I yearn for simple, slow living in the countryside but the practicalities of everyday life are preventing me from reaching my dreams for now. In this post I explore how to create a slow living home wherever you are, as an alternative. A curated home free from clutter from the past phases of my life. And instead lovingly decorated with vintage decor for a more intentional and peaceful existence.

If I can’t move to the country (just yet), then I’ll bring the country to my home.

Here’s how a curated home can enhance the practice of slow living without the need for a total relocation.

Minimalism – Decluttering for clarity

One of the first steps to create a slow living home is to declutter.

Reducing the clutter of items in our homes removes the visual attention it creates. The more you see unused items or items that are not visually appealing, you the more you are reminded of the work it takes to get rid of it. And you constantly think about how much work is involved in removing it. It’s always grabbing your attention and we never stop thinking about it. It constantly weighs on our minds. 

This constant mental clutter can be draining and makes it hard to relax in your own space.

So setting aside some time to remove unwanted or unused objects is a helpful first step to curating a sense of calm.

The Art of Appreciation

A curated home tastefully staged with antique and vintage decor items that bring us joy and serve a purpose, encourages us to appreciate them and engage with a deeper connection of our surroundings. We absorb their timelessness, admire their history and the interesting stories they have to tell. They are great conversation starters that give us a sense of nostalgia of past eras. Or give us cherished memories creating a feeling of familiarity and comfort.

Surrounding yourself with vintage and antique pieces made of wood, wool and stone gives a calming effect on the mind, as does caring for these items.

Sustainable consumption

Vintage and antique treasures were often built to last. So their quality surpasses any cheap modern mass-produced item. By incorporating them into our homes, it helps us to move away from a disposable fast-paced culture. And in turn reduces our impact on the environment. Using these timeless pieces in our everyday lives such as using a thrifted cottagecore dining set to serve up meals on, not only helps us connect to the past but also remember our history, when people lived more simply and sustainably. 

Other examples may be using an old crock to hold cooking utensils in or storing vintage kitchenware in a thrifted cabinet.

Creating Designated Zones

For a slower pace of life, different zones can enhance a slow living philosophy and create a slow living home. Maybe a curated home can be strategically designed to facilitate different activities such as:

1. A place to sit on the back patio on warm summer evenings to relax without screens
2. A vintage styled kitchen to cook or bake from scratch in
3. A cosy reading room filled with vintage books and other vintage finds
4. A writing desk decorated with personal vintage and antique finds
5. An old fashioned sunroom filled with vintage botanical prints to unwind in
6. A vintage sewing room decorated with antique sewing machines and patterns, to craft and create in
7. A calming breakfast or afternoon tea room with floral vintage crockery to eat off or sip tea from

Whatever the space, surround yourself with items that bring you joy and comfort. Create a space that reflects your unique sense of style and personality.

Mindful disconnection

Curating a home with vintage and antique treasures, gives us a break from technology and sometimes from modern life. They can help us to slow down and live more in the present moment. The sensory engagement of different textures and natural materials like wood gives us stability in a fast paced world that we need to escape from.

Some items encourage us to use our hands for creating and therefore disconnect from all the moderness we have become accustomed to. They allow us to appreciate the craftsmanship behind the making of these pieces. And the uses they were designed for giving us a historical perspective and a sense of grounding.

Browsing antique shops or thrift shops promotes the joy of discovery when we find these treasures. And it means we get to spend more in the process of finding them and putting them to use, leading to creating a curated home to live in.

Creative expression

Being creative improves mental health in many ways such as reducing anxiety and stress as well as improving our cognitive function. Curating a home with treasures from the past gives the freedom to express your unique personality, interests and values. 

Creativity can also come from upcycling pre-loved items into treasures with new life and purpose. Inspiration for upcycling projects and restoration of old things can give a sense of enjoyment and promote a slow living philosophy. 

It can be incredibly rewarding and it encourages a slow living approach, allowing you to disconnect from the constant rush and truly immerse yourself in the act of creation.

The creative process of making over a room inspired by a bygone era can be a gateway to a slower pace of life. The tranquility of surrounding yourself with vintage and antique furniture and other finds can help create a haven that whispers stories of the past. 

Creating a space that is a stark contrast to the ever-changing world outside can encourage you to slow down and reconnect with a simpler time.

Community 

The world of vintage and antiques often fosters a strong sense of community which enhances the philosophy of slow living. It creates a chance to connect with like minded people who share your passion and appreciation for the past. 

There are many ways you could interact with fellow enthusiasts in person or online. By joining these passionate collectors and vintage lovers you can swap knowledge, ideas and inspiration with all things old creating a constant source of learning and creativity.

Curating for intentional living: 

So as you step into your home, not as an extension of the workday, but as a haven of slow living, the noise of the modern world fades. You retreat to a space where you can unwind and disconnect. A place where you can truly be present. 

While escaping to the countryside might be ideal, crafting a slow living haven within the walls of your own home is a powerful way to embrace this philosophy. Decluttering your unwanted stuff alone isn’t going to truly bring a sense of slow living into your home. Displaying treasured items that bring you a sense of calm and peace can evoke a sense of a slower way of life such as a simple life in a farmhouse or one that honors history.