Things Your Grandma Had that Are Actually Cool to Use in Your Place
Retro is in. Old school things can breathe new life into your home by way of décor and even utilitypacked pieces. Believe it or not, your grandmother’s house is full of treasures that can be used in your home today or repurposed to become both useful and decorative. Lots of these vintage items can be found at thrift stores or yard sales, and with just a little work or imagination can have a new, modern life. Here are some ideas to get you stated next time you stop at the flea market.
Old Sewing Machine Table That old sewing machine and table in your grandma’s basement isn’t just an old piece of junk. While the sewing machine might be a little dated and may not work anymore, the table likely has a lot of style. These tables are usually very detailed and built from solid materials. Take advantage of the beautiful shape and design by rescuing that old table. Remove the sewing machine and add a new marble top or even a top made from a beautifully grained refinished wood. The size of a sewing table makes it perfect for a small corner, kitchen nook or even for a little extra counter space in the bathroom.
Old-Style Wallpaper Patterns If you’re lucky enough to come across old wallpaper in a thrift shop, you’ve found a treasure. Using the appropriate tools, you may be able to actually hang the wallpaper on an accent wall. Old wallpaper also looks great on the back panel of a bookcase or even as a drawer liner. Old wallpaper has fun patterns that are also perfect for crafting. Get creative and use the paper for scrapbooking, gift-wrapping, greeting cards, ornaments or even party invitations.
Wingback Chair There’s no doubt wingback chairs have a shape that demands attention. Adding one to your living room, bedroom or office can be a great way to add some character and add a conversation piece. If the upholstery on the chair you have found has seen better days, you can easily have it reupholstered or take on the project yourself. Wood parts like feet, arms and accents can be refinished and stained for a traditional look, or you can add a fresh coat of paint to give the chair a modern look.
Retro Lamp Retro lamps have a lot of style. From curvy or straight to tall or short, there is so much variety in old lamps. The great thing about these pieces is they are easy to bring to modern day and to combine with modern lighting solutions. Add a modern lampshade, or stick with the old look for a retro touch. You can refinish the lamp itself with a can of spray paint and make it work for almost any room. Old lamps can easily be rewired; so don’t toss that old lamp you uncovered in the attic!
Vintage Fabrics Vintage fabrics are stunningly beautiful. The old patterns, colours and textures have so much to offer, whether you can sew or not. Of course, old fabrics are perfect for a new dress or cute bag, but they can also find their way into home décor. Try using them to make curtains, placemats or pillows for the couch. Vintage fabrics are definitely in, and when you mix them with modern pieces, they give just the right touch of character to a room.
Old Picture Frames Old picture frames might seem like heavy pieces of scrap wood or metal, but in reality, they are works of art themselves. Remove the old art from the inside, refinish the frame with paint and buy a new piece of glass and you have a delightfully old school accent for your wall. But, picture frames can do more than house art. For example, you can add a corkboard or chalkboard to the back to give a frame a whole new purpose.
Vintage Bottles Vintage bottles are easy to find and usually very inexpensive. They come in all kinds of colourful hues: yellow, green, blue, white and transparent, among other colours. They also come in all sizes, though the smaller ones are more common. These bottles can make for a beautiful arrangement on the windowsill and are perfect as bud vases. They can also be used for centrepieces or as accents on bookshelves or a desk.
Classic Clock Although that classic clock may not be working properly anymore, the face likely has a design that’s either fun and retro or classic and stylish. You can buy new clock parts so it will tick again, and if the body is broken hang the face by itself on the wall or have it reworked into a new clock. Or redo the body with a new coat of paint. Depending on the size of the clocks, you could use the faces as artwork or even treat and cover them so they can be used as coasters.
Vintage Travel Posters, Postcards and Stamps Those vintage travel posters, postcards and stamps always have beautiful artwork. Depending on the era they are from, they could feature serene, delicate art or bold and bright art-deco style designs. These items are great on their own as framed artwork or displayed as a collection. You can also turn stamps into magnets or use postcards to cover something like a table or chair for a great conversation piece.
Costume Jewellery Don’t throw your grandma’s old costume jewellery out! While these pieces are made of inexpensive materials and imitation gemstones, that doesn’t mean they are any less sparkly and fun. Retro jewellery is in and can be paired with almost any outfit. Or, you can repurpose the jewellery and use it for something entirely new. If you’re a crafter, you can easily turn these pieces into magnets, pushpins, buttons for throw pillows, picture frame accents, hair accessories or fun touches on a handbag or purse. With some modern paint colours and a little creativity you can turn old finds into retro treasures. Try pairing these items with more modern pieces or bringing them up to date with new touches to add some new style to old pieces. For more information or to buy the necessary tools online, please visit our website: http://www.hsssales.com/.