Eclectic Vintage Interior Design Ideas with Old Holiday Stuff

Want the look of a hipstoric home? Pinterest’s newest trend is eclectic vintage interior design, and Thrifting with the Gals certainly has you covered!

According to Pinterest, in 2024, people will find new ways to honor old stuff in their homes. The younger generations are embracing and looking to combine vintage—often inherited—pieces with their modern styles. Antiques have never looked so chic, thanks to the Boomers and Gen X driving these trends.

Vintage interior design is far more than a trend — as we know, it can also be a way of life. Whether you have a few antique heirlooms displayed in your home or a house fully furnished with vintage finds, everyone can benefit from incorporating some unique antiques in their home.

What is a Hipstoric Home?

It’s a new term coined by Pinterest for the younger generations who want to mix modern and antique furnishings to create a “hispstoric home.”

Does this sound at all familiar? Maybe, but it’s so great to hear! I’ve often heard that the younger generations aren’t at all interested in inheriting any of our antique collections, coined “old stuff.”

I have blamed much of this on the restoration furniture stores like “Restoration Hardware” and the “Pottery Barns” of the world. Stores I embraced myself not that long ago.

But now our old Pottery Barn dining room table has been replaced with an authentic antique King Pine table from Maine, and the list goes on from there… See more in the A Vintage Christmas Haul and 3 Holiday Wreaths post.

And this is where Thrifting with the Gals has you covered for all of you looking for eclectic, vintage interior design ideas.

Let’s Go!

What is Thrifting with the Gals?

Thrifting with the Gals started with friends who met on Instagram and formed a special relationship through a mutual love of home decorating. We share a passion for all things vintage, thrifty, and cozy.

Today, we continue our monthly blog series “Thrifting with the Gals” on the third Thursday of each month. In this series, we share our finds, tips, tricks, and home decorations from all around the country. You may sign up for Dabbling & Decorating here and never miss a post.

If you are joining me here today from Kelly of The Tattered Pew, our guest host for November, welcome! I can’t get enough of Kelly’s Vintage Wicker Demijohn Decor Ideas and Where to Buy Them post. I never see Demijohn’s in the stores around here. Aren’t they amazing? And why Thrifting with the Gals is so darn fun!

The Holidays: Let’s Get to the “Old Stuff”

Last week, I visited one of my favorite stomping grounds, Stonehouse Antique Center in Chester, Vermont. See more of my favorite second-hand shops in the The Best Antique, Thrift, and Second-Hand Shops from Vermont to Maine.

It’s the best way I know to get in the holiday spirit for a vintage Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Vintage Thanksgiving Accents

I don’t decorate for Thanksgiving much, as we traditionally eat out on Thanksgiving. My mother started this tradition over 30 years ago, and we have come to enjoy it thoroughly.

But I sure did swoon over some of these eclectic vintage turkey accents, from the wooden turkey on the stool, which would be the centerfold on any Thanksgiving table, to the vintage platters and turkey candles.

Every one of these vintage Thanksgiving treasures could be displayed year after year and never go out of style. I am sure each is unique in its own charms with a story to tell. And no wonder more people are embracing eclectic, vintage interior design styles as their go-to furnishings.

Handmade, vintage Thanksgiving table centerpieces and little pilgrim candles, oh my! Do you remember these little pilgrim candles from days gone by?

You may enjoy seeing last year’s holiday inspiration trip to Stonehouse Antique Center in the post, 32 Antique Christmas Decor Treasures to Bargain Shop For.

One of the most unique items I found was this vintage Native Indian face hair brush. I don’t know much about it, as I couldn’t find anything similar online. But it’s just the neatest collectible.

Christmas Accents, Eclectic, and Vintage

I always find the best vintage Christmas decor here. If you are ever in this area, it’s worth the trip!

Small Christmas Wreaths

Two red bottle brush trees came home with me, and I loved the small grapevine wreaths, too. Shoot, I should have bought them too…

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Toy Soldiers

As seen in the 1997 movie Babes in Toyland, these would be fabulous on the outside of a red or green barn—just fantastic!

You may also enjoy the Christmas Buggies & Go Karts Decoration Ideas: Get Creative & Enjoy The Ride! post.

Eskimo Moccasins

These old Eskimo moccasins are another unique and eclectic treasure. They would be so imaginative on a bookshelf, a vintage sled, a pair of skis, or at the foot of a bed for the holidays. Aren’t these so magical?

You may also enjoy the 63+ Thrift Store Decor Ideas For The Best Vintage Home Look, Thrifting with the Gals end of the year round-up post.

Eclectic Vintage Old Holiday Stuff

Here are a few other specialties that caught my eye…

You may also enjoy the Firelight, Evergreens, and Snow: The Christmas Bottle Project of Swedish Homes post.

The One That Got Away

And I so badly wanted to take this gorgeous vintage pine dish rack home with me. I took the measurements and tried everything I could to make it work, but I just don’t have the suitable wall space for it.

