The beauty of Kindred Vintage

You know how there are some people you meet and you instantly feel as if you’ve known them for years?
That’s how I felt the first time I ran across Susan from @kindredvintage on Instagram.
We started liking and commenting on one another’s pictures almost a year ago and I fell madly in love with her style and class.
She’s so special and always looks at everything with such a positive outlook that I find it incredibly contagious. There are certain Instagram feeds I immediately run to each day to see what they’ve posted and what they’re up to because they are not only brimming with style but personality.

Susan knows how to add just the right piece and look in such a special way that gives her home a whole new life.
If you like the show ‘fixer-upper’ you’re going to love following her. Take a peek into her world and let me know what you think.
I’m sure you’ll fall in love up her spirit and elegance as much as I have…

Wicksnest-

Tell us about your beautiful home…

Susan –

After I became pregnant with my second daughter my husband and I made the tough decision to leave the busy city and make the move to the quiet suburbs. We were hesitant and scared but life always seems to have a way of working itself out and we couldn’t be happier in our 1920’s bungalow.

When I first stepped foot into our home it was a mess, it had layers of wall paper on every wall that you can imagine, including ceilings and cabinets. There were many unfinished rooms and a lot of unusable, unfunctional space all that said, it was love at first sight. I just saw the charm, character and details of this old house. From the baseboards to the glass door knobs there was so much hidden beauty! I knew with a lot of love and hard work it would be the house of our dreams, and I am so glad to say I was right!

One of the best surprises we discovered during construction and demolition was a dusty box of old letters hidden way back in a corner of our attic. I always wished that the walls in our home could talk and my wish had been granted! I discovered so many things about this charming home, including letters postmarked to our address from 1921, when we were told by our relator the home was built in 1926! It was amazing to uncover those priceless letters!

Wicksnest-

Where did your love for design stem from?

Susan-

I knew I loved art very early on in my life. When I was in kindergarten I remember telling the class I wanted to be an artist. That passion always stayed true and stuck with me through my childhood. I would sit and rearrange shelves in my room for hours so that they looked just right. As a teenager I would rearrange my room monthly and when I was married and had my first apartment there wasn’t a weekend that would go by that I didn’t have another project to tackle. Now that I own a home of my own, well take all that I said and times it by 100. I’m always rearranging, redecorating and restyling! I’m not sure the projects will ever end. :)

Wicksnest-

You mesh ‘elegant’ and ‘classic’ together so beautifully. Vintage items and history mean so much to you.  I love how you always make sure to add something meaningful to the mix when you decorate. Tell us more about your style…

Susan-

I knew I loved art very early on in my life. When I was in kindergarten I remember telling the class I wanted to be an artist. That passion always stayed true and stuck with me through my childhood. I would sit and rearrange shelves in my room for hours so that they looked just right. As a teenager I would rearrange my room monthly and when I was married and had my first apartment there wasn’t a weekend that would go by that I didn’t have another project to tackle. Now that I own a home of my own, well take all that I said and times it by 100. I’m always rearranging, redecorating and restyling! I’m not sure the projects will ever end. :)

My love for all things vintage stemmed from my mother. She always had our home decorated with charming, cozy pieces that held both the character and untold stories of another time. I could sit and rearrange her vintage bookcases for hours. She would bring my sisters and I along thrifting and antiquing all through out our childhood, which was something I always adored doing.

Wicksnest-

You decorate with lots of white yet you still have color and texture…
What is your favorite color and why?

Susan-

As far as a favorite color goes, that’s a tough one. I painted my entire house white but that’s not because I am against color. It’s because I adore furniture and I have many fun pieces with character and color that pop against the white canvas. I am also a huge fan of rich colors, such as navy blue and emerald greens, I just can’t get enough of those!

Wicksnest-

Who inspires you?

Susan-

I am inspired by so many designers of all different spectrums and backgrounds. I think that’s what makes interior decorating so amazing. It’s an art. Everyone sees it differently and has their own spin to it. I am a mix of two worlds. I love the charm and old world feel of vintage but I also adore the sparkle and glam elements of modern design. It’s hard to pinpoint my design style but if I had to, I would call it vintage glam.

LivingRoom Before –

Living Room – After

Dining Room Before-


Dining Room -After

Sunroom Before-

Sunroom After-

 Bathroom Before-

Bathroom After –

Kitchen Before-

Kitchen After-

New Hallway and Bathroom off of Kitchen-

Old 2nd Kitchen upstairs- Before

Daughter’s bedroom (where upstairs Kitchen used to be)

Master Bedroom –

Thanks so much to my sweet friend, Susan!
For more of her inspirational pictures please take a look at her gorgeous feed
@KindredVintage on Instagram here.
XO