How to Thrift Shop for Stylish Patriotic Decor

Welcome to the next installment of THRIFTED GOODIES! If you enjoy thrift shopping and love the thrill of the hunt, then this post is for you. Today we are hi-lighting stylish patriotic decor pieces you can find in any thrift shop as home accents for the 4th of July or any other patriotic holiday and event.

The Thrifted Goodies series consists of monthly posts where my friend,  Rachel, from the Antiqued Journey, and I share thrift store goodness. Topics might include particular finds, tips, techniques, up-cycles, stylings and general advice about thrift shopping mostly for home decor in general.

If you are new around here, welcome! I am so glad you are here today, and I hope you enjoy yourself. Drop me a comment down below and introduce yourself. I love hearing from each and every one of you.

Sometimes we have guest hosts in the series for triple the fun and today is one of those bonus days. We have Lora Bloomquist from Create & Ponder joining us with more thrifted goodness. If you do not know Lora, hope over and visit her. You are going to want to follow her, trust me.

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All About the Thrifted Goodies Series

Let me briefly review what the Thrifted Goodies is all about. As I mentioned, Rachel, from The Antiqued Journey and I share thrift shopping related posts each and every month. For example, today I am sharing all about stylish pieces you can pick up at thrift stores to integrate into your patriotic decor. I will show you what to look for and how to use it in your home.

Rachel is sharing how to decorate for summer using thrifted finds. She always finds the most amaZing pieces! You don’t want to miss her latest post and if you don’t know Rachel yet, make sure to hop over, introduce yourself and check out her newest Thrifted Goodies – Volume 24.

You can also find Rachel in her other spaces:

• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Facebook 
• LTK shop

Some months we are happy to spread the joy with a guest host. The more the merrier, right? Today we are sharing the fun with Lora who injects a great vintage vibe in her decor, which I absolutely love. You don’t want to miss Lora’s patriotic table setting with thrifted finds.

You can also find Lora in her other spaces:

• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Facebook 

How to Thrift Shop for Stylish Patriotic Decor

There are so many different things to find at thrift stores, which makes it a treasure trove excursion every time. It’s one of the many things that makes thrift shopping such a fun activity. Often I pick up items at a thrift shop to use in very unconventional ways. You do not necessarily need to buy things that are patriotic specific like flags and pieces with the star spangled banner all over them. Although these pieces are great in and of themselves, but I’m here to help you find and use pieces, which are more subtle and can be used in multiple ways.

Thrifting Pro Tip: Look at thrift store finds while thinking outside the box. Sometimes you like an item, but don’t need to use it for its intended purpose. Make it yours!

Let the RWB Lead the Way

Let the Red, White and Blue guide you to some stylish patriotic decor while you hunt through your local thrift shop. By picking up pieces that are not necessarily “patriotic” decor but are either red, blue or white. When these pieces are brought together in the right way in a decor vignette they will give off all the Americana vibes. I break down a few examples below.

Look for USA Inspired Motifs

The other technique I use when I thrift shop for stylish patriotic decor is to look for motifs that are ingrained in our country’s history and culture. For example, things that I think of are eagles or bells or stars. The bald eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782, and I would love to find a smallish brass eagle to integrate into my patriotic decor. It’s on my running list when I hit the thrift stores. The Liberty Bell is a well-known symbol of freedom in the United States. The bell was first made in 1752 for the Pennsylvania State House, which is now known as Independence Hall. The bell was cast in London, England, and shipped to Pennsylvania. Of course stars represent our national flag.

Thrifting Pro Tip: Always have a list of items you are looking for and interested in along with any pertinent measurements for said items. Add the list to your notes in your phone so you always have the list with you.

RWB Stylish Patriotic Decor

Books

Vintage books are one of my favorite things to finds at thrift stores to use in decor throughout the year. Finding some pretty red, white and blue books to stack around the house add the perfect patriotic accent. It’s super easy and you can use books to decorate throughout the year.

If vintage books isn’t your thing, you can also pick up some books to strip and stamp. I created this book stack from thrifted, inexpensive books and stamped red, white and blue on them to create the emotion of the holiday.

The book stack its neutral but spells out the Red, White & Blue. See what I did there? I kept the decor monochromatic but evoked the colors with the stamped words. You could also stamp the words in the respective colors if you want a bit of a pop.

