What is Vintage Interior Design?
Vintage interior design, similar to the trending nostalgia design, draws inspiration from familiar, popular aesthetics (think 1970s California casual or 1930s Art Deco) in modern spaces. Vintage interior design, however, takes it a step further. By directly sourcing era-accurate wallpaper, textiles, furniture, and decor, vintage interior design not only mimics historic spaces but also recreates them. However, this proves challenging in commercial spaces, where not only design, but function is important, a difficult feat when people are regularly coming into contact with decor, and design elements are used frequently as a part of the customer experience. That is where products like our reimagined analog tech come into play.
By substituting elements when quality or durability is lacking, brands can still recreate a “vintage” aesthetic without relying on unreliable tech. A vintage 1950s appliance or lighting fixture, for example, despite its great look, may have excessive wear or be incompatible with modern energy and power standards and therefore not function.
Channeling Vintage Design and Decor for Commercial Interior Projects
However, a high-quality reconstruction that not only mirrors the aesthetic but also the intended function of a device can be a welcome addition and a wise investment for a commercial space. Still, it’s important to consider that many products on the market borrow aesthetics and design from a bygone era, but are affordable recreations, meant for those aesthetics only. Redesigned residential decor and appliances come to mind, with cheaper options available at Home Depot and Lowe’s. While it may work for minimal residential use, it’s not built for long-term durability.
Pictured: A custom 4 row x 40 column Split Flap display in the mid-century modern-inspired Northstar Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Image Source)
Our Split Flap boards, the most similar in scale, size, and quality to the classic Solari departure boards found in European transit halls, use the same “classic” mechanics to rotate dynamic messages into place. Our in-house content management system, Portal, also provides a modern and secure way to manage boards, even across installations. The balance of form and function supports vintage interior design, offering brands the option to create a “vintage-inspired” space with core signature pieces that can be used for decades.
Based on our experience with thoughtful design in Split Flap installations, here’s how we recommend getting the most out of a vintage-inspired commercial interior.
1. Focus on Customization
First impressions are everything in hospitality. Oat Foundry’s vintage-inspired Split Flap Display is a great way to engage guests with special, customized welcome messages. The clacking sound captures attention and enhances the guest’s first impression of the space.
Pictured: Luxury signage is perfect for the elevator bay of a hotel. Example, a custom 6 row x 16 column Split Flap display in Modern White at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia.
Split Flap at Hotel Revival
Back in 2017, the owners of the Hotel Revival in Baltimore aimed to strike a balance between the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood’s classic architecture and modern charm. The hotel, within a stone’s throw of the historic George Peabody Library and The Walters Art Museum, blends eclectic and mid-century design, adding thoughtful European and Art Deco influences. To fit into their curated aesthetic, the New Waterloo property sought a distinct signature focal point, enlisting Oat Foundry to build a 3-row-by-16-column Split Flap board.
The custom installation supported the aesthetic of the Revival Hotel and acts as an informational board for guests. With info such as the weather forecast, fun quotes, and event notifications, the Revival also brought its Split Flap display to life, naming it ‘Vernon’ and having it serve as a 24/7 receptionist and a constant source of entertainment for guests.
Read more about one of our oldest Split Flap projects here.
Pictured: The 2017 (now actually an heirloom) Oat Foundry Split Flap display at Hotel Revival in Baltimore.
2. Blend Nostalgia and Branding
Designers can use the Split Flap display to add a unique, nostalgic element to their interiors. Because our vintage-inspired Split Flaps (as well as Picture Flap and Chroma Flaps) can be branded, fonts and colors can be added to perfectly blend the nostalgic look with the current look and feel of any space. A perfect example is our custom stadium installations.
Pictured: A 2025 custom installation of Nespresso’s custom Split Flap, scaled as a staggering 21 row by 40 column display.
Split Flap at Wrigley Field
Nestled within Chicago’s beloved Wrigley Field, “the Park at Wrigley” offers a beautiful open-air destination for farmers’ markets, community events, festivals, and dining. During the redesign of the stadium’s Lucky Dorr taproom, the team sought to incorporate a nostalgic way to display the beers on tap. Oat Foundry installed a 3-row-by-32-column Split Flap display with a custom font and colored plaid flaps that tie into the bar’s logo and branding. The new display ensures that the design within the space adds an element of nostalgia while still conveying a cohesive brand message.
Pictured: Lucky Dorr’s 3 row by 32 column Split Flap display, used as modern bar signage.
Picture Flap at Rogers Centre
The Rogers Centre in Toronto, the home of the Blue Jays, underwent a nearly $400 million renovation. The stadium renovation, which included upgrades to sightlines and seating, as well as the construction of new fan spaces like the Corona Rooftop Patio, also incorporated a custom Picture Flap display.
The board, complete with high-resolution photos of Blue Jays VIPs, including right-fielder and third baseman José Batista and shortstop Tony Fernandez, also flips through moments from the ‘92 and ‘93 World Series. The flipping motion of the display captures attention and connects fans to the team’s history through classic mechanical motion.
Pictured: A custom Picture Flap installation in Toronto at the Blue Jays Rogers Center, scaled as a massive 5 row by 17 column display.
Split Flap at Citizens Bank Park
Split Flap brings the spirit of the Philadelphia Phillies, specifically, the Philly Phanatic, to life through their custom split flap installation. The board, installed behind the bar as dynamic bar menu signage at Pass and Stow in Citizens Bank Park, operates as a flipping scoreboard in real time and also rotates through pixel-style animations, such as the Phanatic itself.
Pictured: The custom 7 row by 32 column Split Flap at Pass and Stow, complete with text and custom color flaps in our Classic Black casing.
