Weekly Vintage Favorites #1
My favorite pieces from last week’s vintage treasure hunt. (Spoiler: tramp art stole the show.)
Welcome to the first installment of my weekly vintage favorites, a space to slow down and take a closer look at the best finds of the week. This series is part story, part process; it’s essentially a deeper look at what’s been inspiring me in the world of vintage and home decor.
Each week, I’ll share what’s been catching my eye such as pieces that:
Stood out for home decor or for resale
Surprised me or taught me something new
Made me excited to be on the hunt
So without further ado, let’s get into the finds.
🪡 Find #1: The Fabric Curtain Fix
There’s this little “linen closet” in our Jack and Jill bathroom which is basically a cubby with wire shelves, and it’s been throwing off the whole vibe. You can see it from the hallway, the bathroom (obviously), and my bed. Not ideal.
Instead of pretending baskets were going to make it cute, I decided to cover it up. I wanted a pattern that felt interesting. This time, rather than be at the mercy of the thrift gods and limited by the thrift store hours, I took to eBay (at midnight, naturally).
I found a piece of vintage fabric for under $25, and it was exactly what I had in mind. Honestly it feels like a better deal than buying the wrong $5 thing three times over. A tension rod, some hem tape, and one hour later, the ugliest builder-grade corner of my house suddenly had a little retro charm.
It’s a small fix, but it reminded me that projects like this are the perfect time to try something a little different. When it’s one curtain, not six matching panels for the living room, you can take a risks like going bolder, sillier, and more you. Low stakes, big payoff.
🍋 Find #2: The Spanish-Style Bowl
I have always had a soft spot for sculptural metal pieces. The heavier and more dramatic they are, the better. I found this Spanish-style footed bowl at Goodwill for $2.99 and could not grab it fast enough. I already own the same one, and I still love it so much that buying it again felt like a no-brainer. This time I get to sell it, which feels special because when I really love something, it usually never leaves my house again.
If you’ve been here since my old place, you might recognize it in the photos below. And if you haven’t seen that space before, here’s the final house tour. Fair warning: it’s a little cringe in the best way. In my last Substack post, I touched on how incremental changes from 100 Days of Vintage Treasure Hunting made a big impact on my content. If this video isn’t a prime example. 😅
🪞 Find #3: The Tramp Art Frame
If you’ve been around the channel, you may already know about my deep, undying love for tramp art. I’m always on the hunt, checking Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, and antique malls. When a gorgeous, relatively large frame appeared on Facebook Marketplace in great condition and at a fair price ($75, I offered $60, and they accepted), it was an instant yes.
My plan was to use it for a custom framing project because, honestly, tramp art makes everything better. But then I was scrolling Pinterest and saw a photo of a tramp art mirror, and suddenly everything clicked. This would be perfect for our half bath.
We rent, and honestly there’s nothing wrong with the space. It’s cute, but if it were my house, I’d add wallpaper or at least a bolder wall color. Since that’s not an option, a statement mirror felt like the perfect renter-friendly middle ground. It adds personality without commitment, and I can take it with me whenever we move.
This week was about the creative side of collecting. A curtain to hide the mess, a metal bowl with personality, and a tramp art frame that brought soul into a rental bathroom. They are small finds, but a big reminder of why I love the hunt.
If you missed this Monday’s paid post, I shared what 100 Days of Vintage Treasure Hunting taught me about showing up online. Next Monday I’m breaking down the numbers behind my resale business, including what sold, what moved fastest, and what I’d do differently.
Paid subscribers, I’ll see you Monday. Everyone else, see you next week for another round of favorite finds.
Until then, happy vintage treasure hunting!