Vintage Wall Maps

Do you have a wall in your room or living area that is in desperate need of color or a large piece of art?  How about hanging a vintage map?  I'm always changing things around in my house based on what I've found lately.  Currently, I have this map I picked up at an estate sale on the wall above my buffet.  It makes for such a great conversation piece because it's pretty old, but there is no date on it, so when people come over they are always checking country names and trying to determine what year it is from. (In case you are wondering, we think we've narrowed it down to the mid-thirties).

I did a little hunting and found the maps below on Etsy,  however, you can search flea markets, estate sales or even Craigslist to find one of these.

Photo credits: 1 (salvage life), 2 , 3, 4, 5, 6 

If these are too pricey for you, there is a great tutorial here to make your own DIY version.  

If you're interested in more inspiration on how to use a vintage map in your space, we created a pinboard here.

Salvaged Vintage Jewelry and Purse Display

We live in a tiny 1920's house, so I am always trying to find creative ways to store things.  Since we moved in, there has been a wall in our bedroom in desperate need of some decoration.  Recently I met both of these needs in one creative display!  I took an old wine rack we used to have on the wall in our apartment years ago.  We haven't used it in five years, but I couldn't bear to part with it because it was my first ever purchase from Anthropologie.  I am so glad I didn't, it makes such a lovely clutch rack!  Secondly, I used a vintage sifter I found at The Vintage Emporium awhile back for earring and brooches.  I then added some screw hooks to the bottom for the necklaces.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  Is there something in your home that you have used in an unexpected way?

Old Toolbox = New Magazine Rack

When I was at the Rose Bowl Flea Market last week, I spotted a yellow toolbox from across the aisle.  I really liked it, but knew I had to have a purpose for it before I brought it home, otherwise it would end up in the garage with all my other well intentioned finds.  It didn't take long for me to remember the numerous magazines strewn about my house and to realize this was a wonderful solution!  It's fits perfectly on the bottom shelf of a vintage drink cart that we use as a side table in our living room. Now all my regular reads have a stylish and well organized home.

I hope you have a good weekend! If you find an unexpected new use for something old, I love to hear about it!  (leave a comment or email me, beth@salvagelife.com)

Vintage Inspired Iron Beds

Years ago I bought a brass bed on Craigslist for fifty dollars and I begged my husband to paint it and rig it up to fit our mattress.  Though it's pretty, it doesn't exactly fit right and it's really high off the ground, so ever since I have kept my eye out for the perfect replacement.  I was recently browsing Anthropologie.com, a favorite pastime and came across some great metal beds.  These cost a lot more than my Craigslist find, so I'll have to save my pennies.  This first one is most practical, but the turquoise is my favorite!  Which one would you choose?

Relevant Vintage Modern Living: book plates

Vintage artwork is a great way to add a unique touch to your home or workspace.  I just love the colors and details of these vintage book plates.  You can frame them or hang them by clothes pins or clip boards.  You could even stick them directly to the wall with washi tape!

from left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Relevant Vintage Modern Living: metal baskets

One of the things I have been really digging lately are vintage metal baskets.  There are endless versions of this industrial organizer and every home could use a few.  Here are a couple of options I found online, but I am sure that you could find some at the flea market or local antique shop too. 

here, here and here.

Relevant Vintage Modern Living: barstools

One of my biggest passions is incorporating vintage into my everyday life.  You won't see me or my home dressed in head to toe vintage, but mixing it in with modern pieces can give you a really unique style.  I thought it would be fun to have an ongoing series on the blog where I share my picks of relevant vintage pieces that would incorporate well into your modern life.   

Small furniture pieces and accessories are a great place to start when incorporating vintage into your home. You don't need a large piece of furniture to make a difference.  Adding vintage barstools, like this black and white striped set to your kitchen island or bar adds a layer of interest and since the upholstery is minimal, you can get away with a bright color or funky print. 

Other vintage bar stool options:

Pair of white vinyl high back swivel barstools

Set of six oak barstools with antique kilim fabric

Pair of mid-century yellow vinyl soda shop barstools

Set of three fiberglass barstools that look like retro elementary school chairs

Vegetables are SO easy to grow!

Last summer when we designed our backyard, we reserved some beds on the side of the house for growing vegetables.  I have never planted anything before in my life, so I wasn't sure how they would do.  I was amazed at how easy it was.  We planted them in the ground, set the sprinkler system and started eating in about a month!  The next time around, I wanted to try to start with seeds, but when I kept putting it off, I figured it was better to buy little plants again.  I'll get to the seed thing eventually, but in the meantime, this is working out well.  

A few Saturdays ago I ripped out the old overgrown chard we had, went to the nursery and planted all these veggies in an afternoon.  They cost me $35, including fertilizer, which is about one weeks produce bill and this will supply a couple months of veggies!  Even if you just have a small space or a couple of pots, you should give it a try. There is nothing like a fresh picked salad!

