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Cream, Sugar, or Me? Creative Bathroom Storage

August 21, 2012  Bathrooms | Organization | Uncategorized

The year was 1983.

My uni-brow was replaced with perfectly contoured arches.

I was nearlyย asphyxiatedย on hairspray fumes andย my comb was firmly affixed in my knee sock.

The Revlon purple eyeshadow made it’s debut on my lids on my first day at …

my all girl’s high school!

No boys? ย No matter.

Like peacocks, we strutted our stuff up and down those high school halls, not a hair out of place.

Vintage Storage ideas for the bathroom - love the old silver for necessities.  kellyelko.com

Back then, my sister and I shared a bathroom and fought for space in front of the lone mirror.

Makeup, brushes and hairdryers were all strewn haphazardly about the room.

Oh what a difference 30 years make.

Vintage organization ideas for the bathroom - love the old silver for necessities.  kellyelko.com

With nobody vying for bathroom privileges, I have the luxury of displaying my things while not having to worry whether someone will try out my latest shade of neon blue eyeliner without my permission.

(Yes, Colleen, I’m referring to you)!

Engraved vintage silver platter - horse aged trot.  kellyelko.com

Silver tea set storage. kellyelko.com

Here’s to a perfectly plucked brow, the most amazing shade of blush, the shiniest lip gloss and the perfect place to display it all.

And most importantly, here’s to still realizing that we’re not doing any of it for the boys!

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Comments

  1. ColleenB.

    August 21, 2012 at 6:13 am

    What a great use of them wonderful finds and I bet they look great in your bathroom.
    ColleenB.

    Reply
  2. Heidi @ Decor & More

    August 21, 2012 at 7:06 am

    Ha ha — I use my kids’ silver baby cups in my bathroom — someday I’ll have to hand them over to them, but in the meantime… ๐Ÿ™‚
    Gorgeous!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  3. Kirby Carespodi

    August 21, 2012 at 7:11 am

    1983? *sigh* I was married. I may or may not have given up the purple eyeshadow.

    Reply
  4. Bliss

    August 21, 2012 at 8:09 am

    I have the important things on display too….. cotton balls, ear balls, face cleaning balls. The beauty products are all in the drawer. I’ve waited many years for the beauty part – I might want my money back.

    ~Bliss~

    Reply
  5. Inspire Me Heather

    August 21, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Hmmm, 1983.. yeah I was all over it too – purple eyeshadow and all!

    Reply
  6. Kim

    August 21, 2012 at 8:19 am

    Cute post and love your tarnished silver. That is the best kind.

    Reply
  7. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

    August 21, 2012 at 8:44 am

    great use for your beautifully tarnished silver … sharing. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  8. [email protected]

    August 21, 2012 at 9:06 am

    HI Kelly,
    Love the bathroom display. Funny how things change over 30 years. I can totally relate to your story.

    Reply
  9. Jae

    August 21, 2012 at 9:08 am

    Love it

    Reply
  10. Jean

    August 21, 2012 at 9:22 am

    Love it! In 1983, I was getting married!

    Reply
  11. Margaret

    August 21, 2012 at 9:36 am

    no purple eye shadow for me. In 1983, I had a husband, two children and some sort of job. Being old though, my thought for your silver, I like that you are using it but please polish it.

    Reply
  12. Thistle

    August 21, 2012 at 10:08 am

    I have q-tips.
    I have cotton balls.
    I have silver.
    I’m set ๐Ÿ™‚

    ๐Ÿ™‚ me

    Reply
  13. Debbie

    August 21, 2012 at 10:48 am

    Love the silver containers!! And love the tarnished look. I still have my baby cup from the 50’s, I should bring it out and use it! And yes, it has that lovely tarnish, too.
    Debbie ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  14. [email protected]

    August 21, 2012 at 11:19 am

    Kelly…I love the way you have used the silver in the bathroom….I need to get rid of the covered glass containers…silver is so much prettier!!!!…

    Reply
  15. Doreen

    August 21, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    Such a cute post! Even though I was the only girl of 3 kids, we still had to share one tiny bathroom, and vy for time in there. Great bath organizers.

    Reply
  16. Anne

    August 21, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Love the tarnish! Looks so fabulous ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  17. aimee {sixteen fourteen}

    August 21, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    Oooooooooooooh, love all that silver! Gorgeous. I wish I was cool enough for the colored eyeshadow, but I was too nerdy to be trendy. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  18. [email protected]

    August 21, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    Love that storage! It’s beautiful!

    Reply
  19. Mary Alice Patterson

    August 21, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    All your necessaries look so cute in your little silver containers. Love that idea. I use some little green planters and ironstone cups to keep the countertop looking good. Isn’t that what it’s all about!
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  20. [email protected]

    August 21, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    I am so glad it’s not 1983 anymore! I found some great narrow file cabinet drawers yesterday that I almost brought home to turn into shelves for my bathroom. I guess sometimes I worry about having too much old stuff. Your post has me kicking myself for not getting them–really like your repurposed silver.

