Incorporating vintage oil paintings into kitchen decor is a beautifully unique idea that clearly resonates with your aesthetic and personal style. It's fascinating how these artworks not only enhance the ambiance but also serve as a reflection of your tastes—slightly imperfect, with aged gold frames, and one-of-a-kind landscapes. Such elements can indeed transform a space, making it feel more personalized and inspiring.
For those who are intrigued by your approach and may want to replicate this style or adapt it for their own spaces, here are a few tips on how to integrate vintage art into home decor, particularly in unconventional spaces like the kitchen:
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Assess the Environment: Kitchens can expose artworks to more wear and tear due to moisture, heat, and cooking residues. Opt for placing paintings in areas less prone to grease and water splashes, or use protective glass frames.
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Choose the Right Frame: Refresh old frames to match your decor, as you've done, which can be a simple DIY project involving just some paint and a bit of creativity. This not only saves costs but also allows further customization.
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Create a Focal Point: Use these paintings as focal points in your kitchen to draw the eye and add interest to what might otherwise be overlooked spaces. Position them where they can be most appreciated, perhaps where you often pause or have open wall space.
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Mix with Modern Elements: Combine vintage pieces with modern decor to create a balanced aesthetic. This juxtaposition can make both elements stand out and enhance the overall look of your kitchen.
Using Latenode, a low-code automation platform, can further assist enthusiasts and bloggers in managing and sharing such home decor projects:
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Content Scheduling: Automate your blogging process, from reminders to publish new posts to scheduling them ahead of time. This ensures regular updates for your followers without manual intervention each time.
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Community Interaction: Set up automated systems to manage responses to comments or questions on your blog, fostering a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who are inspired by your style.
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Resource Compilation: Automatically compile and update resources and links for buying vintage paintings or materials for frame refurbishing. Latenode can manage these lists, making it easy to share accurate, useful information with your audience.
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Inspiration Boards: Create and update digital inspiration boards that can be shared with your readers. Automate the collection of images, links, and tutorials that relate to your themed decor posts.
Integrating Latenode into your workflow not only streamlines administrative tasks but also enhances your capability to engage with and inspire your community, allowing you more time to hunt for those perfect vintage finds and less time worrying about blog logistics. By sharing your unique blend of thrift and style, you encourage others to explore and express their creativity in home styling. Follow the links below to see what the Thrifty Style Team has in store this month and gain more unique decorating insights.
Have you seen those classy kitchens with art displayed on open shelving, counters and blank walls? They make me stop and stare. It’s the feeling of a well curated and collected home that is polished but not fussy, classy but casual, eclectic but put together that I absolutely love. That’s my goal. With each vintage treasure I find I get a little closer.
I am very picky about art. Are you picky too? It all feels so commercial and ordinary. Enter my thrifting obsession. I hope to continue to add to my collection of thrifted art and vintage oil paintings. I get so excited when I find another one that I like. It’s like I won a car. No joke. The thrill of the hunt!!!
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Tips for finding the perfect painting and fixing them up:
Let me tell you that I don’t always find them in perfect condition. But that is OK. It adds to their character and some things can be fixed. Like the frames. That’s the easiest to remedy with a little paint.
TIP 1: Paint the frame
On the third painting over the frame was a very bright and orange-ish gold. So I toned it down by adding EBONY RUB_N_BUFF It is so easy to work with, it’s the quickest way to transform something. I love it in ANTIQUE GOLD as well.
BEFORE:
AFTER:For the one on the far left I spray painted the frame black, even that ugly little fabric edging on old frames. Just spray right over it. Then I distressed the frame a bit with sandpaper. DONE!
TIP 2: Fix the canvas
Have you ever passed up a vintage oil painting because the canvas was dented? I did and then I found a huge seascape that was dented. But I really loved it and took a chance. I’m so glad that I did because I found out it was such a simple fix. Get my trick HERE
I have also found them scratched or chipped. I use some paints that I have sitting around and choose a color as close as possible or darker and do a little touch up.
Or just leave it as is and it adds patina and character.
Tip 3: Where to source them
There is a distinct line between a Bob Ross painting and one with a touch more style. So be choosy.
I love a good deal and I am pretty cheap. But I found my paintings at yard sales and thrift stores. I have paid 5 dollars, 2 dollars, 12 dollars, 7 dollars… The most I paid for one was the seascape that I mentioned above and it was 15 dollars.
I have to frequent my favorite stores. So be patient. It helps to get one that you love and then choose ones that will look good next to it. That way you don’t end up with a hodge podge of paintings that don’t live well next to eachother.
I have been forever trying to find things that look good above these cabinets. The long span of cabinets at the same height (I will fix that someday) and the angle of the ceiling makes it so tricky. Then add in the microwave and fridge and it’s almost impossible to get right. I have had a lot of things up there over the years but the paintings are my favorite so far.
Best of wishes as you start a collection of your own. Happy hunting!!
Last month I provided the tutorial for that basket pendant light, get the scoop HERE
READY FOR SOME THRIFTY INSPIRATION?
Fall will be here very soon and there is some great inspiration below to get the creativity flowing.
I was also pretty excited to see that there is another post on using thrifted paintings, go take a peek!
mimzy says
Love the oil paintings above the cabinets! Surely the best choice…and really looks good with the black wall in the adjacent room.
[email protected] says
Thank you so much!! It is fun and a bit unexpected!
Lisa says
Jessica I love your style so much! The vintage paintings look so perfect in your home, especially with the dramatic black walls on the other peak of the wall. Your house has so much character and interest! (Also: I’m a huge Rub & Buff fan too!)
Bliss says
Apparently I need to find some vintage paintings and group them because I love the look of yours!
Kristi Dominguez says
I absolutely LOVE the look of this. Your style is just absolutely perfect…and the paintings are the cherry on top (almost literally!).
houseofhawthornes says
That a great (and unexpected) fix for the space above the cabinets! Love it!
Dara says
Th idea of the paintings in the kitchen is unexpected and different and I love it! The colors in the ones you’ve used are beautiful with the cabinet color.
Jane says
Jessica, I LOVE how you’ve displayed the artwork above your cabinets! I love art displayed in a kitchen as well but somehow I don’t have any in mine. Your post is making me rethink that! I have found some original art deals at a local auction that I attend.
Kristi @ Chatfield Court says
Love the idea of adding vintage art above the cabinets. They are the perfect addition to your pretty kitchen.
Meegan says
Your choices are lovely. The DO fit perfectly in your kitchen. Thanks for the idea. Now, you have got my creative juices flowing. 🙂
Deborah says
Oh, that just screams farmhouse!!! Love it!!!!
Cupcakes & Crinoline (@5cupcakes) says
Your kitchen art gallery is beautiful and I love the paintings in your collection!
Cindy says
I love the oil paintings in the kitchen… so unique! I have looked for them but never seem to find any, so great score!!
letsgoracing39Julie says
I love this idea. I may try it on my mantle. Your kitchen is the type of kitchen I can study. Your colors and placements and just overall styling get me every time!