• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

February 27, 2016

Decorating with Thrift Store Silver

Hi guys!

It’s me again, Julie, from redheadcandecorate.com…stopping by to say hello and to share some easy and affordable decorating tips with you today!

We have 2 sweet daughters who are now in their teen years and one of the ways I love to connect with them, is by going to the thrift store. This would also be something fun grandparents could do with grandchildren, too.

Silver-Tea-Pot-Vase

We are fortunate to have 2 very nice stores (Good Will & Salvation Army) close to us, and we usually stop there after I pick the girls up from school. Sometimes I’ll even get a text in the middle of the school day from my oldest asking, “Can we stop at the thrift store today?”

How could I resist, right? Not only do I get to have some fun with my girls, but I think it’s important to teach them how to save money, and how to be creative using thrift store items. It’s a win-win situation.

So, today I’m going to sharing a few of the ways I like to incorporate thrift store silver into my home decor. I choose silver because there is usually a ton of it when I go to the thrift store. I know brass and gold is all the rage, and I’m actually sharing my “Gold Portable Office” on my blog now, but silver is still my all time favorite. It’s classic, chic, and the patinas are just beautiful.

Check out this stack of silver platters…

silver platters

I collected them slowly for this fun idea I had for our foyer…a “Thrift Store Platter Wall”.

What do you think of it? Is it a bit of an over-load for you, or is it something you would be willing to try?

Thrift Store Silver Platter Wall by Redhead Can Decorate

*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read full disclosure policy here.

Just in case you do want to try it in your own home, I used these hanging strips to hang them, and it was so incredibly easy. I fool you not, my friend. I would never say it’s easy if it wasn’t. I used 1 strip (there are 2 parts to each strip) on each plate, started in the middle of the wall with that really big & heavy one, and worked my way out & up to the top of our ceiling. I was sure to space them evenly with my eye only because I am too impatient to measure. Then I filled in the holes with other silver objects I found around the house. If you look closely I used a Ball jar lid and a vintage star cookie cutter for fill-ins. It might sound crazy, but it worked. {Oh wait-I just realized I was using the star cookie cutter for Christmas cookies when this photo was taken, but I’m sure you can spot the hole near the top.}

My next thrift store silver idea is simple-simple-simple!

If you happen to spot a silver coffee/tea pot, grab it. Then swing over to the tea cups, and pick out the prettiest ones you can find with saucers. Mine matched but they certainly don’t have to.

Then purchase some roses or carnations at the grocery store (I found these pink roses at Kroger). Poof…instant beautiful floral arrangement for any special occasion. Especially a tea party, wedding/baby shower, or a lunch date. Some folks asked if I glued my tea cup to the saucer, but I did not.

Beautiful Thrift Store Tea Pot Idea

Here’s another tea pot I found for $10! The patina is stunning up against the purple tulips & white paint.

Silver Tea Pot Vase

Here’s a unique idea using a silver tiered tray. I forget how much I paid for this one, but it wasn’t much. I then simply cleaned it off with a damp cloth, and decorated it with my jewelry. It is sitting on our dresser right now!

Can you tell that I like sparkly jewels?

Jewelry Silver Tray

Here’s another idea for the holidays…I was really lucky one day when I came across this gigantic silver tureen. It has a small dent on the one side, but that was okay with me.

silver bowl

Around Halloween time, I filled it with the apples we just picked at the orchard and set it in our spooky foyer. Pretty cool. The kids were laughing at me, but I’m used to that!

spooky apples

I decided to keep it out for Christmas and lit it up with Christmas lights and pretty bulbs.

bowl-full-f-ornaments

If you have any more ideas for my tureen, please let me know. How about for Easter, or Spring?

One last tip I have left, is to use a random silver platter in a vignette or shelf. I stuck that really big one in the photo for our “Rustic Fall Hutch” last year. It adds a bit of glam to the rustic country setting.

White Hutch for Fall

I hope I inspired you to try some of my ideas for using thrift store silver. It’s so versatile and it can be used with all decorating styles. The more tarnished, the better.

Well, I better get going. I’ll see you next month, but until then I hope you can visit me at Redhead Can Decorate where I recently finished our “Romantic Bathroom Date” with my “DIY Bath Tub Tray”. You may even find more silver in that article! ~ Julie

Follow Julie here:

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

How to display roses...


13 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas Tagged With: budget decorating, decor, decorating

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Spring Buffet Table Decor
Next Post: Chatter »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sherry says

    February 27, 2016 at 5:29 AM

    I hung some above my kitchen sink because there isn’t a window . They reflect light and act like a window.

    Reply
    • Julie Fiato says

      February 27, 2016 at 9:24 AM

      What a fantastic idea!! Never thought of that.

      Reply
  2. Jeanie says

    February 27, 2016 at 7:21 AM

    Thanks for the great ideas!!

    Reply
    • Julie Fiato says

      February 27, 2016 at 9:23 AM

      You are so welcome, Jeanie!

      Reply
  3. Brenda Scott says

    February 27, 2016 at 7:39 AM

    I just LOVE all these ideas….I just recently put all those silver pieces in zip lock bags and put them in the attic. I now plan to get them down (especially the teapot) and use them. Can’t wait for my roses to start blooming and put them in that teapot!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Julie Fiato says

      February 27, 2016 at 9:23 AM

      Sounds like a great plan, Brenda!

      Reply
  4. Carol says

    February 27, 2016 at 2:02 PM

    I believe that is a punch bowl and not a tureen. Why I say that is–I received one when I worked for Home Interiors.

