Antiques for Frugal Home Decorators
by Kathy Wilson
When most people think of buying antiques to decorate their homes,
they feel it is out of their financial reach. But there are several
ways you can utilize antique shops to add charm and history to your
home, without spending a fortune. Here are some of my
favorite "frugal" antique buys!
*Antique postcards sell at antique shops for $1 or less, and are a
great source of nostalgia. You can use them to decoupage onto a
tabletop or display them grouped in frames for more impact.
*Antique keys are interesting and organic, and are easy to hang as a
collection in almost any room. Sometimes you can buy a large ring of
them for less than $20! You can place them in picture frames backed
by a contrasting fabric and then group them together for an amazing
wall grouping. Try painting all the frames matching black to add a
sense of sophistication.
*Teacups and saucers can be relatively inexpensive. I started a
collection some time ago, and hang plates on the wall and teacups on
shelving. You can find them from $5 and up at antique shops, and ebay
is a great source of such items!
*Old tools and wooden crates can be found for less than $20, and add
immediate distinction to your nostalgic rooms. Place them in focal
areas of the room to add importance, and they become as essential to
the décor as the furniture! Also consider using these on porches or
covered decks to make your outdoor rooms charming and creative!
*Finally, keep your eye out for linens you can pick up for a song,
especially if part of the piece is damaged. You can cut away the
damaged area and remake an old quilt, bedspread or tablecloth into a
wonderful throw pillow, slipcover, or lap blanket, preserving the
history and uniqueness for future generations!
We bring antiques into out home to reconnect and speak of our past,
and there is no reason that should cost us a fortune! So this
weekend, check out a few of your local antique shops for treasures
within your budget, and give your rooms something to talk about!
Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of several popular
home and garden websites. For hundreds of free do it yourself home
and garden ideas, please visit her websites now at
http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com,
http://www.DecoratingYourSmallSpace.com
and
http://www.TheGardenGlove.com .
Also visit her at http://www.Women-on-
the-Net.com .