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Remodelista Gift Guide 2023: 10 Useful and Beautiful Vintage Household Finds

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Gift Guide 2023Issue 51 — Bedding Down

Remodelista Gift Guide 2023: 10 Useful and Beautiful Vintage Household Finds

December 22, 2023

Whether you’re still scrambling for a few holiday presents or all set this year, the hunt is actually never over for the perfect gift. As givers and receivers, we consider that a good thing and have a word of advice: For a surprise that’s meaningful and made to last, consider browsing the vast world of vintage wares—online, in antiques shops and thrift stores, at flea markets, auctions, and tag sales. You’ll pay less than you would for a brand-new equivalent not nearly as well crafted. You’ll be keeping existing goods in circulation rather than using precious resources. And your gift is likely to be loved and passed down (yes, paper towel holders can become heirlooms). Here, 10 secondhand household finds currently on Remodelista editors’ wishlists.

like her mother before her, julie always has friends at her dinner table. she r 17
Above: Like her mother before her, Julie always has friends at her dinner table. She reports that she’d love to receive Mappin & Webb Silver-Plated Demitasse Spoons with coffee-bean-shaped handles. From Bassett Hyde, stylist Beverley Hyde’s tiny, treasure-filled online shop, they’re $100 for a set of six, presentation box included.
says fan, &#8\2\20;in my opinion, practical household essentials are the be 18
Above: Says Fan, “In my opinion, practical household essentials are the best kind of vintage.” She has her eye on this Vintage Wooden Paper Towel Holder, $58, from Hoppe Shoppe in Portland, OR.
&#8\2\20;i don&#8\2\17;t know if it&#8\2\17;s a female affliction,& 19
Above: “I don’t know if it’s a female affliction,” writes designer Faye Toogood, “but I have so many jugs. Why do I need that many? I don’t know, but there’s something about a jug… It feels quite symbolic.” Our UK contributor Nell can relate: “I’ve come to the conclusion that you can never have too many jugs [that’s British, by the way, for pitchers].” Which makes this Sgraffito Jug, £48, from online vintage ceramic shop Molde, the perfect gift—”even if the recipient has a shelfful already.”
francesca swears by re see for framable vintage copies of interview and resale 20
Above: Francesca swears by Re-See for framable vintage copies of Interview and resale fashion: “They have the best styling and photography, and they accept returns.” The site also has a Vintage Objects department, where Francesca spotted this Oak Poker Game Box, $146.79, which has brass inlay and a pack of cards tucked inside.
nell lives in kent, england, and is always on the lookout for norse vintage, an 21
Above: Nell lives in Kent, England, and is always on the lookout for Norse Vintage, an occasional vendor of French tableware at Faversham’s town market. “Top of my Christmas list would be a very grown-up vintage white ironstone cake stand and accompanying glass dome. If you could please also bake a cake to go under that, then great. If not, a wheel of cheese or pomander or two would also be lovely. You can shop future stall offerings @norse_vintage.”
&#8\2\20;many of my favorite indie shops, such as general store and nickey 22
Above: “Many of my favorite indie shops, such as General Store and Nickey Kehoe, have begun to offer vintage sections,” says Fan. “Gardenheir has a particularly good selection of what they call ‘heirloom and foraged objects,’ which includes this Modernist Still-Life Oil Painting, New York, 1976; $498.
i grew up drinking cocoa from the original it mug, bennington pottery&#8\2\ 23
Above: I grew up drinking cocoa from the original It Mug, Bennington Pottery’s Trigger design. A model of ergonomics and beauty, it’s, I’m happy to report, still in production. But the originals, from the 1950s through the 1970s, come in different colors and have a pleasingly weightiness. Good of Boston, “purveyors of New England-made goodes”—seems to agree: the now online-only shop always has a collection on offer. Its Trigger Mugs are $45 each.
&#8\2\20;vintage silvery pieces may have fallen out of fashion but they tru 24
Above: “Vintage silvery pieces may have fallen out of fashion but they truly make any event feel like a party,” says Annie. For her recent wedding dinner in Portland, Maine, “instead of paying to rent generic platters for a day,” she reports, “I got really into scavenging for silver plate and pewter pieces at Goodwill, thrift shops, and our excellent town swap shop.” To extend the celebration to Annie’s breakfast table, we’re looking at this 1900s Silver-Plated Toast Rack, $145, from Abask.
textiles aficionados leney and owen run folkling of gordonsville, virginia,a sh 25
Above: Textiles aficionados Leney and Owen run Folkling of Gordonsville, Virginia,a shop devoted to “saving old things and sharing their stories with you.” I love their collections of rag runners, homespun pillow covers, and, especially, their bold quilts, such as this colorblock example.
i never pass up a chance to use a boot scraper by a front door. but this is the 26
Above: I never pass up a chance to use a boot scraper by a front door. But this is the first one I’ve encountered posing as a decoy. Right Proper in Chicago is offering its Early 20th Century American Cast-Iron Duck Boot Scrape (which also works as a doorstop) for $1,450—you pay a steep price for novelty. But a word to the patient shopper: even though many antiques are one of a kind, if you think the price is too high or have lost out on a purchase, keep searching: there’s always something like it—or equally inspiring—waiting to be found.

Browse Antiques & Vintage to see inspired projects that make use of old and salvaged materials.

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