Thursday, January 20, 2011

[ thrifting for bottles ]

OLD BOTTLES are so charming - I love their shapes and colours and I often imagine the stories of what they held inside and who used them. Occasionally I come across pics of old bottles displayed in various ways.




While I was out rummaging through my favourite Habitat for Humanity Restore, I came across a few grungy bottles and decided to give them a new home. Some were pretty filthy with dried up soil inside so I knew they'd need a bit of a sprucing up before I'd be displaying them anywhere. 

But after a bit of scrubbing, I think they look pretty great. For now I've popped a couple of blooms inside and they add a cheerful little hint of spring even though we're still in the depths of winter.

lisa


[1, 7 me and alice; dreamywhites; house of turquoise; whatnot; 
living etc; chic coles; 8, 9 lisaroy]




This post is linked up to Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground.
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25 comments:

  1. Red Door HomeJanuary 20, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Great finds. The simplicity of old bottles is what makes them so beautiful. Grouped together with a few flowers and they make a wonderful arrangement.

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  2. LeanneJanuary 20, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    i always find something great there too...have you seen how people are spray painting glass with gloss white and it comes up looking like milk glass?

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  3. MeelingJanuary 20, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Very simple and so pretty!
    They cleaned up beautifully!!

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  4. MoeJanuary 20, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    I'd love to find some blue glass like that. My room mate's mother has some that she's found on the beach over the years & they sit in her windows. From the light some of them have turned a gorgeous purple color. So Pretty!

    Popping by from an etsy thread!

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  5. Sarah @ Modern Country StyleJanuary 20, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    I honestly thought the last picture was one of your inspiration pictures too. They look fab! Didn't they scrub up well??

    I would've walked right past those but you've transformed them. Well done!

    Sarahx

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  6. jeanette from everton terraceJanuary 20, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    They came out lovely, I even like them dirty :)
    I did use to have some old bottles and like many things, I moved on and got rid of them, then regretted it. Liked these images very much.

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  7. High Street CottageJanuary 20, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    This is something I run across all the time on my little adventures. I can't seem to get into the bottle craze. But you certainly have tempted me! How pretty, your vignette. And such great prices too;) xoxo tami

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  8. Miss Val's CreationsJanuary 20, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    The simple design of placing a flower in a plain glass bottle is so beautiful! Wonderful post. ~Val

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  9. UrbanstemsJanuary 20, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Lisa you are so right. Beautiful bottles and some stems are fab. I have 3 lorina lemonade bottles I was going to throw out but not going to now! Sinead

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  10. Robynne's NestJanuary 20, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Lisa, I am often mistaken for a kiwi (New Zealander) or even sometimes a South African..and I do have to admit that I sometimes get American and Canadian accents mixed up too! Robx
    p.s. am loving your blog!

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  11. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeJanuary 20, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    Beautiful! I have two old crates full of blue, green, and clear mason jars (with glass lids!) in my garage that I have to do something with this spring.

    p.s. have you joined pinterest?

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  12. PineconeJanuary 20, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    The bottles you found are so pretty. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Ashlyn

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    I love old bottles!!! Your display is lovely! Xoxoxo

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  14. Marcus DesignJanuary 20, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    You are so right! These bottles bring nothing but charm!! I love your round up of photos here, each is so lovely :)
    Nancy xo

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  15. Formerly known as FrauJanuary 20, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Love the bottles....you found some great ones!

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  16. Sarah GreenmanJanuary 20, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    I love clusters of old bottles too!

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  17. SarahJanuary 20, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    I've seen some great shots of old bottle collections on The Selby before. It's tough to find good ones, though. Looks like you came across some great ones!

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  18. designchicJanuary 20, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    So simple and so beautiful...great finds!!

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  19. quintessenceJanuary 21, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Love old bottles as well. My father-in-law actually has a fabulous collection!

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  20. Debra@CommonGroundJanuary 21, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    I love the old bottles, you have them displayed so beautifully. Great post, I'm so glas you linked up for VIF!
    hugs,
    Debra

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  21. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    I love collecting vintage bottles, too! Love the inspirational photos you showed us, and the bottles you found are great!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    ~ Jo :)

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  22. SandyJanuary 21, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    I love the simplistic beauty and sculptural quality of old bottles and they always look stunning in sunshine garnished with a single blossom.

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  23. Cassie {Hi Sugarplum}January 24, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    so pretty! i've been scouring for some small, old fashioned milk bottles to use for a bday party!

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  24. ChrisJanuary 26, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    Great old bottles. Very old fashioned bottles. That's all rare.
    Seattle Real Estate

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  25. A Perfect GrayJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    I am so crazy for old bottles right now!

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