Decorating With Collectibles and Flea Market Finds

posted in: A Vintage Home, Cottage Decorating | 3

If you are a fan of cottage style decorating like me than you probably have acquired a multitude of odds and ends that could be considered a collection. Every time you are out hunting and pecking through tag sales and flea markets and come across another one of these thing-a-ma-jigs you just snatch it up without thinking of where you are going to put it. I do this all the time. Sometimes the item will sit for months before I find a place for it. I am always drawn to vintage canning jars, old advertising tins, red and white enamelware, milk glass and vintage kitchen items.  So how do we creatively display all of our cherished treasures?

If you are lucky enough to have it, soffit space above your kitchen cabinets is a great place to display your treasured finds. A pleasing arrangement of kitchen collectibles on the soffit space will draw the eye up and give your kitchen personality.

campbells soup collectibles

Shelves with vintage collectibles, tin ware or even old cook books can add country charm to your kitchen.  Thrift store plates and china can be hung on the wall with plate hangers. A collection of vintage aprons can be displayed by hanging them from a ribbon with clothespins as a clever window treatment. Create a custom pot rack by suspending an old window without the glass or a vintage ladder from the ceiling with chains. Be sure to screw your chains directly into studs.

Kitchen Collectibles

Old mason jars can be used for a myriad of purposes. Fill one with fresh flowers and it becomes a vase or fill with seashells, sand and a votive for a beach inspired candle holder. Set a few in a bathroom filled with cotton balls, cotton swabs or bath salts. Many of the items we love to collect from flea markets and yard sales can be used in new ways making them functional, as well as decorative.

vintage mason jars

Vintage tea towels and tablecloths can be repurposed and turned into charming accent pillows for a kitchen banquette, couch or bedroom. Vintage sheets and linens can be hung as curtains or used on tabletops for added charm. Add some hooks to vintage shutters or moldings and secure them to a wall for a lovely coat rack or towel rack.

Shutter Coat Rack

 Insert a favorite piece of fabric, vintage paper or a few favorite photos behind the glass of an old picture frame. Add decorative handles and feet and you have created an attractive serving tray! You can do this with old mirrors as well. Candle holders can be created from old spindles and table legs for a lovely display.

chic bed tray

Vintage suitcases stacked in graduating sizes can become a great accent table as well as add needed storage to your home. Vintage baskets serve as great storage solutions as well as add character to a room.

These are just a few of the many ways to display and use your cherished collectibles. Use your creativity and see where it takes you!

Have a wonderful day!

~Lisa

Linking To:

Show and Tell FridayFunky Junk Interior’s Saturday Night SpecialFrugal Friday

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3 Responses

  1. Angela in Alabama

    Thank you so much for the serving tray idea. My boyfriend uses a tray constantly when he is eating (football freak what can I say lol) but the tray’s he has are horrendous! I have searched and searched for new ones but now I can just make some! I’d rather make them anyway. I already have the fabric.

    Thanks again!

  2. Patricia

    I love what you’ve done with your “stuff”. I have some of the same things, but I don’t have them arranged as attractively. You’ve inspired me to take it all down, clean the cabinet tops, and start over again. Thanks.

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