Needful_Things

“Needful Things” List

The following items are examples of the “needful things” I tend to look for at thrift stores, to integrate into my own décor. Particularly if you’re just starting out developing your romantic look-and-feel, these items can help you pull the look together pretty quickly and effectively. Now, I can’t guarantee you’ll find these sorts of items when you visit your own local thrift store. But they do turn up from time to time, so consider the list representative. And if you see something you love that’s not on the list? If it’s the right price, buy it. There’s nothing more wonderful than surrounding yourself by the things you love. Picture: a tranquil Saturday morning… watching the sunlight stream in on a happy room… Can’t beat it!

•Vintage “cameo” pictures. There are usually small prints of Victorian, 17th century French or Medieval ladies in oval wood or plastic frames, often with velvet and gold around them.
•Framed dried flowers. Incredibly popular in the 60s and 70s, as well as in the Victorian era, this craft produced some pleasant, home-grown art. You’re likely to find these in thrift shops.
•Brocade or velvet curtains. I like to use 1950s-70s brocade or velvet curtains for upholstery fabric. Fabric is so expensive these days, and finding something heavy and nice can be difficult. Old curtains work wonderfully.
•1970s velvet bedspreads. These work well over a couch as a cover.
•Vintage floral paintings and landscapes. They’re called Sunday Paintings, and quite often these amateur artists did still-lifes and landscapes. Buying is getting more and more competitive, however. A good painting is a real find.
•1950s china and vases. Often they’re trimmed heavily in gold and printed with roses or pastoral scenes, and wow-- these pieces look great just for display. I think they’re under-recognized because they’re not yet antiques, but they’re so pretty they work well in any kind of romantic décor. I go for the ones in particular that depict large roses or courting couples. Mix and match pieces from different sets for teas, snacks or whatever you choose! And if they’re too chipped or cracked to safely use, they’re great for mosaic “broken china” crafts.
•1940s-70s crystal candlesticks and lamps. Warning, they can be gaudy, but they can also look just right with Victorian décor. If they’re too gold for your taste, or the gold has come off, you can paint them white, cream or a pastel and that freshens them up. Works if you want a cottage, romantic or Shabby Chic influence.
•Vintage needlework. I wish I were meticulous enough to be talented with a needlework needle, but I’ve been lucky enough to find several fine examples of needlework at thrift stores. I’ve selected flowers-- particularly roses, though I found one piece that had bright purple thistles.
•Old trunks or vintage suitcases.
•Old picture frames. With artwork, a photo, or just hanging empty on a wall, picture frames look terrific. Look for old frames that have a little detailing, but need love-- you can always paint them, strip them or “antique” them for the look you want. I especially like ones that have original glass in place, so I can preserve artwork behind them.
•Vintage books. Whether you choose books with gold leafing or worn, simple tomes, books enhance your rooms. I love to read, and my rooms are stuffed with the authors I admire. I prefer to decorate with ones that don’t have paper dust-jackets or modern-looking covers.
•Bottles. Colored bottles of varying sizes, from plain to hobnail or cut glass, really shine on a window sill. Glass mosaic urns catch the light nicely, too.
•Teacups and tea pots. Very civilized-- and pretty, too. Display teacups in complementary colors
together, even if they’re different patterns or types.
•Lace, lace and more lace. Doilies, table runners, curtains, cloth lace napkins. I’ve snapped up lace items at thrift stores and dollar stores not knowing where I would put them, and ended up using them. They’re terrific to drape across furniture that has some flaws. And lace curtains in different patterns will often work just fine in the same room, as long as they’re the same general shade. Cream with cream, white with white.
•Vintage hats, gloves, scarves, shawls and umbrellas. On top of my wardrobe closet are vintage hats that were my grandmother’s and mother’s. Old-fashioned accessories look great strewn about casually over surfaces. Umbrellas look great in a stand.