3. Deliver Frequent Brand Messaging
Let a vintage-inspired Split Flap board greet visitors in the lobby with on-brand messaging and custom greetings. Hotels such as the Ritz Carlton Philadelphia, The Union Station Hotel in Nashville, as well as the Caption by Hyatt The Gulch, our reimagined analog tech to deliver brand-consistent imagery and text that keeps visitors engaged and anticipating what the custom installation will “say” next.
Pictured: Commonwealth’s Modern White custom Split Flap display, with two boards created for the bank, including a 2 row by 32 column and 2 by 64 column display.
Split Flap at Hotel Indigo
The Hotel Indigo in Atlanta, with eclectic decor and “dopamine” design elements, uses bright color and bold patterns to bring visual interest and whimsy to the hospitality space. A custom Split Flap display in our Classic Black casing adds to the personality of the hotel, rotating through hotel messages and updates.
Pictured: Hotel Indigo uses fun and playful travel-inspired messages on its custom 4 row x 24 column Split Flap installation in the hotel lobby.
4. Transport Guests to a Novel Destination
Vintage-inspired Split Flap displays, such as those from Oat Foundry, are synonymous with the classic, nostalgic design of European train stations. A custom installation using a Split Flap, Picture Flap, or Chroma Flap can serve as the centerpiece of a space and transport guests to the golden age of travel. A mechanical display, instead of a screen or video wall, creates a three-dimensional, sensory display, which draws visitors into a new, but somewhat familiar, experience.
Pictured: Accel Partners uses a custom 15 row by 32 column Split Flap in our Classic Black casing.
Split Flap at Nolita Hall
The owners of Nolita Hall knew they wanted the design of the space to be rooted in modern and traditional European beer halls, with a particular keenness for Italian design. They sought a unique element that made a statement to guests, unlike anything anyone in the San Diego area had ever seen in Little Italy.
To do this, the design team enlisted the help of Oat Foundry to create a custom 10 row x 32 column Split Flap installation that perfectly fit Nolita’s open-air, European feel. Adding another unique aspect to the massive display, they engaged Oat Foundry’s programming services to display flight information on the board at the precise moment an airplane is flying overhead. Talk about making a statement! The brand also creates content for their social media using the display, with videography of messages flipping into place.
Read more about Nolita Hall’s interactive menu project here.
Pictured: Nolita Hall chose an expansive custom Split Flap installation for behind their bar, scaled to be a 10 row by 32 column.
5. Tap into Nostalgia Design
As a major player in the 2026 nostalgia design trend, our vintage-inspired, modernized Split Flaps are perfect for revival spaces. The resurgence of nostalgia design brings back aesthetics like decorative brickwork and colorful tiles, neon signage, custom lighting as a medium and statement piece, as well as fully functional vinyl records and turntables. Rather than going full force into vintage interior design with time-accurate pieces, try layering decor with functional, reimagined elements.
Pictured: A 6 row by 6 column Picture Flap hangs in the lobby of Vintage Modern (formerly Broncos) to demonstrate the customizations offered to their classic vehicles.
Split Flap at Beef and Liberty
Beef and Liberty, located in Hong Kong International Airport, incorporated a custom Split Flap display to match their retro aesthetic. The board, which serves as an interactive menu and message board, throws back to classic analog 1920’s or pre-digital 70’s design. The board is able to rotate through specials, select travel updates, quotes, and more.
Pictured: Beef and Liberty, inspired by the golden era of travel, uses a custom 5 row by 32 column Split Flap display as an interactive menu and leverages the playful, fun history of mechanical decor.
6. Leverage Heritage Architecture
A Split Flap display can contribute to an old-school aesthetic, especially in spaces with heritage architecture. Optimal if the company or brand is rooted in the travel, hospitality, or railway industry, a Split Flap in a historic space reminds travelers of a familiar era, adding a unique signature element to a space. Our range of sign installation styles also ensures that heritage spaces will not be damaged by the display.
Pictured: An ideal accent for heritage architecture and historic spaces, a custom Split Flap display (20 row x 24 column at the Walker Center shown) can be recessed, hung, or mounted, among many sign installation styles.
Split Flap at Sun Valley Lodge
Sun Valley, North America’s original ski resort, updated its main lodge and developed a new restaurant, Village Station, back in 2017. Since Sun Valley’s initial opening in 1936, visitors have traveled through the Wood River Valley by rail, taking in the scenic route on their way to the destination resort. Enter a retro, reimagined train display board!
To tie in with this story and highlight the resort’s history, a custom 6-row x 24-column display from Oat Foundry was installed to show friendly messages about happy hours, as well as custom messages requested by guests.
Read more about one of Oat Foundry’s oldest projects here.
Pictured: At Sun Valley Lodge, a custom 6 row by 24 column Split Flap in Classic Black can be updated to share hotel events, brand messaging, VIP welcomes, and more.
Split Flap at Bistro de la Gare
Similar to the Sun Valley custom installation, Bistro de la Gare calls back to the rich history of rail travel. The bistro, located in Drummondville, Canada, is within walking distance of the town’s historic train station. Paying tribute to the once-bustling Montreal–Gaspé line, the restaurant uses a custom Split Flap installation in our Classic Black casing to rotate through train times, menu items, special cocktails and drinks, and much more.
Read more about one of Oat Foundry’s oldest projects here.
Pictured: A 3 row by 32 column custom Split Flap installation in our Classic Black casing is mounted behind the bar at Bistro de la Gare as an interactive menu board.
Experience the Mechanical Magic of Split Flap
Split Flap is so much more than a multisensory (engages sight and sound) message board. It recreates the mechanical magic found in classic decor and design. With three-dimensional flaps that rotate and softly fall into place, a custom commercial installation from Oat Foundry is set to make a dynamic brand statement. To learn more, please contact our sales team.