While internet search trends have reported a 250% increase in people searching for antiques online (compared to 2020), the Fixer Upper star shared that she is already an admirer of these historic pieces. Revealing her interior design tips in her blog (opens in new tab), Joanna shared how she uses antiques – or ‘inspirational pieces’ as she labels them – to create a focal point in her home. These pieces not only make an individual statement, but they also complement the wider space and allow the rest of the room to ‘fall into place.’ Here, she explains how you can do the same.
How to create a focal point, according to Joanna Gaines
‘One of my favorite things to do is go antique shopping at off-the-beaten-path shops and flea markets. I always get inspired when I see pieces from the past,’ Joanna begins in the discussion of her decorating idea. ‘They all have their own story, and there is just something about a piece that isn’t mass-produced but one of a kind.’ Joanna explains her favorite ‘inspirational piece’ – a communion table that came from an old church into her farmhouse kitchen. ‘Underneath the countertops was a container that held the holy water,’ she describes. ‘I just love this piece because of its story and the detail. It is now the focal point and anchor for my kitchen. Once I determined where I wanted it, the rest of the kitchen fell into place,’ she says. However, Joanna is not alone in her adoration for these unique pieces. Instead, the Creative Director of Albion Nord (opens in new tab), Camilla Clarke, also uses a similar technique when decorating with antiques in a modern space. ‘So many people think of antiques as old, dusty, and something that they would find in their grandparent’s houses, but an antique can add so much to even the most contemporary space,’ Camilla says. ‘I especially love this kind of juxtaposition which adds a playfulness and point of interest to a room.’ Plus, alongside standing as the focal point in your room, Camilla adds that antiques simultaneously bring joy into your home, as their ‘unusual shapes and sizes’ and ‘quirky little details’ set them aside from an off-the-shelf piece of furniture. Armed with Joanna’s tip, we imagine search trends for antiques will rise even further before the new year.
