The “Coastal Grandmother” vibe is all the rage this summer. What you need to know about thrifting and antiquing for this coastal home decor style!
Join me for this month’s Thrifting with the Gals round-up as I take you thrifting and antiquing along the Coast of Maine.
You may also enjoy the post, VINTAGE BAZAAR NEW ENGLAND, A SUMMER VISIT.
If you are joining me from Michele over at Vintage Home Designs, this month’s guest host, welcome! Michele is such an inspiration to me, and I’m so thrilled she’s joining us here this week!
Are “Coastal Grandmothers” the new Trend in Interior Design?
A trend, yes, yet a style that has been VERY classic for generations.
Earlier this week I shared our summer home tour from our place here in Coastal Maine. It is there that you will get the full feel of a “Coastal Grandmother” vibe from this beautiful home we inherited almost three years ago now.
Not all “Coastal Grandmothers” enjoy thrifting and antiquing, but mine sure did—and now it’s left for me to carry on! And that’s what today’s post is all about.
A Look Back | My Mother Shirley Enjoying the “Coastal Grandmother” Life.
How to Thrift, Yard Sale, and/or Antique like a “Coastal Grandmother“
Truth be told, I didn’t love antiquing when I was younger. My mother would take me around to everything from auction houses to thrift shops.
Oh, and my dad loved getting up early to hit the yard sales, too. Hmmm, I wonder if the “Coastal Grandfather” is coming soon?
Simple Flower Arrangements
I would get so embarrassed when my mother would stop on the side of the road to cut flowers and weeds. Oh boy, I couldn’t stand it, ha!
I can’t get enough of it today. Check out my post last year on How to Create Beautiful Summer Weed Arrangements.
Simple wildflowers and weed arrangements indoors and outdoors are something that a “Coastal Grandmother” embraces dearly.
Because it’s all about the hunt and the creativity.
You may also enjoy these RED GERANIUM TIME-HONORED WINDOW FLOWER BOXES.
Collected Containers
Thrifting and collecting vintage and chippy containers to fill with roadside wildflowers and weeds can be so fun for summer flower arrangements. I also think of geraniums when I think of the “Coastal Grandmother.”
Maybe it’s because I remember my mother watering the flower boxes at their gift shop at the Nubble Lighthouse every day throughout the summer months.
Read more about our Coastal Maine Heritage – Embracing My Roots.
Check out more of these 7 OLD GALVANIZED BUCKET PLANTER IDEAS here.
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.”
SHOP GALVANIZED BUCKETS
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Thrifted Tables
The “Coastal Grandmother” loves hosting family and friends on beautiful outdoor tables, especially if it’s thrifted and original.
I picked up 5 of these butter knives for $1 at a recent yard sale, along with a set of blue and white dishes for just $10 that will be perfect for outdoor entertaining over the summer.
You may also enjoy This Summer’s Thrift Store Decor Finds.
You may also enjoy the 13 + Best-Loved Vintage Antiques and Uniques post.
Vintage Booth Business
A “Coastal Grandmother” also has a great love for community and family. My mother was very involved in the local community service donations and managed the local thrift shop that funded it.
Today, I have a vintage booth business at The Vintage Soul, where I resell items after they have been loved. You may read more about How to Start a Vintage Booth Business here.
You may also enjoy the post, 17 Best Summer Home Decor Accessories to Thrift.
Thoughtful Gifting
I always admired how my mother took the time to find just the right gift for a friend, birthday present, wedding gift, etc…
You may also find inspiration in the post Quilt Jackets: The Trendy Vintage Fashion.
A Childhood Lesson
Once, my mother took me to a local candle shop to choose a present for a family member who was hosting Thanksgiving dinner. She told me to choose one for myself and one for them.
When we got home, she asked me which one I liked best. We would give that one away as the hostess’s gift. I was young and did not want to give away my favorite candle, but it was a lesson well learned!
