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April 18, 2016

6 Budget-Friendly Ways to Bring Vintage Flair to Your Home


Not too long ago, my lovely friend Grace from the engaging blog Story Teller Girl dropped me a line to find out if I'd be interested in having her write a guest post for CV about some of the beautiful vintage inspired home decor projects that her sister and brother-in-law had recently carried about on their house.

Grace's blog primarily focuses on fiction writing related topics (as she's an author), in addition to covering some of happenings in her own life, and does not overly pertain to vintage related subjects. As such Grace felt that such a post might be more at home here on my blog with it's vintage adoring audience and I completely agreed with her.

Thus, without further ado, my I present Grace's delightful guest post (thank you so much for penning it and  for sharing this terrific peek inside your sister's old school filled home with all of us!).


For lovers of vintage – whether it’s clothing, cars, or anything else – it can sometimes be challenging to find simple or affordable ways to keep that vintage flavor alive in today’s world. Here on Chronically Vintage, the lovely Jessica does a wonderful job of showing her readers how to create vintage-style wardrobes without breaking the bank by mixing old and new, retro and modern.

I’m honored to be posting on Jessica’s blog, and I want to take a tip from her book and show you how to create a vintage-style home environment with just a few simple steps. To showcase my examples, I am using the home of my sister and her husband, Nancy and Luke.

They own a handyman business, but don’t let that scare you – you don’t need to have carpentry or construction-worker skills to accomplish what they’ve done with their home. They actually began their remodeling/revamping process back when they both still had regular jobs, so professional handyman experience is definitely not necessary.

Luke and Nancy are perhaps more fortunate than some, because their home is a Depression-era foursquare, built in 1932. The house still had a few original elements (like the radiators and hardwood floors). However, the home was far from vintage-looking when they first bought it. Wall-to-wall carpeting, hundreds of layers of paint, and some poorly-done remodels done in the 1950s and 1980s had buried much of the original vintage charm.

So if your home is more recent than the 1930s or even 1950s, don’t worry – you can still add vintage elements to make your home reflect whatever time period you want. Nancy and Luke are going for a 1930s-inspired look, since that is the era of the house. But anyone can take these following tips and adapt them to any budget, style of home, and vintage era.


1. The power of a new coat of paint

One of the first things these folks did was repaint their kitchen. I’ll be focusing on the kitchen in a lot of these examples, because that’s the room that they’ve put most of their vintage-ifying work into. Also, the kitchen in most any home is a central room where family and guests alike tend to gather. If you want vintage flavor in a public room of your home, the kitchen might be a good place to start.

Luke and Nancy’s kitchen featured well-worn, bland 1980s cabinets. Usable, certainly, but hardly fitting for a 1930s kitchen. Replacing all of the cabinetry was out of the budget, though, so they improvised. A coat of primer and a couple of coats of white paint turned the cabinets into something a bit more retro-looking. They also got hardware – just knobs – for the doors.

A coat of black paint on the knobs turned these modern ordinary brass handles into something that at a glance could be mistaken for vintage Bakelite, and the contrast of the black on white really made the cabinets a positive focal point of the room.

Whether it’s cabinets, walls, or furniture, don’t underestimate the power of a new coat of paint. Find a color that matches other vintage items in your home or creates an atmosphere of the era you want to evoke, and paint away!



{The original kitchen cabinets}



{White paint and black knobs give them a whole new look}



2. Antiques don't have to be expensive

Having antique furniture or accessories in your home is of course another ideal way to really emphasize your love of vintage. While this can be pricey, it doesn’t have to be. In Nancy and Luke’s kitchen, they have a pantry cabinet (a birthday gift from Nancy’s mother), a 1930s baker’s table (inherited from Nancy’s grandmother), and a Hoosier-style cabinet (a cheap purchase at a flea market).

The Hoosier cabinet (which is technically not Hoosier brand, just another brand made in the same style) is from the right era, but was in pretty rough shape when they bought it (which is why it wasn’t expensive). So Luke and Nancy took sandpaper to the old paint and rough spots, and did some minor carpentry to repair a few pieces of wood that were rotten. Then a fresh coat of paint made it all look like new.

