Hello there! Welcome, and I’m so glad you stopped by today. It’s the next installment of the THRIFTED GOODIES series. If you enjoy thrift shopping and love the thrill of the hunt, then this post is for you. Thrifts are a great resource for fabulous architectural decor accent pieces. Join me as I share all about thrifting for architectural ornamental decor accents, including what to look for, how to up-cycle them and ways to style them.
Today I am not talking about salvaged architectural decor like spindles and old windows and corbels from old houses and buildings, but rather the decorative accent pieces which are inspired by architecture. Architectural decor, whether old or new, adds a layer of sophistication, culture and history to interior spaces. The designs are always interesting and inspiring. And although I absolutely adore vintage and antique salvage, architectural decor accents also create a similar atmosphere. Please join me as we chat a bit about these architectural pieces which are often found at thrift stores.
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All About the Thrifted Goodies Series
The Thrifted Goodies series consists of monthly posts where my friend, Rachel, from the Antiqued Journey, and I share thrift store intel. Topics might include particular finds, tips, stylings, techniques, up-cycles, and general advice about thrift shopping mostly for home decor in general. Some months we invite a guest host. Thank you for joining us.
Today I am sharing all about thrifted architectural decor accents. We will talk about what to look for, how to use them and how to make it work for your decor aesthetic if necessary. Thrifting is an adventure, which yields unexpected and unique results. Architectural pieces are extremely unique and special and are wonderful surprises often found at thrifts.
Rachel is sharing Spring and Easter thrifted finds today. She always finds the most amazing pieces! You don’t want to miss her latest post. If you don’t know Rachel yet, when you are done here, head over to visit Rachel and introduce yourself, while you check out her newest post {thrifting for Easter decor 6 vintage finds for cheery Spring decorating}.
You can also find Rachel in her other spaces; give her a follow:
Sometimes we have a guest host in the series for triple the fun, and today is one of those bonus days. We have Anna from Sky Lark House joining us with more thrifting insight. Anna has fabulous knowledge about vintage wares and antiques . Today Anna is sharing all about vintage tins, and you can visit her post here {finding collectible vintage tins for your home}.
You can also find Anna in her other spaces; give her a follow:
If you are coming over from Rachel or Anna’s place, 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 you.
What is Architectural Ornamental Decor?
Architectural decor accent pieces for the purpose of this guide include finials, pillars, plaques, statues and more. All these decorative pieces are inspired by architecture and enhance design and aesthetic appeal in interior spaces. These decorative pieces are made of varied materials, including plaster, resin, wood and more.
The pieces we are talking about today tend to be on a smaller scale, which fit on a table top display, shelving vignette, mantle styling etc. They add dimension and interest to interior decor.
What to Look for at Thrifts When Shopping for Architectural Decor Accents
At thrift stores there are a variety of options when it comes to decor in general. When you start to focus on more specific elements like architectural decor pieces it narrows the focus. Here are some things to consider if you’re interested in thrift shopping for architectural decor accents.
Scale
The first thing I would say, focus on the size of the piece you are looking for. If you are looking for smaller items I would look on the shelving with all the knick knacks. If you’re looking for a larger scale item, peruse the occasional furniture pieces, and I would also look where wall hanging decor might be displayed.
For larger pieces, I would have a place in mind where to put it in your home. Maybe you have an empty spot or you have something you want to replace, but having a big enough spot is critical when you get the item home. The smaller pieces are easier, since you can place them around your home without really displacing anything. If an architectural piece catches my eye, I tend to bring it home.
Aesthetic
If you like the scale, shape and design of an architectural piece, but you’re not feeling the color or finish, don’t worry about it. Paint is a magic wand which can transform your treasures into perfect masterpieces for your home. Paint transforms so many thrift treasures, which allows the decor to compliment and enhance your home decor aesthetic.
Some of the pieces I am sharing today, were transformed with chalk paint and dark wax. It’s such an easy way to make a piece look new for your home, but with an old world feel. You can see in the picture above how all the pieces looked before I transformed them to fit my personal style. I share the step by step tutorial below.
Condition
Like any thrift purchase, the condition of said item needs to be examined carefully. Most thrift store do not accept returned merchandise, so you want to make sure the item is something you want to live with. For these architectural pieces, sometimes a chip doesn’t necessarily bother me since I will paint over it, which will make the defect less noticeable.
