Remember These? Old-Fashioned Household Favorites You Can Still Find Today

I found myself making not one, but two stops at The Vermont Country Store this week. The first was in Rockingham, where I was on a mission to find crisp clothesline sheets and classic Country Curtains for the antique brass-and-cast-iron twin beds I had just discovered while antiquing with my friend Molly in mid-coast Maine. A few days later, Steve and I escaped a rainy Vermont afternoon with lunch at Mildred’s Table in Weston before wandering through the store together. Before long, I was saying, “Oh my gosh, I haven’t seen one of these in years!” over and over again. By the time I left, I knew I had to share a few of my favorite old-fashioned household favorites with you.

How Many of These Do You Remember?

I’ve been visiting The Vermont Country Store for years, and no matter how many times I stop in, I always leave saying the same thing: “I forgot all about those!” That’s what makes this place so much fun. It’s not about antiques or vintage finds; it’s about the everyday household favorites that quietly disappeared from most stores years ago. The practical things we grew up using, the little comforts we took for granted, and the items you never think about until one suddenly appears in front of you.

So let’s have a little fun…how many of these do you remember? And here’s the best part: you can still find every one of them today.

Clothesline Crisp Cotton Sheets

These are the one thing I never leave the Vermont Country Store without. Every bed in both my Vermont and Maine homes is made with their Clothesline Crisp Cotton Sheets because they remind me of summers growing up, when my mom hung our bedding on the clothesline to dry. Nothing compares to climbing into bed between cool, crisp sheets that feel fresh from the summer air. Inspired by those old-fashioned line-dried sheets, these 100% cotton percale sheets are lightweight, breathable, and wonderfully crisp all year long. I always choose the classic white, but they’re also available in a variety of colors and patterns. Learn more in my Coastal Bedding Ideas for a New England Bedroom (What I Actually Use and Love) post.

Country Curtains Weaver’s Cloth Curtains

These were another easy addition to my shopping basket. I just purchased a pair in classic white for the antique twin attic bedroom I’m putting together because they’re exactly the timeless look I had in mind. If the name Country Curtains sounds familiar, there’s a good reason. The beloved company began in the 1950s and later became part of the iconic Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, before The Vermont Country Store brought many of its classic designs back to life. Made from their signature weaver’s cloth, these simple cotton-blend curtains have the same soft texture and casual charm that have made them a New England favorite for generations.

Looking for more window treatment ideas? You may also enjoy some of these reader favorites:

Do You Remember the Lemon Craze?

One display instantly took me back to the 1970s. Tucked among cheerful lemonade glasses, lemon-patterned dishes, hand soaps, and sunny yellow napkins was something I hadn’t thought about in years: Lemon Up shampoo! I couldn’t help but smile when I spotted the familiar bottle sitting beneath a sign that read, “The ’70s are back…and in a bottle.” Whether you remember washing your hair with Lemon Up or simply love all things lemon, this bright little display was a fun reminder that some everyday favorites are too good to disappear.

Blue Willow Never Goes Out of Style

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you probably know I have a soft spot for blue-and-white dishes, especially the timeless Blue Willow pattern. While I usually hunt for it in antique shops and vintage stores, I was delighted to see it beautifully displayed here, too. Whether you’re starting your first collection, replacing a favorite piece, or shopping for a gift, it’s nice to know this classic pattern is still easy to find. Some traditions really never go out of style.

Blue Willow is just one of many timeless gifts that never seem to go out of style. If you’re looking for more vintage-inspired gift ideas, these reader favorites are a great place to start.

Mountain Weavers Table Linens

If you’ve ever admired one of my holiday tables, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen Mountain Weavers. I use the classic red tablecloth throughout the Christmas season and a beautiful blue one the rest of the year; they’ve become staples in my home. These timeless table linens have long been a New England favorite, and when the Vermont company was ready to close its doors, The Vermont Country Store stepped in to preserve the tradition so future generations could continue enjoying them. Sometimes the most meaningful household favorites aren’t just worth remembering; they’re worth saving.

Woven Web Folding Beach Chairs

Who doesn’t smile when they see one of these classic woven web lawn chairs? They instantly bring back memories of backyard barbecues, camping trips, beach vacations, and summer afternoons spent outside. I couldn’t resist thrifting a pair of vintage camp chairs myself, and they’ve become some of my favorite pieces to style throughout the seasons. It’s fun to see these retro favorites making a comeback today, complete with the colorful woven webbing, lightweight aluminum frames, and fold-up design that made them a summertime staple for generations.

Old-Fashioned Glassware

From jelly jars and colorful tumblers to Peanuts character glasses and frosted seasonal designs, old-fashioned drinking glasses have a way of bringing back the best memories. I still love hunting for vintage glassware at antique stores and thrift shops, but it’s also fun to see timeless favorites like the Mosser Georgia Glass Collection and the French Bee Collection still available today. Whether you’re setting the table for everyday meals or entertaining family and friends, these classic glasses prove that some of the simplest traditions never go out of style.

Handmade Wooden Kitchen Bowls

Long before decorative bowls filled our countertops, handcrafted wooden bowls were everyday kitchen essentials. Whether used for mixing bread dough, serving fresh fruit, or serving a family meal, they were a staple in homes across New England. I still love finding antique wooden bowls at flea markets and antique shops, so I was delighted to see these beautifully handcrafted Vermont wooden bowls on the shelves. They’re one of the few old-fashioned finds in the store that aren’t available online, making them a special treasure you’ll have to discover in person.

These are just a few of the old-fashioned household favorites that made me smile. Chances are, you have a few of your own.

My Old Fashioned Country Store Finds

Of course, I couldn’t leave empty-handed! I found the crisp clothesline sheets I’d been searching for, a pair of classic white cotton curtains for the antique twin bed makeover in our attic bedroom, and my favorite surprise, a beautiful green-and-cream striped Vermont blanket that’s already found a home in our Vermont house beneath my newest favorite antique painting.

Make Time for Lunch at Mildred’s Table

One of the highlights of our trip to The Vermont Country Store was spending a rainy Vermont afternoon at Mildred’s Table, the charming restaurant steps from the store. Steve and I were invited to try their new fall menu, and it couldn’t have been a cozier way to spend the day.

We shared the fresh burrata and tomato salad, and I couldn’t pass up my favorite grilled cheese on homemade sourdough with bacon. We even celebrated with a little Prosecco before heading next door to browse the store, where I found a few more old-fashioned favorites to bring home.

Click below to join us for lunch at Mildred’s Table and get a little peek inside this cozy Vermont favorite.

A special thank you to The Vermont Country Store and Mildred’s Table for inviting us to spend the afternoon with them. It was every bit as cozy and nostalgic as we knew it would be.

I hope this little trip down memory lane reminded you of a few old-fashioned favorites you’d forgotten about. Whether you discover them at an antique shop, a flea market, a country store, or tucked away in your grandmother’s kitchen, it’s always fun to bring a little nostalgia home. Happy reminiscing—and happy hunting!

Looking for more inspiration from the backroads of Vermont? Fall is the best time to visit; browse some of these reader favorites:

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