Houzz Tour: Kay Loves Vintage

If the thought of living on the outskirts of Amsterdam, collecting gorgeous Mid-Century furniture and (in my head at least) pedaling around on a bike with a basket full of tulips sounds nice for you, then this Houzz Tour ought to be right up your alley. Okay, so I don’t really know if bike rides and freshly-picked flowers are routine at the life span of Kay from the blog Kaylovesvintage, but the furniture and location gathering most definitely are. She offered us a peek into the enchanting house she shares with her husband, daughter and four cats.

Kaylovesvintage

The two-bedroom house the family shares was constructed in 1901 and sits at a little village a few kilometers outside of Amsterdam. Both Kay and her husband are avid Mid-Century Modern collectors, so naturally their little home is filled with treasures in the period.

Kaylovesvintage

Kay works as a personal vintage and classic shopper (dream job!) , and on the side conducts an Etsy shop selling many of the pieces she finds on her hunts.

Kaylovesvintage

Because space is at a premium in the family’s house, they attempt to stick to a single principle:”For every item that comes in, something else must go.”

Kaylovesvintage

Kaylovesvintage

They also now attempt to concentrate their collecting smaller things in the’50s and’60s, rather than large furniture.

Kaylovesvintage

Kay has the ideal idea: She places her favorite finds in the living space, as it’s where the family spends all their time.

Kaylovesvintage

The collection continues out with retro patio seats and servingware.

Kaylovesvintage

In addition to scouring flea markets and yard sales, the family travels to England, Denmark and Germany once or twice a year to search for interesting pieces.

Kaylovesvintage

A classic Ericofon peeks out from behind the family’s modern media installment.

Kaylovesvintage

Interested in starting your own MCM collection? Kay has some good advice. Most significant,”If you don’t enjoy the hunt, don’t start collecting unless you’ve got a massive budget.” Furniture in the’50s and’60s is very popular right now, so you have got to actually put in the sweat work to find something you like at a fantastic cost.

Kaylovesvintage

Getting a good cost works twofold: Not only is it easy in your pocket, but if your tastes change down the street, you will probably be able to market it for what you’ve have it for.

Kaylovesvintage

You may need to wait some time to get what you’re looking for in your budget. As Kay points out, “. . .you will always find an item for the ideal price if you’re patient enough. Realize that rates are moving up and down quickly. Some hot thing that’ll cost you a fortune could be rather cheap in a couple of years “

Kaylovesvintage

Kay now has her eye out for a radio — preferably a Tesla 308U Talisman or even Nordmende Transita. Her husband? A CH28 sawhorse chair by Hans Wegner.

Kaylovesvintage

“Also, learn about the big MCM designers and the things they created,” she says. “We spent hours reading books and browsing the web for information. This is also great for creating your taste in design.”

Kaylovesvintage

An assortment of hyacinth vases and classic cameras.

Kaylovesvintage

Kay stores many of her pieces upstairs, but daughter Nila’s area is available for a view. An Eames rocker retains court close to a wall of modern prints.

Kaylovesvintage

A vintage garden bench in the 1950s makes for a cozy spot to enjoy the garden.

Kaylovesvintage

Thank you for giving us a peek in your house, Kay!

You can follow Kay’s collecting adventures at her blog, Kaylovesvintage.

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