Decorating With Antiques and Flowers

ecorating with antiques and collectibles is something that I deal with every time I go to work. My aunt owns an antique mall and I get to pitch in and help make things attractive for our customers. It's an added bonus to see what other dealers do to brighten their areas every week.

What I've learned from them is that many wonderful decorations can be put together inexpensively using a fresh or silk sprig of flowers, a ribbon or two, a whimsical item from the past, and a little ingenuity. With the abundance of spring and summer flowers, it is easy and inexpensive to use fresh flowers and greens, then switch to silk in the fall and winter.

Fill an old glass baby bottle with daffodils or tulips (any fresh or silk flower will do), tie a ribbon around the neck of the bottle, and present it as a baby shower gift. This is also a nice gift to perk the new mom up after the baby arrives and life settles down.

Ceramic wall pockets of every shape, size and color can be found in many antique stores, thrift stores, and if you are lucky, garage sales. Add a few fresh or silk flowers, and you have a beautiful addition to any wall. A scent-ful option is to place the wall pocket at nose level and fill with potpourri.

You'd be amazed at how much an old tin filled with flowers can do to a room. Use as a centerpiece or on a small table in a corner. Try a taller tin filled with flowers sitting on the floor in the bathroom.
Don't be put off by a little rust or a dent or two; these "flaws" add a nice touch when contrasted by the fresh, bright colors of the flowers and greens. For the more ambitious, a coat of paint can bring out the best in an old tin.

Once you start working with containers other than the usual vase for flowers, you'll see all kinds of possibilities, old and new. Just keep an open mind and a fresh eye.

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Patricia Moon is a homeschooling mother, an active member of her community and a freelance writer who is married to her editor/fan club president.