Today, I’m excited to share the progress I’m making on a rainbow glassware display in our breakfast nook.
If you watched my empty home tour, you might remember that this rainbow glassware display was one of the things I had planned since pretty much the day we first saw this house.
We already have plenty of other spaces for our white dishes and clear glassware, so this little built-in in the breakfast nook was the perfect spot to do a fun pop of color!
I don’t thrift shop or visit flea markets as much as I did in my twenties (which was once or more weekly), but I still have a soft spot for vintage. So it’s been fun for me to have one focused collection to work on this year. Sometimes I just like to go and browse on a Sunday afternoon, and this collection has given me something to search for so I don’t bring home knick knacks (or as my husband would call it, “clutter”).
I’ve enjoyed the slowness of this collection. I probably could have done it faster, but I gave myself a budget for each piece (I try to keep each piece under $3, and $5 when it’s an extra pretty/special one!) At flea markets, depression glass (and fake depression glass) can be pretty pricy…sometimes up to $20 for one piece in Missouri. I skip over those, reminding myself that I’ve already found plenty at the thrifts for .25 cents each!
In the beginning I planned which colors I wanted to collect. I skipped red because it’s just not my favorite in this kind of glassware (too goth?), and I skipped orange because it’s really hard to find.
I’ve put extra effort into finding pink, turquoise and bright yellow (not amber) because those are the colors I think I will use the most for table settings. By the way, in case you are wondering, I 100% plan to use this glassware for parties and cocktail nights. It is a pretty collection, but it’s not just a collection.
The details on the individual pieces are really fun! This goblet with stars makes me smile.
As you can see, I still have some gaps and holes to fill. I’m fine with it being a long-term collection. Maybe by the time I have the breakfast nook tour ready to share, it will be full, but maybe not.
Here’s where I am today. You can see they still have tags and stuff on them. I was just kind of putting them up so I could see what colors I need more of. Basically every color, huh? Green and yellow are filling up. Pink and purple are more challenging to find.
Anyway! That’s my little flea market/thrift project. I’m looking forward to seeing it come together!
Anyone in the Nashville area have any suggestions for the best flea market and thrift shops? And while I’m at it—places to buy plants? 🙂
Thanks for letting me share! A lot of you guys have requested that we share more progress reports instead of just waiting till the big before/after reveal. So I’m going to do more of that with this house. I hope it will allow you to feel more involved in the process from start to finish. That would be awesome! xx- Elsie
This glassware collections is everthing! I am looking for a long time to find the prefect colored glassware. Is this possible to buy in wholesale?
X Sarah
I am doing this at our bar. I have one long shelf. Such a great idea. I had a $100 budget but it was taking forever to find stuff so I ended up ordering some glasses from amazon and getting some solid colors from different stores. I think total I am around $150. I agree I want people to use them and enjoy. Plus, I can keep adding when I see something special. Keep up the amazing work!
Hi Elsie,
My husband and I are about to move into our very first house. Since we’ve always rented we never had the space or freedom to decorate or collect much. When I saw your glass collection it truly spoke to me and I fell in love. I was wondering if all your pieces are vintage or are some replicas? Thanks so much.
Oh this makes me smile! 😀
Carrie
www.wearwherewell.com
Salt House Market sells beautiful colored glassware in their shop! Thought you’d like to take a look 🙂 http://www.salthousemkt.com/shop
Such a beautiful display! Can’t stop staring
I love this idea. It is beautiful and a way to thrift shop with a focus. I love looking at the glassware but rarely buy any. Now I might have to change that. My daughter does eclectic shopping like this with dishes and has a unique collection of plateware.
I love these! If you feel like adding a few non-vintage glasses to fill out the collection, The Pioneer Woman has a line at Walmart (I know, the big box store of all box stores) that are turquoise, plum & clear. I’m guessing, though, since your house isn’t finished yet, you are in no hurry to host a dinner party. 🙂
SO beautiful! I especially love to amber tones <3
So in love with this collection!! For my wedding I collected vintage glasses and vases that were various shades of my wedding colors and used them for centerpieces. This sort of takes me back to that and makes me want to start all over again with all the colors of the rainbow!
♥Heather
These are so beautiful! I love colored glass!
Love your collection! I have a lot of this style glassware too! Mostly pink and some blue- it started with my grandma showing me her depression glass that was handed down! Now I have her pink Miss America salt and pepper shakers! I also have a fun red tea cup and saucer set- they are a little goth but the simplicity of the pattern makes it really classy! Thanks for sharing!
Xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
So cute! These would look really cool if the shelves had some sort of back-lighting. Almost like a stained glass effect 🙂
Love it! Makes me want to hit the flea market!
If you’re looking to add to your collection, there’s a great vintage shop in East Nashville called Lost Century that has a lot!!
Love this kind of posts: progress info, quirky details, thrift goodness. It’s what I like in ABM – creative ideas easy to apply for everyone.
Keep’em coming, please!
Nice collection! Obviously it sparks joy! How will you keep it dusted? Sorry I HAD to ask, wink wink!!
Love it! I’ve always wanted to start collecting something but I didn’t knew what. This is a great idea! I love that it also adds great color to the house.
Love this! I also love that it’s not a traditional rainbow. Can’t wait to see how the collection pans out 😉
Love it! I’ve always wanted to have a collection, this is a great idea! Looks great and gives color to the house.