Neutral rooms have an easy sense of calm, but without the right details, they can also feel a little too polished, or worse yet, unlived-in. Antiques are my favorite way to reintroduce some character, and it would seem I'm in admirable company. Enter – Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
In the couple's California home, decorating with antiques is a way of life. Let's start, most prominently, with their black vintage typewriter that's sitting front and center on the desk. It's a simple addition, but one that feels so personal. You can channel the same nostalgic charm in your home office (or wherever you choose) with this 1940s Mid-Century Olympia Plana Typewriter from 1stDibs.
As experts explain, decorating with vintage and antique pieces is part of a wider shift away from interiors that feel overly pared back. 'The era of the ultra-minimal, hyper-pared-back interior has had its moment,' says Laura Hammett, the creative director of her eponymous design studio.
'In its place, we’re seeing a confident return to richly layered homes shaped by emotion, memory and meaning, not by whatever happens to be circulating online.'
Nostalgic accents are the key to warming up neutral rooms in 2027. Swapping a modern accessory for a piece with heritage, like this vintage typewriter, instantly grounds an office space with soul. It's a beautiful heirloom piece that quickly taps into their aesthetic.
Pierre Oak Wood Dining Chair With Faux Shearling
Keep it cozy (and Tom-inspired) in your study, even if you're working with an ultra-small space. Its petite footprint and plush curves give off a Scandinavian charm that feels right at home in your neutral office. Pair with vintage pieces to complete the look wonderfully.
George Oliver Sundy Modern Table
Notice how Tom balances old and new – he rests the typewriter on a clean-lined glass-and-wood frame, similar to this extendable glass table from Wayfair. Pair this with a heavy antique to prevent it from weighing down a neutral room.
To keep the room from feeling too heavy or rigid, Tom and Rita paired the antique wood desk and vintage typewriter with soft linen curtains. This creates a beautiful contrast, where the drapes balance the weight of the historical pieces.
This large vase is an elegant way to bring glass into your study, just as Tom and Rita do (a zoom into their corner will show you how they style their vase). Decorate it with a single branch for an elevated look in any neutral study.
Blue & Ivory Striped Lines Mug
A closer look at Tom’s desk shows he swapped out a plastic office organizer for a pastel-striped ceramic mug (which he uses as a pen holder). It’s an easy way to introduce subtle color into a neutral workspace while keeping everyday essentials close at hand.
Tom and Rita's sense of depth doesn't come from following another trend, as Laura expands.
'My own home is filled with a collection of one-of-a-kind antiques I’ve obsessively researched and sourced, unique trinkets from our family travels, furniture by designers I admire, and things that simply bring me joy,' she says.
And their look is more accessible than it seems. 'You can find some great antiques on eBay without a huge price tag, which, when thoughtfully curated and displayed, make a space feel instantly more elevated and luxurious,' she explains.
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The secret is knowing when to stop. In a neutral room, a few well-chosen pieces will have far more impact than filling every shelf and surface. Giving each object breathing room allows its character to come through without making the room feel cluttered.
'I sometimes say to treat your shelves like a gallery space, where the skillful use of negative space is just as important as what you're displaying to achieve the right visual balance,' Laura adds.
Tom and Rita's home office design is a good reminder that neutral doesn't have to be impersonal. A neutral backdrop paired with a series of vintage pieces will make your study (or any room, for that matter) so lived in.