Budget Window Shopping: 30 Vintage Finds Under $50

WHAT A WEEK. We revealed Jess’ incredible patio makeover, shared a few tips and tricks for keeping your home toasty and comfortable, reviewed 7 huge electrical planning mistakes, and broke down some of 2022s biggest decor trends. IT’S BEEN A LOT OF LEARNING.

So today, I wanted to give your noggin a break and ease you into the weekend with my all-time favorite internet pastime: vintage window shopping. I’m spilling the beans on 30 of my favorite small, wallet-friendly sellers on Chairish (yes, they exist!) and highlighting some incredible vintage steals under $50.

On the hunt for the perfect finishing piece? Maybe I linked it up below! Looking to support a small business? These folks are all great options! Just trying to figure out the best sellers to follow on Chairish so you never miss a slammin’ deal? You’ve hit the curated retailer list jackpot here, my friend. Let’s begin with a little something something from my hometown, yeah???

Item: 1960s Blown Glass Double Bud Vase
Price: $15
Shipping From: Excubist Designs in Wilmington, DE

WOW. 60 years old but she looks as good as new, right? This bud vase is so versatile – the shape is shockingly on-trend (hello, avant basic) but those sweet scalloped edges make it a perfect fit for those whose style falls a bit more in the “classic cottage in the countryside” category. Like, Ms. Honey from Matilda would have this in her house. SO CUTE. (Added bonus for my Gen Z-ers: it’s a fraction of the price of a Lex Pott candle.)

Item: Copper Pedestal Dish
Price: $50
Shipping From: Judy’s Junktion in Cartersville, GA

I grabbed a similar copper vessel when the team raided Em’s garage last year and it makes me smile every. dang. day. This piece would be a total showstopper on a dining table or mantel, don’t you think? (Also, Judy sells anything but junk. Her curation and prices are incredible – I’m eyeing this 1980s Lenox ceramic pear box, too.)

Item: Mid-Century Ceramic Horse Head Ashtray
Price: $50
Shipping From: The Vintage Advisor in Keasbey, NJ

If you also love Jonathan Adler but have a regular person budget, this ashtray may be just the right finishing touch that your coffee/console table needs. Alternatively, use it as a catchall in your entryway (no more lost keys!) or as a jewelry dish in the bathroom – either way, you’ll have a luxe-looking piece for way less. (PS. I know this breaks the $50 rule, but look at these $108 brass unicorn bookends that The Vintage Advisor has up for sale right now. Do I…need them???)

Item: 1930s Depression Glass Vessel
Price: $25
Shipping From: Xavier S. in Vancouver, WA

I’m really revealing all my favorite sources: this Chairish shop contains the MOTHERLODE of cheap depression glass (and colored glass of all kinds, too). Do as you will!!! Anyway, I love how timeless this vessel’s shape is – it’s vintage and still playful! – and that saturated blue is SO freakin’ fresh, even 90 years later.

Item: Brass Lobster Bottle Opener
Price: $45
Shipping From: Mayflower in New York, NY

Late last year, I bought this vintage Italian corkscrew and let me tell you that IT CREATED A MOSTER. I’ve since fallen in love with collecting quirky barware (a surprise to absolutely no one) and this brass lobster bottle opener is now square in my sights. It’s not just me who loves this stuff, though – if you’re ever stuck on what kind of gift to grab for a design-minded person, I’ve found that vintage bar tools like this one ALWAYS hit the mark. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Item: Decanters & Apothecary Bottles
Price: $42
Shipping From: Laineybean Home Decor in Sloughhouse, CA

Five vintage bottles in this condition for this price is a HIGHWAY. FREAKIN’. ROBBERY. I love Lainey’s idea to use these in the bathroom – can you imagine each jar filled with different bath salts or bubble bath? They also look even better in the listing, if you can believe it (the crop kind of distorts the coloring – they’re all totally clear, it’s just a tan background!).

Item: Cast Iron Rocking Horse Doorstop
Price: $38
Shipping From: Extraordinary Treasures in Phoenix, AZ

Excuse me. HOW FREAKING CUTE IS THIS? That posture! That expression! That tail! We don’t give doorstops enough credit, I think. The floor is such a fun place to play with decor in a new way, you know? In this case, maybe you’re interested in dipping a toe (or two!) in the styling-with-whimsy pool – just pop this in front of a door of your choice and see how it feels. I bet this little guy will make you smile!!!

Item: 1950s Pink Alabaster Trinket Jar
Price: $20
Shipping From: Shop Dinosaur Toes in Rustburg, VA

Confession: I maaaaay end up buying this before this post goes live. HOW COULD I NOT? (“Probably by developing better impulse control,” – you, right now.) But hear me out: It’s $20! It’s a squat little ginger jar! It’s bubblegum pink! It’s carved from solid stone! You know how much this would cost if it was being sold new? This little container is special, sweet, one-of-a-kind, and worth every single penny. LOVE.

