House Tours: Old Meets New Thanks to Flea-Market Finds

When a self-proclaimed antiques addict moved to a new home, she faced the challenge of incorporating her favorite vintage finds in the new space. Determined to make it work, she scoured flea markets, barn sales, antiques malls, and auctions to find furnishings, vintage hardware, textiles, wall hangings, and one-of-a-kind pieces that imbue the home with warmth and character. By experimenting with different ways to add drama in the design, the new home became a creative abode that complements both the new and old in her life.

The homeowner's fondness for the written word is evident throughout her home. This weathered wood sign atop the mantel is from a furnishings store and adds a rustic design element to the new, white mantle. Use signs from real-life places to add personal meaning to your home decor.

A consistent color palette helps keep vintage collections orderly. This home features a blue, green, and pink color scheme. Antique corbels mounted on high walls add drama to the open space and make the room seem larger by drawing the eye up.

Two otherwise ordinary antique windows combined with a metal star find new life as unusual artwork in the living room. When working with antiques, balance and scale are crucial to creating an eye-catching display. Here, the slender height of the ladder and the antique corbel affixed to the wall offset the weight of the French armoire.

Instead of devoting time, effort, and money to add architectural interest to the home, this homeowner focused on decorating and accessorizing to add personality to the existing space. Here, two funky signs stand side-by-side to create unique and fun art. A side table holds vintage croquet balls and antique books to round out the vignette.

Sophistication is kicked up a notch in the dining room. The walls, inspired by a wallpaper pattern, were hand-painted in silver and gold leaf. The walls add a sense of glamour to the room, while the furniture maintains the home's casual feel. Slipcovered chairs and natural elements, such as the wood hutch, give the dining room its casual elegance.

An eclectic mix of antique, secondhand, and inexpensive retail tableware graces this hutch made from old barnwood. The polka-dot pattern on the plates and cups adds a dash of personality to the formal dining room.

To stick with the vintage look, it's important to find furnishings that aren't obviously mass-produced pieces. Here, a mirrored end table pairs well with a painted settee. Both are newer pieces weathered enough to fit into the vintage decor of the home.

Create multifunctional spaces that can serve as a place to work, eat, or entertain. The desk, table, and chairs are antiques, while supporting details, such as the rug and draperies, are new retail add-ons. The signage is a vintage element that shines in this room. The rug helps tie the room's color palette together with stripes that match the wall color, sign, and chairs.

Polka-dot pillows and a bright pink bolster add modern flair and keep the style fresh in the bedroom. A rustic bedframe incorporates the vintage aspect of the home's design.

Delicate white-painted furniture and a collection of treasured photos combine to create a soothing spot to begin and end the day. The mirror takes center stage in this wall display by creating a focal point for the bedroom and a function for the makeshift vanity. Flanking the mirror with symmetrical art arrangements adds a traditional touch to the bedroom, while the vintage frames maintain the home's cozy motif.

Accessorizing is the most important element of a home's decor, because it's where the homeowner's personality shines through. The little details make the bedroom, such as this bright pink bouquet of roses and a handpainted tray to hold jewelry.

In the bathroom, storage comes in innovative packages. Vintage buckets hung above the bathtub add beauty and personality. A stepladder holds bright pink and green towels. An old hutch gets new life thanks to a few vibrant coats of paint and new hardware. This piece is both fun and functional thanks to its open display spaces and closed storage options.