RefinedVintage's Blog

Welcome to my Refined world for vintage lovers,decorating advice,helpful tips and other amusements
1 2

Easter Decorating, An Easy Easter Centerpiece; Vintage Style

Published: 03-28-2013 10:00am
Posted In: Design & Home Decor
The Dining Room Tablescape Set For EasterEvery Year I like to bring the feel of  Spring to our table. The best years are when Easter falls in late April; the flowers are already blooming outside and I can cut small spring flowers to fill little vases. I use what I have. I own a few old vintage mirrors that I like to use as trays, when placed in the center of the table you create a focal point to start with. Flowering Almond branches, pale pink in color are in a vintage crystal vase with daffodils, I am partial to this two tone color, it's an early bloomer too, and a few sprigs of creeping phlox bring some cheer. A small  glass vintage tooth... » Read More

Valentine's Day Mantel

Published: 02-08-2013 03:28pm
Posted In: Design & Home Decor
The Fireplace is a quick and easy place to add seasonal charm. You do not need to do your whole house for the special holidays or seasons. Just little touches here and there make can make a  a room feel special. Let's focus on the Mantel or this could be a shelf in your home or a table top.Candles,always look great on a fireplace, I am using a favorite Norman Rockwell Collectible Plate, because it shows a couple looking at engagement rings in a catalog, very romantic... and  a basket of dried Hydrangeas, three family photos all in heart themed frames. A vintage glass vase holds two perfect tulips, and of course some glowing heart shaped re... » Read More

Halloween Decorating Made Easy With Vintage

Published: 10-29-2012 10:48am
Posted In: Design & Home Decor
Time to share a few decorating ideas for Halloween using vintage. I like my  seasonal decorations to be simple and easy to do. I have an old antique trunk from my grandmother that I like to seasonally change what I display on top of it. It sits against a wall behind a pair of chairs in my family room.   For Halloween and Fall in general just filling a basket with gourds and miniature Indian Corn add natural autumn colors and can be kept around through Thanksgiving. Put a basket full on your kitchen counter or coffee table. A vintage brown glass vase holds Marigolds; a perfect fall flower. On a stack of books I have placed a faux mini Jack O' L... » Read More

Halloween Decorating with Vintage:The Fireplace Mantel

Published: 09-12-2012 10:34am
Posted In: Design & Home Decor
My Fireplace Mantle always reflects the Seasons. Autumn and Halloween Refined Vintage Style!I like to change my decor to match the seasons, and using fall colors and Halloween touches through out my home makes the house feel  like Autumn has arrived.  I strive to keep it Refined, celebrating the season elegantly. I like to use real branches of bittersweet gathered from a trailing wild vine. Pick when the berries are gold and they will be less messy, they will open to reveal the bright crimson berries within a day or two.  Usually I remove the leaves but this time I left them in my garage for a few days(meant to get to it) and then I ... » Read More

How To Organize a Craft Room Creatively

Published: 08-13-2012 09:00am
Posted In: Design & Home Decor
 If you are like me you long for a place for everything and everything in it's place. Especially when it comes to arts & craft supplies,which have an odd habit of multiplying. The colorful Craft Room featured here belongs to my twin sister Sheila. I love the dark chocolate walls with white trim, all her supplies and decorations add vibrant rainbows of color! She has some great ideas that we all can use.1. Towel rack is used on wall to store skinny satin ribbons on the wall.2. A decorative memo board to hold snippets of inspiration.3.  Decorative wooden storage boxes elevate the lighting and keeps small   items organized. She has used these... » Read More

Sleeping Bear Dunes, The Most Beautiful Place in USA!

Published: 08-06-2012 09:00am
Posted In: Travel
Sharing the Beauty of MichiganI just had to do a quick shout out for my Beautiful state of Michigan. Good Morning America Viewers voted Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake-Shore the most beautiful place in America for 2011! I know that a year has passed but it "Bears repeating"(pun intended) It is still as beautiful in 2012.  Miles of sandy dunes, (cliffs actually, they are so tall) and the gorgeous blues of Lake Michigan all accented by stands of evergreens, deciduous trees, sea grasses etc. not to mention the bluest summer sky! It really is one of the most amazing places in America!      I remember a family vaction with my ... » Read More

Travel to France and Italy via Pinterest ( aka:The Pinterest Travel Agency)

Published: 07-19-2012 11:05am
Posted In: Travel
Where Do You Want To Go?Do you love to Travel? Pinterest allows you to plan and yes, let's face it, fantasize about that ultimate vacation you will take one day. It’s a virtual vacation for those of us who love to dream. I like to think of Pinterest as my very own travel agency. Come take a little journey with me, just a small taste of  Italy and France....  Italy, Lake Como I think Italy has to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world.  Lake Como would be high on my list of places to visit in Italy, a gorgeous lake surrounded by mountains!! Yes please! There are so many other cities and villages in Italy, (like Tuscany and Ven... » Read More

Wedding Favorites, The Best Ideas From Pinterest

Published: 05-29-2012 02:32pm
Posted In: Design & Home Decor
I love Weddings... Always have always will.This time of year especially, makes me think about weddings, I may have been a wedding planner in another life. I especially love the Vintage and DIY Weddings.They are so romantic; and my favorite of all because they reflect the brides and groom personally. All images are Via My Pinterest Board- Vintage Weddings (links can be followed from there). Aren't the vintage bottles filled with flowers pretty, and the photos as decoration are a special way to share your romance with the wedding guests.If I was to plan a wedding I would go to Pinterest first, I as well as thousands of others (if not more) have s... » Read More

I Brake for Yard Sales, Estate Sales, Garage Sales, Rummages Sales!....

