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{31 Days to an Eclectic Home} Day 12 – Antique and Vintage Stores

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Today is Day 12 of a 31 day series on creating and cultivating an eclectic home.  For some crazy reason, I have accepted The Nester’s challenge to write on the same theme every day for the month of October.  This may end up killing me.  Or you.  But, I appreciate you reading and welcome your comments.

One of my favorite things to do when I am avoiding my to-do list have free time is to browse local vintage and antique stores.  Now, don’t get me wrong – I love a good thrift store as much as the next gal.  But sometimes, I don’t want to so much search for something as much as I want to find something.  That’s where vintage and antique stores come into play for me.

How to Shop Antique and Vintage Stores for Eclectic Decor

1)  Antique Stores – I always recommend taking a look in antique stores if there is something particular (or even not so particular) you are trying to find for your home.  I generally go in looking for something specific, like an interesting item to use for a nightstand or a piece of art to fit in my living room.  Those general ideas help keep me focused in a store that’s as overwhelming as an antique store.

In my opinion, there are two types of antique stores in this world.  There are those that feature “fine” antiques, where the pieces will be gorgeous and the prices will make your jaw drop.  There are also those that showcase a little bit of everything – from fine pieces to items you wonder why anyone bothered to save.  If you are like me, you steer clear of the first type of store and stop in the next.

Most of the time, these type of stores have many different vendors who rent “booths,” or space in the store.  The vendors set their own prices and run individual sales.  If I’m buying something that costs over $100, I always ask if the booth owner can do a little better on the price.  Most of the time, the employees at the store are authorized to come down 10-15% without contacting the vendor (and the vendors have built that markdown into their price).

Think about ways to repurpose what you find at antique stores.  For instance, I used an old fireplace mantel I bought at an antique store as a bed crown in Emma’s nursery.

2) Vintage Stores – For many years, I had been living under the impression that a vintage store only carried vintage clothing.  Not long ago, a friend of mine clued me in that many vintage stores also carry furniture.  These stores generally carry pieces with a mid-century modern vibe from the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

That same friend found a great chair (covered in yellow velvet!) for a great price at one of our local stores, and she’s having it recovered in a more contemporary fabric.  If the fabric scares you – and it likely will – don’t forget that it can be easily recovered.

Couldn’t you find a place for a 1960s credenza, such as this one available at one of my local stores?  This would be great under a flat screen TV.  Could you imagine the original owners thinking that?  That’s some sort of Jetson-type stuff!

Have you found great items at antique or vintage stores?  Tell us about them!

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  2. Tricia Hicks says

    I went to an estate sale a few weeks ago and bought a beautiful dough bowl for a very decent price. The owner lived in a log cabin, her husband had recently passed away and she had to be moved into a nursing home. She had items in all price ranges. Beautiful things. After I left there, I stopped by the antique store “on the square” and it turns out she had purchased most of her collectibles there and they had a few things of her things to sell as well. I found two wooden spoons that had been marked down 50% but were still more than I wanted to pay. I politely told the clerk that I wouldn’t be able to buy them and she offered them to me at another 50% off. I told this long rambling story to say, you are so right, most of the time, items can be purchased at some sort of discount, even if you don’t ask!

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  3. Samantha @ Little Painted Canvas says

    I have a serious addiction to thrift store shopping. I actually have a store that I consider my “honey hole” that I frequent peobably too often. But I love a good find!

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  4. Bridgett says

    I can’t figure out where to FIND these vintage/antique stores? I know where all the thrift stores are, and I knew where all the antique stores were in Utah when I lived there…but in Michigan? I haven’t the slightest idea how to find out where these stores are.

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