Some of the most beautiful treasures for the home are found in thrift stores, antique shops, seasonal outdoor antique markets, online vintage websites, and when traveling. You do not have to buy large items to bring back some memorable treasures from far away, and if you are unable to travel, there are many gorgeous online shops you can peruse anytime, such as C'est Chic Vintage French Finds.
Thrifting has always been a loved hobby, but recently it has seen a resurgence, becoming a trendy way to make your home "one of a kind" Chic, and designers and home decorators are getting in on the trend.
Rise in popularity makes sense, as thrifting is a sustainable and affordable way to find truly unique pieces, with quality unsurpassed by mass produced items. So following are some of the trends to look for this year....
Chairs
As homes are leaning towards" more is more" decorating personalities, collections of interesting chairs to give your dining table and home a new look, can change the feel of your home without a total redecoration. I especially love french upholstered chairs, and a melange of different dining chairs to give a collected look. You might also consider re-upholstering an antique chair to fit your style and scheme. I find vintage chairs especially, to be comfortable, the frames durable, as made from solid wood, hand tied inside for great for everyday use. Elegantly upholstered or wooden chairs for dining rooms are magnificent options for adding a warm "one of a kind" feel to the rooms you use the most! Their clean lines are highly versatile and have a sense of history and craftsmanship that mass produced chairs often lack.
Dining Chairs with perfectly worn dusty pink upholstery can be beautifully used at a small dining table, or as extra chairs for guests. I love mixing mismatched chairs at a table for a collected feel to your home.
Inspiration of an antique chair frame that has been re-upholstered in a new fabric The added modern pillow with the vintage chandelier is the perfect combination of old and new.
Dreamy blue vintage chair in a cozy corner is perfect for reading a good book on a rainy day.
Coffee Table Books
In an era where people are going increasingly digital, having actual books in the home can make a room feel more grounded and showcase your personal interests. Vintage coffee table books, design books, travel, architecture, and art, are perfect for layering throughout your home.
Vintage Table Lamps
Sculptural or hand-painted lamp bases, paired with pleated or scalloped lampshades are sought after vintage finds. For a custom look, you can always buy a lamp for it's base, and change the lampshade to fit your style. We love the patina of old lamps, and the different vintage styles are abundant and unique.
Copper Cookware
Martha Stewart has the most incredible copper collection I have ever seen. The unique pieces, fill her kitchen with a glow unsurpassed by any other. Purposely displayed for everyday use... One can only dream of having a kitchen as full of beautiful copper as this one...
Vintage Copper continues to be coveted for kitchens all over the world , and because of the trend over the last ten years, will be more difficult to find on thrift store shelves. The allure of copper's natural contrast just looks beautiful in any style kitchen from modern, minimalist, English, Country French, and traditional styles.
Colorful Glassware
Tableware that doubles as décor is a huge focus in interiors, and vintage stores, are a perfect place to make that vision come true. A colorful way to spruce up a table, crystal stemware with features like scalloped edges, colorful glass, ribbed surfaces, add a special glow to dinner parties. Also mix French champagne coupes, and charming colorful aperitif and petite after dinner sips. Mix only with clear wine glasses, as not to hide the color of the wine, (a little tip from my French friends).
Champagne glasses in this soft pink are a special French touch for the table. They are versatile and can be used of course for champagne and parfaits. We love the creative ways used for a table pieces in our modern world, unlike the 1800's where glass and table ware had strictly followed specific uses.
Classic bee colorful glasses are perfect for any table, and anytime of the year. Collect several in each color to mix colors on a table, or to use only one color at a time. I use mine everyday.
Decorative Ceramics and Tableware
Ceramics are one of the most important details of a table, which I refer to as Art de la Table. The colors and patterns are endless, adding casual charm and sophistication, or modern simplicity to a table, and even hung onto walls as art. Dinner and starter plates, Tureens, mustard servers, fish serving plates, platters in many sizes, and serving bowls unique to table service bring as much pleasure to the table as in finding them!
Vintage Silverware
Mix and match vintage flatware with a well loved patina....
Vintage table silver is one of the most beautiful and practical ways to set your table. We love collecting different charming and ornate patterns to mix and match on our table, but there are wonderful vintage sets also available if you prefer a more formal approach to yours. English, French, Italian and American silverware can all be a timeless joy to use everyday, (our preference) or for special occasions. Don't be intimidated about polishing, the more you use your silver, the less polishing it well need.
Quilts
Using quilts is an age old craft bringing cozy texture and hues to the home. The trend is rebelling against mass production, and nothing signals this as much as the resurgence of adding a homemade vintage quilt to your home. There is also a creativity when investing in quilts, as you may use them for their intended purpose, throw over a sofa or chair, fold at the foot of a bed, or hang them on a wall and transform them into tapestries.
Picture and Art Frames
Thrifted frames have extra charm with decades-old designs and unique shapes, and are often half the price of a new one. Use them for collected art, modern or vintage, and even treasured family photos to add patina to your walls.
Antique Trays
In the South of France, nothing feels new, and that's exactly how we love it. It's about finding charm in the perfectly imperfect: a weathered wooden bench, a chipped ceramic vase that's held a hundred bouquets, a wrought-iron mirror or a perfectly unpolished silver or brass tray, that's reflected generations. Collect charming and elegant silver serving trays, you can never have enough of them! if only they could tell us of the conversations at the sacred Sunday family table of days gone by. These are the pieces that tell stories, and the beauty is in their history.
Of course, much of the joy in collecting vintage pieces is in the thrill of the search! Collect beautifully.....