Courtney Warren is a Texas-based interior designer whose work has been featured in Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, and Today.com. She is a frequent consultant on Fox 4 TV’s Good Day program in Dallas, was ranked in the top 3 percent of interior designers in the US by Houzz.com, and starred in the Dallas episode of TLC’sFour Houses. She delights in helping overwhelmed clients create beautiful spaces—and will never turn down a warm chocolate chip cookie or Diet Dr Pepper.
Gathering up old things and repurposing them into decor is one of my MOST favorite things to do.
It can be a fantastic, thrilling experience to invest in vintage home decor trends.
Y’all, I’ll confess, I may be a flea market junkie!
Trust me!
When you’re on this hunt to find a one-of-a-kind piece, you never know which surprises you’ll run into.
From 1970s enamel bread boxes…
to ornate gold mirrors…
AND funky sculptures perfect for a kid’s room…
vintage finds can turn into the BEST home decorating ideas.
Today, we’re taking a deep dive into vintage trends—the latest blast from the past reappearing in our homes.
Before we get into all the nitty-gritty details like when and where to shop for vintage finds (Roundtop!), here are a few reasons why vintage shopping is so wonderful.
Besides the thrill of the hunt and unique finds, vintage shopping is a green alternative. Upcycling someone’s used stuff AND transforming it into something steller is a way to help the planet (reduce landfills)!
Plus, it’s a surefire way to STRETCH your budget.
AND bring items into your home that tell a story.
Whether or not this style sings to you, I’m confident every person can scavenge something useful when vintage shopping.
Need a ittle inspo? Here are some local spots to check out:
A top fav.
I’ve found everything from enamel Breadboxes, Cotton Stem Wreaths, and vintage tulip crates!
Flea Markets are so great to find goodies like that!
I scoured a few antique shops to achieve that fresh farmhouse look in my Tudor cottage.
My goal here was to finish out this labor of love with rustic glam decor.
I also wanted to accessorize the space with interesting pieces that had history.
I once snatched up a charming vintage cabinet at a garage sale for $15!
It was part of the couple’s cabinetry in their historic house, and they pulled it out.
I repurposed it with white chalkboard paint for a client’s display cabinet.
Look no further than grandma’s closet!
Sometimes the search for unique vintage finds starts with our own family’s old keepsakes.
For example, cedar or hope chests are antique traditions that look beautiful at any bed’s foot and makes perfect storage sense.
Thrift stores are my go-to hotspot for accessories:
You’ll want to avoid a super cluttery look.
It’s always nice to have a few collections of ornaments, figurines, and vintage signs, but if you OVERDO it– it won’t make a great impact.
We’re aiming for vintage charm, not “hoarder vibes.”
Plus, if you do it right– displaying vintage pieces are such awesome conversation starters. We always think it’s fun to talk to our family or guests about our pieces.
There are also ten excellent spots online to find GREAT vintage decor pieces like:
Like blue ming ceramic canisters and vases or ancient emerald double gourd vase
.
We like to mix textures like a burnished gold mirror in juxtaposition with an abstract white wooden frame.
Occasional chairs upholstered in bright floral prints make a statement in a room.
Using super fun botanical wallpapers in teeny-tiny powder rooms adds a pep.
Floral prints look good just about anywhere.
These warm accents add some zing.
Their texture and deep colors form a seamless contrast with pastel tones.
They’re PERFECT layering pieces, too.
For example, if you want to balance transitional style (and marry vintage and contemporary styles), these pieces can help.
Boring bath mats and polyester toilet coverings are out.
Vintage rugs are in.
Place a bright vintage rug right next to a freestanding tub OR double sink console.
It will add a casual but polished appeal.
I love me some vintage decor ideas, and here is my favorite spot in Texas:
-A top antique fair that displays an array of early Americana, Texas primitive and Continential accessories and furniture.
The tent has items from all sorts of countries, including England and Spain. Plus, they’ve got everything from country to formal to SUPER big (We are in Texas, after all) and teeny-tiny.
If we haven’t stirred up your vintage curiosity just yet, visit a vintage hotspot just for fun. Even if you don’t buy a piece, go to ENJOY the views and MEET new people.
We know there will be items you see that will inspire you.
We promise you’ll run into collectibles and vintage home decor you never imagined.
Does your home have a sterile “doctor’s office” or “builder’s build” vibe? If it needs an extra punch with some vintage charm or character, we’re here to help.
Halloween is a time for fun, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice style and elegance in our decor. As a decorator who loves…
Halloween is a time for fun, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice style and elegance in our decor. As a decorator who loves…
On Wednesday’s, we wear pink. That’s what they said in Mean Girls anyway, and everywhere I go, I am seeing adorable pink fall decor that…
When it comes to Christmas, we often think of traditional red, green, and gold. But if you’re looking to break away from the norm and…
What Is My Home Decor Style? Finding your interior decor style can feel a bit like solving a puzzle. You know you want a space…
How to fluff a Christmas Tree? Somethings don’t occur to you until you figure out you are doing it wrong. Enter: Fluff Christmas tree. Until…