Item: Small Bamboo Easel
Price: $32
Shipping From: Object Biographies in New Orleans, LA

First, I’d like to formally go on record and state that the tortoiseshell finish is about to have a BIG MOMENT. Second, can you imagine how chic this little mini-easel would look if it were displaying a little cocktail menu in a home bar setup? (“Chic” in the Palm Beach, Hollywood Regency, a little over-the-top way. Speaking of regency – how good is this pineapple-shaped marble and brass cheese tray from the same shop?)

Item: 1940s ‘No Admittance’ Sign
Price: $45
Shipping From: Genesse River in Volant, PA

If you’re in need of a cool vintage sign, Genesse River is basically a one-stop-shop. I love how silly and irreverent this one is – it’d make a fun, graphic statement in nearly any room of your house.

Item: Silver-Plated Duck Bank
Price: $50
Shipping From: Hometown Furnishing Finds in Cookeville, TN

I’m normally a firm believer that food delivery gift cards are the best thing to gift in a baby shower – like, who has the bandwidth to worry about dinner when they’re busy worrying about how to keep a new person alive??? – but this little duck bank has me changing my tune. It’s such an elevated take on a classic motif and it’d look right at home in any A-Lister’s nursery, don’t you think?

Item: Belgian Milk Glass Apothecary Jar
Price: $25
Shipping From: Dearly Decluttered in Boise, ID

A few weeks ago, Mal walked us through a few great ways to make your vitamins look, well…not ugly. Today, I’m coming in hot with a vintage solution: this cheery milk glass apothecary jar. She’s airtight AND she’ll protect your vitamins from exposure to sunlight. The proportions are so fun, too!!! This is one of those “quiet” pieces that we talk about a lot on the blog – it’s interesting to look at without calling a ton of attention to itself.

Item: 1960s Iron and Brass Candle Holders
Price: $36
Shipping From: DSM Lamp Works in Windsor Heights, IA

ANOTHER QUIET WINNER. You can’t tell in this shot, but those X bases are lifted a little and it makes such a cool, modern shape. The patina is great, too. Go minimalist with your dinnerware, pop a pair of taper candles in these bad boys, and your tablescape is basically finished for ya! What else can a girl ask for???

Item: Burn Board Wall Art
Price: $45
Shipping From: Rara Avis Design in Bozeman, MT

You ever see something that makes you wish you had another house so you could experiment with a few different styles? That’s how I feel about this piece. I’d love to see it styled out in a space that really leans into some classic Americana – you know, Pemberton blankets, buffalo check rugs, warm tones, lots of brick and wood. IT’D BE SO COZY!

Item: Murano-Style Purse-Shaped Glass Vase
Price: $49
Shipping From: Studio Concu in Zachary, IL

My current flavor of the week: Murano chandeliers. Buuuuut seeing as I don’t really have the budget to drop $5,000 on Italian lighting for my apartment with 8′ ceilings, these little tiny vases are scratching the itch in the interim. How fun would this piece be on a vanity? (PS. Studio Concu is one of my all-time favorite MEGA-affordable Chairish sellers.)

Item: Spanish Silver-Plated Twisted Stem Goblets
Price: $50
Shipping From: Summer Porch Vintage Living in Sacramento, CA

Zoom in!!! Not only are those stems twisted – they’re engraved with bunches of grapes! The goblets also come with glass inserts (GENIUS!!!) that’ll make cleanup a total breeze. Can you imagine serving dessert in these? But if they’re a little too “castle chic” for you (fitting, based on yesterday’s post), I’m here to give up another one of my favorite retailers: Summer Porch’s table- and barware inventory is UNPRECEDENTED. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a budget-friendly piece there that you love, too.

Item: 1970s Mottahedeh Trinket Dish
Price: $45
Shipping From: Maey in Winnetka, IL

Remember the old “there’s an app for that” Apple campaign? Well, here’s a 2022 take: THERE’S A MOTTAHEDEH DISH FOR THAT. I’ve given this one as an engagement present and this one as a going-away gift and let me tell you…folks who are into grandmillennial decor LOVE THIS STUFF. If you’re interested, there are a ton of different phrases and color-ways out there that are perfect for every occasion.

Item: Burl Wood Bookends
Price: $42
Shipping From: The Distillery in Austin, TX

My initial reaction to these went as follows: “uhh, are those maracas? Are they attached to slabs of wood? What is going on?” True to form, though, after staring at these bookends for longer and longer, they’ve endeared themselves to me. The shapes are fascinating and I think they could bring a lot of organic warmth to a more sterile, minimal space. (Remember when Bowser styled Jay-Z’s office? Like, these bookends feel like they could have held their own in that shoot.)

Item: Handcut Danish Decanter
Price: $35
Shipping From: Sarah E. in Tuscon, AZ

SO SIMPLE. So pretty. Decanters can get so expensive – this is a sturdy, keep-forever pick at a price that won’t break the bank. I would decant my mouthwash into this piece in a heartbeat.

Item: Brass Flamingo Statue
Price: $46
Shipping From: RELIC in Grand Haven, MI

If you also spend 30 minutes at flea market poking around the tent of whichever vendor has covered an entire table with brass figurines, I’m sure you also know that statues like this can get expensive. A foot tall piece for under $50? INCREDIBLE. Add it to your bar cart! Put it on your entryway console table so you’re always greeted by a shining, friendly face! The possibilities are endless!

