Design, Not Décor: Using Chinese Vintage Furniture with Authenticity and Respect
An Interview with Isabelle Ada Interiors on Maximinimalism, Practicality, and Meaningful Design
At Rouge Shop UK, we’ve long believed that interiors should tell stories, and what better way than through vintage furniture with character, history, and soul?
In this special feature, we sat down with London-based interior designer Isabelle Ada Interiors, whose bold yet balanced aesthetic embraces individuality and timeless design. Together, we explore how one-of-a-kind Chinese and Tibetan furniture can be styled in contemporary homes, how to navigate concerns about cultural appropriation, and why vintage is anything but intimidating.
Rouge Shop UK: Can you tell us about your approach to design, and what draws you to vintage or one-of-a-kind pieces?
Isabelle Ada Interiors (IAI): Absolutely. I see vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces as more than furniture. They’re art forms with a soul and a backstory. For me, these pieces act as creative anchors. Rather than imposing a concept onto a space, I let the furniture guide the narrative. It leads to interiors that feel layered, meaningful, and deeply personal.
What I love most is how these pieces add heritage value, texture, and a sense of timelessness that newer items sometimes lack. They layer beautifully into my maximinimalist approach, balancing boldness with restraint. There’s also something inherently sustainable about giving new life to something with history, it’s a conscious, considered way of designing.
Clients are often drawn to these pieces emotionally, they spark curiosity and connection. It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone light up when a piece speaks to them. That’s when design becomes more than visual, it becomes personal.
Rouge Shop UK: There’s a myth that vintage furniture is just for display. How do you make it practical?
IAI: That’s a misconception I love to challenge. Vintage furniture is often incredibly well made, and many pieces were designed with everyday use in mind: storage, seating, surface space. In my own home, I have a vintage cabinet from Rouge that’s both beautiful and used daily: it holds everything from books to tarot cards (see photos further in blog post).
The key is to incorporate these pieces in a way that suits your lifestyle. That’s where the real magic lies; when beauty supports functionality and fits naturally into daily routines.
Rouge Shop UK: Let’s talk about starting with a statement piece — say someone falls in love with a painted Chinese wardrobe. How do they build a room around it?
IAI: A statement piece like a painted Chinese wardrobe naturally becomes the heart of a room and a perfect starting point for design. To create balance, you can either complement it with pieces that echo its colours, textures, or style, bringing harmony and richness to the space, or choose more understated furnishings and accessories that allow the wardrobe to truly stand out as the focal point.
This approach reflects the essence of maximinimalism: mixing bold, characterful elements with calm, pared-back surroundings to achieve a look that’s both striking and liveable.
Ultimately, how you balance these depends on your personal taste and how expressive you want the space to feel. The key is to trust the wardrobe’s story and let it guide your choices, creating a space that’s uniquely yours, full of personality and thoughtful contrast.
Good design doesn’t mean every piece matches — it’s about creating balance, contrast, and harmony. Let the wardrobe’s story guide the rest of the room.
Rouge Shop UK: And what if someone already has an established aesthetic? Can distinctive Eastern furniture still fit?
IAI: One of the biggest myths is that these pieces only "belong" in themed or traditional settings. In reality, they’re incredibly versatile.
It’s all about treating the piece with intention, not replicating its origins.
Even in a space with a strong existing style, a distinctive item like a Tibetan chest can sit beautifully if placed thoughtfully. I look for visual or tonal connections - even subtle ones - and build around those. Whether it’s echoing a texture, finish, or material, the goal is to make the piece feel anchored rather than random.
I go back to scale, as it’s especially important. A piece might have character, but if the proportions don’t sit right within the space, it can feel jarring. When the scale works, the chest doesn’t compete; it complements. Done right, it feels as though it was always meant to be there.
Rouge Shop UK: There can be hesitation about cultural appropriation — how do you approach placing Chinese or Tibetan furniture in homes respectfully?
Lei, Owner of Rouge: It’s such an important conversation. The key lies in intention and appreciation. Buying vintage Chinese or Tibetan furniture from a shop like Rouge, which specialises in authentic sourcing and shares the pieces’ context, is a form of respect. You’re preserving craftsmanship and cultural artistry, not misappropriating it.
It’s also about avoiding caricature or tokenism. These pieces don’t need to be "explained" by turning your home into a pastiche of a culture. Let them integrate naturally, paired with your own story and style. That’s how you honour both their origin and your own voice.
Can you share a few tricks for blending traditional Eastern furniture into more minimalist or contemporary homes?
IAI: Let the piece breathe. In a minimalist space, something with ornate detail or cultural richness will naturally stand out so you don’t need to add much else.
Focus on clean lines around it, use negative space and echo small details from the piece (like wood tone, brass, colour, or a shape) elsewhere in the room. It’s less about matching and more about creating quiet conversation between elements.
Rouge Shop UK: Are there common styling mistakes people make with vintage pieces?
IAI: Definitely. One common mistake is either over-decorating around the piece or isolating it completely. Both can make it feel disconnected from the rest of the space. The key is to strike a balance by layering in surrounding elements that complement the piece, whether through palette, scale, or texture, without overwhelming it.
Another mistake is treating vintage or antique pieces as too precious to be used. They’re often beautifully made and built to last, so letting them serve a practical purpose brings a sense of authenticity and soul to a space. When every element complements the other visually and functionally, that’s when a room really comes to life.
Rouge Shop UK: Let’s talk about texture and colour. How do you work with Rouge’s painted finishes, brass hardware, and aged woods?
IAI: It really depends on the piece. Some are richly painted and full of colour, while others are more muted - carved wood with beautiful brass detailing. Depending on the piece, you can choose to either lean into a bold, maximalist palette that celebrates its vibrancy or opt for a calmer, more understated setting that lets it stand out.
Materials like boucle, aged brass, stone, or linen complement Rouge’s furniture beautifully. Again, it’s about balance — pairing old and new, texture and simplicity, vibrancy and calm.
Rouge Shop UK: Where do these pieces work especially well in the home?
IAI: Entrance halls are brilliant! A bench or chest there becomes both stylish and practical. Bedrooms, too. A painted cabinet adds romance and storage. And in dining rooms, a vintage sideboard becomes both functional and a great conversation starter.
The truth is, there’s no room these pieces don’t work in as long as they’re placed thoughtfully and used with purpose.
Rouge Shop UK: For those new to vintage, what’s your advice on getting started?
IAI: A common tip is to start with art, but really, it’s about starting with something you genuinely connect with, whether that’s a colour, a pattern, an ornament, or even something more abstract and less interior-focused, like a scent or a piece of music. It can be about a feeling, or a space you love spending time in.
Ask yourself how you want your home to feel, and when you’ve felt that way before. Often, the why behind what you’re drawn to reveals a story and that story can be expressed through your space, layer by layer, over time. Pieces with history or soul naturally add richness, but it’s the personal meaning behind them that truly gives the space its character.
Rouge Shop UK: Lastly, do you have a favourite vintage piece?
IAI: Yes! The first piece I bought for my first home was a vintage bench from Rouge (see below). It’s full of charm and completely practical. I sit on it every day to put on shoes, my dog naps on it, and it holds life’s bits, from sunglasses to dog leads.
It’s part of my daily rhythm and my memories. That, to me, is what great design is all about: not just how something looks, but how it quietly supports how you live.
At Rouge, we believe good interiors honour the past while shaping the future. Whether you’re new to vintage or a lifelong collector, Chinese and Tibetan pieces bring craftsmanship, culture and character into your home.
We’re proud to help clients and designers like Isabelle Ada Interiors tell meaningful stories with beautiful vintage furniture.