This refinishing job wouldn’t actually win them any points for professional furniture restoration, but that wasn’t their goal. They just wanted a vintage kitchen piece that they could actually use. So if your goal is a vintage look combined with usability, then don’t worry about a lack of DIY skill or a low budget. This once-junky Hoosier is now a sturdy, vital, and attractive part of their kitchen.



{The before and after of the Hoosier cabinet}


3. Hardwood

If you’re lucky enough to have hardwood floors in your home, then let them shine. This home still had all of its original 1930s hardwood floors, but previous owners had covered every room (including the living room and the stairs) with wall-to-wall carpeting. Pulling up the carpet in every room was not an easy task (I know first-hand – I helped with this project!) Nancy and Luke didn’t want to pay to have the carpet removed or the floors redone, so they went the full DIY route.

If digging out carpet staples and sanding floors isn’t your thing, don’t feel bad about paying someone else to do it if it’s within your budget. But while revealing the original hardwood was a lengthy process and required a lot of elbow grease, it did not require a lot of home remodeling skill. Like I said, I helped with this project, and my previous experience with carpet removal and floor staining was zero.

Even if your hardwood floors aren’t old, the natural wood lends itself to so many different vintage styles, far more so than wall-to-wall carpeting. Also, with a hard floor, you can then use area rugs to bring out your specific vintage-inspired style – whether it’s an antique dining room carpet, or just a throw rug in your favorite retro colors.



{The living room when they first moved in, and now the beautiful wood revealed!}



4. It's the little things

Hardwood floors and repainted furniture are the big, attention-grabbing items that everyone will notice first. But don’t disregard the power of the little things. Nancy took her Hoosier cabinet one step further and added more vintage detail in the form of antique spice jars and other vintage storage containers.

These particular spice jars were a set inherited from Luke’s grandmother. But even modern glass jars would do the trick. Modern plastic jars of spices from the grocery store don’t look vintage, so the detail of glass spice jars really add that extra vintage flair.



{Old glass jars and a wooden recipe box replace modern plastic and add a vintage-inspired touch}


Another little detail of vintage flair is this set of old wooden blocks. Luke and Nancy have two children, who of course have their tablets, battery-powered cars, and other modern toys just like every kid. But blocks never go out of style, so this old set of alphabet blocks (from the 1970s, I think) is a fun addition to all the modern toys.



{Vintage touches for the kids, too!}



5. Out with the old floor, in with the new

The new kitchen floor is perhaps the most expensive thing in these examples – but even so, it’s not as costly as it might look. Since Luke and Nancy wanted to recreate a 1930s look, they pulled up the 1980s laminate floor (which was peeling and damaged and would need replacing soon anyway).

They bought squares of black laminate and white laminate, and glued them down in a pattern that would evoke the image and era they wanted. With the white cabinets and black hardware, the new floor really brought the whole room together into an eye-grabbing vintage-looking treat.

Of course you can see that they still have all of their modern kitchen appliances (although a functioning 1930s or 40s gas stove is on Nancy’s wish list). And as much as they love vintage, they don’t want to get rid of their microwave, or trade out their refrigerator for an actual icebox.

However, with the cabinets, free-standing kitchen pieces, and the floor, the vintage look is definitely there, and noticed by friends and guests alike.



{Sorry, no “before” picture of the old kitchen floor. But trust me, this current look is a lot nicer!}



6. No vintage shopping nearby? No problem!

Remember how I talked about the brass knobs on the kitchen cabinets that they painted black? Well, it’s certainly possible to purchase black knobs and save yourself the trouble of painting them. However, Luke and Nancy got those brass knobs for free, from a friend who was remodeling their kitchen and getting rid of the old hardware. So instead of spending money on cabinet knobs, they gladly accepted the free gift and had at it with the paint.

Flea markets, antique malls, and vintage shops are of course the ideal place to go shopping, especially if you’re looking for something specific. But there are so many other options if antique stores are out of your budget or too far away.

Thrift stores and yard sales are great for vintage – or vintage-inspired – shopping. And of course there are countless online shops for antiques, vintage items, and retro-flavored anything. And also don’t disregard freebies and curb-side discards, like where Luke and Nancy got their cabinet knobs.

Many communities have online trading posts or swap sites (like Craigslist, Freecycle, or others). Use your creativity to adapt modern items or someone else’s “old junk” into beautiful vintage decoration for your home.



