Retro Meets Vintage | Timeless Layers

Design by Cara Shahbandi, Photography by Tori Sikkema Photography

The line between retro and vintage isn’t always clear—but in a recent Better Homes & Gardens feature, interior designer Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design demonstrates how the two aesthetics can coexist to evoke mood, memory, and meaning.

Design by Cara Shahbandi, Photography by Tori Sikkema Photography

Captured by Tori Sikkema Photography, the featured bathroom embodies what Cara describes as “nostalgia and feeling”— the key to making a space feel as special as it looks. The design artfully blends retro elements—like the bold diamond-patterned mosaic floor tile—with vintage treasures, such as the 1990s Italian Murano glass sconces styled in a glam Art Deco fashion.

Design by Cara Shahbandi, Photography by Tori Sikkema Photography

“Retro decor is not defined by the age of the object, but by the feeling it evokes,” the article notes—an insight that resonates in every carefully chosen detail of this bathroom: the warm-toned wall tile, the brass fixtures, and the sculptural marble washstand. As an editorial photographer, my goal was to capture that balance: the lived-in beauty of vintage materials alongside the energy and intention of retro-inspired design. Through editorial composition, the images highlight not just the design choices, but the emotional resonance of the space.

Design by Cara Shahbandi, Photography by Tori Sikkema Photography

This Better Homes & Gardens feature not only celebrates Stanton Home Design’s talent for mixing eras but also underscores the power of thoughtful, story-driven interiors. When photographed with editorial intention, these layered details—retro charm, vintage craftsmanship, and modern sensibility—come together to create a space that feels timeless, personal, and elevated. It’s always an honor to visually narrate such projects through the lens of quiet luxury and design storytelling.

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