Vintage Industrial Decoration Ideas

By: Melissa Delise Ruby 

http://rjsthisandthat.blogspot.com/

Many people do not realize the advantages of decorating their homes with vintage items. Of course there is the Mother Earth friendly side to it (which is always a plus), the economic side, as well as a vibrant showcase of your own individuality. As I am hunting flea markets and old warehouses for industrial gems of the past, I scoop them up in excitement. Perhaps it's because I know something that the other passers-by don't. Those rusty dusty items are truly gems in disguise. I've decided to share with you a few great ways to decorate your home using vintage industrial items. You can create a modern and welcoming look, using not so modern items. You'll be sure to get lot's of "ohhhs" and "ahhhs" at your next get-together. 

Vintage Signs as Decoration

For a fraction of the price, you can spruce up a boys room using vintage road signs! The best part is, it's a style that can grow with them as the years pass!

      

Railroad Signs for the train lover

Industrial flare for our industrious Teen's 

   

Travel Signs for the car lover

Purchasing these signs is very simple and you can come across a variety of them online. Here are just a few I have found currently on sale. You may click the photo's below if you are interested in purchasing these signs or pricing them.

  

Industrial Lamps 

Do you know you can own lamps created from industrial salvage?

You can purchase them already created or purchase the material for a DIY project. You are left with a stunning, one of a kind addition to your living space. 

Bedroom

Dining-room or Kitchen 

Great Room

again, many of these ideas are directly at your fingertips for a fraction of the price it would cost you in a modern store! Here are a few I came across just today! You may click on the Photos below for price and location of these goods.

Bathroom

Below are some examples from my own guest bathroom. I decided on the Americana theme with an Industrial flare (it's still currently a work in progress). These were all items I purchased online to create the theme. I used old door knobs as towel hooks, a rust bucket, shoe forms, a brass eagle plaque and various other finds to decorate. I pained the door knobs with metal paint and distressed.

Once more these items were found by the click of a mouse or a click of your mouse! 

Truly an exciting and original way to decorate!

Vintage Pencil Sharpeners for Back to School

By KatyO (VintagePDX)

For those of us with school age children, one of the more dreaded back-to-school tasks has to be sharpening the vast quantities of #2 pencils on the school supply list.  A modern electric pencil sharpener is noisy, unreliable, and expensive, and a notebook-sized hand sharpener will drive you mad after the first pencil.

Behold! The affordable and reliable vintage alternative: an old-school, wall-mounted, hand-crank pencil sharpener.

Boston Sharpener from EVT Seller HappilyEraAfter

I grew up with one of these in our laundry room, and when I visited my grandmother, I discovered she had her own mounted on a post halfway up the basement stairs.   A few years later, as my mother was closing out Grandma's house, I gathered up the sharpener, shavings and all, and put it in a Ziploc to take home. I couldn't bear to leave it behind.  When our daughter was heading off to kindergarten, I finally put grandma's sharpener up in our laundry room. (I should add:  I had to empty out 50 years of shavings I had carted around through 4 moves across the country.)  Now our daughter can sharpen her own pencils. I'm happy to be spared the hassle of grinding down 40 yellow Ticonderogas.



EVT members have a selection of pencil sharpeners for your back-to-school needs.  Here are a few other fun examples.  The see-through body and angles make this one perfect for a machine-age office:

Futuramic Sharpener from EVT Seller Dentwood

The orange color of this Boston brand sharpener is perfect for a mid-century home:

Orange Bostonette Sharpener from EVT Seller VintageGypsies

And this Apsco has a sizing wheel to sharpen different size pencils:

Apsco Sharpener from EVT Seller wretchedshekels

Additional EVT Seller's sharpeners can be found here: EVT Sharpeners.


Add a practical new vintage item to your home this fall!  You'll find pricing on vintage sharpeners is often less than a new electric model, and you get a higher quality product when you buy vintage. Just make sure to to take it with you if you move. One of my college friends bemoaned the loss of her family sharpener; she accidentally left it mounted in the pantry of her old home.

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Fresh Picks: For the Love of Dad

We like to say vintage makes a unique, one-of-a-kind gift. But when it comes to Dad, you may ask how you can express your love with vintage? These finds are true treasures that he will cherish for many years to come!

by ReBopShop

Cocktail Shaker Ice Bucket M... LoveMyVintageB... $40.00	Mens Vintage Silk 1930s Neck... AnnaLeesAttic $24.00	Buren Imperial 21 Jewel Open... KentonCollecti... $215.00
Vintage Alabaster Horse Book... BirdinHandVTG $125.00	Vintage Schmidt Beer Cooler ... RedRiverAntiqu... $135.00	Vintage Mid Century Mod Bran... jenscloset $34.50

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Fresh Picks: For the Love of Pansies

A welcome cool weather joy, pansies have been celebrated in poetry and art since Shakespeare. Enjoy these pansy-inspired vintage finds!

by ReBopShop

Vintage Floral Bouquet Rhine... VintageCreeksi... $10.00	1992 - HANDMADE PANSIES BASK... FascinatingHob... $5.00	Breathless Necklace - Recyc... threepeats $22.00
Vintage Salt & Pepper Shaker... americanchina $18.50	Flowers Bloomers Vintage Ear... TrueColorsForY... $10.00	Dimensional Embroidery Vinta... VintagePDX $12.00

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Fresh Picks: God is in the Details

The quote usually attributed to architect Mies van der Rohe is so apt for vintage clothing and accessories. These fabulous finds beg you to take time to savor the luscious detail that makes vintage so special!

by ReBopShop

Vintage Real Photo Postcard:... phunctum $20.00	Vintage Plaid Button-up Shir... powderedtoastg... $25.00	Retro womens clothing 1950s ... minicoops $49.00
Vintage Kimono Robe Red Silk... EmeliasCloset $38.00	vintage silk & rayon Dancing... PresenceRememb... $14.00	Vintage Antique Shell Purse ... KerryCan $40.00

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Fresh Picks: Get Creative For Mom

You know “it’s the thought that counts,” but what if you’re out of ideas for expressing your love and appreciation to Mom this year? Think vintage for a truly one-of-a-kind gift. These fab finds will do the job: the first three are artisan-crafted gifts with vintage components. The next three are for creating your own unique presentation…give Mom a bouquet divided among vintage vases, bestow her favorite tea coupled with a vintage teapot, or bake her a sweet banana nut bread presented in a vintage loaf pan. Now you’ve got something special!

by ReBopShop

A Mother's Heart lesliejanson $20.00	Earlene Collection Necklace MyValentineJew... $55.00	Pair of Natural Industrial R... weareMFEO $139.00
Cottage Ware Teapot and Milk... Tibbycats $20.50	Fire King Loaf Pan, Candleli... threepondsvint... $10.00	Moving Sale Milk Glass Vase ... DirtyMartini $11.20

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Fresh Picks: The Fabric of Their Lives

Vintage fabrics are literally a delight to the senses—the look and the touch give character to a precious item, whether it’s clothing, home décor or a new artisan creation. These fabulous finds embody that feeling!

by ReBopShop

Pair of Vintage Tropical Hib... 12be $65.00	50s Vintage Gold Metallic Br... impulsevintage... $220.00	Vintage Coffee Tablecloth MI... NeatoKeen $124.00
button garland - vintage BlondieBlu $28.00	1950s Vintage Baby Chenille ... lakesidecottag... $33.00	Gorgeous Designer Vintage Ko... roadtripjourna... $595.00

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