    Reply
  5. Linda Chapman says

    February 28, 2016 at 4:40 AM

    I love the silver!! I too have a punch bowl, tray and ladle that I received from Home Interiors. I have it on my foyer table, and now it has white pine cones with dried hydrangeas in it. Also, have a large white birdcage filled with the silver cups that I won from the awesome company. I placed silver trays above my kitchen cabinets, made teapot lamps, and use the silver all over my house. It just adds that bright spot to any grouping! Always have my eye out for silver when garage sale shopping!

    Reply
  6. Barbara says

    February 28, 2016 at 6:26 PM

    I can see a big ceramic (or even a moss covered) bunny sitting in the middle of that bowl surrounded by Easter eggs. Go for it!

    Reply
  7. pamela says

    February 28, 2016 at 8:31 PM

    What great ideas. I a few silver or brushed nickel pieces, silver or brushed nickel are my favorite.

    Reply
  8. Barbara Ann says

    February 29, 2016 at 10:12 PM

    I too love the old rich patina on silver. I bought a lot of vintage Wm. Rogers silver plated spoons . Was that enough, noooo, I went in to a local thrift store and found a silver tray that was an equestrian award dated 1958…..and it was on markdown Monday sale. So I paid less than $4.00. !!!
    I’m going to clean it up a bit, but not completely. Those spoons are on my Instagram #barbaraannscreations.

    Reply
  9. Laurie says

    March 1, 2016 at 6:24 AM

    I love these ideas, very cute. I may just have to make a stop at the thrift store soon. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  10. Nicole says

    March 1, 2016 at 3:46 PM

    I really like this idea! I am feeling the blog hun!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

Grandma’s Banana Bread

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022
  • Vintage Inspired Hot Cocoa Bar November 21, 2022
  • Autumn Home Decor Tour October 7, 2022
  • Built In Shelving Makeover in Family Room August 31, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake a I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake and grabbed a banana out of the freezer and was about to put it into my shake before I realized it was a frozen egg roll. Sooooo that's how my day is going so far! 🤪How about you?

It's honestly fairly representative of my state of mind these days as I can't seem to make the date on the calendar match the date in my spirit because it feels like it should be January 45th. Every year this month drags on and every year it seems to surprise me for some reason. In addition, my heart just feels heavy as I witness a lot of darkness and sadness around me. So, I'm choosing to control what I can control by making my house feel as cozy as possible, relishing the sunshine whenever it dares to peek through the clouds, gathering inspiration for warmer weather projects and, most importantly, resting in the comfort of the sovereignty of my Father.

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work..." Job 37:5-7
What if you could do something at the beginning of What if you could do something at the beginning of your day that would be a gift to yourself later on? That’s what we’re talking about on this week’s Tip Tuesday! #tiptuesday
The sun decided to make another appearance today! The sun decided to make another appearance today! It’s been such a lovely Sunday. Chocolate croissants for breakfast followed by church then naps/football/reading/etc and soon we’ll be heading out to dinner with friends. These are my favorite kind of weekends. Hope yours has been lovely too! 🌿
Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshi Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshine is breaking through the fog and my house just seems happier. We definitely needed to see that light streaming in through the windows and it’s a gift I don’t take for granted.

And yes, there are still twinkle lights on my mantle because those help when the sunshine goes away again. ✨
Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here i Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here in the Willamette Valley has me feeling less frustrated about my migraine forcing me to just snuggle up indoors and these flowers in my kitchen are lifting my spirits. What are you up to on this holiday weekend?
It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offe It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offering a gentle reminder from my own parenting experience after feeling my heart pricked with conviction about what was waiting for my daughter every day after school. I hope it will encourage you! 🌿#tiptuesday
The day after Christmas I found myself laundering The day after Christmas I found myself laundering and folding all of the linens we used the previous night as we hosted my husband's side of the family for dinner and other festivities. As I laid out each cloth napkin and folded them one by one, I couldn't help but be struck by what a simple, yet meaningful, task it was. It's such an honor and privilege to be the hostess and, at this stage of my life, I realize that this has almost one hundred percent become my role now. Our parents are in their 70's and have either downsized significantly or simply don't have the energy to take on hosting duties for a large group. I could resent this. I could feel overwhelmed by it. But, instead, I'm choosing to embrace it knowing that, someday, I too will pass the hosting torch and I hope that I will be welcomed with love and attentiveness. So, I fold the linen napkins, taking pleasure in the way all of the creases line up and how neat and tidy they look in the drawer of my dining room buffet. These seemingly simple chores are part of the lifeblood of homemaking and my attitude towards them can either be one of gratefulness or grumbly-ness (yes, I'm making up words now). 

And I’m choosing gratefulness. 

“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.” (Elisabeth Elliot⁣)
Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kic Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kicking off the year with a brand new series! Each weekly installment will feature a tip for everything from your home to faith to parenting to family life and so much more. My goal for 2023 is to have far more personal interaction with this community while continuing on with the mission of weaving together all things heart and home. I hope you enjoy this first tip and I’d love to hear from you about whether or not you decorate for winter! 
#tiptuesday #organizing #winterdecorating
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. H “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

Here’s to beginnings. Happy new year friends! May you experience the majesty and sovereignty of the Lord in 2023 like never before! ✨
Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favor Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favorite for sure. Everything is still festive and decorated but there’s none of the stress of the cooking and wrapping and making preparations. It’s the week where we get to take everything slowly and simply enjoy being together while the house still has twinkling lights and we can just be cozy.

What about you? How will you be spending this week? ✨
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence