How to Create the Antique Room Aesthetic in Your Rental

We asked antique enthusiast Chelsea Mac how to achieve this timeless style.

Combining antique pieces with modern interiors is nothing new in the world of interior design. However, being able to successfully achieve the look (especially in rentals) can sometimes be difficult. Where we’re unable to paint walls or rip up carpet, we are always able to accessorise our living spaces with meaningful pieces we’ve collected over the years to make our houses feel like homes.

Chelsea Mac is a self proclaimed antique-enthusiast who has pioneered the hipstoric movement, where adding sentimental, vintage furniture and decor pieces to modern spaces is a difficult task that she specialises in.

We asked Chelsea what her top styling tips are for achieving the hipstoric home look and how she goes about finding seriously impressive antique pieces so you can invite the antique room aesthetic into your home.

What are your top styling tips for bringing antique decor and elements into a modern space?

Don't be afraid to break rules. I feel like we're always being told, don't mix woods, make sure everything is symmetrical, don't you dare put your bed in front of a window! etc. One of my favourite things to do is to bring all different types of wood textures and shades into one room. I love antiques to stand out, so when styling them in a room or space with modern elements, create a moment for them to stand out, and use it to your advantage. Antiques and vintage decor will generally be very unique, and modern tends to be very neutral, so my advice is to play them off one another.

How do you go about sourcing antique pieces? Do you have any favourite stores?

You have to be at peace with the fact that it takes time to source great pieces. First and foremost, make google lens your best friend. This makes it so much easier to find something online and compare prices or at least learn the name of exactly what you're looking for. Facebook marketplace is where I have found my most incredible pieces. Again, you must spend a lot of time scrolling and searching, so the algorithm learns your taste. I also am a big fan of online auctions. There are apps that allow you to search and find the most beautiful antiques at auction from all over the world. In addition to that my favourite store I have found is Berbere Imports and they ship too!

What are some mistakes people make when mixing antique and modern pieces together?

I think the beauty of adding in antiques is that it's really hard to make mistakes! I really stick by the rule there are no rules! As long as you're mixing in antiques that have character that modern pieces usually lack (texture, patina, colour, interesting shapes) you're in good shape!

What is it that you love about the 'hipstoric home' look?

The thing I love about mixing in antiques and vintage being 'on trend' is so much bigger than the look! It adds elements of conversation around the space you live and entertain in. when you're on the journey of hunting for the perfect piece, you learn so much about its history, sometimes its previous owner, and its function long before you were alive. It's such a fun and interesting path to adding in antique pieces, that you realise you're creating a home and space that you love to talk about when friends come over, and even when you're alone it feels just that little bit more of 'you' and not something you found on pinterest.