Whether you're an avid collector or have inherited a few treasured family pieces, antiques can add warmth, personality and timeless beauty to any home. In this guest feature, local antique dealer Suzie Thornton shares some of her favorite ways to incorporate vintage finds into everyday décor with style and intention.
Platters and Plates
- Hang on the wall: Display a collection of platters and plates in similar colors and varying sizes. Hang them vertically or, my favorite, arrange them in a symmetrical pattern. Don’t be afraid to hang them in any room in your home, even a laundry room. Sometimes the unexpected is the most beautiful and interesting.
- Place under a planter: Placing a beautiful antique plate underneath a planter is both practical and chic. An antique plate adds visual interest while also protecting the surface beneath it. Find a plate that complements the shape and color of your planter, so they can visually play off of one another.
- Create a grouping: Use a Platter or Plate to group other items and anchor them in a display. Arrange objects of varying heights on the platter or plate to create a layered display. I particularly love placing my favorite candles on them along with other antique pieces.
Vases and Bowls
- Display Flowers or Plants: Fresh flowers always look beautiful in an antique vase, especially when they're gathered from your own garden. I also love placing potted flowers, such as geraniums, in an extra-large antique French Bowl. This looks particularly stunning on a dining table inside or outside.
- Place on a pedestal: Some antique vases and bowls deserve their own pedestal for displaying their beauty. This works well when you choose a pedestal that compliments the antiques size, material and shape. Place the pedestal with the antique vase or bowl in an empty corner or even in front of a window.
- Turn into a lamp: Some antique vases are the perfect shape and size for turning into a lamp. This is a great way to add a custom and unique feel to your home. You do not have to add holes or damage an antique vase to make a lamp, there are wiring options that are safe for your antique pieces. Don’t forget to add a beautiful shade to your custom lamp, a patterned fabric one would be my first choice.
Art
- Prop on a Table: Sometimes the perfect spot for an antique piece of art is displayed on top of a table, not on the wall. This works particularly well when the artwork is smaller and you use a chic art easel.
- Hang on a Cabinet Door with a Sash: For smaller antique artwork, try hanging it with a ribbon or fabric sash from a cabinet door. It's an unexpected display that adds charm and character. You could hang it on the wall, but hanging it on a furniture cabinet door is more unexpected and charming.
- Lean on a mantel: Not all antique art needs to be hung on the wall above your fireplace mantle. One of my favorite ways to display those special antique pieces is by layering them and leaning them on a mantle. Make sure to choose pieces that are different sizes with different frames to add visual interest. Always place the larger piece towards the back with smaller artwork in the front and off centered.
Suzie Thornton is an antique dealer who sources and curates beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces for the home and garden. She specializes in helping homeowners style antiques in fresh, livable ways that blend timeless character with everyday living. @Suzie_Thornton_Interiors | suziethorntoninteriors@gmail.com
Shop my Curated Items at:
On A Whim Antiques
14924 James Monroe Hwy
Leesburg, VA 20176
Bedford Lee Shop
101 West Federal St.
Middleburg, VA 20117
Instagram: @bedfordleeshop