Vintage items (those dating from 20 years past; antiques, by contrast, are at least 100 years old) are crucial in adding style and history to spaces and give a custom, storied look to any home.
What is a vessel, just? Though a vessel is, in its truest sense, a bottle, bowl, cask, cup or kettle (thanks, Merriam-Webster), let’s think about the term loosely, as who wants limits in regards to creative collecting? Thus, consider beakers, jars, pails, vases, vases and urns as well — you name it ; they are all vessels.
Where can you find older vessels? You can find vintage vessels in obvious places like flea markets, estate sales, antiques shops and auctions, in which you will likely pay top dollar. But less probable spots include church rummage sales, thrift shops, Goodwill and your regional recycling center’s or dump’s thrift shop (yes, I stated dump!) , where items are generally priced by a flat fee per item, like eyeglasses for 10 cents or dishes for $2. Head to those areas and dig up piles of attractive containers and home goods from the ’50s and ’60s, and often sooner.
How can I tell if what I find is … intriguing? Well, for starters, it won’t be something you will see in spades in your regional department store. Though one time status is difficult to confirm, especially if the thing does not have clear markings or authenticity papers, there are a number of telltale signs that an item is exceptional. In case the vessel is handmade, it may be signed by the artist or artisan and devoid of factory-made mold marks, as with thrown pottery and handblown glass. Maybe you can observe delicate paint brushstrokes on the surface, or the product was made in a country that has since been disbanded or renamed, like Catalonia, Ceylon, Tibet, the U.S.S.R., West Germany or Yugoslavia.
Can it be made of an unusual substance? Can it be an intriguing color? Does this have a peculiar, old tag? Perhaps it’s monogrammed with your initials? All that aside, I am a firm believer in this adage: “If you like it and can afford it, purchase it and display it proudly.” And here is what makes it really fascinating: the story behind the way you came upon it.
Madison Modern Home
Old ashtrays are fantastic for storing mementos and seashells — or just some loose change. The ciggie indentations along with the fonts are always enjoyable, and if they’re from hotels, motels and restaurants which are either foreign or no longer exist, they are just a more chic. I see olives in this one’s future.
Etsy
Blue elephant toy planter – $14.95
Occasionally even the most unlikely items can be utilized as containers, like this hollowed-out toy. It is daring, beautiful cerulean blue, miniature size and intriguing shape make it a fantastic conversation piece. Maybe Ellie already had a very small hole in her back and this clever Etsy seller dreamed up a cool way to put her to work? Slightly irregular, chipped and even broken items may be windfall too. Think creatively.
Etsy
Single Small Grey Dish by Cynthia Vardhan Ceramics – $25
Troll any flea market and you will find gobs of saucers and bread-and-butter dishes without partners. Gorgeous ones, to boot.
Ones I find particularly cute for saving jewelry on a nightstand or dresser top are those with chintz patterns, nature-inspired decals and Asian motifs.
Handmade dishes like those pictured here are pretty too. Some cost as little as a nickel! Bring a couple to work and stow paper clips, rubber bands and odds and ends. They will brighten up your cubicle along with your day. Just watch: Everyone may want to steal your idea.
Jennifer Grey Interiors Design & Color Specialist
Cloches are spectacular, and they’ve had a huge resurgence these past four or so years. Traditionally utilized in gardens to protect seedlings in colder weather, they’ve been repurposed throughout the home. If you’re lucky, you can unearth you in a treasure shop.
I love the way that designer put books under the dome and created a weirdly whimsical vignette under there. It just goes to show, you can place anything under a single — food contained. (Mounds of grapes — green and red together –would look so decadent.) Which is the reason I think repurposing a cheese dome is perfectly OK. And people are easiest to come by. Locate a taller one one having a wood or marble base — lovely!
Donna DuFresne Interior Design
I like vintage trophies so much, I have a collection myself. Everything looks great in a decoration: flowers, branches, long matchsticks, rolled-up papers for kindling … I could go on.
Occasionally, they are yucky or a bit corroded indoors, depending on wear and age. If you’re planning to display a bouquet indoors, stick flowers in a glass and then tap it within the decoration. The flowers will stand up better this way too.
decordemon
Tin cans are the ultimate in affordability — and are pretty stylish with no ounce of trying. The iconic Campbell’s soup is a Warholian picture I’ve always loved to departure.
Consider also: big crushed-tomato and tomato-sauce cans. Those colorful labels are things of beauty, and they are so fun on outside tables. They are the perfect size for napkins, condiments and silverware, as seen here.
Recycle washed utilized cans right to the table and search for older java cans (rusty or not, and yes, folks collect these) at thrift shops.
Saving and amassing intriguing wine bottles to decant other items into is superstylish, affordable way to entertain in your home. Plus I find gorgeous crystal decanters on almost every one of my classic shopping excursions. Serving guests (and myself) booze out of a decanter makes me feel like I am Myrna Loy. And look — having a fully loaded bar is actually this easy! Eucalyptus somehow appears key as well.
Lauren Liess Interiors
Victorian-era urns are magic and make the best statements indoors and out. Filled with mosses and climbers, the one pictured here definitely makes the scene. Firms offering architectural salvage market a ton of these, often together with their first, unattached plinths, that are solid pedestals typically made of carved stone and plaster.
Perhaps you have dreamed of starting a collection but aren’t certain where to start? Sometimes all it takes is finding just 1 piece you prefer.
Say you’re fond of white bits, as pictured in this group: Milk glass, first created in Venice in the 16th century (though produced during the 19th century too), now has quite a collector following and will always be seen in thrift shops and flea markets; it’s also quite affordable.
Collecting fascinating pieces in almost any shape and shape and sticking to one basic color will yield a stunning result.
Bubble Terrarium – $150
Terrariums have made a huge comeback as well. Nearly any sort of vessel can be used to create a single. Childhood goldfish bowls, hand-painted cylindrical vases, even classic lidded apothecary jars all work nicely. The attractiveness of terrariums actually lies in having the ability to observe the individual layers which make up the very small ecosystem, so just pick something transparent.
Learn to Earn a terrarium
GPPhotographers
Mason jars have been around forever, and they are as useful in the kitchen as in they are in the tool shed. (This enterprising family utilizes theirs for spice storage; they’ve just screwed the lids up into a wood beam.) I am fond of those older, brown or blue jars using the zinc lids. Some lids are ceramic and zinc, indicators that they are definitely old, as that kind is not made anymore.
I’ve seen people spray paint them matte colours, to match their collections and decor. A wonderful hostess parting present could be a little one filled with dirt and a little basil or lavender plant. Simply wrap the jar with jute twine a couple of times and mix it into a knot for a classy send-off.
flickr.com
Finally, it’s always OK to buy an intriguing piece just because you prefer it. The decanter seen this is a unusual robin’s egg colour with lovely burnt-brown accents, has handmade, applied handles along with a slight iridescence. Chances are, this one is an oldie but goodie — and a real keeper.
More:
Maintain Your Collectibles (Without Losing Your Sanity)
Flea Market Finds: Demijohns About the House