Christmas Past:
Vintage Holiday Decor

What do your local thriftstore, antique shop and family's attic have in common? They are all great sources for unique and personal holiday decor. Here are a few ideas on how to display treasured finds this holiday season.

Dining room
The addition of a pretty vintage tablecloth, a houseplant adorned with vintage ornaments and heirloom textiles framed and hung on the wall add a festive flair to the dining area.

diy | Framing Vintage Textiles
Two doilies once belonging to my grandmother are now artfully displayed in my dining room. With a simple frame and red cotton back drop, the intricacy of the work is shown off beautifully.

To create a similar look, position your empty frame face down and insert the glass. Add your mat and set your first doily in the center.

Fold your second doily in half, wrong sides together, place it's center point over the center of your first doily and unfold the second doily.

Next, lay your backing fabric, also folded in half wrong sides together, over both doilies and unfold. Finish by putting the backing board of the frame in place.

Antique hankies, holiday greeting and postcards, and paper snowflakes all look wonderful framed. Vintage albums are also an excellent source for holiday graphics as Rudolph, right, illustrates.

When framing textiles in this manner keep in mind that, while having items pressed against holds them in place, there is a possibility of moisture finding it's way between the glass and the items. As this could eventually cause damage to the items, consider using this as only a temporary method of display especially in areas of high humidity.

Living Room
Just a few touches and the living room is ready for the holidays. The coffee table is dressed in a graphic angel tablecloth and a wooden bowl filled with candies. A second wooden bowl houses a group of vintage glass ornaments guarded by a small elf figurine.

The ornaments and the elf are antique shop finds while the bowls, tablecloth and even the coffee table were purchased at thriftstores.

Tucking small ornaments in unexpected places throughout the house is a fun touch. A sweet flocked deer prances through a houseplant and a glass penguin is safely nestled in another.

And, to the right, a simple copper mold tied with a sheer wired ribbon.

Enjoy the holidays!
:o) Crissy.