What you need to know when Shopping for Vintage Watches

Here’s a scenario: Your dad is well into vintage style. His house is full of vintage furniture, and he drives a vintage car. Now that he’s going to celebrate his birthday, you’re thinking of giving him a vintage watch. Yes, you know he would love it. Oh, wait! The truth is you’re not sure. While you grew up surrounded by vintage items, you still don’t have enough knowledge about vintage stuff. You think you don’t have an eye to distinguish high-quality vintage watches from the poor quality ones. You are worried that you might just disappoint your dad if you unintentionally give him the latter. What are you going to do?

Vintage Watch 101

Buying vintage watches is just like purchasing any other item. You need to arm yourself with enough knowledge and be careful in choosing which piece to buy. Here are some basic facts about vintage timepieces:

·       Each vintage timepiece represents a particular era

Please be reminded of this fact, because it will help you choose a watch more easily. It is not advisable to just look into various vintage watches for sale without knowing the period of time they represent. The word “vintage” is very broad; hence you need to at least have an idea about what the term covers.

·       A vintage watch is not necessarily an old watch

Just like with vintage jewelry, there is a type of vintage timepiece called the costume watch. Vintage costume watches are newly manufactured and less pricey than authentic vintage timepieces. If you can’t afford to buy an authentic piece, this type is a great alternative.

·       It is ok for a vintage watch to have some scratches

This fact applies only to authentic pieces. A 70-year-old watch can have a slight scrape, and it’s absolutely fine and to be expected. Just make sure the timepiece is not on the verge of breaking. If you’re going for vintage costume watches, then this piece of information is not applicable. A newly manufactured watch with scrapes is not worthy of your money.

How to Buy Vintage Timepieces

Source and quality are two important factors to consider when buying vintage watches. The UK has a lot of stores that offer cool vintage watches of good quality. Don’t be afraid to explore each and every possible source, for it is when you carry out your research that you can find the best. You may also opt for online shops like Brisbane Vintage Watches, for instance. Online stores give you more chance to check each item and carry out some online research before finally picking your favourite choice. Take your time when choosing your source in the same way that you’re taking your time when trying to pick a good quality item.

So there you have it; the basic facts that will help you find the best vintage timepiece. Take note of all the information discussed above, and you will be able to buy a vintage watch that your dad will definitely love. Vintage style is currently very fashionable, but it always pays to learn first about vintage items before purchasing one.

For more information on Vintage Watches check out this Article about Cool Vintage Watches for Men or if you would like to find out about vintage style, check out this website Vintage vogue.

So, what is is about Vintage Signs?

So, you grew up seeing various vintage signs among your dad’s stuff. Although you’re fine with it, you never felt particularity curious about them, but in recent time you have began to wonder what is it about these old signs. Is it a guy thing? Do you feel a little left out because you can’t relate much to their fondness for vintage style, and do you wish you could see things from their perspective? Well, just because you have no natural interest for vintage doesn't mean you can't develop this over time should you wish. You might even share the same feelings if you start to learn a bit about these vintage items.

Vintage Signs

Vintage signs are among one of the most popular collector’s items due to their historic value and beauty. These items were used to advertise various products, and were often made out out porcelain, neon and tin. Vintage cardboard signs and Vintage metal signs are also popular among collectors.

·       Vintage Wood Signs

As we know, wood has long been used by people for various purposes, including sign making. Wooden signs were produced during the age of sailing ships. Using these signs was an economical and effective way of promoting one’s business.

·       Vintage Porcelain Signs

It was 1800 when the first porcelain sign was produced in Europe. These signs became popular for their durability. However, the production of porcelain signs eventually stopped due to high labor costs. Porcelain was replaced by metal and other materials that were painted with enamel paint. At present, it is hard to find porcelain signs that are still in good condition and so if you do manage to find such an item, you may want to consider having it valued and you might well be pleasantly surprised!

·       Vintage Tin Signs

Tin was among the first materials that replaced porcelain. Tin signs were usually painted and stamped. The popularity of these signs started to wane after the 1920's. From a durability point of view porcelain would also win over tin.

·       Vintage Neon Signs

These signs emerged in 1912. They had tubes containing neon or other gases. When high voltage is applied to them, they glow. Neon signs became popular during the 20’s and 30’s; however, they were fairly expensive. In the 1950’s some neon signs were being produced but mostly in small numbers for local businesses such as restaurants, bars, shops and hotels.

·       Vintage Cardboard Signs

These signs became popular in the 20^th century particularly in the USA. They were used to advertise various consumer items such as candies, sodas, and the like.

The value of old signs is determined by appearance or appeal, condition, and shortage. While appeal is a vague term, condition and shortage can be verified by doing some extensive research. If an item is in good condition carries a greater value. The same thing goes for vintage items that are already in small quantities. You should also have an eye to determine which piece is authentic. As for vintage signs, many of them have been reproduced for decoration purposes. Hence if you’re looking for an authentic piece, make sure to do your research and ensure that what your buying is the genuine article.

