In an era where the trend cycle moves too quickly to grasp, the “Old Money Aesthetic” trend is an answer to a longing for something enduring. It’s a style of fashion and decor that transcends the ebb and flow of passing fads, more firmly rooted in tradition, heritage, and a quiet sense of generational wealth. The biggest pitfalls to avoid in capturing this aesthetic are gaudy or ostentatious displays of wealth, so cultivating it doesn’t necessarily require spending a fortune.
Think of an aristrocratic cultivated European apartment, a refined New England WASPy heritage home, or a beautiful English estate complete with a dreamy Aga stove and a collection of wellies and barbour waxed jackets by the door. The Old Money Aesthetic is all about whispering, quiet luxury and generations of tastemaking, where abundance is measured not by extravagance or brand identity, but by the quality of craftsmanship and depth of history.
1. Old Money Decor Means Quality Furniture
Investing in quality furniture is the cornerstone of creating an Old Money Aesthetic. However, this doesn’t mean splurging on expensive new pieces. It’s about seeking out antiques with a sense of history and craftsmanship. Visit thrift stores, scour estate sales, explore flea markets or try your hand at auctions to discover pieces that resonate with your space.
“Old Money” has heritage associations you can play into with period furniture – look for pieces with lots of character, like majestic armoires with intricate detailing, beautifully simple but well constructed tables, and regal armchairs with plush upholstery. Undertake your own DIY restoration if needed to suit your style. If you are going for a trendy neutral palette and find a beautiful piece in a dated orange finish, strip it down to raw wood and refinish it to match your style. Embrace quality over quantity and infuse your space with pieces that tell a story, as if your furniture collection has been in your family for generations.
2. Embrace Traditional Fabrics
Luxury doesn’t always have to mean silk, velvet and damask; it’s also found in understated high quality natural fabrics like linen and cotton. Embracing traditional fabrics is a hallmark of the Old Money Aesthetic, where the highest quality textiles are going to be far more valuable than brand-name polyester blends. Ignore the brand names in home decor shops and choose crisp cotton bedding, classy linen slipcovers and soft throw cushions adorned with delicate embroidery in subtle patterns. These fabrics evoke a sense of ‘coastal grandma’ grandeur with real timeless charm. Think of the cool breezy touch of linen on a summer afternoon or the cozy warmth of flannel on an autumn evening. Incorporating traditional fabrics into your decor adds a decadent layer of tactile luxury.
3. Go With Antique and Vintage Rugs
Personally, when I think of an “Old Money” interior my first thought is a muted, classic room with the color palette thoughtfully punctuated with an interesting genuine Turkish, Caucasian or Persian rug. A beautiful deep, coppery rug with an ornate pattern that draws the eye, surrounded by high quality furnishing. All but the most expensive new rugs are notoriously lacking in quality. Cheap polyester rugs that feel awful underfoot are still outrageously overpriced in stores, and some of them are even designed to mimic the wear of an antique. When you can buy a genuine handmade rug for the same price or less, why settle for a fake? Check out online auction sites or even eBay for some great deals on beautiful vintage and antique rugs. The sense of history and hand-made luxury is an Old Money staple.
4. Go Exclusively for Original Art
When we see a large abstract canvas that matches our color palette at Marshalls, it’s super tempting to cover as much wall real estate as possible for the lowest price and a “good enough” attitude when it comes to artistry. The truth is that some of the value of art in a high luxury context lies in exclusivity, more the actual piece or even the popularity of the artist. Replacing your cheap mass-produced canvases with framed original pieces will elevate the look of your space, even if it means going smaller and freeing up a little wall space for your frames to breathe.
Of course paying an artist for their work is ideal, but on a budget you can find genuine and beautiful art secondhand thrift stores, estate sales and auctions. You don’t need original masterwork oil paintings. Just invest in a beautiful frame and you can go minimalist with your art to still achieve the same effect. Using textiles as wall art is another classic option with historic roots. Replace your print-on-demand mandala tapestry with a small vintage area rug or Afghan wall rug and instantly mature your space.
5. Create a Grand Old Money Entrance
Setting the tone from the moment guests step through the door is essential for creating any cohesive look or aesthetic in your home. Focus on creating a grand entrance hall or foyer by adding statement pieces like a vintage console table, an oversized mirror to add drama and reflect light, or an elegant chandelier. Fresh flowers in an antique vase will make a bigger impact than you’d expect, infusing your space with the fragrance and look of something implicitly high-upkeep and intentional. These key elements instantly elevate the look and feel of your entry way.
6. Wall Moulding
Traditionally associated with grand estates and stately homes, moulding can instantly elevate the look and feel of any space, giving it a sense of old-world sophistication. Fortunately, you don’t need a hefty budget to incorporate this timeless feature into your decor. If you’re working with a limited budget or rental constraints, consider using faux moulding techniques to achieve the look of traditional moulding without the expense or permanence. Options like peel-and-stick decals or paintable tape can be applied directly to your walls to create the illusion of custom woodwork without the need for nails or glue. These temporary solutions are perfect for adding instant architectural interest to your space without making any permanent changes.
