Decorating with Vintage Books

Finding vintage books - with rustic covers and well-worn pages - can be an exciting adventure and an inexpensive way to add some charm to your home, wedding, or party.  Books in centerpieces? Check.  Tabletop? Check.  Mixing with stashed-away collectibles? Check and check.  

This coffee table vignette is filled with vintage books, milk glass, depression glass, doilies, tea cups and tea pots. We selected items vary in texture, shape, color, pattern, and era - helping create an eclectic atmosphere.  We heart eclectic!

We believe adding varied heights is key to completing a well-decorated space A tall skinny vase, next to a short stout vase, will look lovely on some smaller antique novels. 

                               

To make your house feel inviting and lived-in, try laying open a vintage book on a side table.  Create dimension and texture by stacking a saucer and tea cup on top of a small round doily over the text. Placing a piece of fruit inside the cup is a creative way to make sure the glass is always more than half full!

Try placing books horizontally and vertically. Some books we stack straight on top of one another, while others are placed at multiple angles. Play around with both and go with your gut; sometimes you need to take a step back and look at the table to recognize what you like and what you don't.

Please send us your photos of how you've incorporated books into your decor..we love new inspiration!  Happy reading!

DIY Aqua Vases: A Tutorial

                       

I've had a lot of people ask me where we found the aqua vases in our inventory.  We actually made them using Krylon spray paint and random glass vases that I found at thrift stores and now you can too!   By painting the inside of the vases, we were able to preserve the sheen of the glass while adding color.  

We should note that these vases are great for short-term use at events, but you should avoid leaving water in them for over 24 hours at a time because the paint can start to bubble and come off.

Materials needed:

• Painter's tape
• Spray paint (we chose aqua)
• Rubber gloves
• Cardboard 
• Glass vase

1.  First, place painter's tape around the top rim of the vase.  This will help you avoid getting overspray on the outside of the vase.

2.  Next, put on your gloves and place the vase on top of a piece of card board or something that you can turn to rotate the vase as you spray it without touching it.  Shake the spray paint well and start spraying the inside of the vase, holding the spray just paint a couple of inches from the rim of the vase.  Start by lightly spraying the most difficult places to reach, such as the convex parts and save the bottom and neck for last.

It is best to spray a light coat first and put a second coat on after waiting an hour.  This technique is to avoid overspraying and creating drips on the inside.

3.  After you are satisfied with the coverage remove the painter's tape from the rim and allow the vase to dry for 48 hrs before placing water and flowers in the vase.

4.  Enjoy!  This vase is sure to jazz up even a bunch of flowers picked from the garden, like the ones below.

Turquoise vases at barn wedding in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Independence Day Very Berry Parfaits

What better way to celebrate our Nation's independence than with a patriot dessert, in vintage glassware, of course!  We created this tasty AND healthy treat: Very Berry Parfaits.  We put these in our hobnail champagne glasses but any cute dish would do, vintage just makes it taste better!  These would be a hit at any summer bbq and something that's a snap to prepare.

Here's the recipe:

17 ounces frozen strawberries or raspberries
5 ounces of fresh blueberries
4 tablespoons of honey
17 ounces natural-flavored yogurt (we used Greek-style)


Put half of the blueberries in the bottom of your dishes,   In a food processor, add blueberries, yogurt, honey and mix.  Then add the frozen berries and mix again until all the ingredients blended, but be sure not to over mix.   Spoon the yogurt over berries and enjoy!

Happy Fourth of July!!

Bring Your Vintage Style to the Modern Beach

As a modern girl who likes to incorporate vintage style into everyday life, it can be hard to know when your outfit is boarding on the cusp of costume. Wanting to leave the house looking unique is admirable and standing out can be fun! Here are a few tips for beginners on how to be your vintage self this 4th of July, on your honeymoon, or the next time you visit a beach.

Vintage Red/White/Blue Beach by somethingvintagerentals

1. Buy pieces in solid colors with vintage shapes.

2. Play with pattern or elaborate details when buying accessories. Cute cat-eye sunglasses, a striped hat, or a bold flag scarf adds spice to an outfit without being overwhelming.

3. When working with themes (like red, white, and blue) pick muted colors and patterns - this helps create a vintage feel, even if the item is brand new.

4. Be practical. Wear what you would normally wear to the beach. Don't add pieces simply because they're vintage - the water, wind, and sand will all still be present as you relax.

5. Carry yourself with confidence! If you love your style and know you look good - any (wrong) judgement coming your way won't be able to get through your thick (and right) skin.

Playful Dots

Incorporating polka dots into your wedding is a great way to create a playful, fun, and whimsical atmosphere. Choosing to use polka dots can instantly give your event a vintage 1950s feel - which is great if you're trying to channel your inner Sandy Olsson or Danny Zukko.

Use polka dots in the clothing selected for your wedding party. Bridemaids can wear dots, and carry a cute polka dot clutch in their hands down the aisle - instead of flowers. Make the clutch their gift from you as well - so they'll always remember this special day! 

Polka Dot Wedding Party

Creating your own DIY photo booth is a great location to incorporate lots of dots as well. A large piece of patterned fabric with props to complement and match will surely be a hit with all your guests. 

Polka Dot Photo Booth

You can mix and match polka dots with solid colors or other patterns. Don't be afraid to make some bold decisions - the patterns, colors, and textures you choose will surely pop in pictures!

Mixing Polka Dots

Vintage is Contemporary

I am a big fan of the modern decor infused with a few vintage pieces. Vintage pieces gives the room a whole new layer of depth and screams that this person knows their own style. The way clean modern lines pair with a rustic old chair creates an interesting contrast that is certain to be eye-catching. Even the purveyor of all things modern West Elm is now featuring rustic and vintage pieces with their merchandise.

A Something Vintage Tabletop Blog 

Celebrating Summer with Strawberry Margaritas in Midcentury Glassware

What better way to kick off our blog on the first weekend of the summer season but with an homage to summer drinks?  My lovely cousin Jeremy who is an amazing wedding planner in Fort Wayne, IN whipped up these delightful little strawberry margaritas over the weekend.  Trust me, they taste as good as they look!  Wouldn't a tray full of these would be prefect for an outdoor cocktail party on a hot summer evening??  Yum.

Here is the yummy recipe:

Ingredients:
6 ounces tequila
2 ounces triple sec
8 ounces sliced strawberries in syrup
4 ounces of frozen limeade concentrate

Directions:
Fill a blender with ice and crush.  Add tequila and triple sec.  Next add the strawberries and limeaid.  Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth.  Serve with pretty drinkware and rims dipped in sugar.