Meanwhile, you have already learned about the basics of vintage signs, and for that, it is safe to say that hopefully have some understanding of where your dad may have been coming from with his love of all things vintage!

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Tips for Having the Prettiest Vintage Flowers for Your Wedding

There you are, planning for your vintage wedding. You must be really excited! You have already pictured the overall look of your dress and you have an idea of the bridesmaids’ dresses in your mind. But hey, you must remember that a vintage wedding is not just about wearing vintage clothing. It is about the entire feel of your big day.  Consider the decorations and the venue; the cake and the favours. Apart from the look of the bride, groom, and the whole entourage, the decision on which flowers to use is certainly among one of the most important elements and should be one of the initial things to plan for. To have an authentic vintage feel, you should of course consider using vintage wedding flowers. Do you have any types of vintage flowers in mind? How about a specific type of flower arrangement?

Below are some suggestions on how to have the best vintage flowers for your wedding:

·       Pick a specific era.

This is actually a default rule or tip when it comes to purchasing any vintage item. There are various periods of time encompassed by the term “vintage”. For instance the1920’s vintage look differs greatly from that of 1950’s; hence you should be specific with your preferred era and try to stick to that for your overall theme for the day.

·       Be in the know of the various flowers that represent your chosen era.

It pays to have various choices, for you can explore a lot of different types of beautiful flowers. Do you opt for a 30’s look? If so, you may want to choose among Calla lilies, Gardenias, Jasmine, and Roses. You may also pick Hydrangeas, Peonies, Apple Blossom, or Lily of the Valley if you prefer a 50’s design. If you’d love to go for a 60’s theme, Gerberas, Irises, Daylilies, Carnations, or Daisies are the best options to consider.

·       Explore different bouquet styles and accessories.

The bridal bouquet should work well with the wedding gown. For instance, a pomander bouquet is advisable if you’re going to wear gloves. You may also want to use some accessories like brooches, diamanté or lace to accentuate that vintage look.

·       Vintage style should also be recognised in the flower arrangement and overall presentation.

There are various flower arrangement and presentation options when it comes to achieving that adorable vintage style. For example, you may use vintage curtains with flower tie backs. You may also transform vintage bottles into vases where you can place your beautiful vintage flowers. Meanwhile, did you know that real flowers were also used as cake toppers during the earlier times? You may also want to do this with your wedding cake!

·       You may want to consider using vintage paper flowers.

While real fresh flowers may be more preferable due to their delicate and fragrant nature, you may also want to try using paper flowers to decorate your reception venue. The flower tie backs mentioned earlier may be made of paper, as well as those that are placed in flower vases. Just like when you order real flowers, there are shops that sell vintage paper flowers. You may also order online.  Using paper flowers is actually a good thing to do, since it showcases creativity and resourcefulness.  Those paper flowers can even look as beautiful as real vintage flowers if enough thought and effort has been put into their design. Wallpaper invitation envelopes, by the way, are another great item that can add beauty and creativity to your entire wedding. Should you be interested, you may also use vintage floral wallpaper, perhaps as part of the table decoration, as a runner or to decorate the vases that are used for the vintage flowers.

Planning for a vintage wedding is not easy; hence it pays to feed your imagination with different vintage wedding ideas. Learn everything that you can, and your dream wedding will surely become a reality.

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For 10 Great Vintage Wedding Ideas check out this article:http://www.vintagevogue.eu/10-great-vintage-wedding-ideas/

5 Steps in Planning for a Vintage Kitchen Makeover

Are you dreaming of creating a vintage feel in your kitchen? Cooking and preparing different dishes for the family need not be just a mere chore. It can be an art and a way of expressing oneself. If you do all the cooking and enjoy it anyway, what could be better than wanting to have more fun during this household activity? Doing things for your family is indeed fulfilling, and you may get even more satisfaction if you love what you do and also the environment that you do it in. If a vintage kitchen will give you more joy, then what are you waiting for? Start the transformation of your cooking place!

Vintage Kitchen Makeover

A kitchen has a lot of things in it; hence it can be little tough to just go-vintage. However below are some tips that can make your kitchen transformation easier for you:

·       Determine your preferred era.

Vintage style refers to something that represents an era that is at least 20 years in the past.  You have lots of periods to choose from be it the swinging colorful 60’s or the more sophisticated 50’s hollywood glamour era. Know your facts and be sure about the period and style that seems most appealing to you.

·       Find a good source of vintage items.

The next thing you should determine is the shop where you want to buy items for your kitchen. You don’t necessarily need to opt for a single shop. Explore each store that you can, and take a close look at the items that they sell, from vintage kitchen décor to vintage kitchen utensils and other items. Choose the shop or shops that offer high-quality vintage items that match your favorite style or colour theme.

·       You may want to start with your walls and floor.

Once you have an idea where to buy your kitchen items, you can then start planning the actual transformation. An easy way to begin is by working on your walls and floor. The most economical suggestion on how to do this may be through the use of vintage wallpaper and classic linoleum. As for the wallpaper, you may opt for those that were printed in your chosen period or those that are newly printed. Choose the latter option if you want to go for a less pricey item. For the linoleum, a safe choice would be the classic black and white checkered design, reminiscent of a vintage American diner!

