Collecting and displaying toys used to be a little kooky. My dad once employed a business consultant who was renown for his fierce, dour, no nonsense obsession with the bottom line. My family went to his home once and it was full of teddies and trains. Forever more we referred to him as ‘Mad Jack’.
And now I’ve joined the toy-crazy clan. My husband’s lip quivers every time a package arrives at the house. Last night, he opened a package expecting to find contact lenses; it was a mini tailor’s dummy for my dolls house (I am 52).
Here is my defence. Pick up any interior magazine and you’ll find ‘nursery’ items straying into the main living areas. Be it a child’s globe discreetly displayed on a rustic shelf or a rocking horse straddling a console table; we have all gone ga ga for toys.
“Vintage toys are a throw-back to our childhoods,” explains Michelle Elgarice, co-proprietor of The Vintage Rooms in Matlock; a shop stuffed to the rafters with vintage treasures, including much-loved teddies, metal figures and toy cars.
“People have always wanted to display a few keepsakes. The difference is that people are bringing the toys out of the bedroom to use them in interior styling. The secret is finding the right piece, blending it with other decorative items and try not to over-do it. You should aim to display one doll, not 200.”
Lisa Farmer, an interior designer and decorator, often adds antique toys to her schemes. She believes old toys can have a life beyond the sterile display case but, like Michelle, she advocates restraint.
“Don’t have a big collection lining an entire wall,” she cautions.
“Some fun pieces scattered around will do. If you are looking for a way to bring warmth and personality to your home, accessorise with a toy – or two.”
Writing on Cool Mom Picks Liz Gumbinner says. “Sometimes the best inspiration (for a room) can be found right in your grandparents’ attic,” she says.
“I love the look of vintage toys framed as cool artwork or placed on bookshelves as striking accent pieces.”
Michelle Elgarice, of The Vintage Rooms, has been styling with vintage for forty years. Here’s her insider’s guide for decorating with childhood toys.
Mix it up – make your rooms less formal by integrating some toys – a set of lead farm animals – with more up-market items like a collection of silver photo’ frames and a pile of leather bound books. Display the lot on the distressed shelves of a vintage armoire.
Love the perfect imperfections – there is a place for immaculate Steiff teddy bears and bisque dolls in lace dresses and that’s in a glass case. Look out for thread-bare, balding, one-eyed teddies with nibbled ears as they have been loved and will add their character to your home.
Refresh your stock – Michelle says vintage trends are constantly changing. Teddies, toy boats and dolls are everywhere so the savvy vintage toy enthusiast is looking for the next cute thing. “Sheep,” laughs Michelle. “And rabbit toys. We’re also getting customers who want dolls prams to use inside or as garden planters.”
Make a scene – buy the odd piece and create a vignette. Take your inspiration from The Vintage Rooms (see picture above). Michelle has been collecting/decorating vintage since she was a eleven so you can learn a lot just looking at how she arranges her stock. “You are looking for things to add height, depth, texture and enhance beauty,” Michelle explains. Think books, bells jars, shells, twine, old cups, packing crates, old linen and dried flowers…
Make the old toy the star of the show – your 1950s teddy is still around because it was well-made and well-loved. “Vintage items are not mass produced by Ikea,” says Michelle. “They have been around for a hundred years and they will be around for a hundred more. These objects make your home individual.”
Follow the dealer – look at the toys the leaders in the vintage industry are buying. You’ll need to get up early to visit markets to see what dealers want. You can be sure what’s still around after lunch it is there for a reason. Avoid. “Yes, I’d say 50 per cent of a popular trader’s stock sells to other dealers,” Michelle confirms. “Much of it doesn’t leave our homes. My favourite toy is a wild boar which will never end up in the shop.”
All the arrangements in the photographs were courtesy of the wonderfully talented Michelle and Daniela of The Vintage Rooms.
Find all the inspiration you need by visiting the shop;
Vintage Rooms has moved and has a smart new name you can find….
Pie Bird & The Two Puddings at;-
103 Dale Road
Matlock
Derbyshire
Open 10.30am – 4.30pm and the shop is closed on Mondays