When my friend Molly from Molly in Maine visited earlier this week,, I gifted her two Springer dog planters that I picked up at a secondhand shop. The planters represent her two dogs, Maddie and Cisco. They are so cute and unique.
You may also enjoy the 21 Vintage Finds: 4 Days Thrifting in Coastal Maine post.
SHOP SIMILAR DOG PLANTERS
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For Fun
Sometimes, we just need to pick up something because we think it’s fun. For example, this beachy cooler could be used at the beach, outdoor happy hour, picnic, boating, etc.
I found a similar, if not the same, one HERE on Amazon.
You may also enjoy A Bernese Mountain Dog & The Gift of a Whale post.
Local Establishment Paraphernalia
Like this collection of Seacoast roadmaps.
A subtle yet familiar reminder of days gone by.
You may also enjoy this Antiquing 101: A Guide From the Trail post.
SHOP OLD ROADMAPS
Scroll and Click on Image to Shop and Start Your Own Collection Today!
When in Maine, Stonewall Kitchen Home Store
And I can’t talk about the “Coastal Grandmother” without mentioning one of my favorite shops, Stonewall Kitchen, which just opened up a new home store at its flagship store in York, Maine. You may see more in the post SUMMER DESTINATION MAINE, STONEWALL KITCHEN.
In 1998, when they were first starting out, we gave away Stonewall Kitchen’s amazing blueberry jam as wedding favors. At the time, they were still selling it at flea markets throughout the Seacoast.
My mother hand-wrapped and tied every one of them, and today, I’m thrilled to partner with them on the blog!
And look how cute the old Seacoast roadmaps now look in the guest bedroom, too. You may also enjoy this SMALL COTTAGE GUEST BEDROOM, VINTAGE AND DELIGHTFUL.
And this DIY License Plate Hat Rack and Wall Decor I recently made for this room too.
Cozy on the Coast
Living on the coast is a cozy endeavor, too. The weather can change in an instant with the casual fog rolling in, thunderstorms passing by; the sea turns, and more.
Therefore, the “Coastal Grandmother” leans toward collecting comfy elements to embrace her at home, like this navy blue chair pad I picked up thrifting for $10 this week.
It adds a touch of coziness to the also thrifted $35 Boston Rocker next to the living room fireplace that I found here on A VERY VINTAGE WEEKEND.
And check out what else I found with a tennis theme in the post, Antiquing Down East, A Day’s Jaunt
Shopping for Coastal Grandmother Decor | NEST Portsmouth
Your Guide to an Eclectic Style~
I’d love to hear from you! If you have thoughts, questions, or just want to pop in and say hello, feel free to leave a comment below. And if you have a vintage-loving friend, don’t forget to share this post—they might find a little inspiration here too.
Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at [email protected]
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BE SURE TO JOIN THE OTHER GALS JOINING ME TODAY ON THRIFTING WITH THE GALS!
Next up on today’s “Thrifting with the Gals” Blog Hop is Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest. Robyn is sharing 3 Easy Ideas to Display Beautiful Thrifted Art, which is sure to be amazing!
10 Ways to Use Thrifted Minnow Buckets
I’m loving all of the Coastal Grandmother thrifting ideas Ann. What a fun post.
Thank you so much Kim!
I love all of these beautiful “Coastal Grandmother” ideas! You’ve found so many great treasures and styled them so beautifully!!
Such a fun post Ann!!! I love all the inspiration here and think the Coastal Grandfather would be fun to have you get creative with too. Your mom was amazing, just like you!
I think I may have to come up with something too Kristin, wouldn’t that be fun? I bet your father fits that bill too!
Ann,
I love this post and you have so many treasure that fit perfectly in the coastal grandmother theme.
Thank you so much Rachel💙💙💙
That’s so neat that your parents had a gift shop at Nubble! They must have had all kinds of fun stuff!Did they sell souvenir spoons?
Lol Yes they did. How did you know that😂 It was so much fun I have so many memories of it💯