The eco mantra of “reuse, recycle, and reduce” can be tough during the holidays. However, by turning to local thrift, vintage, and antique shops, it is a goal well within reach.
Upcycling Vintage Finds for Our Holiday Decor
Use the good old-fashioned principles of “waste not, want not” and “shop local” to create a Vintage Holiday Style atmosphere at home. Showcase and upcycle beautiful old glass, then add handmade gift tags and touches of vintage silver to set the scene for a very special (and responsible) celebration!
Treasured Traditions and Upcycled Inspiration
What are your favorite holiday talismans? So many of us treasure grandmother’s time worn starry tree-topper and the patinaed baubles that we have hung on the tree since childhood. We unpack them at the start of the holidays, and then safely store them away in January for use again and again. For some, this annual reacquaintance with these spirits of Christmases past is a tender as well as emotional affair. If you, too, are inspired by this old-school, sentimental take on Christmas, use all sorts of upcycled elements—think old silver gravy boats, handmade cards, or tree decorations fashioned from junk-shop ephemera—to set the scene for your festivities this year.
Setting the Table with Vintage Warmth
Enchantingly rustic, an inviting Christmas table combines organic charm with a little of our region’s industrial history. Combine rich tones of amber as well as ochre with sparkling glassware interspersed with the gleam of heirloom silver for a warm and welcoming look.
Use a large piece of raw linen to clad your table. We’ve known a few designers to run a painter’s canvas drop cloth through the laundry and then use its earthy sincerity as a neutral backdrop with tactile appeal. Top this with a mix of clear and amber glassware, and old silver trophies filled with seasonal botanicals.
Unique Touches for a Personalized Gathering
To make your Vintage Holiday Style place settings unique, center each around a vintage silver tray topped with a vintage charger, glassware, and linen napkin—everyone around the table will feel special. Create a centerpiece of silver trophies filled with seasonal flowers, and for a quirky touch, you can also make homemade candles out of vintage silver gravy boats. A drop of essential oil like pine, cinnamon, or vanilla will add fragrance and warmth.
Upcycled Décor That Dazzles
To create a ceiling decoration, make a series of wreaths from cast-off metal bits like old wheels wrapped with twigs and vines. Forage for autumn leaves and winter berries, fix them with wire, and suspend the wreaths at different heights. Add vintage glass baubles for gleam and shine to have Vintage Holiday Style.
Personalized Details and Creative Wrapping
Instead of ordinary place cards, personalize your table with custom-labelled water carafes made from ornate, multicolored glassware found in vintage shops. Label with string and paper tags or collect old bar medallions to transform into keepsakes.
When wrapping gifts, stick to brown craft paper with accents of silver, gold, and white to match your décor. Layer papers and raffia string for texture, and add hand-painted or glittered natural objects—shells, feathers, pinecones, and acorns—for a magical finishing touch.
Industrial Meets Sentimental
This old cast-metal turnstile, found in someone’s garden, sparked the idea of using a piece of junk to “grow” a tree. Now it’s transformed into a festive focal point, trimmed each season with upcycled cut- and cast-glass ornaments. The blend of industrial structure and warm sparkle creates a sophisticated juxtaposition that captures the spirit of a mindful, memory-filled holiday.
Story by Robyn Alexander
Styling and Photographs Micky Hoyle
Production by Bureaux
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