{Luke and Nancy were blessed to buy an old home that still had all of its original glass doorknobs and lock mechanisms on every door. But Nancy has said that if the home had had modern doorknobs, she would have gotten old glass ones for the doors.}



{Another small vintage touch – old collector’s spoons, hung on display in a corner of the kitchen.}



Now it’s your turn!

If you have any stories or ideas about adding vintage treasures to your home, please share! I know that both Jessica and I (and Jessica’s wonderful readers) would love to hear about more ways to bring vintage into modern life!

For those who would like to get to know Grace even better, you can connect with her on her Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | and Twitter pages.


Thank you again immensely, Grace! This was such a fun, informative read and great source of inspiration!

44 comments:

  1. This post has very much reminded me of Porcelina and her husband's mammoth job to restore their original hardwood flooring! It sounded like one heck of a lot of work, but I've seen first hand how beautiful it is. As I'm currently trying to buy a house (I have a lot to update you on when I next email!), I'm much more keen to have a modern property that I can swap in vintage style touches at will, as for me that's going to make for a better option. I don't know that I have the time and patience for anything more than that. My tip is just to always visit local furniture charity shops and picking up things that might not be from the era, but look like they could be as together they're stronger :) x

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    1. Great tip, thank you for sharing that. So true about the similarities between this awesome revamping job and the one Porcelina and her hubby have so diligently been working on, too. They're doing a brilliant job and I'm always seriously impressed with what they've accomplished each time she shares a lovely new update on her blog with us.

      Super exciting! I can hardly wait to hear more in your next email. :)

      Big hugs & happy Wednesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Grace is right when she says that "vintage" does not have to be expensive.
    Use basically the rule of the 3 " R's " = recycling, reusing and reducing (waste). I would also like to add another R, repairing old things to be reused.
    With furniture you should always be careful. I have seen wonderful pieces being destroyed in hands of people who thought a bit of colourful paint won’t harm the furniture. Some basic furniture will be perfect for this kind of transformations (like a basic pine wood cabinet being transformed into a shaby chic piece). But others, like carved wood antiques, are not made for this. Sanding, restoring broken pieces and trying to get the original colour (with a little bit of help of a good polisher to add the last touch) will be the best for older pieces. It does take tons of time though but the results can be amazing. When in doubt just ask a restorer, go to Antique fairs and just ask, show interests, look into decoration pages, magazines, etc.
    I did find my furniture, including old Victorian and Edwardian bedrooms, in second hand places and at unbelievable cheap prices. The same for the Edwardian table, kitchen cabinet and chairs I own. It just took me a lot of time to clean the wood and polish it. They are far from perfect but in very good condition for their age (more than 100 years).
    But it is in the detail where the true magic happens. An old cabinet looks more “Vintage” with old porcelain around.
    Just one tip, antique furniture does not like being moved from one place to another. The wood is usually too dry and at the minimum shock, some delicate pieces will break or open. Old furniture also dislikes too hot or too dry places and will require polishing once a month.
    Be very careful with woodworm insects!
    Have a great week,
    Eva (from Luxembourg/Germany)

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    1. Really, really fantastic tips, dear Eva. You are a fount of knowledge on this subject and I feel like your detailed, terrific comment could practically be (another) blog post unto itself. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and expertise with us. I really appreciate that you raised do many wise, helpful points here - very much including not moving old furniture more than is absolutely necessary.

      Tons of hugs & thanks again,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. Oh my mom collects those spoons. What a beautiful home. I love the kitchen

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    1. Aww, how lovely! When I think back to the homes of elderly relatives and neighbours alike during my childhood, far more than not included souvenir spoon collections, too. I think that the art has dyed down in popularity somewhat in recent decades, but suspect there are still many a great collection to be had in kitchens the world over.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. That was really bad carpet. I shuddered. There's nothing more beautiful and amazing than a glorious hardwood floor!
    Great tips for those out there just getting into vintage! I couldn't imagine a life outside my vintage abode!

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    1. There really isn't when it comes to what's underfoot in a home. I'm a fan of carpet and rugs, too, when they're in good shape, but will always swoon most heavily for hardwood floors.

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment, Krystle. It's always great to hear from you.

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  5. Thank you so much for having me guest post, Jessica! Writing this was a fun treat, and I hope your readers enjoy it! :)

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    1. You are sincerely welcome, sweet Grace. Thank you again very, very much for this awesome guest post. It's such a lovely departure - that still immensely pertains to vintage - from what I usually share here and I'm delighted to see that others are enjoying it as much as I have (am).

