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Vintage Vavoom: Romantic Decorating with One-of-a-Kind Finds
“If you love something, there is a place for it in your home. Follow your passions, whether displaying heirloom pieces connecting you to your childhood or a love for cooking, and translate them into your surroundings.”
—from the Introduction
We’ve all walked into homes that inspire us and tell us something about the owners’ personality and style. They contain those comfy, romantically stylish rooms where a petal-soft chair and a good book await, or where a cheerful row of aprons seems to dance along a wall. These homes draw us in, urging us to walk around wide-eyed at the eclectic blending of antiques and modern pieces, funky accessories, thoughtful collections, and interesting color combinations. Sometimes, they leave us thinking we could never be so creative or bold.
This book proves otherwise.
What is “Vintage Vavoom,” exactly? It’s a sleek glass table decorated with mismatched china, tarnished silver teapots filled with calla lilies, an antique chandelier hung unpredictably in a bright apple-green powder room. It is the items you love—many steeped in nostalgia—effortlessly combined with a fresh, modern sensibility.
Think textured fabrics, family heirlooms, clever little accents, and well-crafted furniture, linked together with a sense of playfulness.
Yet while the rules are loose, Vintage Vavoom is not about clutter or haphazard mismatching. Instead, seemingly disparate items are pulled together by an underlying motif—a punctuating color, a themed collection, or an era—that will subtly keep a room in check, even as you add personal flourishes throughout.
—from the Introduction
We’ve all walked into homes that inspire us and tell us something about the owners’ personality and style. They contain those comfy, romantically stylish rooms where a petal-soft chair and a good book await, or where a cheerful row of aprons seems to dance along a wall. These homes draw us in, urging us to walk around wide-eyed at the eclectic blending of antiques and modern pieces, funky accessories, thoughtful collections, and interesting color combinations. Sometimes, they leave us thinking we could never be so creative or bold.
This book proves otherwise.
What is “Vintage Vavoom,” exactly? It’s a sleek glass table decorated with mismatched china, tarnished silver teapots filled with calla lilies, an antique chandelier hung unpredictably in a bright apple-green powder room. It is the items you love—many steeped in nostalgia—effortlessly combined with a fresh, modern sensibility.
Think textured fabrics, family heirlooms, clever little accents, and well-crafted furniture, linked together with a sense of playfulness.
Yet while the rules are loose, Vintage Vavoom is not about clutter or haphazard mismatching. Instead, seemingly disparate items are pulled together by an underlying motif—a punctuating color, a themed collection, or an era—that will subtly keep a room in check, even as you add personal flourishes throughout.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 2007
3 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 27, 2015
I didn't know how to rate this book because it deserves some credit for having quality photos and being well laid out. But on the other hand, I can't imagine the nightmare sort of middle aged lady whose house looks like this. I can actually. I can picture her exactly.
August 27, 2017
Unimpressive.
September 1, 2021
Finally, a name for my taste! Groovy. I was going with "maximalism" but I like "vintage vavoom" much better. Fie on boring, blah "contemporary" I-don't-even-want-to-call-it decor that looks like everybody else's personality-free boring, blah, etc. This is a very cool book. (the writing is a bit much, I will admit, but the pics are fab)
8/21 found a copy of this, reread it, inspired me to check my Ebay searches and buy something new that is totally useless but cute.
8/21 found a copy of this, reread it, inspired me to check my Ebay searches and buy something new that is totally useless but cute.
January 8, 2022
I LOVE Vintage Vavoom. As it could be more or less an extended home decor section from a magazine, I feel a little silly about this. Even the name is silly, but it is by far the the most delightful and helpful book about home decorating and honing personal design style that I have read. I am sure part of the reason for this is that one tends to get out of something what one puts into it, and I STUDIED this book. I savored the text, scrutinized the abundant photos, and followed ALL of the end-of-chapter prompts and exercises (and I never do this!). I have a lot to effuse about this book, so I’ll break my thoughts down into a few categories:
The Text:
It’s obvious that its authors work primarily as magazine editors, as Vintage Vavoom had a very fluffy but enjoyable and punchy writing style packed with colorful home décor imagery.
Although a lot of text was, indeed, very flowery (some of it was pure fluff), I found that this made it fun to read. I still came away having learned several solid, interesting, and applicable design principals (particularly when it comes to how to unite disparate objects by a color or style, and how to mix and layer effectively), plus a ton of small, quirky ideas for a whimsical, cozy, vintage-inspired and personalized home, which happens to be the aesthetic I’m striving to achieve.
The Images:
The color combos in Vintage Vavoom’s photo spreads are very pleasing. Even the way they group various photos together helps to illustrate the authors’ points about unifying disparate items by color, theme, motif, era, etc. For me, the best part of this book is that there are SO many pictures that actually illustrate the specific concepts the text is talking about. They have a photo to illustrate just about every point, or rather, detailed text that explains important elements in their photos. I’ve paid for home staging / design courses that taught many solid principles, but didn’t go in to a fraction of the illustrative detail that this book did.
The Homework:
As anyone might with this book, I picked up Vintage Vavoom with the intention of quickly rifling through as if it were a magazine, mostly to glance at photos for quick vintage decorating inspiration.
However, nearly right away I began carefully perusing every chapter and studying the pictures at length. For the first time with any book, I thoroughly followed the action prompts at the end of each chapter to create my own designs boards, lists of favorites, etc. (with the exception that I used Pinterest and digital notes/photos on my phone instead of a printed design workbook, as this 2007 publication recommends). I REALLY got into it.
One of the most memorable exercises helped me identify points and pieces of nostalgia that were meaningful to me - which I found to be a very emotional, personal experience - and suggested real, practical ways to incorporate those special elements into my home.
The exercises also guided me to put into concrete words and pictures things I’m truly excited about collecting and showcasing in my home (vs just amassing eclectic junk) Whereas before those things were merely vague ideas and longings that occasionally popped up in my thoughts, I now have a plan for how to find and display them.
I am thoroughly surprised about how much I loved this book and ate up every colorful, quirky morsel of it! As I mentioned at the beginning, it’s a great example of “you get out of it what to put into it.” I put a LOT of time, thought, and passion into digesting the ideas in this book and pondering how each might apply to my own home (present and future). As a result, I got a LOT out of this read!
A side note for further “collected vintage style” inspiration:
I’m fairly certain that anyone who is interested in the ideas and designs in this book would LOVE the work of the turn-of-the-century decorator Henry Davis Sleeper and his home Beauport at Gloucester. I discovered this East Coast gem around the same time I was reading Vintage Vavoom, and visiting is now on my bucket list!
The Text:
It’s obvious that its authors work primarily as magazine editors, as Vintage Vavoom had a very fluffy but enjoyable and punchy writing style packed with colorful home décor imagery.
Although a lot of text was, indeed, very flowery (some of it was pure fluff), I found that this made it fun to read. I still came away having learned several solid, interesting, and applicable design principals (particularly when it comes to how to unite disparate objects by a color or style, and how to mix and layer effectively), plus a ton of small, quirky ideas for a whimsical, cozy, vintage-inspired and personalized home, which happens to be the aesthetic I’m striving to achieve.
The Images:
The color combos in Vintage Vavoom’s photo spreads are very pleasing. Even the way they group various photos together helps to illustrate the authors’ points about unifying disparate items by color, theme, motif, era, etc. For me, the best part of this book is that there are SO many pictures that actually illustrate the specific concepts the text is talking about. They have a photo to illustrate just about every point, or rather, detailed text that explains important elements in their photos. I’ve paid for home staging / design courses that taught many solid principles, but didn’t go in to a fraction of the illustrative detail that this book did.
The Homework:
As anyone might with this book, I picked up Vintage Vavoom with the intention of quickly rifling through as if it were a magazine, mostly to glance at photos for quick vintage decorating inspiration.
