Discover the 9 vintage decor pieces I’ll never part with—from heirloom quilts to antique pewter. These timeless favorites bring character, charm, and stories to every room.
These are the tried-and-true treasures that bring heart and history into my home.
There are some vintage pieces that just stick with you. Whether they were thrifted on a whim or passed down from loved ones, they become staples in your home and your story.
Today, I’m sharing 9 vintage decor pieces I’ll never part with—and the memories, styling tricks, and charm they bring into our homes in Maine and Vermont.
New to vintage decorating?
This post shares some of my favorite timeless pieces and how I use them in our homes in Maine and Vermont. Whether you’re just starting your collection or already treasure your own vintage finds, I hope this inspires you.
1. Vintage Brass Candlesticks
A timeless favorite I style year-round indoors and out—from mantels to porches to tabletops.
There’s something so timeless about a warm brass glow. Whether I’m styling a holiday table or just adding ambiance to the mantel, my collection of brass candlesticks always makes an appearance. The more patina, the better.
Shop Vintage Brass Candlesticks
Recommended Reading
If you love styling with thrifted pieces, don’t miss my post on 9 Thrift Store Finds I Always Buy for Vintage Styling.
2. Vintage Crocks
A floral favorite I display year-round—these timeless beauties are part of my family story.
There’s something about vintage crocks that just feels like home. I inherited my first ones from my mother, and I’ve been collecting them ever since—especially those with that charming blue trim. I use them everywhere: filled with flowers on the porch, greenery in the sunroom, or styled simply in a quiet corner. They’re sturdy, beautiful, and full of quiet character—and I’ll never part with them.
Shop Vintage Crocks
3. Heirloom Quilts
Handmade comfort and color—these quilts are stitched with love and layered into every room.
My mother didn’t start quilting until her 60s, but once she did, she made quilts for all of life’s big moments—my college dorm, first apartment, and first home. They’re not perfect, but that’s what I love about them. Each one is a little worn, wonderfully colorful, and filled with memories. Today, I keep them stacked in our guest bedroom and draped across beds and couches in both our homes. We use them daily for cozy moments, and I still collect more when I find a good one—they’re a forever favorite.
Shop Vintage Quilts
Recommended Reading
You may also find inspiration in this Handmade Quilt Jackets: Vintage-Inspired Fashion post.
4. Pewter Collection
A family heirloom that’s found new life in seasonal tablescapes and vintage vignettes.
I never really appreciated pewter—until I inherited my parents’ collection. My mother displayed it beautifully in a hutch with the doors always open, candles flickering inside, and shelves filled from corner to corner with vintage decor pieces. Today, I use it for decorating throughout the year, especially in the fall. Pewter’s weight and patina make it perfect for outdoor tablescapes, vintage picnics, and cozy displays, and every piece reminds me of home. I don’t have room for more—but I’d never part with what I have.
Learn more about this pewter collection and see how I styled a fall tablescape with all the pieces.
Shop Antique Pewter
5. Vintage Demijohns
A textured treasure I style for every season—from après-ski candlelight to autumn mountain views.
Vintage demijohns are one of my favorite pieces to collect—and decorate. These beautiful old glass bottles, often with a soft green or blue tint, come wrapped in natural wicker or basketry and were once used to carry liquids. I use them year-round: glowing with candles on our après-ski table in winter, grouped outdoors on a vintage wallpaper table with fall foliage, or wrapped with evergreens and berries for the holidays. They’re not easy to find—and never cheap—but the texture, shape, and soul they add to a space? Completely worth it.
Shop Vintage DemiJohns
6. Vintage Balancing Toy Whale
A heartfelt gift from a reader that reminds me why I love this community so much.
This vintage balancing whale toy is one of the most meaningful pieces in my collection—not just for how it looks, but for what it represents. It was gifted to me by a kind reader who had just lost her beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, and we had bonded over our shared love for the breed. I still remember the day it arrived—one summer afternoon after a beach walk—and I was so touched by her thoughtfulness. It’s now a cherished part of my decor, and I move it from room to room throughout the year. I’ll never part with it.
You can read more about this special gift and the story behind it in this Vintage Balancing Toy Whale with a Meaningful Story post.
Shop Vintage Balancing Toys
Recommended Reading
You may also find inspiration in this 7 Thrifted Finds I Regret Not Buying (And What I Learned) post.
Vintage Styling Tip
Rotate your favorite vintage pieces seasonally. Not every treasure has to be on display all the time. Tuck some away and bring them out as the seasons change—it keeps your spaces feeling fresh, and you’ll fall in love with your pieces all over again.
7. Antique Mustache Mugs
Delicate, delightful, and full of history—these small vintage pieces always make me smile.