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. Thank you so much Grace and Jessica for this post! I think vintage enthusiasts can get so wrapped up in the big thing that they don't have, i.e. the perfect vintage dress, the perfect vintage car, and on and on, that we forget that it is often the little things that make or break the impression we are trying to create. So I really appreciate the emphasis on the little things that can be done that don't have to break the bank.

    Sarah
    sewcharacteristicallyyou.weebly.com

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    1. Superbly well said, sweet Sarah. I really mean that and am so happy you raised this excellent - and deeply important - point.

      Many heartfelt thanks,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Oooh, this post is right up my street. I love nothing more than homemaking and I am so very proud of my completely vintage home. Mine is more 40s and the points made above are all perfect for creating the home of your dreams. As a single mum, I can't afford much but you can find so many things for so little money if you are prepared to search. I got a gorgeous matching sofa and chair for 99p on eBay. I have cocktail cabinets and wardrobes and a wonderful 1930s dresser that I paid well under £20 each for. It's the little things that really make it a home though, rather than a museum. Details such as old magazines, old photos in frames and little knick knacks, make it looked lived in and cared for. I hardly ever buy new things, whether it's my home or wardrobe and I get a little glow of warmth when I think I'm giving something that was treasured by someone else, another lease of life and a chance to be treasured again. Totally loved this post xx

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    1. How immensely awesome that you live in a fully vintage filled, 1940s centered home, dear Emily. I can just imagine the sense of immense joy that must bring your way. I really admire your thriftiness and dedication to filling your abode with vintage pieces that speak to your heart. There is something so fabulously old-fashioned about that approach - which so many others would find their lives (and wallets!) bettered by if they also adopted.

      Thank you so much for your heartwarmingly lovely comment.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. Great guest post! I would love to own a hoosier style cabinet and paint it, it looks like they did a great job. I also 100% agree with the glass canisters and shakers idea, they looked lovely:)

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    1. That was a lifelong wish of mine, too (though I wanted one in its natural wood state), and I'm delighted to report that it came to fruition shortly after we moved (back, in my case) to Penticton in 2012. My turn of the last century hoosier style cabinet now stands as a functional display and storage piece in my wee office + craft room + photo studio (lol, yes, they're all in the same small space) in the basement. It's my favourite piece of furniture that I've ever owned. I really hope that you're able to find your dream vintage cabinet one day, too.

      Have a fabulous week, sweet gal,
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. As an art-lover, I'd also add vintage posters and artwork to the walls, or perhaps a section with vintage photographs of favorite moviestars or famous people. I have friends who also like to frame old magazines, or covers of magazines, like Life and Time.

    Displaying old technology is also cool, like a phonograph, old radio, or vintage TV. I still hope to someday stumble across a mechanical, scanning-disc television from the late Twenties or early Thirties in an antique shop. Since they don't look like televisions to the modern eye, many people sell them for much less than they're worth, under the false assumption they're just cabinets or old radios. My late paternal grandparents had an old 1920s radio in their dugout (cellar), as well as the German radio my grandpap found at the end of the war and carried all over Europe with him so it wouldn't get lost or stolen in the mail. It's an international radio and would probably work nicely if taken to a shop that fixes vintage radios, though I can understand if someone might refuse to fix a radio with a swastika and Nazi eagle on it! For obvious reasons, if I were able to take possession of that radio, I also wouldn't openly display it, but might have it in a less-travelled room with other curiosities.

    Old books on the shelves are another wonderful touch, as are old globes.

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    1. What a fantastic comment, array of suggestions, and personal decor related desires, Carrie-Anne. I sincerely appreciate your detailed comment and read the paragraph about your grandpa's radio with rapt attention. This is truly such as an intriguing story and piece to still have in your family to this day.

      Many thanks & happy springtime wishes to you,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Dear Jessica, Grace, Nancy and Luke! That is such a great post! I love interior decoration and renovation, so this post is so nice, for me (and for many others, too, of course!) I loved the before and after pictures and that cabinet looks looovely! The floor, I am sure it is much nicer now, and I love that pattern! I love vintage as well, but I mix with some modern pieces and quirky ones too :) I would love to have some pictures analyzed by you, if you want, of some of my things :) Amazing projects and post! Hugs and have a lovely week!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. That's much the same approach that our current house has taken, too. I've utterly love to have a top-to-bottom vintage (or Victorian) abode complete with nearly exclusive period pieces, but various elements in my life, both past and present, have not permitted such to happen yet. Perhaps one day. Even if it doesn't though, that's totally okay. My eclectic nature means that I'm wonderfully at home (literally! :)) in a house with various styles and eras represented at the same.

      Certainly, sweet Denise. Please feel free to share any snaps you'd like with me via email.

      Oodles of hugs and happy mid-April wishes coming right back at you,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. I love the checkered floor in the kitchen!

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    1. Same here! The daughter of a longtime family friend was an avid dancer when she was younger and had very similar floors in her room (along with full length mirrors and ballet bars!) back when we both little girls. I've been hooked on classic checks underfoot ever since then.

      Have a wonderful Wednesday!
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. Hello everyone, this is Nancy! So happy to see how much people loved my sister's post about our home. She is an awesome writer, and my husband and I were very pleased when she asked to write about our house. Our home was a foreclosure when we bought it, and BEYOND UGLY. just so you know, the kitchen used to be pepto-bismol pink. The whole thing.. Pink. Well, it did contribute to dieting, because it definitely took your appetite away.
    It is a work in progress, and not designed to be totally vintage, but we are having fun. Anyone can do it. My hubby just built a simple, but fitting window seat/cabinet in our living room, removing the baseboard and trim to look like a built-in. It was a simple project with very little carpentry, but added a beautiful vintage touch to a side of our living room that we could never figure out!
    By the way, the kitchen tile is VCT. It runs for 60 cents per tile. Very cheap and very durable, and (can be) very vintage. Don't be afraid to dig in and have some fun with your house! :-)

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    1. Hi Nancy,

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment and further details regarding your home. I'm honoured - and tickled pink - that you visited, as well as that you were keen to have your sister share about your beautiful house here on my blog. It has been a sincere pleasure and rare treat indeed.

      Warmest thanks & oodles of hugs coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. Such beautiful transformations! Very inspiring!

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    1. Isn't it though? Nancy and her husband really knocked it out of the ballpark here. I'm very grateful to them both for, quite literally, opening their doors up to my readers and to Grace for penning this terrific guest post about their awesome revamping job.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. I always love reading about vintage interiors, and indeed, it doesn't have to be expensive. Our home is a mix of inherited things (mostly from my husband's side of the family) and charity shops finds, as well as some Ikea stuff, which we are slowly replacing by more individual vintage pieces. xxx

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    1. So do I! It's almost mesmerizing to see how others incorporate vintage and/or antiques into their homes, be it in period authentic ways or a more modern melding of old + new (the latter of which is how I'd describe our own current decor).

      Many hugs & thanks for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. Nice ideas. I love the little touches like the old recipe bed, glass knobs, and glass jars.

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    1. Those were standout elements for me as well - especially the glass doorknobs. We lived in a house that was built back in 1909 during part of my childhood and it included a small number of (presumably) original glass knobs. I've been solidly hooked on them ever since. :)

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment. Have a great rest of the week!

      ♥ Jessica

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    1. Aren't they though? Nancy and her husband did such a fabulous - and very inspiring job here. It's wonderful to get the rare opportunity to peek inside of a vintage decor lover's house like this and to receive a guided tour of what they did to help breath such gorgeous new life - care of old-fashioned elements - into their home.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. What a lovely well-written post, thank you for sharing. It is amazing what paint can do. And I also hate carpets. We have renovated our house from 1930 for almost 20 years now, so I could write a story like this too. In fact our kitchen looks a lot like this one. Our living/dining room is a whole post worthy, since dear husband brought it back to its thirties self handmaking everything - it's good to be married to a handyman. ;) Do write more guest posts like this one, I really enjoyed it. :)

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    1. How awesome that your own home underwent such a dramatic overhaul as well. I'm sure that it's breathtaking now and I'd love to hear more about the story behind it. If you're ever keen to guest post, drop me a line about it. :)

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. this are pretty good examples!
    the railroad keeper and me just love old furniture und household items and bought most of our stuff on fleamarkets and such. and our house is more then 120 years old and not much work was done in the meantime fortunately. and with the help a few classic or vintage looking new pieces our house looks very timeless with a big hint to arts&crafts.
    and this need not big money - only knowledge and creativity.
    and - no nasty chemicals are in old furniture/carpets like it uses to be in new ones!
    tons of hugs! xxxxxx

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    1. Swoon!!! Oh, how I adore that you live in a Victorian era home. Having an old house is a huge dream of mine. My family lived in one that was built in 1909 for a while when I was growing up and I've yearned for a historical home again ever since. One day, I hope!