·       Proceed with the cookware and other essential parts of the kitchen.

This is perhaps the most exciting part of your kitchen transformation, for it involves items that you will use for the actual cooking. For the vintage feel that you want, opting for bright-colored items is advisable. Complete your vintage cooking experience by purchasing vintage kitchen accessories. You may also buy a vintage kitchen table and other items needed in preparing and serving your daily meals.

·       You may want to buy other vintage decorations.

To make a full vintage transformation, you can decorate your walls with some colourful shelves, vintage signs, paintings, posters, menus, and a lot more stuff that represents your chosen era. Feel free to put up anything, but make sure that everything in your kitchen blends well with each other.

Now, you are ready for a total kitchen makeover! With the entire vintage feel in your kitchen, you will definitely have more fun cooking! And by the way, do you have a young daughter, niece or granddaughter or know any little girls who may also be interested in baking and having fun in the kitchen? Well, if so she would more than likely love the wonderful range of KidKraft toys, so why not bond with her over a KidKraft vintage kitchen toy set? This can even give her the feeling of responsible baking, cooking meals in large amounts and then doing the dishes afterwards! Indeed, there are lots of vintage items for cooking, from toys to real ones. More than being just beautiful to look at, such items also contribute to your own personal self-expression.

For more tips on how to create you own vintage kitchen check out this article http://www.vintagevogue.eu/how-to-create-your-very-own-vintage-kitchen2/

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Do You Want to Decorate Your Room With Vintage Wallpaper?

There is a wide array of options if you want to give a new look to a room in your home. You can rearrange your furniture, put out some new ornaments, change the lighting, or alter the color of your walls. The choice is entirely yours since your room represents your character and personality. If you want to make a big change that can also be quite easy to achieve, and working on your walls may be the best option. Do you opt for a simple colour to refresh the look for your room, or do you wish to see adorable designs on your walls? If you prefer the latter, then you may wish to use wallpaper instead of regular house paint. From contemporary to vintage wallpaper, you never need to run out of choices.

Some Advantages of Using Wallpaper

·       You can save on time and effort.

You don’t need to spend a lot of time and energy mixing different colors of paint or mixing paint with thinner to get the right consistency. Also quite often with paint several coats are required in order to achieve the right effect. Wallpapers are so much quicker and easier to apply. You only need paste and a roller (and perhaps a little patience).

·       Using wallpaper can be very economical.

Yes, you can find a lot of quality wallpapers at very reasonable prices! They can often work out much cheaper than when working with paint, especially if for instance you are just looking at creating a feature wall, in which case you can often find just one or two rolls may do the trick. Family and friends may also be able to give you some offcuts or unused rolls to use. Wallpaper can also be used to cover or disguise an unsightly wall, saving much time when comparing this to how long it would take to fill and paint the wall, in such cases thicker wallpaper would be advisable, as this can hide a multitude of sins.

·       Wallpaper makes it easier for you to work on a particular theme.

When it comes to themes, you have a gargantuan list of options with wallpaper. Vintage, classic, or modern, floral or geometric; you name it and you can have it!

Opting for Vintage Wallpaper

Using vintage items when decorating your bedroom can be quite exciting. More than just beautifying your private space, vintage style can take you back to limitless years of the past. Every era has its own remarkable beauty that you may wish to behold. Would you love to connect with nature through vintage flowers? Using vintage floral wallpaper can certainly make this possible! 

Below are some tips on how to choose the best vintage wallpaper for your room:

·       Determine your preferred era.

While no particular era can be branded as the best, it is still important for you to determine which period of time catches your taste and interest. You may then search for wallpapers that were actually printed in your chosen era; however, they can be a little pricey compared to vintage style papers that are newly fabricated.

·       Make sure that your desired wallpaper matches your room in terms of color, design, and other specifications.

Color combination is an important thing to consider in all types of decoration. If your room is full of bright-colored items, choose among wallpapers that can blend well with your personal things. The same thing goes for designs and prints. The size of your room should likewise be considered. If you’ve got a small room, you wouldn’t want to decorate it with largely printed wallpapers, for it will look even smaller.

·       Look for a reputable shop.

Just like with other home ware items, this is an important consideration when purchasing vintage wallpaper. UK has a lot of shops that offer various types of vintage wallpapers.  Hence, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding exactly what you’re looking for. You may also want to consider online shops for a wide variety of design options, often at very competitive prices. 

There you have it; the basics of using wallpaper, particularly vintage wallpaper, whether that be for your bedroom, lounge, kitchen or in fact pretty much any space in your home. Indeed, wallpaper has its share of advantages over paint, and vintage wallpaper can definitely stand out among other types of wall decorations. If you do your research and find a paper that reflects your personality and style, then you will definitely enjoy beholding the beauty of working with such a wonderful vintage item.

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