Truly timeless objects never go out of style when it comes to accessorizing
Go to any home decorating forum and it won’t be hard to find someone asking about current trends. The problem with “the latest” is that it probably won’t stand the test of time… and end up in a tag sale at a fraction of its original cost. I’ve been shopping one of my local antique stores for almost 30 years. As I unpacked items from a recent visit, I realized my newly acquired were similar to things purchased nearly three decades ago. Which leads me to ask - Are today’s trends really “trends,” or are they truly classic items people have always and will always be drawn towards?
Numbers and letters are everywhere; propped on bookshelves for interest, used for wall decor or simply objects d’art when tossed in a bowl. Maybe the draw for me has something to do with being Southern and monograms. Whatever it is, you can bet your last flea market dollar there will always be plenty of decorating items featuring letters and numbers. The appeal of street and shop signs, along with the more current fascination towards bus scrolls are too strong to resist.
Even this vintage tool caddy is marked “crayola.” I’m not convinced the lettering is original (how many crayons would it take to fill?!), but I can’t question the appeal of repurposed vintage wooden boxes. Several have been added to my collection recently and they are easily spotted browsing online and while strolling antique booths.
Everything old is new again. Or is it everything new is old again?! There are two categories of reproduction vintage furniture today; pieces made with new wood, distressed to look old, and those that are actually made from old wood. Either way, they add character to a room. Trestle tables are not new, but they have been hot for over a year. Seen as dressier versions of the classic farmhouse table, they won’t be going anywhere.
Who says artwork has to consist of a framed print or painting. Decorative metal covers or screens and window frames (with or without glass) make fantastic backdrops. The maker of this metal and wire piece never imagined it would be defined today as an elegant addition inside. But in today’s homes, what is “in” has never been out – only classics.