However, nearly right away I began carefully perusing every chapter and studying the pictures at length. For the first time with any book, I thoroughly followed the action prompts at the end of each chapter to create my own designs boards, lists of favorites, etc. (with the exception that I used Pinterest and digital notes/photos on my phone instead of a printed design workbook, as this 2007 publication recommends). I REALLY got into it.
One of the most memorable exercises helped me identify points and pieces of nostalgia that were meaningful to me - which I found to be a very emotional, personal experience - and suggested real, practical ways to incorporate those special elements into my home.
The exercises also guided me to put into concrete words and pictures things I’m truly excited about collecting and showcasing in my home (vs just amassing eclectic junk) Whereas before those things were merely vague ideas and longings that occasionally popped up in my thoughts, I now have a plan for how to find and display them.
I am thoroughly surprised about how much I loved this book and ate up every colorful, quirky morsel of it! As I mentioned at the beginning, it’s a great example of “you get out of it what to put into it.” I put a LOT of time, thought, and passion into digesting the ideas in this book and pondering how each might apply to my own home (present and future). As a result, I got a LOT out of this read!
A side note for further “collected vintage style” inspiration:
I’m fairly certain that anyone who is interested in the ideas and designs in this book would LOVE the work of the turn-of-the-century decorator Henry Davis Sleeper and his home Beauport at Gloucester. I discovered this East Coast gem around the same time I was reading Vintage Vavoom, and visiting is now on my bucket list!
February 18, 2018
For me, inspirational rather than aspirational. Good golly there is a lot of stuff involved in this look. Victorian Parlor levels of stuff. And then stuff to rotate. It was inspirational to me, though. I remixed my comforters, throws and pillows into a combination that coordinates with my Godey's Ladies' book lithographs that I've been trying to do justice to.
Admittedly, I'm not much of a decorator. The one dollhouse I had I only cared about creating perfect period rooms. Even though I do like to buy cool stuff. I found out it's cool enough other people will buy it from me, I don't have the knack of arrangement. But a picture is better on the wall than in a closet, even imperfectly.
I enjoyed the interviews with people who are so good at this they get paid. I bow.
Admittedly, I'm not much of a decorator. The one dollhouse I had I only cared about creating perfect period rooms. Even though I do like to buy cool stuff. I found out it's cool enough other people will buy it from me, I don't have the knack of arrangement. But a picture is better on the wall than in a closet, even imperfectly.
I enjoyed the interviews with people who are so good at this they get paid. I bow.
July 27, 2018
I found the photographs that were not filled with cluttered, artificially arranged objects much more appealing, unfortunately a "vintage vavoom" mindset seems to mean that more is better. I simply could not stomach much of the text, which included mindless lists of "what to shop for" (great fluffy towels, scented candles, dishware...) and "safe storage" (Be careful not to fold your linens. ...Either roll them or bunch them in a soft ball...). I'm certain this book appeals to some people, but I don't think I know any of them.
August 8, 2020
Nice tips for flea marketing.
March 4, 2008
I would have enjoyed this book much more if the captions under the pictures had actually told WHAT you were looking at, not just that it goes well together. There were some pieces in there I was very interested in but I guess I'll have to do some antique research since the editors didn't feel the need to.
August 30, 2010
This book is packed with tons of inspiring pics and info about how to decorate with one-of-a-kind thrift store/op shop/2nd hand store finds. I just love seeing how people put different collections of stuff together.
July 22, 2008
Pretty pictures, but a little short on substance. No surprise, because that's exactly what I think of Romantic Homes magazine, who is the publisher.
June 15, 2010
Eye candy for the vintage minded - great photos and inspiration.
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May 15, 2024Nothing in here made me say wow. Not a single thing.
October 28, 2010
Eye candy with little substance.
November 9, 2012
A very pretty little book.
November 28, 2013
Great tips and helpful insights to decorating.
September 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this book.I want to redecorate my bedroom and this book gave me some real good ideas on how to plan what I want to do.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews