I thought it would be fun to share my tips on creating three unique decorating looks using mostly vintage and thrift shop finds. I’ll be bar cart styling but you can use my tips and tricks to style any area of your home. I shopped my home and dug into my vintage hoard and I’ll share my thought process on why I chose each piece to help visually balance each display. I hope it inspires you to create your own unique displays in your home!
If you love bargains and all things vintage, don’t miss my post titled, Estate Sale Tips – Secrets to Snagging the Best Stuff.
post contains affiliate links
Today, we’re heading into my dining room to style my $5 vintage bar cart and new wall basket. When I spotted this HUGE wall basket that has a little pouch for display, I had to have it.
Look #1 – A pile of pumpkins on the wall leads to a big pumpkin piled high with faux succulents on my $5 thrift store bar cart. My secret is just laying the succulents on top of the pumpkin – no glue involved! I bet you can’t tell which succulents ones are actually napkin rings! I try to use what I have in creative ways so I can get more bang for my decorating buck.
With so much roundness going on, the vintage paint by number is the perfect way to add something linear to the mix and the colors in the painting complement the pumpkins.
Aqua and gold vintage glasses found at, you guessed it, a thrift shop add a fun pop of color.
Look #2 – The basket makes the perfect planter for a cascading pothos plant. If you have a black thumb, get a pothos because they are pretty impossible to kill. The colors of this vintage landscape tie in the greens and blues in the plant and glasses on the bottom shelf and carry the eye from top to bottom.
My dad worked at Merrill Lynch and the glasses on the wood slice were given to him on one of his anniversaries with the company (back when companies did nice things like that for their employees!). A big orange pumpkin adds a festive fall touch.
Look #3 – I have tons and tons of hydrangeas so it’s only natural that I fill the house with them. If you haven’t seen my GIANT DIY hydrangea wreath, check it out here. I love the way the warm wood tones of the cutting board ($1 at an estate sale!) echo the basket color. A few vintage seltzer bottles help tie in the colors of the blooms with the glasses. Pumpkins are on display in an old piece of milk glass. This look is very rustic with all the wood, flowers and pumpkins.
P.S. The thrift store obviously didn’t know what they had when they slapped this tag on it!
See more of my dining room here.
Which is your favorite look?
Don’t miss my vintage lovers fall home tour here!
I so love your style! Where did you find the natural wood Hedgehog/Porcupine and Squirrel shown on the bar cart? Thanks!
I found the little critters at HomeGoods!
Thank you Kelly! Love them!!
my pleasure
I liked them all and knew you would ask which one we liked the best, so i think the 2nd one, i loved the picture and plant in the basket. Can’t wait to see what you have done in the rest of your home, it’s always a nice surprise.
Everything looks good with a plant in the picture!
I need to carry one around with me,lol!
We all do!
I love the last one the best because I love the touches of different materials. I like the vintage jars mixed with the cutting board. I also love the hedgehog hiding in the wall basket with the pumpkins in the first picture. He looks so cute in there.
I love that little hedgehog! Have a great weekend Lisa!
You too Kelly!