Retro Kitchen Accessories – Tips to transform your kitchen
Aside from looking lovely, one of the benefits of choosing a vintage or retro style for your home is that it doesn’t have to cost the earth. The eclectic nature of these styles means that all you need are a few gorgeous vintage or retro kitchen accessories and a bit of imagination.
One of the up-sides of the recent economic muddle is that homeowners across the UK are starting to look at more imaginative ways to decorate their homes.
For those looking for a low cost way of transforming their kitchen this summer, it’s time to look again at the vintage, retro or country house looks.
In its simplest form this means some bright, energetic patterns alongside a fresh lick of white paint.
You can choose between the bright, striking colours of a retro look – choosing a few central and eye catching items – or go for the gentler vintage look. The best thing about both of these looks is that they can be done on a shoestring budget.
The first place to look is your attic or garage; those boxes of forgotten trinkets from years ago. Before you rush out to buy anything new, have a look to see what is hiding in your storage. Vintage and retro looks can encompass styles from many eras – and who knows, that vase you rejected in the 70s might be perfect on your window sill now.
The next stop could be second hand shops, charity stores and (depending where you live) car boot sales. Remember that people don’t scrub items before selling them through these types of outlets – so try to look past the grime!
Old wicker items and furniture can easily be given a new lease of life with a coat or two of paint. Bold and bright colours are great for retro, while pastels will suit vintage. And remember that car boot sales and second hand shops will often be the best places to find beautiful doorknobs and light pulls.
When it comes to choosing a few new items to brighten up this look, there are lots of useful but beautiful vintage and retro kitchen accessories to be found. The best kitchen accessories are functional – like kitchen roll stands, brightly coloured storage tins, clocks or serving platters.
While we all love fresh flowers, dried flowers can look great with the vintage or country house look – especially hydrangeas which dry to beautiful faded colours– and of course they are much cheaper. Dried flowers can also be perfect for showing off a bright vase.
If you are a creative soul, why not have a look in the remnants bins of fabric and furnishing companies. From covering chair seats to making placemats or napkins, for anyone handy with a sewing kit this is a great way of bringing bright patterns into your kitchen.
Stick to striking and bright coloured fabric for a retro style, or opt for faded florals, chintzes and ginghams for a vintage or country look which can be more decorative and delicate.
Vintage, retro and country styles are all about the little touches adding up to give a bright and pleasant feel to a home.
Mixing salvaged trinkets, re-painted or re-covered items with just an occasional new but inexpensive piece, and sticking to a “beautiful but functional” theme of retro kitchen accessories, this look is achievable on any budget.
About the Author
Debbie Wright is the owner of Vintage Style Gifts, an online boutique offering a fabulous selection of retro and vintage accessories for the home and garden.
See how you can transform your home using Vintage and Retro Accessories at Vintage Style Gifts. From tea cosies to garden furniture, there is a wide selection of all things retro to brighten up any home.
Having always filled her own home with Retro and Vintage Chic style accessories found on travels far and wide, her passion for all things Retro can now be shared.
