COLLECT OLD MILITARY PHOTOGRAPHS

This unique vintage collectible is a fun one to keep an eye out for during your next flea-market trip.

Vintage pieces not only add a sense of charm and character to your home, but they also bring their own story with them. For Wendy, the connection to history is an important part of why she includes so many vintage pieces in her home. An avid collector, she has several vintage collections, but one that stands out is a series of military photographs that adorn her living room.

These are all prints of vintage photographs, which Wendy downloaded and had framed. The pictures showcase several classes of military men from different branches. “I wanted to layer them in various sizes to add some character to the wall,” she says. While her family doesn’t know any of the men in the photos, the link of military service and connection to the past is what makes them special. “We are retired military, and I wanted something that represented our support and admiration for our men and women in all the armed forces,” Wendy says.

One of Wendy’s favorite vintage finds are the lockers in her entryway, which are perfect for adorning with seasonal décor. Her other vintage collections include spindles, books, bells and bottles. For her, it is the little things that make the most difference in a space. “It’s often the things that you cannot see in a photo that I truly love the most,” she says.

Taking her inspiration from nature, Wendy decorated her primary bedroom with all the colors of a Pennsylvania fall. “Burnt orange, mustard yellow and burgundy leaves: I wanted my fall décor to reflect that beauty,” she says. The painting above the bed was a $5 vintage find, and the amber bottles are part of her vintage collection. “I count down the days until I can break them out for fall,” she says.

(below, left) Classic, timeless and very farmhouse, this primary bathroom reflects Wendy’s desire to simplify every space in her home. “My inspiration was to make this room as pretty as we could, on a budget, until we can completely remodel it,” she says. Butcher block countertops mirror the counters throughout the house, and the white palette provides a canvas for Wendy to display her vintage and fall finds. “From wall décor to hand towels, I try to use my décor to show my personality,” she says.

(below, right) These signs are crafted from vintage barnwood, and the bottles are also vintage. “I just love chippy vintage items,” Wendy says. The wood pops against the white shiplap and adds a rustic feel.