Global Style Inspiration: 3 Ideas for Mixing Antique Furniture & Vintage Textiles

In my past life I was a flagrant minimalist. I'm sure of it.
And now, I'm somehow atoning for the past by hoarding every shiny bobble that crosses my path.

If you read my blog, you know my design mantra as of late is a mix of severe editing + unique displays of my travel tchotchke collection. It's no easy feat! 

But I'm loving how these fellow collectors have managed to incorporate two of my favorite things— Antique Furniture and Vintage Textiles— into stunning displays.  Let's break it down:

1. Armoires

I have a few quilts and weavings from my travels and, unfortunately, they're all hidden away in storage.  One day I'll get those bad boys on display in my house. Personally, armoires are my favorite way to display vintage textiles. Vintage Textiles = Delicate. With an armoire, you can throw open the doors and showcase your stash...without worrying about damaging the fibers via sunlight or messy fingers.

2. Walls

Hanging textiles on walls is an incredibly easy way to display textiles....but it's not always the safest. In my experience, the two best options are:

1. Purchase or create (like I attempted to do in our old condo!) a display frame or splurge on custom framing.
2. Hang your piece from a curtain rod (or just a bamboo stick) via foam-padded clips.

And if you're not too worried about damaging the fabric— and the overall piece isn't too heavy— then you could try a few discreet carpet tacks in the corners as a quick 'n' dirty solution. But beware! The fabric will eventually start to tear or pull. So only go this route if you're not too attached to your textile.

3. Chairs

Yes, I know I sound batty— but chairs are perfect display pieces! Of course, I don't know how realistic they are in this capacity if you have any of the following:

1. A small house
2. Children
3. A husband who complains about non-functional pieces of furniture that are purely artistic.

However, if you are lucky enough to live alone or have perfect children or a husband who doesn't question your design choices.... then I wouldn't be hesitant in the least to incorporate an unusual or antique chair for displaying sequined saris, kantha quilts or your favorite Andean weaving.

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Hope you enjoyed the roundup! I'm always on the prowl for new/interesting/fun ways to display my finds...check out my Boho Living board on Pinterest for more ideas!

How do you display your precious vintage pieces? I'd love to hear your suggestions!