Item: Porcelain Faux Bamboo Toast Rack
Price: $35
Shipping From: TheCreativeWe in Van Nuys, CA

I LOVE A TOAST RACK. I mean, sure, you could use this for napkins or mail and bills. But can you imagine using it for actual toast?! I DREAM of being the type of person who, uh, invites people over for breakfast (I guess? Since I live alone?) and then has their life together enough to carry out 4 pieces of perfectly-toasted bread WITH A PRODUCT designed specifically for carrying out 4 pieces of perfectly-toasted bread. One day I’ll get there. Maybe.

Item: Geometric Granite Paperweight
Price: $40
Shipping From: Earth and Images in Scottsdale, AZ

I don’t really love calling decor “masculine,” but that’s exactly how I feel about this bold cut of granite. It’d look SO GOOD on a bookshelf, or on top of stack of coffee table books, or in some other vignette that I don’t have the brainpower or creativity to imagine. If I were a little further along in my living room process, I’d buy for final styling without hesitation.

Item: Mid-Century Mushroom Salt & Pepper Shakers
Price: $28
Shipping From: Past Prezence in Laconia, NH

If you aren’t ready to dive head-first into the whole mushroom trend, these salt & pepper shakers would be a great jumping off point. They’re happy and playful (and since they’re in need of a little bit of polish and elbow grease, they’re also deeply discounted). Why go for an ordinary salt shaker when you can have one that’ll be fun to use every day?

Item: Nymolle Art Faience Danish Demitasse Cup
Price: $29
Shipping From: Allie’s Antiques in Bella Vista, AR

The illustration on this cup is just SO GREAT – it’s that perfect mix of youthful and mature that I really love. I wish it came in a wallpaper!!! I’d love to see this holding toothbrushes in a bathroom or holding pens in an office. (Also, Allie has pages and pages of well-priced pieces for all kinds of styles. Highly recommend favoriting her shop.)

Item: 1970s Italian Millefiori Dish
Price: $35
Shipping From: Corner House Collections in Metairie, LA

So, um, I also may buy this one before the post goes up – I’ve been feeling really inspired by this color palette lately. It started with these Kutani Geese, which I missed out on because I didn’t want to spend $250 on goose figurines (hooray for impulse control, sometimes!), and ever since then, I just can’t stop thinking about this melon/peach/turquoise/cobalt/chartreuse combo. Too weird, or do you also see the appeal???

Item: 1990s Bubble Glass Bowl
Price: $38
Shipping From: Kitty Curated in Riverside, IL

If you put this bowl in a sparse, high-end, super-modern store on La Cienega in LA and told me it was $600, I would absolutely believe you. While I don’t think this could work in my house (I’m a little too 1930s-meets-1970s over here), I could absolutely see this bowl looking uber-luxe in a more cool-toned, industrial space.

Item: Mid-Century Magazine Rack
Price: $47
Shipping From: WOOZ Style in Hastings, NE

If this rings a bell for you, it maaaay be because Sara included the fairly-similar Target version in her living room reveal (it’s just to the left of the sofa). These Umanoff-style magazine racks are totally classic for a good reason, though – this shape and construction feels just as fresh today as it did 70 years ago. Well done, vintage!!!

Item: 1980s Brass Dolphins with Ball
Price: $20
Shipping From: Dichamp Designs in Clermont, FL

WHERE IS A BEACH HOUSE WHEN I NEED ONE? This statue may need a little polish, but it’s such a good deal. What a fun way to spice up a boring bookshelf!!! (A few more winners from this shop: this $65 hobnail compote, this $50 brass crane, this $50 brass frog.)

Item: Mid-Century Marble Eggs
Price: $23
Shipping From: Serenity Antiques in Garrison, TX

I am the world’s biggest proponent of marble eggs and these are a STEAL (seriously, comparable ones sell for like, $30-40 each on Etsy; don’t even get me started on how much they cost at crystal shops!!!). I display mine in on top of a little stand in my window frame (scroll way down to get to the window shot) and I love that it spices up a spot that’s normally pretty boring. Big fan of the egg as decor!!!

Item: 1960s Anna Hutte Crystal Candy Bowl
Price: $30
Shipping From: Antique & Chic in Lincoln, CA

Last but not least, I’ll always be a sucker for a vintage cut-crystal candy bowl. These are always SO beautiful and I cannot believe that they are affordable, too. This one in particular makes me wish that I lived in like, a gilded age mansion with a big library and a huge leather-topped desk with a fancy candy budget. It’s fun how just looking at stuff can spark your imagination, you know??

And, well, I guess that’s it for the first-ever edition of Budget Window Shopping. I had a blast pulling this together but WHAT SAY YOU??? Hit me with some feedback, please – maybe we can publish a round 2 next month. LET’S CHAT. xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Michael Keck | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: 7 Tips For Creating A Unique Home You REALLY Love

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