Bathroom Inspiration

What is it about remodeling the kitchen that is making me look at the rest of the house with new eyes?  I seem to be noticing all the little blemishes and unfinished decorating projects.  The bathroom is one place that could use a little sprucing up.  We choose a purpley wine color for the walls a few years ago, which has turned out to be a challenging color to coordinate with.

 

So, at some point, probably not right away,  I would like to repaint the walls a light shade of gray. I think it would create a really neutral palette with the black and white tile.

 

Then I will work in some color, while still keeping it light with this shower curtain. I just ordered it from West Elm.

 

Embarrassingly enough I haven't had a real soap dispenser, I just buy those disposable ones.  So wasteful!  I just picked this one up at target and I love the vintagey simplicity of it.

I've been wanting these towels from Anthropologie ever since I saw them at one of their stores a few years ago.  They remind me of a pink version my Grandma had.  Not sure I'll be buying the whole set, but I did get a gift card for Christmas, so maybe I'll put that towards a few hand towels to get started.

 

We currently have a white bathmat and it's not my favorite because it blends with the tile and shows every little spot and hair.  I like the texture of this one from Urban Outfitters.

(click on photos to see their origin)

Hanging Around the House

I've been doing some redecorating around the house lately.  My husband makes fun of me because I'm always rearranging old decor instead of hanging things in places that have been in need of something since we moved in. 

 As you've probably seen on previous posts, I have this crazy wallpaper in my living room and I am always trying to figure out how to decorate with it.

 

I love the design, but it is so bold that small items tend to disappear,  like this white cuckoo clock I just bought, can you even see it on the left?  Maybe I should paint it?

 I found this school map at an estate sale a few weeks ago.  My daughter's singing in her room right now, so sweet. (sorry, stream of consciousness, it's friday)

 A little collage I put up in the bathroom, one of the places that has been neglected on the decor front.  The pretty lady on the left is by my studio neighbor and new friend, Courtney Oquist.  The cross stitch was made as a wedding present to Jeff and I by my little sis who was 11 at the time, it's one of the most precious things I own.  The other three are just found vintage items.

Picked up this desert painting at a thrift shop and I just love the colors and the bulky frame.  I guess it's kind of an odd item for above the bed, but I don't care.  Yes, we have more black and white patterns in the bed room, I was on a kick.

Small Arrangement, Large Enjoyment

Yesterday was a wonderful day of swimming, eating and celebrating!  Now it's back to work.  I am pretty excited because my husband has offered to watch Ruby this summer while he is off work for six weeks, so I will be working full days starting today.  I will still have Ruby on Wednesdays, which is nice because I think I will really miss seeing her.  Today I woke up to an alarm and went to work like a regular person! I am sure the novelty will wear off in a few days or weeks, but right now it is exciting and new.  Expect to see more items coming to the online shop, lots of blog posts and hopefully I'll get the shop here in Long Beach open by next week.  

I am planning to share some photos of our backyard project soon, but since I can't walk on the grass yet, it has been a bit difficult to get good shots of the whole yard.  In the meantime, I wanted to share some little arrangements I made from a few cuttings I took from the new plants.  You don't need a lot of flowers or fancy vases to make an arrangements.  Even a single flower in an old bottle or jar can brighten up a table or counter top!

Vintage Frame Collage Wall

Over the weekend I tackled a little decorating project.  I absolutely love the wallpaper I have in my living and dining room, but I seem to have the hardest time finding anything to hang on the wall that doesn't get swallowed up by the bold print.  It is a small space, so hanging one giant piece of art would throw off the proportions.  I decided I wanted to do a collage of vintage framed art a while back, but I have had empty frames hanging up there for so long people thought it was intentional!  I forgot to take a photo while the frames were empty, but you can get a good idea of how clutter seems to build up on my buffet by seeing the "before" photo.  I am not in love with every print I put in the frames, but I used what I had on hand, so it's a start!

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The Ever Evolving Vintage Bulletin Board

A while back I took a old bulletin board I had and put it in this vintage gold frame.  Then when I had a show and I needed a display for my jewelry, I started looking around the house for what I could use.  I thought a cork board would be perfect! Only problem was, you could really see the gold jewelry that was hanging on it, so I covered it in this cream fabric I took from an old tablecloth.  After the show (several months ago), I just hung it back on the wall as is and it has been looking pretty plain ever since.  Yesterday I decided to spruce it up while Ruby was in her seat eating a quick snack, so I only had about 5-10 minutes.  I grabbed an old children's book I found on etsy awhile back, the binding was shot, but the pictures are sweet.  I didn't want to use thumb tacks, I needed something more classy...hmmm...brooches!  I seem to have an endless supply of vintage brooches, so I just stuck one in each corner and I was done.