I am an absolute fan of all type of vintage or antique stores and thrift or charity shops. Honestly I’ve always been a fan since I was a little girl. I can still remember 5am Saturday morning wake-ups to accompany my mom to the next antique rummage sale to find the next best find. I love going to these shops now more than ever and I love finding little bits and bobs to fill my home. Because we move around every few years, I like to collect items that I know I’ll be able to move easily and reuse in a new home with perhaps a new style as well. More recently I’ve taken it upon myself to seek out places during our travels as well. So I figured I would share some of the things I’ve bought during our travels and those things we’ve found closer to home as well. In case you’ve never been to a vintage or thrift shop, I would absolutely recommend it at least once! Sometimes you have to get past the grime or dirt to see the beauty that a very loved item can now bring to your home. There’s also another added element in that you’re bringing back to life an item instead of risking it being thrown out or abandoned. I know that this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if it’s yours keep reading for some ideas for things you should be looking for too!
Travel Vintage Shopping
Now that we’re traveling more, I love when we find an antique or vintage boutique in a new country or area as well, and more often than not I find myself buying something no matter how small. Here are a few things that I have found during our travels that have also been easy to travel back home with. It’s also been another great alternative instead of buying generic souvenirs, they tell a story and best of all they have a new home with us.
Candle Holders
These candle holders are from Oslo, Norway from a small vintage & thrifty store off the beaten path. They are gorgeous and they were super easy to travel with.
Small Plates
I found these tiny plates in Copenhagen, Denmark, in a small vintage store, literally it was the size of a closet, but it had so many neat things. I had to buy something, but it had to be small because I was only traveling with a personal bag. These were perfect. Now they’re in my kitchen getting lots of love.
Prints
Here is a combination of different prints that we’ve collected during our travels. So there is a mix of new and old. One of the older prints is the one in the black frame that was first my mom’s and she gifted to us, it’s an older oil painting of Antigua, Guatemala. It will be cherished forever.
Trinket Boxes
We found this in our travels to South Korea. It was in a local shop and I couldn’t resist. It’s had several uses, one being a jewelry box, now it’s sitting in my office where I have pens and other office knick knacks in the drawers, and on display are my different journals.
Closer to Home Vintage Shopping
Most of these are things that I’ve acquired during our time in England. You’ll notice that they each have their designated space. They’re all a bit different but it works. Best of all they aren’t very large things, so I know it’ll be easy for us to move when we have to.
Enamel Candle Holders
I actually found these at two different antique shops. They’re almost identical in color, and size. I love them because they are a bit beat up but that’s what makes them so great.
Vanity Set
This one I found in a charity shop, the color is perfect and matches my vanity perfectly. It’s a great addition to use either to hold beauty things or jewelry.
Vases
The two white vases I actually found in two different antique shops. I believe I found the taller one first, and when I found the shorter one, I knew it was fate! They’re paired with my bread vase in my kitchen. They’re great for simple decor, but I’ve also used them for flower vases as well.
Tapestries
These are two tapestries that I found in Montana. Coincidentally enough, my mom has a matching tapestry in her home now that she found afterwards, again another sign of antique fate. I had the frames repainted and distressed in white, and now they look really great in our living area. Tapestries are another great item to find, they can be used in many different ways.
There you have it. Some idea of types of things to look out for the next time you find yourself walking through a much beloved antique or thrift shops. Happy shopping!
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