Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Vintage Rules!!

Today The Blessed Nest is Going:

Since several of you were asking me about the blue cabinet in my master bedroom (in pic below), and were wanting to know more about it, and where do I find my fun antique pieces, I thought I'd share some of my "wisdom" for getting your own "fun finds"!

Here are my "Rules For Finding and Using Antique/Vintage Pieces":

You can find them almost anywhere! From flea markets, to fun little shops, to a relative's attic, to a garage sale, to a thrift store, to the curb next to the trash can! If you are interested in adding some character to your home, and are drawn to antiques or a fun flea look, then have fun & shop around!!

The more you get lookin' & shoppin' the better off you'll be because you'll know:

What to look for. You'll start knowing when things are priced about right, too high, or when you're getting a great deal! (Thrift stores & garage/estate sales often have the lowest prices. Antiques stores & shops are often highest, I think. But know your stuff! Sometimes these shops can yield more unique items & sometimes for a great price!!)

If getting the "real deal" vs. a reproduction is important to you, you'll also start to recognize the difference, and the quality of items as well.

Don't be too quick to judge! A piece that most people might pass by could end up with a fabulous new life in your home! We bloggers all know what a good can of spray paint can do! If you're drawn to an item, see what you could do with it! Maybe you won't use it for it's original purpose at all, but it could look great and function well for you given a new role! I have lots of pieces that I've "re-purposed" and given a new job in my home.


Everyone loves the small little things that you can find when junking: old doorknobs, silverware, books, transferware, and even tinier bits & baubles! And they are certainly fun to add to your decor (and often inexpensive enough for most of use to buy!). But to make more of an impact, I would encourage you to:


Choose Statement Pieces! A statement piece is a larger piece that really becomes a focal point of a room or a wall or maybe just a vignette. These items are NOTICED and can really "make" a room!! (Like the giant chalkboard in an antique frame in my kitchen--pic down below) (or the blue cabinet in my bedroom)
These are pieces that you LOVE, and I guarantee you'll gain a bigger and better impact for your space with a statement piece than you will with lots of cluttery tiny things.


Where's it gonna go?? Some people say that if you love an item you should get it, even if you don't know where you'll put it. I say, that's a sure way for it to end up in the garage!

Think about where it could go in your home. You don't have to have a specific decision right there at the garage sale :), but the truly best pieces are ones: that look great alone or in groupings, & can work in various rooms of your home in various ways!
(For example: a great old dresser could be an entry table, a dining room buffet, or actually be used in a bedroom as intended!)




Choose items based on what YOU LOVE, not what is "in". Just because everyone is going gaga for a certain item in all of the blogs and shelter magazines doesn't mean that you have to love it too!

Think about YOUR style, what works for YOUR family, and what YOU LOVE and go with that! In addition, don't be worried about what anyone else will think of an item if YOU love it!

Around 8 years ago or so, I bought a really cool bench made from an old door. I LOVED it!!! It was going out of my decorating comfort zone at the time, with all of the chippy deep faded pink and cream paint, but I had to have it! I placed it in my home's entry, and every one of my friends wanted to know "when are you going to paint it?"!! They were shocked when I said I was leaving it as is, but NOW they all love it and want to know where I've placed that piece every time we move!! :)


Actually use and love your fun finds!! The best way to enjoy your new find is to use it! Give it a fun new purpose and enjoy (like my Pepsi crate turned garden magazine holder!)! And then take a picture and blog about it so the rest of us can see too :)!!

ps-- I got the blue cabinet at a local antiques store. I don't think that the paint is original, it's been painted over several times. The glass in the door does look old with it's bubbles! I can use it in lots of ways in lots of rooms, and I LOVE it! :)

19 comments:

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

oh my friend - you know I love this post. I remember when you found your typewriter - such a fun statement piece. Now do I have to search your archives to find your bench made out of the door? :)

Melissa Marie said...

I love your advice about having a vision of where something might go in your home before purchasing it...
There have been several occasions when I would be losing my marbles over a good find or a good deal that I just HAD to have. I would buy it, take it home and discover that I have no place to put it. And you're right... it ended up in the garage. ;) Good post!

Kim said...

Great post Stacey - I couldn't agree more with everything you said! ~~Kim~~

Bobbi said...

Wow...thanks for taking so much time and putting so much thought into this for me! I'm going to Amish country with my Mom soon...and I'm using some of these tips...I'll keep ya posted on what I find!

Rue said...

Hi Stacey :)

That's some really great advice! The one thing I have a hard time with in Blogland is that there's so many great ideas out there, but not all of them will work for me and the look I want, so I try to pick and choose. Sometimes it's not that easy LOL

The most valuable thing that I've learned though, is that GW and spray paint are my friends :)

xo,
rue

southerninspiration said...

I must be going to the wrong places, because I either don't have the eye, or don't find those treasures around here. And I'm with Rue, I love everyone's ideas in blogland but so many of them wouldn't work in my house.....Sure is fun looking, though!
thanks for sharing great ideas!

Suzanne

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Oh, I love your finds...esp. the white table, and the little sideboard thingie with the "Boo" on it. :) Can I come rent a room in your house? ;)

Stacey said...

Grat post!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Thank you for the wonderful ideas! I picked up a bunch of old windows last night (for free!) and have been looking for ideas for their use. I love what you did with yours. I may be snagging that idea!

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

Great use of vintage finds.

misselaineous said...

great post!! lots of very good and usable ideas and suggestions. you truly have the knack for putting things together and making a statement! i find lots of things, but then i'm never sure how to use them, or where to put them, or if my hubby will think i've lost my marbles! actually, i'd have to say no to that...they're in 4 or 5 Ball Mason jars scattered around the house! LOL *elaine*

Barbara Jean said...

Stacey,
Thanks for coming by and for your prayers as i work through this time.
blessings,
barbara jean

Dawn said...

I love the long window/door thing! I have one just like it that I picked up at a flea market. I was going to use it for a headboard, but I may have to rethink that!

Hugs from Eventually Cottage!

LuLu said...

great tips. and love your typewriter! very cool.
LuLu

Jenny said...

hmmmm Wonder which "local antique" store you got that blue piece from??? Hope to see you soon!!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

If you like Dancing with the Stars, you'll like "So You Think You Can Dance?". ;) The dancers are ALL good, as opposed to Steve Wosniak. ;) The first week or two are like American Idol auditions, but when they have all their contestants set it is sooooo addicting. Summer TV at its best. :)

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Oh I love that scale! AND the Pepsi crate, but that is just because of my love for Pepsi. :)

Anonymous said...

I loved your posts and was inspired to go out and have my husband pitch in for some vintage shopping for mothers day. I bought an old window like yours but just added pictures. I like the idea of vinyl words. I might have to try that one. Thanks

Kacey said...

Oooh! I LOVE the scale! Great tips!