Fabric roller shades can offset the look of homeowner's vintage collection

Kristina Tosi's online shop for vintage goods is steeped in history. Its name, Cottage Farm, comes from the name of her great-grandparents' home, and her talents in scavenging the best in collectible and decorative goods was learned helping to stock her mother's antique shop.


"Having vintage in your life is about adding a bit of the glamorous or exotic or nostalgic to your life," she told the San Francisco Chronicle.


Treasures in a collection can be put to use, as are the heirloom wooden spoons that Tosi collects and uses daily in her cooking, according to the newspaper. "Let the items be employed in some service. Don't simply look longingly at them from a shelf," Tosi said. "It's more exciting to have interaction with them."


Installing window treatments that resemble the textures and patterns of vintage fabrics is another way to incorporate the look into a room design. Fabric roller shades, for instance, are affordable and easy to use, but come in a wide range of colors and materials to suit any décor.


Tosi also suggested that would-be collectors shape their collections to reflect changes in the owner's interests. "Mostly, collecting something occurs over a long period of time, and it should evolve as you do," she said.