    Reply
  21. Rosemary

    August 21, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    I love tarnished silver, so I love this display idea.

    Reply
  22. judy h.

    August 21, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    How pretty! What a great idea and so creative! I have a 100% mid-century bathroom (on purpose), wonder what I could use similarly in there?

    Reply
  23. Sarah

    August 21, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    Kelly, I use vintage silver in various rooms in our home. Love the look! ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Cute post……..Sarah

    Reply
  24. Judy

    August 21, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    Great use of the tarnished silver.

    Reply
  25. Rhonda ~ Ramblings of a Southern Girl

    August 21, 2012 at 9:02 pm

    Cute post, and even cuter vignette! Love the use of silver in this unexpected way!

    Reply
  26. Kelly @ View Along the Way

    August 21, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    That is the fanciest bathroom storage I ever did see! And you’re so right – I save all my cutest outfits for girls’ night. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  27. Liz

    August 21, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    Fun stuff, as always. Love your silver and the way you are so stylishly using it to hold all your primping items.
    Liz

    Reply
  28. Tazas y Cuentos

    August 21, 2012 at 11:11 pm

    Lovely vignettes as usual!
    Your photos are great, I love your posts!
    Besos, Silvina

    Reply
  29. SwedishCornerDownUnder... Pernilla

    August 22, 2012 at 4:14 am

    Totally awesome! Might steal your idea lol ๐Ÿ˜€
    Greetings from Australia
    ~Pernilla

    Reply
  30. Shannon Fox

    August 22, 2012 at 10:49 am

    You know I love tarnished Silver! This is so pretty. I just super adore it Kelly!!!! Super. Adore. It!

    Reply
  31. Celeste Hude

    August 22, 2012 at 10:51 am

    Great idea for my miscellanious silver, looks great!!

    Reply
  32. Laura Ingalls Gunn

    August 22, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    I am visiting via Savvy Southern Style. I love, love, LOVE the idea of silver in the bathroom!

    Have a blessed week!

    Reply
  33. Andrea

    August 22, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    I love vintage silver anywhere, and your bathroom is no exception. Caute!

    Reply
  34. [email protected]

    August 22, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    I have all my bathroom stuff in sugars and creamers – only problem is I don’t have room for a shelf…..I’ve been mulling over what I can do but haven’t firmed up a decision yet. Mine are all glass, but I really like the silver.

    Reply
  35. Shelia

    August 22, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    LOL! I can just see all of you gals strutting around with peacock colored eyelids! ๐Ÿ™‚ As we get older, I think we really dress to impress other women. Men sometimes don’t even notice! ๐Ÿ™‚ Love your pretties on your tray! Thanks so much for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  36. Liz

    August 22, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    Thanks for coming by, Kelly. The mosquito remedy is for indoors. Even if it works in the house, it won’t do a thing to make going outside bearable. I have been hearing about different outdoor treatments lately, but they are going to set you back quite a bit more than the price of a 2 liter bottle, water, some brown sugar and yeast. Yeah, going outside is a whole nother ball game. However, so far, I haven’t been bit in the house in the past couple of days. It’s rained two days in a row, so we’ll see how it goes. The skeeters always find a way in. The instructions were to wait two weeks. I’ll peek before then, but not quite yet. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Liz

    Reply
  37. andrea

    August 22, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    What a pretty vintage collection. I like the way this is all arranged! My daughter would be so into this…

    Reply
  38. debbiedoos

    August 23, 2012 at 1:03 am

    Girl, I love your tarnished silver…and I must say your brows look good too:) Cute post Kelly.

    Reply
  39. sherry

    August 23, 2012 at 6:06 am

    Excellent way to organize and a wonderful way to use that silver that we hardly ever get to use.

    Reply
  40. Linda @ it all started with paint

    August 23, 2012 at 9:18 am

    I’m thinking I never got caught up in the blue eyeshadow phase … or perhaps I blocked this particular 80’s phase from my mind … but no matter the color, you make-up looks perfect in those tarnished silver creamers and sugarers!

    ๐Ÿ™‚

    Linda

    P.S. Got your email about SBC. Very exciting! And, yes, I’ll be there …

    Reply
  41. Kelly @ JAX does design

    August 23, 2012 at 9:39 am

    Who would have thought to use sugar bowls for bathroom makeup storage?! Oh, you did – and it looks great! I love the tray that the sugar bowls are sitting on too.

    I wasn’t much into makeup when I was in high school, but I was totally on the Farrah Flip bandwagon – hair feathered on both sides and running your hand through your bangs to keep the flip fresh ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  42. Judy

    August 23, 2012 at 11:16 am

    I love silver but don’t have any in my bathroom. Going to work on that one.

