additional use of a matte white round mirror creates a break in the design to make it more of a modern twist on an art deco vintage home. 

In addition to floors, tiles can also be used on walls, backsplashes, and even countertops. A tile backsplash is a great way to add character to your kitchen or bathroom, and it's also very practical.

As an accent wall in a powder room

Doesn’t our Lake Mint glazed ceramic tile add a retro touch in the most understated way? This powder room is brought to new heights with the shimmery, light green mint tile as an accent wall. We love how it works elegantly against the brass faucet and hardware to create a quaint oasis that guests will absolutely appreciate. 

Another way to use tile in your retro home? Your powder room! The powder room is often one of the most overlooked rooms in the house. It's small, it's dark, and it's usually only used by guests. But that doesn't mean it can't be stylish!

A simple accent wall can make a big impact in a room like this. And while you might not think of tile as an immediate option compared to good ole wallpaper, there are actually a lot of options out there that would work well in a powder room. 

For example, you could go with ceramics in a light color. Or you could choose a metallic porcelain tile that will add a bit of shimmer to the space. Either way, an accent wall is an easy way to add some personality to this often-forgotten room.

Wrapping up vintage home designs with tiles 

Tiles are a versatile material that can be used in countless ways to create a vintage home design. Whether you use them on your floors, walls, or counters, they're sure to add character and charm to your space. Plus, they're easy to care for and maintain, which is always a bonus. So if you're looking for some vintage home design inspiration, don't forget about tiles!

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