Guest Blog: Dina Does Vintage
Every so often we find a friend who has a way with words. Maybe they've got a blog of their own, or perhaps they're a closeted comedian. Who would we be if we didn't give them a shot to stretch their wings and write? So, in that supportive way we know so well, please give a warm welcome to this month's guest blogger, Akron's own Dina Younis! Honestly, this lady knows how to thrift! Her pointers are golden. Take note, treasure hunters: Dina is proof that the Flea can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. It's all in the list!
My love for old things dates back to the time when I made necklaces out of pull tabs from pop cans and hustled them on the playground in elementary school. I'm happy to report that I didn't get suspended for trying to make a playground profit. Even happier to report that this idea of making old things new again has become increasingly popular and trendy. Luckily for us NE Ohioans, places like the Cleveland Flea and it's 170 + vendors have made antique and vintage shopping more accessible and affordable than ever.
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| Drool-worthy vintage from Great Lake Home |
Decorating with antiques is a great way to add a little piece of the past to you home. They are usually excellent conversation pieces and balance out modern decor. Although I love decorating my home with antiques and vintage items, many times I've found myself completely stumped while shopping for antiques. Here I am starring at a vintage card catalog or locker that looks like a real life Pinterest board and I'm thinking: a) who's truck can I borrow to get this to my house? and b) what am I supposed to do with it when I get it through the front door?
Since we're not all blessed with the designer or stylist gene, that dumbfounded feeling is not uncommon. If you're on the hunt for an interesting addition to your home, it helps to seek a little inspiration beforehand to get a feel for what you need. Next, you'll start to notice a trend while you're shopping the Flea. These vendors know what they're doing; they've curated beautiful, pre-loved collections for you to own. For this Fleacap, I'm sharing a few of my favorite antique trends and how you can seamlessly incorporate them into your home and existing decor.
Sass a Brass
Wicker
I tried to deny my love for wicker for a very long time. Probably because my parents channeled their inner Golden Girls and overdid it with the wicker in 1990s. I'm not ashamed to face my love for wicker anymore. I think the key is to be very strategic with this in your home. Wicker is a great way to lighten things up in a room. Again, a couple accents are usually enough to add just the right amount of texture.
I love how Suzy Q's Redos popped this wicker basket under a colorful and bold piece at the Flea, balancing everything out perfectly. Wicker trunks are great too, like this one from Articles of Westlake. You can add a colorful throw over a trunk for a pop of color or texture. I've even seen some great wicker paint jobs if you're in the mood for a little DIY.
Colorful Cups
This is one of my favorite ways to decorate with vintage. Whether you want to start a small collection or add a couple pieces to your home, I spotted a number of beautiful colors at the Flea this weekend. If you have an open cupboard or bookcase, you can incorporate a taste the rainbow action like this or impress your guests at your next BBQ by mixing and matching complementary colors.
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| Bubble gum pink glasses from Wizard of Oddz |
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| colorful mugs from eclectic CLE |
Hanging Planters
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| planters by Rebecca Graves from Graves and Company |
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| Vintage planter from Great Lake Home |
Follow along for more Flea adventures!
Web: dinasdays.com
Instagram: @dinasdays