Mustache mugs were originally designed to help men sip tea or coffee without getting their mustaches wet—but you’d never guess that by looking at these two. Painted in soft pinks, florals, and gold, they look more like dainty teacups than anything masculine, which makes me love them even more. They belonged to my mother and have lived in our bathroom longer than I can remember. Today, I use them to hold toothbrushes, and I’ve never come across another pair like them while antiquing. They’re sweet, simple pieces I treasure—and proof that even the smallest vintage finds can hold so much meaning.
Shop Antique Mustache Mugs
8. Framed Clipper Ship Sailboat Print Collection
A rare coastal vintage wall art find I collect one print at a time.
It’s not easy to find beautiful vintage wall art in antique frames at a reasonable price, but these Montague Dawson Clipper Ship prints are the exception. I’ve found five so far—most under $25—in shops across southern Maine and even one in Vermont. Each one has soft pastel tones, worn wooden or gold frames, and that classic nautical charm that fits perfectly in our coastal Maine home. I love how they look on white walls against the open wood beams—they’re subtle, timeless, and an authentic vintage treasure I’ll never part with.
You can read more about this collection and where to find these prints in this Nautical Decor Ideas: A Vintage Coastal Corner You’ll Love post.
Shop Vintage Clipper Ships
9. Framed Antique Women’s Bathing Suit
A rare vintage treasure that tells the story of coastal Maine and my own family roots.
I found this 1920s women’s bathing suit in an antique store in York, Maine, and I’d never seen one like it before. I had it framed in an ornate gold frame, and today it hangs in our master bedroom in coastal Maine. Its style closely resembles the one worn by Bette Davis, the first female lifeguard in Ogunquit—a detail that makes this piece even more special. These suits are incredibly hard to find, and framing it turned it into a one-of-a-kind vintage treasure that adds both beauty and historical depth to our home.
I’ll never part with this vintage decor piece—it’s rare, it’s local, and it reminds me why I love decorating with antiques in the first place.
Shop Antique Women’s Bathing Suits
Bonus: My Mother’s Antiques
Family heirlooms that bring soul, memory, and timeless beauty into our Maine home.
Family heirlooms that bring soul, memory, and timeless beauty into our Maine home. Some of the most cherished vintage pieces in our home are the ones passed down from my mother. From the antique hutch my father surprised her with one Christmas, to our well-worn butter churn coffee table that’s been in the family longer than I can remember, each piece carries a story. They’ve become the foundation of my decorating style—woven into every season, every corner, and every room.
Explore more of my mother’s collections in our In My Mother’s Maine Home series and our recent feature in Country Sampler Magazine.
These heirlooms remind me that vintage decor isn’t just about how something looks—it’s about what it meant then, and what it continues to mean now.
You can read more about our family’s coastal Maine roots in this Coastal Maine Heritage – Embracing My Roots post.
What Vintage Pieces Could You Never Part With?
I’d love to know—what’s your must-keep vintage treasure? Tell me in the comments or tag me in your favorite pieces on Instagram.
Explore More Vintage Decor Ideas:
Final Thoughts on Vintage Decor I’ll Never Part With
Vintage decor is more than just beautiful—it’s personal. It’s the stories behind the pieces, the people they remind us of, and the charm they add to everyday life.
Whether it’s a quilt stitched by my mother, a framed clipper ship print found on a summer day, or a gift from a kind-hearted reader, each piece holds a memory I wouldn’t trade for anything.
I hope this list has inspired you to look around your own home and appreciate the vintage treasures you’ve collected along the way.
Don’t forget to share the pieces you’d never part with—I’d love to hear your stories, too.
Vintage Hunting Tip
Take photos of the pieces you already own. When you’re out thrifting or antiquing, it’s easy to forget what you already have—especially if you’re collecting a certain pattern or style. Keeping a quick photo album on your phone helps you build your collection intentionally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vintage Decor Pieces
Some of the most popular vintage decor pieces include brass candlesticks, crocks, ironstone, quilts, pewter, and blue-and-white platters. These timeless finds are versatile and full of charm, making them staples for many vintage home decor lovers.
Start small by visiting thrift stores, flea markets, or estate sales and looking for pieces that speak to your personal style. Items like vintage vases, platters, picture frames, and small ceramics are easy to style and build your collection around.
Look for quality craftsmanship, patina, and unique details like original labels or hand-painted elements. Pieces that serve both form and function—like crocks, baskets, or wall art—make great additions to vintage-inspired spaces.
Group items in small collections by theme or color, and give each display space to breathe. Use trays, shelves, or hutches to contain and elevate your pieces, and rotate seasonally to keep your decor fresh and intentional.
You can find vintage decor inspiration on blogs like mine, Pinterest, Instagram, and even through magazines like Country Sampler. Start by exploring how others style their favorite vintage pieces—like in my post on vintage decor I’ll never part with.
Your Guide to an Eclectic Style~
I’d love to hear from you! If you have thoughts, questions, or just want to pop in and say hello, feel free to leave a comment below. And if you have a vintage-loving friend, don’t forget to share this post—they might find a little inspiration here too.
Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at [email protected]
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