How to demodernize your home and why you should do it

Move over, elegant furniture and sad neutrals. There's a nostalgic design trend floating around our feeds that takes us back to our roots. Remember the patterned sofa, ornate dresser and her collection of quirky decorations? Well, dear reader, it turns out our ancestors knew a thing or two about adding personality to their spaces. And now we're seeing an increasing implementation of vintage trends in modern places – also known as de-modernization.

In an exclusive conversation with House Digest, design historian and decor expert Sarah Bilotta shows us how to demodernize your home—and why you should. Bilotta best describes demodernization as simply “replacing modern and contemporary furnishings with classic and traditional decor.” This might mean swapping geometric furniture for ornate, lush, and ornate (e.g., choosing a mirror with a carved gilded wood frame instead of a simple border). Or one of Bilotta's favorite de-modernization options: adding rich, velvety curtains (perhaps textured brocade) to bare windows. “Think about replacing Mid-Century Modern with Regency and Art Deco with Victorian,” she continues.

So why on earth would you go back to old interior design styles when your home is modern and contemporary? For Bilotta, that alone is reason enough to sprinkle in some old-fashioned charm. “Today we are caught up in the reality that much of our world is digital and driven by technological change,” she explains. “By modernizing our homes, we can break away from technology and bask in the appreciation of simpler, more analogue pleasures.” Traditional decor offers the opportunity to simultaneously feel comfortable and protected by the familiarity of the past, giving the space a more vibrant and authentic feel to give feeling.

Blogger @lutzgohome takes inspiration from the video above and shows us that there are many small but effective ways to demodernize a room. For example, she added crown molding, installed a classic ceiling medallion, opted for a moody color palette and put together a vintage-style gallery wall. This brings us to Sarah Bilotta's top tip: Beautify wherever something can be beautified. “Gilding, carving, pattern and texture are all hallmarks of traditional design movements,” she notes in her exclusive interview with House Digest. Even something as simple as jazzing up your light switch covers or doorknobs with an intricate panel would make a difference.

Bilotta also encourages his readers to look for furniture at thrift stores and antique shops. “A lot of the Victorian-inspired furniture from the 1990s now ends up on curbs and in trash cans,” she shares. “Save it, restore it, and apply it to your demodernized design.” And if you need even more inspiration on how to incorporate these past trends into your home, you can always turn to Pinterest. Simply search “Georgian Design” to discover a world of eye-catching classic decorations.

Remember: this trend is all about creating an environment that brings you comfort and serves as a refuge from the modern world. However, there are a few rules of thumb you can follow to pave the way to traditional setup. One of them is not to hold back when it comes to color, pattern and texture. “Demodernization is an opportunity to play with design motifs that you might otherwise have avoided,” Sarah Bilotta revealed in an exclusive conversation with House Digest. But instead of choosing ultra-modern colors like neon daylight or drenched, bright white, opt for rich, warm tones. In this case, deep browns, reds and greens come to mind.

In addition, the expert recommends avoiding buying completely new furniture. Lots of great finds await you at antique and thrift stores – but don't feel pressured to replace everything you own to update your interior. Start with a piece you really love (such as a wooden coffee table), then add smaller details to reinforce the traditional vibe. Last but not least: Don't leave your walls empty. Art, wallpaper, sconces and wall decorations inspired by classic European design are great ways to decorate a room with a touch of history.