Published: 05-18-2012 02:20pm
Posted In: Vintage Loves
Garage and Estate Sale Season is Here! I have been meaning to write, post whatever you want to call it,but sometimes it really is the last thing I have time to do!  Why do so many of us find it hard to keep posting regulary? Because we have so many other things going on I suppose.  Selling vintage at my Refined Vintage store is my passion right now, so as the  beautiful spring weather is getting warmer the Estate sale signs & yard sale signs have been calling to me! I cannot  ignore their tempting signage,especailly if it's from one of my favorite Estate sale companies & they mention, collectibles, antiques, jewelry!  I just ha... » Read More

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Published: 05-07-2012 10:56am
Posted In: Vintage Loves
Mom deserves a special Day. I know it has been commercialized to death, but really she does so much for so many for so little in return. Moms do everything out of Love, She puts everyone's need before her own. Lets give all the mom's in our lives a great big hug right now, and tell her how much you love and appreciate her! Avon Crystal Glow Candle Holder - Vase with Antiqued Silver StandGifts for mom are sometimes difficult to choose, but most moms would appreciate something that she wouldn't go out and buy herself.  You know, something she doesn't need, but would love to have. Jewelry falls into this category as well as flowers. Any ... » Read More

Easter And Spring Decorating With Vintage

Published: 04-04-2012 01:10pm
Posted In: Design & Home Decor
I just have to share  some of my favorite ideas for Easter and Spring Decorating. When I think of Spring, I think of the flowers blooming. I pick what ever is available in my garden. Using little vintage glass vases and even salt & pepper shakers these tiny blooms fill my kitchen windowsill. I have pussy willow in a Fiesta Ware turquoise vase, and realistic silk flowers to fill in when there are no fresh flowers. You may nave seen this windowsill before on my Face Book page. Violets and apple blossoms fill tiny vintage vases, a Fuji Mum in milk glass next to my favorite Logan berry Milk glass vase from ImperialAnother of my favorite ways... » Read More

What is Mid Century Style?

Published: 03-30-2012 12:45pm
Posted In: Design & Home Decor
Vintage Mid Century Desk LampSo how much do you think you know about Mid Century Design? If you love design and decorating you probably know more than you think. Many of us grew up with this design style. But what defines this modern design? Is it the colors of the 1950’s? What about design influences of the 1960’s? Do the automobiles and appliances and even fashions of this time reflect the Mid Century design?  Mid Century Etched Atomic Star burst Tie Tack In most cases the answer would be yes!  Fashion and design style follow one another closely with every popular trend. You will see it reflected in every aspect of design from c... » Read More

Why We still Need A 3 Martini Lunch! (Maybe Not 3 Martini)

Published: 03-09-2012 02:06pm
Posted In: Vintage Loves
  Vintage Smokey Grey Crystal Champagne glasses The other day when I was researching  my recently listed mid century crystal champagne glasses and I stumbled across an article about The Three Martini Lunch.  If you are a Madmen  fan you know what I'm talking about. I absolutely love the show!     Vintage glasses like these were used for champagne as well as cocktails.You have to wonder how they managed to drink 3 martini's which is all alcohol, no mixers, or juice and then go back to the office and get anything done. Well, I learned that cocktails were much smaller  in the 1950'-60's than they are today.  Martini glasses held a... » Read More

Vintage:Top 5 Reasons To Love And Use

Published: 03-02-2012 01:26pm
Posted In: Vintage Loves
So many people are discovering vintage, but I thought sharing some of the reasons why everyone should consider Vintage will help others to see what they are missing out on! "Ribbon" Mid Century  Knowles China 1. Vintage is the New "Green"When you choose vintage you are lessening the impact by modern manufacturing on our     our environment, and saving  items from landfills, it is appalling how many cool vintage items get thrown away. 2. NostalgiaVintage brings back fond memories of childhood, family members and many other happy times in your past.Do you have a favorite memory?  Circa 1970's Happy Face Pin "Have a Nice Day"3.... » Read More

Retro & Vintage Favorites From Pinterest

Published: 01-30-2012 02:58pm
Posted In: Vintage Loves
I just have been Pinning away like crazy lately and though now would be a good time to share some of my retro & vintage favorites.Vintage Evening Dresses from the 1930's This has to be my favorite decade for vintage clothing. I love the glamour the cut and drape of these flowing styles that were so prevalent during the Art Deco period. (This image is via All Things Art Deco on Tumblr)This Turquoise Samsonite luggage is wonderful! Imagine the trips this matching set of luggage has been on!  The color happens to be in my favorite color too. You know how I love any shade of Aqua! This image (via Spin LP's on Flickr)Paris Chic! Always was... » Read More

Simple Ways to Decorate Your Home for Winter

Published: 01-20-2012 04:25pm
Posted In: Design & Home Decor
Winter is here. Does your home reflect the seasons? It's easy to add little touches that feel like winter. What does that mean? I 'll share some examples:1.Place pine cones in a basket or bowl. Even better if they're the cinnamon scented ones!2.Create a vignette with wintry items;Two miniature vintage china deer midst a sprinkle of artificial snow and some seed pods  stand on top of a silver candle holder, topped with a vintage glass cloche. Magical.3.Use fresh evergreens in vases, change water often, they should last for weeks. Mix  the varieties for a nice display.4.Change table linens to darker colors, burgundy, deep gold, or ch... » Read More
1 2