Visit her website at http://www.vintagestylegifts.co.uk
|
|
Retro Style Winchester Orange Neon Clock $74.95 |
|
|
Retro pattern WALL CLOCK -Hand painted- one of a kind- NEW $10.99 |
|
|
RETRO WIND UP ALARM CLOCK PANDA $14.00 |
|
|
Small Sized Retro Flip Clock $67.67 |
|
|
RETRO VINTAGE STYLE QUARTZ PENDULUM BLUE WHITEWASH HOUSE KITCHEN WALL CLOCK NIB $19.95 |
|
|
Chaney 75153 Retro Star Clock $33.65 |
|
|
Retro Calendar Wall Clock $19.95 |
|
|
New Large Tabletop White Marilyn Monroe Retro Clock $13.99 |
|
|
12″ Retro Marilyn Monroe Wall/Kitchen Clock $39.95 |
|
|
Large Tabletop White Marilyn Monroe Retro Clock $22.95 |
|
|
Retro Red Carl Jorgen Eames Era Modern Wall Clock $31.95 |
|
|
RETRO JUNGHANS STARBURST WALL CLOCK $69.98 |
|
|
NEW Space Alien Retro Arcade Digital Alarm Clock – Shake Activated Snooze $10.87 |
|
|
NEW Retro Double Sided Metal Station Clock Thermometer $37.97 |
|
|
MAN CAVE RETRO 15″ REAL GLASS NEON CLOCK Bar Pub Game Room Garage NEW IN BOX $85.99 |
|
|
Mid Century Modern Eames Era Wood Spool CLOCK Retro MOD $39.99 |
|
|
GEORGE NELSON ICONIC BLOCK CLOCK Retro Midcentury Modern * Solid Wood & Metal $79.99 |
|
|
Classic Vintage Modern Simple Retro Twin Double Bell Table Alarm Clock Black $7.99 |
|
|
Retro Vintage-Style Wooden Pottery Barn Alarm Clock $19.99 |
|
|
Retro Wall Clock in Silver $32.99 |
|
|
Vintage Sears Retro Red LED Digital AM/FM Alarm Clock Radio Model #23870-Works! $7.99 |
|
|
Karlsson KA4398 Black Square Retro Vintage Glass Wall Clock 35cm x 35cm Black $45.81 |
|
|
New Retro Red Bay VW Camper Van Shape Wall Clock Gift $23.69 |
|
|
Retro Personalized Pink and Black Polka Dot Clock GIFT $14.99 |
|
|
1970s SANKYO ALARM CLOCK, RETRO 1960s SPACE AGE VINTAGE PANTON MODERNIST ERA $63.21 |
|
|
Pink Retro Alarm Clock! NEW! $4.99 |
|
|
12″ RETRO BALL CLOCK BY INFINITY CLOCK COMPANY $39.99 |
|
|
Retro cream/black plastic alarm clock from Urban Outfitters $5.00 |
|
|
Alarm Clocks: Retro Spot Light Alarm Clock-Red $24.99 |
|
|
Fossil Retro Wooden Clock $5.99 |
|
|
Retro Modern Auto Flip Alarm Desk Clock With Light 004 $49.99 |
|
|
Oldies Retro Flip Down Clock Internal Gear Operated $77.91 |
|
|
COCA-COLA EVERGREEN RETRO NEON 15″ WALL CLOCK Vintage Game Room $85.99 |
|
|
HOT ROD MAGAZINE Round 14″ METAL WALL CLOCK Vintage Car Retro Made in USA NEW $59.95 |
|
|
BILLIARD 8 BALL RETRO NEON 15″ WALL CLOCK Vintage Game Room Pool Table NEW $85.99 |
|
|
RETRO RIDER BUSTED KNUCKLE GARAGE 14″ METAL WALL CLOCK USA NEW $59.95 |
|
|
EAT AT STAN’S Round 14″ METAL WALL CLOCK Vintage Retro Hot Rod Made in USA NEW $59.95 |
|
|
COCA-COLA CLASSIC WINGS LOGO RETRO NEON 15″ WALL CLOCK 16A Vintage Game Room $85.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE MECHANIC GARAGE Round 14″ METAL WALL CLOCK Vintage Retro USA NEW $59.95 |
|
|
Retro Nostalgic 1955 Chevy Bel Air Car Lighted Clock $119.95 |
|
|
RETRO ATOMIC EAMES ERA GENERAL ELECTRIC WALL CLOCK $7.99 |
|
|
Modern Retro Style Desk Table Flip Clock Brown Leather / Black Face Shadow Box $58.99 |
|
|
Unique Retro Cube Nice Desk Wall Auto Flip Clock Black New Design Free Shipping $10.99 |
|
|
Unique Retro Cube Nice Desk Wall Auto Flip Clock Black New Design Free Shipping $10.99 |
|
|
NEW SILVER RETRO STYLE SUNBURST WALL CLOCK T $177.99 |
|
|
Retro Modern Adjustable Stand Tall Auto Flip Table Clock 007 $45.99 |
|
|
Retro Modern Auto Flip Alarm Desk Clock With Light 004 $49.99 |
|
|
Retro Modern Contempor Mechanical Art Gear Large Wall Clock Black 011 $75.99 |
|
|
Retro Modern Contemporary Single Stand Auto Flip Desk Clock White 012 $35.99 |
|
|
Retro Modern Contemporary Twin Stand Auto Flip Desk Clock Black 005 $35.99 |
|
|
Retro Metal Wall Clock with Steel Balls Modern Design Multi Color Ball Clock NEW $45.95 |
|
|
Polly Gasoline 20 Inch Retro Neon Wall Clock Light $219.99 |
|
|
