While there is the growing trend of modernism, which has a more minimalist approach in terms of design, some people still welcome the warmth and elegance of an old, well-built structure.

At times, homeowners would use antiques to add an extra helping of soul and character to their rooms. So if a vintage house isn’t attainable, here are some ideas from Apartment Therapy, a home and décor site, to turn back time and give that touch of warm nostalgia.

A handmade painting helps give that indescribable old world feeling PHOTO FROM PINTEREST

• Display real paintings

Seeing the texture as well as brush strokes of paintings done by hand usually helps give that indescribable old world feeling. According to Apartment Therapy, “…every artist breathes a soul into his or her work, thus transferring soul points to the house in which it resides.”

Opt for pieces that are made with high-quality, natural materials to withstand the years PHOTO FROM NEWLIVING.NET

• Use organic materials

Low quality plastics and synthetic materials didn’t really work several years before. To get that vintage-y vibe, opt for pieces that are made with natural materials like hearty woods and metals with an organic finish, or high-quality linens and wools.

• Bring the years together

Build up possessions one at a time for a more timeless overall aesthetic. Buying antique pieces can also bring some historical character into a house. Use a mixture of pieces from a variety of eras to get that warm, homey feeling.

Hang paintings or framed pictures side by side from the excess mold on the wall to create a picture railing PHOTO FROM HUMIDEAS.COM

• Set up a picture railing

Look for narrow moldings in the ceiling of an old house that could work as a picture molding. Some of these were originally installed to give homeowners the freedom to hang art on the walls without damaging the plaster. This molding contains a lip just big enough to hang special hooks.

Use this mold to to hang framed pictures using wires and hooks. Get creative by hanging other framed materials or even antique decorative hanging pieces to achieve the feel of giving a room character.

Lime wash paint gives walls movement, texture, and personality without looking unnatural PHOTO FROM PINTEREST

• Paint with lime wash

Rooms with a flat, smooth dry wall may feel more sterile than soulful. In the early years, lime wash paint was a great option. The mineral-based pigment gives walls movement, texture, and personality without looking unnatural with artificial finishes in some areas.

• Worn and homey

One way to add old school sophistication, warmth and color to a room is by bringing in a rug. Look for a rug that is big enough to fit under all the furniture of the space you’re planning to install it in. It would be a bonus if the rug shows some actual wear from the years.

• Install house plants

A beautiful old house gets its appeal not from the look it has but the feeling it gives. Plants, in general, have been around for roughly 700 million years. Place a large house plant and trees to create the illusion that a space has been in existence for quite a while and has its own share of history.

Old homes really have that attractive and comfortable feeling that provides people with a sense of connection to the past.

These homes have established personality, withstood even the test of time with notable craftsmanship, and attention to minute details that ignites the senses. Keep this in mind while implementing these elements to maximizing a home’s soul points using the past even while living in the present.

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