When you embrace aspects of a certain style, your home begins to tell a story. I hope the story being told in my own home is one which conveys a love of timeworn treasures and pieces that look like they have lived quite a life. You simply cannot create the patina of an old piece or reproduce old items because they will all age differently. That is what makes a home really show visitors what you love and cherish when they walk in. Do I like new, shiny items from big box stores? Sure. I love a good mix but in all honesty, it is an art to make your mix of "old and new" appear cohesive and not just randomly put together.
I get asked all the time on social media: "where do you find your pieces?" If you are a vintage collector or hunter yourself, you know the answer is not a simple one. You never know when you are going to stumble upon the best find of your life in the most random of places. I think we all know the most obvious ones: antique stores, thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, online marketplaces, etc. You haven't lived until you've picked up something from someone's curb on trash day or dumpster dove for something that caught your eye! I am trying to recall the most unusual place I have ever found something... perhaps the time I found a stained ironstone pitcher in a shed or when my husband was offered tools from someone's garage and I asked if the seller would consider taking a chippy green shelf off the wall and sell it to me. She gave it to me for free. You just never know until you ask.
Probably the next most asked question I get is "what do you look for when you're on the hunt?" Another difficult question because the truth is: I never go with an agenda! Some of my favorite pieces to look for are probably somewhat standard within the vintage community: ironstone, weathered wood with chippy paint, old graphics, old tools of the trade such as sewing pieces, art pieces and of course anything with a holiday theme. If you go in with low expectations sometimes the biggest score will surprise you!
The moral of the story (and I will stand by this forever) is to choose what YOU love and you cannot go wrong. Even if it's not the latest trending vintage item. Even if some would turn their nose up at it. We don't all need homes that look the exact same. I think what makes my home look so successfully collected is that if I love an item, it tends to look great with my other things because i've developed a style. When you shop from me, not only am I endlessly grateful, but my goal is simple: to help you create a space that feels personal, layered, and lived-in. The kind of home that feels gathered over time—not decorated overnight. When you surround yourself with things you find pleasing to look at, you will find comfort in your surroundings.
Here on the blog I hope to inspire you to get out there and hunt because it is fun and can become quite an addicting challenge! Until next time, join me over on Instagram to keep up with my latest finds. Happy hunting!
