Interview: Sage Lilleyman
My interview with vintage inspired YouTuber Sage Lilleyman
I am having a real love affair with Vintage Style, so I was beyond excited after reaching out to Sage Lilleyman asking if she would let me interview her for my blog – and she agreed!
Sage shares her adoration for all things retro, whether it be glamourous fashion, exquisite hair techniques, remembering sweeter times with lifestyles and routines from the past, as well as playful nostalgic inspired decor. Her YouTube features videos that pay homage to the dazzling and desirable styles of the mid-century, and more recently she has been taking us on her vintage home renovation journey.
I have loved watching these videos, inspired by Sage’s charming décor and stylish eye when it comes to interiors and decorating. Her home evokes a sense of nostalgia and romance by mixing key design elements with old-fashioned allure associated with the 1940s and 50s.
Here is my interview with Sage:
I have so enjoyed watching your home renovation journey on YouTube, what has been the biggest challenge you have encountered so far, and the most rewarding element of redecorating your home?
Oh, thank you so much! I think the biggest challenge was applying 80-year-old vintage wallpaper for the first time in our kitchen without it falling apart beneath our fingers! It was pure chaos, it took a lot of patience, and it was very tense, but we did it in the end and couldn’t be happier with the cosiness and vintage feel it gives the kitchen! The most rewarding element of redecorating our home has been watching it turn into such a lovely quaint little house where we really enjoy spending our time and having spaces that are beautiful as well as functional!
CHECK OUT SAGE LILLEYMAN'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
Where do you find Vintage Style decor influences?
I find all my inspiration from Pinterest! They have such beautiful images of authentic homes from different eras that are such a great inspiration for my own home. I also really enjoy browsing real estate online and finding little old ladies’ homes that look like they have been stuck in time which is amazing to see and draw inspiration from for realistic interiors back in the day!
You have been sharing your 1940s inspired home renovation, room by room. What would you say is your favourite space in the house? (I personally love your sunroom!)
That’s a tough one! I think my favourite would have to be our bathroom, it was probably the most time-consuming and labour-intensive project thus far. I love how the bathroom looks when it catches the morning light and the leafy bird covered wallpaper gives the room a vintage feel like a trendy grandma lives there haha! It is a pure joy getting to soak in a bathtub full of bubbles and look at all the hard work that went into it that we get to enjoy every day!
A lot of your redecorating has creatively incorporated homemade design elements, such as your laundry space curtains, and Mad Men inspired bedroom headboard. How do you embrace the ‘make do and mend’ mission when decorating your interior?
I have always wanted to make things myself rather than purchasing already made and new items. I find it really rewarding and there is so much fun in being creative and trying new things, you learn so much along the way! The 1940’s was a time of make-do and mend which I already felt so strongly about before I got into the vintage lifestyle. They would sew their own clothes and furnishings and repair what they had which is such an admirable trait of the people who lived through this era. Unfortunately, it isn’t as common these days which is quite sad, people just buy new items and throw away things into landfill that could be repaired. We need to bring back some of that thrifty and creative wartime mentality into the present day, I think!
What comes next in your home renovation journey?
I think the next home related video will actually be a house tour! We are sadly moving out of Gran’s lovely little home. But there will be some exciting new renovating projects and home makeovers in our next place
Cheeky Bonus Question - How do you embrace Vintage Style during the Christmas festivities in your home?
I love making the festive season full of vintage charm! I like to decorate for Christmas in a traditional way, with lots of greenery, bows, orange garlands, candles and making popcorn and cranberry garlands for the tree! I like to get into the festive spirit with vintage recipes also, spiced hot drinks, fruit cake and other savoury delicacies that I find in my old cookbooks!