Thrift It is a blog series I started a few months ago, inspired by real life friends who would often tell me they felt lost in a thrift, consignment or antique store because, “They didn’t really know what to look for.” This series has basically been a road map, or maybe more like a shopping list? It’s a run down of all the things I’m always on the lookout for when I’m out thrifting. And the goal has been to inspire you to get out there and do some treasure hunting because nothing adds more charm, character or personality to a space like a great vintage find!
Today I’m talking thrifted art!
Why Buy Vintage Art?
1. Because it’s cool, duh. 😉
2. All joking aside, one of the main reasons I like shopping for second hand art is because you can find some really great original pieces at affordable price points! And it doesn’t matter what your interior style, there is truly art out there for everyone. I don’t have anything against mass produced art, but original pieces really give a home a soul.
- My best tip is not be turned off by the framing! A modern frame and custom matte can totally transform a piece. This watercolor that I had in the living room of our Kentucky home was given new life in this black frame. Having a custom matte made for a store-bought frame is an inexpensive way to create a custom framed look. Here I had a double matte made to highlight the bright red in the art.
3. Vintage art is fun to collect! Whether you like mid-century modern pieces like those you saw on the walls of Don Draper’s office or you’re into embroidered florals that bring in a fun 70’s vibe, vintage art pieces are fun to collect. I have a thing for paint-by-numbers….and pretty much any kind of vintage art involving florals or horses.
(gallery wall from the guest bedroom of our Kentucky home)
4. Not all of the art you find in second hand stores is actually second hand. This may seem contrary to the theme of the post, but one of the reasons I always look for art at antique malls and consignment stores is because very often you find brand new pieces or altered vintage pieces that have a cool, modern look. There are a lot of booth owners in thrift malls that are either artists themselves or are displaying pieces from artists they know in their booths. And more often than not you can find some really great bargains on original, hand painted pieces. I found this abstract floral at a thrift store that had a “college art section” display at the front of their store. I’ve had this piece for almost 7 years now, and it’s still one of my favorite pieces of art in our home. I love shopping local, but I especially love supporting the local art scene wherever I’m living!
(gallery wall in the living room of our current home)
5. Permission to play! Last but not least, because vintage pieces are often priced low you don’t have to be so serious when you’re making a buying decision. When you’re not spending an arm and a leg, you feel more free to experiment, to try on a style that maybe you wouldn’t normally gravitate towards, to make an impulse buy because you love it, even if you’re not quite sure where or how you’ll use the piece in your home. Vintage pieces take the pressure off in a way, and because of that you feel more willing to play with design….further defining and curating your own sense of personal style. Some pieces might live in your home year round, while others may only come out for holidays. But when you’re not spending much in the way of dollars, you’re actually investing in unleashing your creativity. So those seemingly frivolous dollars are truly well spent. At least I think so.
Are you into vintage art? Do you look for art? Or do you let art find you? I think I do a little of both!
