Holly Vaughan and her husband Will, between them have all bases covered for any new build/renovation or development project. Together they founded and, now run 'Vaughan Design and Development' based on the Hampshire/Sussex/Surrey border. Insta: @vaughan_d_d.
Holly’s impressive portfolio and extensive design background has spanned the residential and commercial sector, leading her to being featured in Living Etc, Domino, Elle Decoration, You Magazine and Sunday Times Style publications. She has been featured for Vaughan Design & Development and also her former interior design studio and retail shop, Holly’s House. The lovely Holly very kindly took a few minutes out of her very busy schedule to answer my questions.
How do you go about incorporating them into your work?
We do have to be careful when sourcing vintage textiles for clients that the condition isn’t too bad, more so than if I was sourcing for myself. Generally most things we find are in really good condition, so then we often use what we find as an inspiration point for the room we are working it into. We may use this to inspire the colour scheme, or the feel of the space. I try to collect any really special pieces I see when I can, so then when the right space, client or situation comes up I will know where that piece is meant to be!
How best to display them?
There are so many different ways to display them.. for example with a piece that could go on the wall you could have it framed, or else it could work to hang it from a lovely brass pole- they then instantly become pieces of art that are even more of a focal point than a painting or print.
Where to start when using vintage textiles?
Can they inspire a whole scheme? Yes absolutely, I have quite often used a vintage textile piece to inspire my scheme. Sometimes they may have a colour combination you may not have thought of, and it can give you confidence to try something that pushes you a touch outside of your comfort zone.
Unique creative ways of working with vintage textiles?
Recently we found a beautiful piece of thick vintage fabric, and we are having this stitched onto the bottom of a pair of linen curtains in our clients’ bedroom. This will add so much interest to the curtains and will make them feel really weighty and textured. We also love using vintage textile wall hangings which can either be framed, or hung in different ways. Kanthas are one of my favourite vintage textiles, and these are so versatile- we have covered large seat cushions, normal scatter cushions and also used them as curtains... and often of course as a bedspread.
Why do you love working with vintage textiles?
I adore vintage textiles as you won’t find that one piece anywhere else, it will be entirely unique. Also I think they can really make a space feel homely and lived in, in a way that new pieces just can’t.
Why would you recommend others to work with vintage textiles?
Quite often vintage textiles can be the most affordable way to make an interior unique. For example kanthas are quite readily available at a good price, and if you use these with some little clip rings as a curtain panel and fold over the top so you can adjust them to the height you want, there are some ready-made, entirely one-off curtains for a fraction of what made up curtains would cost you!
What would your top 3 tips be for anyone looking to start using vintage textiles?
-Be patient, it may take a bit of hunting to find the right piece/bit of fabric for the right use or place.
-If you see something you love and can afford it then get it! Sometimes it takes me a little while to work out how and where I will use it but it always pays off in the end.
- Be confident in using vintage textiles, even if you think the colours are bold or are worried if the ‘non perfect’ finish of them might not be right, they can really bring an interior to life and make it entirely unique.