Stylish Classic Retro Flip Flipping Desk Table Clock $1,014.99 |
|
|
Rexite quality Retro Italian Wall Clock Zero by barbieri e marianelli $19.71 |
|
|
Modern Simple Retro Auto Flip Number Desk Clock $15.59 |
|
|
Roman Retro Metal Vintage Hammer Double Bell Flower Rose Alarm Desk Clock Cream $6.99 |
|
|
Simple Modern Retro Auto Flip Number Desk Wall Clock White $6.99 |
|
|
Retro Look Sterling & Noble No. 9 Roman Numerals 12″ Octagonal Wall Clock $12.50 |
|
|
Karlsson Retro Station Wall Clock – Green Metal Casing – 14″ Diameter NIB KA5351 $49.95 |
|
|
Auto Flip Number Desk Wall Clock Modern Simple Retro Black $16.94 |
|
|
Blue Retro Turtle – Wall Clock (Choose from 7 Colors) -PP1052 $20.99 |
|
|
Blue Retro Turtle – Wall Clock (Choose from 7 Colors) -PP1052 $20.99 |
|
|
Blue Retro Turtle – Wall Clock (Choose from 7 Colors) -PP1052 $20.99 |
|
|
Blue Retro Turtle – Wall Clock (Choose from 7 Colors) -PP1052 $20.99 |
|
|
Blue Retro Turtle – Wall Clock (Choose from 7 Colors) -PP1052 $20.99 |
|
|
Blue Retro Turtle – Wall Clock (Choose from 7 Colors) -PP1052 $20.99 |
|
|
Blue Retro Turtle – Wall Clock (Choose from 7 Colors) -PP1052 $20.99 |
|
|
RETRO Vintage Mid-Century GE General Electric TELECHRON Desk Clock Brass $24.99 |
|
|
RETRO VINTAGE STYLE 50S FIFTIES WALL CHOCOLATE CLOCK XMAS BIRTHDAY GIFT $16.95 |
|
|
SALE! NO TICK! Sweep-Action SATIN BLACK Retro style WALL CLOCK $18.88 |
|
|
Retro CREAM Kit Cat Clock ORIGINAL MOVING EYE TAIL Vintage Kitty Kat Klock $59.95 |
|
|
PLAYBOY -Retro style clock NEW IN BOX AUTHENTIC $19.99 |
|
|
Oldies Retro Flip Down Clock Internal Gear Operated $74.31 |
|
|
1950′s VINTAGE RETRO MOD ELECTRIC KITCHEN CLOCK – LIGHT AQUA – SWEEP SECONDS - $39.99 |
|
|
Retro Modern Scale Digital Auto Flip Single Stand Metal Desk Table Clock Vintage $42.94 |
|
|
Retro Twin Bell or Beep Alarm Clock Silver Battery Operated Repeating Snooze NEW $27.95 |
|
|
Classic Vintage Modern Simple Retro Twin Double Bell Table Alarm Clock Black $7.99 |
|
|
Wrought Iron Case Wall Clock Retro Classic Design Glass Lens Accurate Movement $35.95 |
|
|
Retro Hollywood Mirror Union Jack UK Flag Bell Alarm Clock Rockabilly Mod Punk $19.70 |
|
|
Retro Flip Classic Stylish Desk Auto Modern Wall Clock $5.29 |
|
|
Mini Sized Retro Flip Clock 60 Sec Setting Black free shipipng $55.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE 70s 80s RETRO WALL CLOCK – CREAM/ORANGE/BLACK/WHITE – KITSCH $20.46 |
|
|
Modern Green Cuckoo Wall Clock Retro Kitsch Designer $12.56 |
|
|
PLAYBOY -Retro style clock NEW IN BOX AUTHENTIC $29.99 |
|
|
Roman Retro Metal Vintage Hammer Double Bell Flower Rose Alarm Desk Clock Cream $6.99 |
|
|
Simple Modern Retro Auto Flip Number Desk Wall Clock Black $6.99 |
|
|
a super retro chic vintage style WALL CLOCK in new in box condition $10.27 |
|
|
Personalized Retro Pink & Black Polka Dots Decor Clock $13.99 |
|
|
3 RETRO BLACK/GREY/WHITE FABRIC WALLHANGINGS/CLOCK 30cm $23.63 |
|
|
70`s Vintage Retro Orange Wall Clock Hanson Ireland Full Working Order Quartz $10.27 |
|
|
Retro Gumball Machine Candy Decor WALL CLOCK-Black New $19.57 |
|
|
NEW Retro Flip Page Table Desktop Wall Clock With Backlight $10.99 |
|
|
Retro Red Metal Wall Clock – Quartz $16.99 |
|
|
Retro Style Shabby Cottage Chic Tin Wall Clock $32.00 |
|
|
COFFEE LOVER’S WALL CLOCK “DRINK COFFEE, DO STUPID THINGS…” RETRO KITCHEN NEW $19.99 |
|
|
Retro White Color Wall Clock 12 inch Ashton Sutton TY9118216W New $34.98 |
|
|
Retro Gumball Machine Candy Decor WALL CLOCK-Silver New $19.57 |
|
|
Digital Vintage Retro Modern Home Decor Auto Stand Flip Desk Table Alarm Clock $43.89 |
|
|
Retro Modern Scale Digital Auto Flip Single Stand Metal Desk Table Clock Vintage $42.99 |
|
|
RETRO VINTAGE STYLE 50S FIFTIES WALL WIFE NOT MAID FUNNY CLOCK MOTHERS DAY GIFT $11.95 |