Also architectural decor tends to have flaws and defects many times, since they evoke feelings of a by gone era. Personally I like distressed and chippy decor, which align with my decor aesthetic. Be aware of your personal style and the condition of the decor pieces you want to incorporate into your home.
Price
What to pay for a thrifted item is always a tricky topic, since it’s extremely subjective. What I’m willing to pay for a “treasure” is not the same amount my BFF is willing to pay, but she might pay more for something else, which I would not. And round and round it goes. It’s one of the many layers which makes thrifting an interesting process.
Most of the architectural pieces I own cost less than $5. The piece which was the most expensive is the statuary piece and it’s solid concrete and pretty heavy. The heft, condition and design quality probably warranted the higher price point, and although I paid it, I did find it overpriced for a thrift store item though. Moral of the story? Pay what you find to be fair. You can always look on Etsy, Ebay, etc. to research what similar items go for in the marketplace.
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.
How to Up-cycle Architectural Decor Accents
Supplies
- Architectural Decor Piece (s)
- White Chalk Paint
- Paint Brush
- Dark Wax
- Wax Brush
- Rag
Crafting Pro Tip: Read the instructions through once and then re-read everything again. This way, you are familiar with everything you need and know what to expect.
Instructions
- Clean thrifted architectural accent thoroughly, removing any stickers or tags
- Apply a coat if white paint covering entire piece, setting aside to dry fully
- When accent piece is dry, give it a soft sanding to remove some of the paint and expose the original finish
- Apply another coat of paint and set aside to fully dry
- Once the second coat of paint is fully dry, apply dark wax and wipe away to only accent certain areas
- Once desired effect is achieved, set aside to cure fully
- Voila! Enjoy you’re new architectural accent masterpiece
Thrifting Pro Tip: Look at the potential of an item beyond its current state or condition. Items can be altered, up-cycled and recreated with TLC, elevating them to a trend forward piece.
How to Style Architectural Decor Accents
Clustered & Grouped
Collections are displayed together for a purpose. Like items in mass always make a bigger impact. Clustering a collection is a great way to showcase treasures. I use this technique often and if you’re a regular reader, you have seen it here many times.
Focal Point
Just like a grouping of similar pieces makes a big impact, s singular piece can also make a grand statement. The saying “less is more” can also stand true with one unique decor focal accent.
Decorative Accent
One piece can also be used as an accent among other decor pieces. The architectural profiles of these pieces always adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to a vignette.
Dressed Up
A finishing touch always add personality, polish and a sense of wholeness. A simple ribbon on a piece can add that extra detail to elevate the decor accent. You can use a coordinating ribbon or a contrasting one to create more dimension.
Other Recent Thrifted Treasures & Tips
If you’re an avid thrifter too, you might enjoy reading about my latest finds. You might have seen some of these already popping up around here, and you will be seeing more of them in the future. I share thrifted treasures throughout my home regularly.
Although I vowed not to bring another dainty lacy linen home since I own so many, including my parents and grandparents, I just couldn’t pass this guy up. Do you see the dancing couple embroidered on the piece?!? Oh! My vintage loving heart goodness. I could not, not bring this piece home. A styling will be dedicated to this lovely piece. I just don’t know when, what or how, but I just hope I do it justice.
For many of these items I have plans for stylings, up-cycles and DIY projects. The glassware are for a specific series of projects, which I canNOT wait to share with you really soon. I hope you like the projects and they turn out as wonderfully as they look in my mind. lol. Time will tell
If you enjoy thrifting and homespun decor accents, you might enjoy signing up to receive all new content directly into your in-box. I would love to have you join me.
Thrifting Pro Tip: Make a list of items you would like to find while thrifting on your phone, and you will always have the list with you whenever you pop into a thrift. Update the list regularly as you find treasures and seek others. Have fun!
Closing Thoughts
I hoped you enjoyed this installment of the thrifted goodies series. There’s plenty of thrift focus content scheduled for the upcoming months. What did you think of the architectural decor accents? Do you also like architectural pieces? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Thank you for being here today, and please hop over and visit my thrifty friend Rachel @ The Antiqued Journey and Anna @ Sky Lark House for more thrifting inspiration.
Shopping the Thrifted Architectural Accent Look
- Finial Accent
- Finial Figurines
- Ceramic Artichoke
- Rustic Dome Ornament
- Decorative Pillars
- Corinthian Capital
- Cherub Sculptures
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Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.”
Frank Gehry