Decorating with elements of vintage appeal is a fun and easy way to pull together the cottage style look in your home.
Vintage items create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home and create a sense of being in the presence of history. Vintage items in your home will add an air of days gone by, when life was simpler and slower-paced. This is the time to hit the flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores. Hunt down some interesting “found objects” and add wonderful interest to your home.
Here are some ideas for adding vintage appeal in your home:
Old bottles and glassware
Picture frames – for photos, postcard collections, children’s artwork.
Vases – flowers (of course!), kitchen utensils, crochet needles
Pedestal cake plates, milk glass, and all vintage styles of glass dishes are wonderful. Find a color you like, and feature it as a collection for visual impact
Pottery – oh the possibilities! Vintage pottery of all shapes, sizes, and colors can be used to hold just about anything in every room of the house
Chippy furniture is a huge vintage statement for your cottage home.
Metal bread boxes – hide away bread or use them to store sewing supplies, small toys, stationary, cookbooks, or turn it into a handy desk organizer.
Vintage kitchen utensils, linens and containers of all kinds work well
Candle holders – these add vintage appeal to the dining room, but can also add romantic flair to the master bedroom or bath.
Tarnished silver – look for match holders, hat pins, teapots, glasses with silver accents, bud vases, and jewelry.
Vintage tins – store everything from craft items, buttons, receipts, bows, or anything else you desire – they just look terrific sitting on a shelf or counter.
Posters/metal signage with vintage flair – perfect for laundry rooms, parlors, dens, children’s bedrooms, or offices
Crystal vases, dishes, cups, saucers – dress up your dining room hutch or sideboard with these beauties. Or, bring these vintage elements into the living room or bathroom for a unique decorating idea.
Gardening tools/gadgets – decorate a mudroom, foyer, or living area with fantastic vintage gardening tools that no longer can be used.
Old window frames, and wooden crates – these are absolutely lovely on a wall as is, or you can use them to showcase favorite photos or needlework
Remember when decorating in Cottage Style to choose carefully. Don’t just fill your home with stuff. We got rid of all the unnecessary things on Day #1 as we de-cluttered. However, vintage items sprinkled through your home will give it the character and uniqueness that no other home will have. The things you bring into your home are going to become a part of your story and your home’s history.
Vintage items can do that for you like no other items.
See you tomorrow for Day #6 for our Cottage Style Guide series!
Today’s photo sources are a combination of my own photos and Country Living
Related posts:
[...] for their simplicity, comfort, and charming cottage decorating elements. They’re filled with vintage and new accessories and furniture to create a uniquely cottage ambiance. Cottage homes also boast [...]