      Your house is really beautiful and so splendidly decorated/furnished. I've always enjoyed the posts you've shared with glimpses of it and love that you're keen to let us peek inside sometimes. :)

      Thank you very much for your terrific comment and wise words.

      Big hugs & happy Friday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. Great tips! The power of paint should really never be underestimated. Many paint companies have historical color collections, and we will definitely be choosing from appropriate shades for our home's era (1910) when we repaint our porch. Most people may not realize that the colors are era-appropriate, but for us it makes the house that much more special.

    Grace is so right about not needing to spend a lot of money--flea markets and yard sales can have some great little gems if you are lucky and persistent! We are fortunate to have a local architectural salvage shop here in our city, and they have everything you could think of, from door knobs to entire fireplace surrounds, all reclaimed from old homes!

    I love the idea of using old vintage catalogs or ads as art around the house. I've also set aside vintage sewing patterns that I know I will never make for the same purpose. I currently have a handful of fashion drawings from the Victorian era that I need to figure out how to arrange and hang up--swoon! =) Little things like that are a great way to add some vintage charm to any home, whether old or new. (But of course, the beauty of a vintage home is that, unless it was completely remodeled, it has a lot of innate vintage charm already; ours definitely does! <3 )

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  20. Hi Abbey, thank you very much for your terrific comment. I really appreciate you impute regarding the importance and transformative power of paint. How fantastic that you have a local architectural salvage shop in your town. It must be a joy to spend time there.

    Your collection of Victorian fashion illustrations sound so beautiful! Do you have a craft or sewing room in your house with space wall space? I can't help but think how well suited they'd be to such.

    Many thanks again for your splendid comment. I can really tell that this is a topic you're highly passionate about as well.

    Wishing you a joyful weekend!
    ♥ Jessica

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  21. This is awesome! I am such a fan of new things made retro, and I've spent so much time making the things in our modern house look old! I love these tips. The Hoosier cabinet is the stuff dreams are made of; my grandparents had one in their home that, even after they've passed, is still being put to good use by family. (I was told I'll be inheriting it one day, we shall see.)

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    1. They're such incredible pieces. I really hope you're able to inherit the one in your family some day. I'd wanted one my whole life (seriously, since I was little), too, and was really fortunate to find a turn of the last century one here in 2012 at a used furniture place (that has since gone under). It's my favourite piece of furniture that I've ever owned.

      Thank you for your great comment. I hope that the week ahead is a sunny, beautiful one for you!

      Many hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. This was a fun post! I love seeing vintage living and how people decorate their homes to look vintage! Love what Nancy and Luke did with their kitchen!

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely lady. I adored seeing their beautiful - and very inspiring - home as well. We have a teeny kitchen (well, I've had smaller before, but it's not exactly cavernous ;D) and there's no space in it for furniture, but I've still added vintage touches via things like some mid-century tins on three tiny corner shelves and pretty vintage drinking glasses. There really is a way to bring a dose of vintage into just about any space, no matter how space or what room you're working with.

      Oodles of hugs & many sincere thanks for your bounty of fantastic recent blog comments,
      ♥ Jessica

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  23. I live in a circa 1940s basic cottage, almost a kit house from the era that has been through many really bad remodels, removing all the charm, and we have putting some back, one room at a time, also on a budget and all on our own , there are some great tips here...thanks for sharing.

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    1. Fantastic work! It's awesome that you guys live in a 1940s abode. Our own condo is from the early 90s and does not have any old bones or classic lines at all. No matter though, I've still filled it with a liberal sprinkling of vintage flair throughout and that serves me just fine for now. Perhaps one day I'll get the Victorian, Edwardian or mid-century home of my dreams, but now I'm content with our abode and grateful that we have it.

      Thanks again for your terrific blog comments today, sweet Ruby.

      Have a beautiful week!
      ♥ Jessica

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