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20 Favorite Vintage Items and How to Use Them
Add Patina and Personality to Your Home With Great One-of-a-Kind Finds
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Are you looking for a way to add character and personality to your home? Consider mixing in some vintage furnishings and accessories. These may include photographs, objects, maps, perhaps even a metal barrel that used to hold machine lubricant. Visit flea markets, junk shops and sites like Etsy to find good deals on these items. Who knows? You may become so addicted to the hunt you'll have to open your own Etsy store.
by Rossana Novella
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Tins and cans. These cute containers add interesting graphics and a spot for fresh blooms.
by decordemon
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Our own Brian Patrick Flynn uses Campbell's soup cans in a tribute to Warhol pop art.
by The Locker
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Suitcases. These items add a fun patina and offer plenty of extra storage for linens, crafts, clothing and books. To see more, check out this ideabook: Decorate with Vintage SuitcaseDecorate with a Vintage Suitcase
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Larger containers. A rusty and crusty specialized lubricant barrel serves as a one-of-a-kind side table and adds a pop of color and vintage graphics.
| These light fixtures are fashioned from repurposed propane containers. |
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Botanical prints.This large vintage botanical drawing is the perfect finishing touch on this sunporch.
More botanical prints in action
More botanical prints in action
by Pour Toujours
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Lunchboxes. A stack of vintage lunchboxes makes an interesting arrangement on a shelf.
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Glass bottles. Vintage bottles add gorgeous colors and reflection to a room. These are a great touch when you are going for beach-cottage chic.
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| Colorful coolers. This vintage cooler has a fabulous beachy turquoise hue and creates a spot for cold ales and even serves as an extra seat. |
by Rossana Novella
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Telephones. Vintage style telephones are always a fun addition to a room.
Textiles. A mix of new and vintage pillows enlivens this dark modern sofa, giving it global style.
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by Kaylovesvintage
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| Cameras. Keep your eyes open for objects that interest you. Antique cameras have an appealing look with their black covers and geometric mechanisms. |
Clocks. Keep a collection corralled together ...
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... or use just one to add a touch of vintage flair to a desk, nightstand or dresser.
Photographs. Old black and white photographs of teams always add a classic touch, and are really fun to see in unexpected places, like over this headboard.
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| A symmetrical arrangement ties these vintage photographs and mirrors together. |
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by Kaylovesvintage
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| Kitschy ceramics. Composing a collection of vintage pottery and other objects according to color and shape keeps them from becoming clutter. |
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Maps. Antique maps create a wall full of classical style. The fact that they are all black maps on cream backgrounds unites them, which means you don't need to frame them all the same way.
| Bicycles. A classic child's bicycle becomes a sculptural element when placed in the perfect spot. A unicycle would make an even more interesting sculpture, in a Jim Dine kind of way. |
Lockers. This colorful locker adds pops of bright color and useful storage to this child's room.
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| Scales. This larger scale becomes a work of art in this room, and adds height to the conversation area. |
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| Vintage stools. This look adds a bit of age to a modern kitchen. If you're worried about finding a matching set of truly antique stools, there are some wonderful new options you can buy based on old designs. Three of my favorites are the Toledo Stool (pictured above), the Contact Stool, and the Tolix Stool.
See more Toledo stools in action. |
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Signs. This old drugstore sign at The Parker Palm Springs reminds us of the days we could sip an ice cream soda at Rexalls. Well, at least it reminds us older folks!
| Subway signs and bus rolls add strong graphics and beloved typography to all sorts of spaces, from quirky eclectic rooms to modern ones like this one. |
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| Posters and advertisements. This artwork is based upon a vintage airline advertisement, adding a large dose of old to this contemporary room.
Next: More vintage posters What to Look for at the Flea Market Vintage Modern: What Does it Mean? Vintage Style: General Store Decor |
Ideabook published on July 14, 2011.
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Come visit my blog at Pine Needle Hill. I posted about our garage sale finds of old things we use in our house. It's recycling at it's best :)
Michelle
Thanks for writing such great articles.