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Find wicker-wrapped items at flea markets, yard sales, and antique shops. I found this rose bowl with great excitement at a flea market. Ones like this are quite rare. It has a Victorian cottage appeal that us romantics find so attractive. It hearkens to the days of calling cards and lemonade on the piazza—a quieter time when life moved much more slowly and roses in wicker-wrapped bowls were meant to be savored.
Tip: Ask for day-old roses that have begun to open and place
in warm water to encourage them to full, lush blooms.
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Create your own shadowbox
These fun boxes are great for showing off tiny collectibles or to give as gifts. Treasure the summer of 2007 forever by storing your memories in one of these easy-to-create boxes. Buy the case from Ikea or your local craft store and line with downloaded paper from our site. Purchase tiny watchmaker tins at the craft store or wilton.com. Scour flea markets, yard sales, antique emporiums, and gift shops for charms and buttons. Scavenge the shore line for shells, glass, and other items of interest to line your watchmaker tins.
Tip: Make one of these boxes for a friend or family member after a special vacation experience to assure they’ll keep the memories for years to come.
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Vintage floral blankets
Vintage blankets can dress up your bedroom for summer. Flowered prints are the perfect adjective to add that warm-weather whimsy to your bed. They make beautiful hangings or you can roll them and tie with a coordinating ribbon for a bolster pillow. Don’t stop there though. Use them as curtains for sturdy canopy beds, use as throws on porch wicker, and drape them any place that begs for a splash of summer color.
Tip: Use a down-filled comforter to add some extra cozy to a hammock.
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Alabaster beauty
Softer than its marble cousin, this Italian stone was popular in the 1930s. Lamps are common collectibles, but look for vases, urns, cups, bowls, and more. Ornate patters in single shades add an architectural appeal to this fine collectible. The subtle shades are true stand-outs against darker back drop colors, such as burgundy. Lamps range from $20 to $100. Smaller pieces run $15 to $25.
Tip: Watch for these at antique co-ops and estate sales.
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Rare wrap job
Wicker wrapped bottles aren’t easy to find, but they have an undeniable “Indiana Jones” appeal. Congregate them on a shelf or use the heavier ones as bookends. They can also be used as vases or paper weights on an oversized desk.
Tip: Wicker wrapped bottles are a great flea market find...
look for dealers that have wicker baskets and furniture
because it’s likely they’ll stock the bottles, as well.
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Transferware bowls
As British as tea time, these finger bowls have a modern decorative purpose in holding flowers, candles, or simply to display. Mint pieces can run $65 or more; however, imperfect pieces—those with tiny chips and hairline cracks can be found for a fraction of that.
Tip: Serve afternoon tea in these to give your
guests a special one-of-a-kind experience.
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