    Reply
  43. Betsy(@coastal-colors)

    August 23, 2012 at 11:43 am

    I love silver in the bathroom! Great idea! I loved purple eye shadow too! Lovely vignettes- thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  44. DeeAnna

    August 23, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Ahhh the purple eyeshadow. I too was in high school and applied a dark plum shadow from my eyelashes to my eyebrows. Basically I looked like I went 5 rounds with Rocky. My friend took me to the girls room and told me to take it off!! THAT is what friends are for!! Thanks for stopping by my blog! http://www.ALittleJunkinmyTrunk.blogspot.com
    I love tarnished silver too! No perfect shine for me.

    Reply
  45. Karen Schulz

    August 23, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    Awesome idea. Linking over from Redoux on Friday. Karen. http://www.madewithmytwohands.blogspot.com

    Reply
  46. Athena at Minerva's Garden

    August 23, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    This is so pretty with the vintage silver, Kelly. I use pressed glass sugar and creamers to hold makeup items on my vanity in the bedroom, and they work very well for storage and are pretty as well, but you’ve given me some new ideas for additional storage for that area. I love that your silver tray was a racing trophy–how cool is that??

    Reply
  47. [email protected] Charm

    August 23, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    What a fancy bathroom display…LOVE it!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  48. Susan

    August 23, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    Fabulous idea, Kelly! I love it!

    Reply
  49. Suzy @ Worthing Court

    August 23, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    Love how you’ve displayed all your goodies Kelly. This sure does inspire me to drag out my silver and put it to good use!

    Reply
  50. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique

    August 24, 2012 at 6:02 am

    Kelly your post could have been describing me, except I went the bright blue eye shadow in 83 – lol… so relating. Love your vintage vignette.
    I’d love it if you would consider sharing this post at my Shabbilicious Friday.

    Reply
  51. Ann Drake

    August 24, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    I’m beside you at Common Ground so I wanted to stop and say hi…and also to tell you that this silver is perfect in your bathroom. I would totally copy this if I only had the counter space. Since I don’t I’ll just envy you. :o)

    Reply
  52. Claudine

    August 26, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    I love it Kelley!!!! I am in love with Silver and it seems people are afraid of it… at least afraid of using it! I love how you re-purposed these pieces! Pinning it!!!
    Thank you!!!

    Reply
  53. SwedeDreams

    August 27, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    I love this post!! And silver in the bathroom…yes.

    Reply
    • Courtney

      August 28, 2012 at 10:52 am

      Ohh I love it! I have tarnished silver in my bathroom holding almost all the same stuff you have yours holding too! The little silver containers are just perfect for that and I hardly ever polish silver! Love it all mottled and vintage looking! Thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  54. www.postcardsfromtheridge-angela.blogspot.com

    August 28, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Love it. I, too, started high school in 1983. I think my particular shade of eye shadow was probably a turqouise-y blue. And I definitely had the permed big hair going on. Love the silver for the bathroom. Have a great day. ~ Angie

    Reply
  55. Jeannie-JB

    August 28, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    I love love love vintage thrifted Silver Plate – Especially Tea Sets. 1983 – Graduated College and started climbing the corporate ladder. Permed Hair for sure.

    Reply
  56. must love junk

    August 28, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Hey! I have my q-tips in almost the exact same container! And my make-up brushes in a similar one! Love your display! Great minds…:)
    Susan

    Reply
  57. Sandy

    August 28, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Love the way you stored all your goodies. Wonderful display.

    Reply
  58. Lynette

    August 29, 2012 at 10:30 am

    This brought back memories of sharing a bathroom with 2 teenage sisters many years ago. Love how you left the silver alone in all it’s tarnished patina. Great post!

    Reply
  59. Karen

    August 29, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    Love the silver in the bathroom. I have a vintage mirror tray I use for my makeup brushes and such, but I am thinking the little pitcher I have needs to be replaced with an old Silver one!

    PS I bet my bangs were bigger than yours. We should compare. I got mine straight and high!

    Reply
  60. Christa

    September 13, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    I like alternative uses for items. If you plan on handing down your silver pieces, however, best not to keep them in the bathroom or in other humid places.
    http://www.thehenryford.org/research/caring/silver.aspx

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Thrifty Finds: August | Design OCD says:
    August 29, 2012 at 7:16 am

    […] that I need to be on the lookout for any more silver pieces, but I also love howย  Kelly over at Electically Vintage is using her silver pieces – no cleaning required! Have you found any great items at a […]

    Reply
  2. A Very Good Year – the Best of 2012! says:
    December 27, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    […] My bathroom got a boost with vintage silver storage. […]

    Reply

KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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