Another budget-friendly way to incorporate moulding into your decor is by focusing on creating accent walls. Rather than covering an entire room with moulding, choose one wall as a focal point and apply moulding panels or trim work to create a dramatic statement. Whether you opt for a classic picture rail, a modern grid pattern, or a traditional wainscoting design, accent walls are a great way to add visual interest to your space without overwhelming the room. Painting your moulding along with your walls with a fresh coat of a neutral, calm color and relying on the texture of the woodwork to add depth will look effortlessly high-end and gorgeously old world.
7. Lose Your Fear of Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a versatile and budget-friendly way to add texture, pattern, and personality to your home decor. When aiming for an old-money aesthetic, wallpaper can be a powerful tool to evoke a sense of antique elegance and sophistication. Opt for wallpaper designs that feature classic patterns commonly associated with traditional decor styles. Timeless motifs such as damask, toile, floral, and stripes can instantly infuse your space with Victorian charm. Look for wallpapers in muted tones or subtle metallic finishes to achieve a refined look that complements your aesthetic. If genuine hand-painted wallpaper isn’t in your budget, there are plenty of online retailers for paper by-the-wall.
While hiring a professional to install wallpaper can be costly, you can save money by tackling the installation yourself. Many modern wallpapers are designed for easy application, with self-adhesive backing or paste-the-wall techniques that simplify the process. DIY wallpaper installation can yield professional-looking results at a fraction of the cost. If you’re renting or hesitant to commit to permanent wallpaper, consider temporary peel and stick wallpaper options that allow you to achieve the look you want without the long-term commitment.
Use wallpaper to create a focal point in your space, such as behind a bed, above a fireplace, or in a dining area. By strategically placing wallpaper in key areas of your home, you can draw attention to architectural features. Wallpapering above wainscotting in a complementing neutral is a classic look in old-money homes.
8. Share Your Life Through Elegant Accessories
Accessories and collections need to hit a tricky balance when it comes to giving off a genuine old money vibe. Anything too outwardly glamorous or conspicuously expensive will look just as out of place as something cheap and mass produced. The key is to choose accessories that carry an implication of aristocratic culture, rather than expensive pieces. Think about what implies a rich, fulfilling life outside of work. The most Old Money coded accessories are going to imply exotic travel and legacy hobbies – horses, hunting, purebred dogs, sailing. You can’t fake this, so if that doesn’t sound like you then display real pieces from your life that will implicitly tell guests about your pursuits and your family history. Have you won any awards? Created anything with your hands? Have family heirlooms?
9. Trendy vs. Timeless Color Palettes
When it comes to color schemes, stick to timeless palettes like soft neutrals, muted tones, and classic hues that evoke a sense of sophistication. Avoid trendy colors (especially millennial grey) that may quickly go out of style and opt for colors that will stand the test of time. Look for historic interiors and color match available paint today – rich greens, soft warm cream shades, pale rose hues. You can choose to create a cohesive feel throughout your home by keeping your colors consistent throughout, but if you are in a heritage or older home without an open-concept floor plan, you could go the very historic route of choosing a vastly different color palette for each room.
10. Soft, Delicate Lighting
Rather than harsh overhead lighting, flashy plastic jeweled chandeliers or modern recessed lighting, choose high quality lighting and lamps that work with the natural light of each room. Vintage floor lamps, desk lamps and the occasional tasteful chandelier will look dynamic and inviting in the right space.
Consider the placement of your lighting fixtures to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Position floor lamps strategically to illuminate reading nooks or create a soft, diffused glow with table lamps placed on side tables or consoles. Avoid overwhelming the space with too many light sources. Instead, aim for a balanced lighting scheme that enhances the architectural features of your home while creating a sense of depth and warmth. Where you do have overhead lighting, create a focal point with ceiling medallions. Cheaper versions of genuine millwork can be purchased inexpensively from hardware stores and can be painted to match your ceiling, or you could splurge on a brass or faux gold medallion for a more opulent look.
Rejecting Over-Consumption
The key to successfully pulling off an old money aesthetic is a mixture of old and new that implies bringing generational wealth and tradition forward into a new age. You can achieve elegance without reliance on trends, treasuring high value items through generations over inexpensive mass produced decor. I think part of the surge in popularity of this style and others like it is a reversal in cultural values. Where the twentieth century saw a period where status could be conferred by being able to afford luxury goods, environmental concerns have now come to the forefront of shopping and consumption. Over- consumption has become coded with low status, while we are simultaneously inundated with messages urging us to require more. In this environment, embracing a restrained and selective approach to consumption emerges as the ultimate display of refinement and class.
Tags: aesthetic, antiques, decor, history, old money
Such a lovely article! I have been toying with the idea of wallpaper but I haven’t quite felt brave enough to do it!
Where I grew up, wallpaper was not something people used so it’s a steep learning curve for me!
Thank you! It certainly fell out of fashion for a while. I think we’re seeing a little resurgence now, especially with feature walls 🙂