I also spied this book at one of my regular thrifting haunts, and I immediately fell in love with the graphics. It would be a fabulous coffee table book, but it was too rich for my taste so I left it behind for another lucky patriot. I would only really pull it out this time a year, and it really should be appreciated more frequently. Pieces like this is one of the many reasons I love thrift shopping.

Linens

Dainty, pretty linens add great texture and detail in home decor. Linens in the red, white and blue color ways add a great patriotic punch to decor vignettes. I found this vintage hanky not too long ago, and I knew I wanted it for the 4th of July as soon as I saw it. Napkins or tea towels are also a great resource and don’t forget to look at cloth remnants in the craft section.

Dishes

I don’t know about you, but I’m a dishaholic. Yup, it’s true; I said it. And I am pretty sure I am not alone here. I collect thrifted green transfer ware as well as brown, but I’m tempted to pick up some red and blue for patriotic vignettes.

You can use red, white and blue dishes not only for stylish decor vignettes, but also for table settings. Buying thrifted dishes makes it far more economical to add variety and add themed tabletop ware to your stash.

Last year I found these sweet, dainty dishes at my local Savers and set a very neutral and formal table. It was such a fun project and I loved the fancy 4th of July table setting versus all the casual tables we tend to set this time of year.

Tins & Enamelware

Anything tin and enamelware always grab my attention. I found this tin from Holland in a thrifting excursion not too long ago, and I knew it would be perfect for a red, white and blue vignette. I love all the details on the design with the windmill in an ornate floral frame. I’m guessing the tin box held cookies, candies or chocolates of some sort. I love that I can now use it for storage.

Other Finds for Stylish Patriotic Decor

Besides the motifs I mentioned above, there are other thrift items I inject into patriotic decor. These are pieces I collect and | or buy regularly at thrift shops, which are super versatile for many decor styles. They are perfect to showcase small flags with the vintage vibes I love oh so very much.

Milk Glass

Milk glass vases are a frequent thrift store find and they make the perfect vessels for so many decor opportunities. Besides looking great with fresh blooms or greenery they look fabulous with Old Glory peeking out.

Floral Frogs

I love the look of vintage floral frogs, which can be used in many different ways for stylings around your home.They are great for holding flags and setting a little stage. You can display one flag or a bunch; either way creates an interesting display.

Blue Ball Jars

Vintage blue Ball jars provide all the Americana feels. A zinc mesh top provides the perfect home for some rustic flags, creating a fun arrangement. Blue ball jars are not only great for patriotic decor but also for coastal vibes, making them great summertime decor pieces all around.

Ironstone

Ironstone is a great back drop for many decor styles just like the milk glass pieces. The neutral color provides the perfect canvas complimenting any motif or theme.

Silver Plate

If you have been around here longer than a hot minute you know I have a love affair with silver plate. I have a collection of pitchers in all different sizes, which make them perfect vessels for a collection of flags. For more ideas on how to decorate with silver plate you can see this post {how to use thrifted silver in Christmas decor}.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re a regular reader you might have noticed I have been a bit absent on the blog. It’s by design. Master Masterpiece, my son, my first born just graduated from college. We took a family trip to Eugene, Oregon to celebrate his graduation from University of Oregon. Consequently my father in-law was visiting us from Georgia for a few weeks. Plus upon our return from Oregon, Miss Masterpiece, my baby girl, my bestie celebrated her 20th birthday. I made the conscious decision to be present with my family at 100%. It was all fabulous but now I’m back and super excited to share with you.

I still have some 4th of July, patriotic content to share with you over the next few days. I had originally planned to post earlier, but I decided to really enjoy some time off with the Masterpiece family. It’s my number one priority and my true joie de vivre; the main motivation and inspiration for many of the projects on the blog.

So next time you find yourself at the thrift store looking for patriotic decor or whatever it might be, remember to look at pieces in a more neutral and broad sense. This way your decor will have multi purpose and extend its life through the year rather than a particular season. Seasonal decor is always fun and festive, but keeping it balanced with perennial pieces provides a much better purpose all around.

If you haven’t already, please make sure to visit Rachel and Lora for more thrifted goodness.

Get the Thrifted Stylish Patriotic Look

These vintage books are sold by color collections.

The Constitution is a great resource and accent piece for patriotic decor.

These floral buffalo plaid tea towels have a great vintage farmhouse vibe.

There are some good blue and red designs in this vintage inspired handkerchief set.

I’m tempted to get this blue transfer ware set to use as a cache pot.

This new patriotic tin decor has great vintage vibes.

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I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living.” 

John D. Rockefellar

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sharing @ between naps on the porch