Can I tell you how badly I still want to make this piece work somewhere?

You may also enjoy the Experience The Joy Of 12 Days Of Christmas Decorations post.

Like these ideas? Pin them to your favorite Pinterest board!

My Vintage Haul

What did I bring home with me? I immediately went for several items I could incorporate into my decor for the transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Bundle of Vintage Spools

This bundle of 10 vintage spools was just $16. Did you notice the single spool picture above with the evergreens and red berries in it? $10 for just one… But it’s such a cute idea.

Basket of Antlers

This collective basket filled with antlers would make a fetching table centerpiece during Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’ve never collected antlers or the like before, but something about these with the greenery got me thinking.

Vintage Snowshoes and Plate Rack

I also added a pair of vintage snowshoes and an antique plate rack to my vintage haul. Who can pass by a pair of affordable snowshoes? And I can’t get enough of old plate racks, as I have so many vintage dishes to display, haha.

You may also enjoy the Ski Lodge Vintage Snowshoes and Front Door Ski Lodge Vintage Snowshoes posts.

A Touch of Blue

Oh, and I spied these dried blue hydrangeas displaying in a vendor’s booth. I inquired about them, and the shop threw them in my basket for free. At this time, I was super excited to create something with this vintage basket, evergreens, wooden spools, and antlers.

A Stop At the Thrift Shop

A stop at our local thrift shop last Friday after walking with Ella, I found three Chandler 4 Corner pillows for $8 each. Chandler 4 Corners makes and sells hand-hooked wool pillows, rugs, and more created and designed by Vermont artisans specializing in landscape, wildlife, outdoor sports, and rural living composition.

These Vermont classics match the one I found at the same thrift shop a few months back. Now I have a beautiful collection of four for less than the price of one.

This is why I recommend stopping in at your local thrift shop at least weekly.

You never know what you’ll find. You may also enjoy the Chandler 4 Corners whale rug we have in our Maine bedroom in the Small Cottage Guest Bedroom, Vintage and Delightful post. And this 12 Table Topics with Thrifted Tea and Toast Fanfare post too.

Eclectic Vintage Holiday Design Ideas

Now, let’s decorate with all these eclectic, vintage finds.

Because I already have many pairs of vintage snowshoes, I decided to resell the vintage snowshoes in my vintage window booth and someone snagged them right up in just a day’s time. To learn more about having a vintage booth, join me over on the post, How to Start a Vintage Booth Business. It’s such a fabulous extension to enhance one’s love of second-hand treasures.

Table Centerpiece

The basket, vintage spools, and blue hydrangeas were the first to get garnished.

Cutting a few evergreens from our backyard, I filled the basket, making a full bedding for the wooden spools to lie in. I added my favorite felt Christmas ribbon to the basket’s handle. Because everything is always so much better with a bow on it…

Next, the vintage spools rested on top of the evergreens, accented with dried blue hydrangeas to match the blue-striped dining room chairs surrounding the table.

Today, this table looks like a table full of Christmas preparations. It’s messy and filled with so much eclectic and vintage love. And it’s all making me so very happy…

Have you ever considered vintage Christmas tree stands? I found this one below on Etsy. I think it’ll be adorable with a candle, evergreens, or antlers. Stay tuned for more on this!

You may also enjoy the Celebrate Holiday Preparations With Christmas Plaids, Checks, and Hot Chocolate Mugs post, where we’ll gather on the porch together for hot chocolate and more Christmas preparations.

Broken Dishes Make The Best Gifts

I know some of you will love this, so I wanted to share. Last weekend, I attended a local craft fair and met a craftswoman who makes jewelry and other treasures from broken dishes. I picked up this pewter bracelet made with red and white transferware. Elinor takes custom orders, too, if you are interested. She will be making me a necklace and bracelet set with blue and white transferware.

What a thoughtful holiday gift these would make.

Dried Christmas Oranges

Have you ever dried oranges for the holidays? They are so easy to make, fill your home with a wonderful aroma, and add beautiful color to Thanksgiving and Christmas decor. Make a garland out of them, add them to your Christmas tree, wreaths, and swags, or simply display them in a bowl.

You may also enjoy this Polar Bear and Owl Inspired Christmas Tree with dried oranges used as Christmas tree ornaments.

How to Dry Orange Slices?

A popular method for drying oranges in the oven is to preheat the oven to 200°F, place the orange slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 3-4 hours. If the oranges are still wet to the touch after 3 hours, let them dry on cooling racks on the counter.

Well, that’s it for me for today for “Thrifting with the Gals.” I have lots of Christmas decorating I need to get to today. Since we had our first snowfall this week, I’ve begun to decorate our front porch with fresh evergreens, kissing balls, and vintage ski lodge decorations. I can’t wait to share it all with you very soon.

Happy Holidays!

Shop This Post

“Thrifting with the Gals” has more beautiful, eclectic, and vintage ideas for you today, too. I never stop being impressed with their talent! Make sure to visit each and every one!