How Do You Make Something New Feel Old?
A lesson on building your eye and following your own taste in world where everything feels the exact same. Furniture Shopping Tips + Keywords I use
My design style, when approaching anything, has always come from wearing or gravitating toward the things I feel called to. Luckily, this intuition — knowing textures, fabrics, patterns, and the types of style that I like — came to me at a very young age, from being around and in creative spaces with a Mom as a designer, which I am so grateful for.
Those with a strong sense of personal style always know how to make something their own, which is why others are so easily influenced or inspired by them. Seeing designers take shape and world-build is an art in itself. As we know, taste is our biggest currency, and building that takes time. The people I look up to most in design are the ones who let culture, cinema, art, and places they love bleed into their homes and style.
In today’s letter, I’m sharing some things you can add or swap into your space to make it feel more like your own. Details that matter, and where to find them.
How do you make something new feel old?
You definitely cannot fake it by buying items that are new but meant to look old — a very big pet peeve of mine. There is so much frequency and energy in original objects, furniture, and pieces that are not from this time. I promise it is always worth the wait to buy the original, and people can tell when it’s not.
There is no shame if something is way out of budget — we are living in a financially wild time and furniture is expensive!! However, there are plenty of ways to be resourceful when searching for the real deal.
Where to Start
When designing I always like to start with lighting. Lighting and ornate fixtures anchor the room. Growing up my Mom always had ethereal lighting throughout the house it really stuck with me. I truly believe this is the best place to start. Having just finished selecting lighting for the Connecticut house, I feel much closer to everything coming together.
The first question I ask before picking everything out is always: how do I want this room to feel? I run through my files of inspiration stored away in my mind — do I want to lean towards sophistication, quiet, sexy, glamourous, cozy? Hopefully a little mix of it all. From there I move to finding the perfect piece. Scale is equally important here— understanding the right measurements and how something will look when layered into a space makes all the difference and a big part of every designers job.
How I Search… (Online) (IRL Soon)
Tip #1 — Search smarter, not harder. Instead of typing "glass sconces" into a general web browser, go directly to Chairish, 1stDibs, eBay, Etsy, or a design store you love that sources vintage and antique pieces — and use intentional keywords.
Style keywords: Venetian · French Art Deco · Contemporary · Mid-Century Modern · Regency · Directoire · Gustavian · Hollywood Regency · Brutalist · Baroque
Descriptive search terms: Patinated · Tole · Gilt · Chinoiserie · Toile · Tambour · Fretwork · Bouillotte · Trumeau
Finishes to search: Plaster · Brass · Copper · Honed · Lacquer · Verdigris · Tortoiseshell · Ebonized · Burnished · Ormolu
Material keywords: Rattan · Cane · Travertine · Marble · Shagreen · Linen · Velvet · Burl Wood
For example, my past Upper East Side apartment had French detailing and beautiful finishes that were over 100 years old. I wanted the room to feel eclectic and French. The Noguchi Akari light added the softness and earthiness I was searching for. While sourcing a French mirror for $450 at an antique shop in Connecticut to maintain that French feeling — it was as if it had always been there. Balance is what really comes to mind here. Understanding a little bit of the history of a space, while adding modern lighting, gives a room rhythm and its own perspective.
In the back of this photo you can see the tortoise shell hung on the wall, displayed as art. This specific piece was passed down to my Mom from her Cuban father. An example of how objects that carry time and character can anchor a room, layered naturally alongside something new like fresh shiplap and white paint.
And if nothing has been passed down to you yet, let this be your sign to start now. Begin collecting for yourself, for your future. This is what it's all about.
Love,
Paloma
obvs you come from a long line of cool girls!
feeling inspired!