If you are looking for inexpensive ways to add Farmhouse French style to your home, here are 3 ideas.
Before I get to the ideas, have you heard our podcast? Here’s the episode on adding surprise elements to your home.
Here are the 3 ideas.
Vintage Ironstone replace with white dishes from Home Goods
Many of the dishes in my cabinets are from Homes Goods. Shhh….
Well I love vintage ironstone, but let’s face it; it can be expensive. A platter can run $40. How about going to Home Goods, and grabbing some pieces for $10 or $15 a piece? Once you put in on a shelf on in a cabinet, it is difficult to tell the difference. These pieces on my fireplace are old pieces, mostly ironstone. The little tureen is transferware.
Vintage breadboards replace with reproduction wood bread boards
The real deal is well over $100, usually closer to $200. But you can find a reproduction bread board for a lot less. Small ones can be found for $15 or $20 at Home Goods or Target. I have just a few of the over-sized reproduction bread boards left in my shop for less than $100.
The rectangular board you see is a real vintage bread board, while the other two are reproductions.
Below you can see mostly inexpensive new boards. One is old. Can you guess which one? Its the one behind the French mustard crock.
French enamelware pitcher replace with IKEA enamel pitcher
I love these pitchers, but they are expensive to buy, since they come from France, and everyone wants them.
You can go much cheaper with the IKEA version is $14.99. I have it shown below.
So be sure to check out the low cost options for these elements.
To see more low cost French inspired decor for your home, check out my affiliate page on AMAZON.
Ginger Valdes says
Such good tips! I’ve already used several from your playbook. Keep it coming!
Ginger
Dianne Lanier says
What wonderful tips…thanks for sharing!
Sandra @ Maison De Jardin says
Great advice !
Roxann Johnson Schwarze says
As always Anita thank you for all your helpful tips and suggestions!!!!!! Blessings! ?
Julie Bresette says
Excellent post! This was very helpful and encouraging.
Patti Smith says
I love reading your tips!! And i also love that I have shopped the same way. Before Home Goods I used it’s Mom, lol, Marshalls and TJ Maxx for home decor. I also peek in little flea shops and consignment stores. I found two great lamps at a Good Will store and pulled the cords out, painted them white and they are now part of a three-some tall candle holders!! I enjoy all your ideas, keep ’em coming!!! Got my eye out for lavender transfer ware at the moment.
Beth Pozzini Putz says
Thanks for the suggestions on shopping at accesible retail stores as opposed to “going antiquing”! As much as I would love to splurge on more of the authentic stuff, my husband is reigning me in and reminding me we have three kids to put through college (my youngest is 7!) I will treasure my antique demi-john, my few pieces of ironstone, my Mason’s transferware and my antique marmalade and dijon jars. Time to fake it!!?
❤Love & Blessings to you!
Beth
Lisa Montgomery says
I adore your kitchen! After having glass cabinets on the uppers in our former home, I also learned that they look better with more neutral colored dishes than lots of color. The neutral dishes allow the architecture to shine as well as the dishes. Keep up the great work!
bj says
when i go to thrift shop and estate/garage sales, I always buy as much of their solid white pieces as I have money for. Never looking at the bottom…until I get home. I’ve had pieces from France and England for 25 cents…so fun… I’m not opposed to copy cats AT ALL…:)
Brenda Wilson says
Great tips for decorating at a lower cost, and still having a beautiful home!
Bonnie says
Thanks for the good tips on achieving a great look using reproductions.
DH says
Thanks for the tips! I do have to say that its fun to get a bargain, and I shop those places also, however, I own a couple of antique shops in Tomball and in the Heights area of Houston, and I just want people to know that all antiques are not necessarily more expensive than reproductions. I try to price my pieces so that they are affordable to most people and you may be happily surprised. Sometimes that antique plate or special item is just the thing you need to make your decorating pop with just the right color or shape. I have purple transferware and many hand painted plates that can really make a statement mixed in with your decor. Please don’t forget to support the small businesses too or we may not be there when you need that unique item that sets your home apart from others. It’s nice to have diversity and items on display in your home that are quality items, not just things from China.
Kim says
I agree DH. I have two shops as well. One in Daphne, AL and one in Fairhope, AL. I shop estate sales and thrift stores and go to market twice a year. I look for unique pieces in all three venues. Sometimes I shop the clearance aisle of places mentioned above and use odds and ends in different ways. So to your point, you can find unique, inexpensive pieces at most antique malls. Dealers are always looking for the best price for their customers. That’s what keeps them coming back ! Lovely post. Great tips!
Cindy@countyroad407 says
I couldn’t tell the difference at all on the bread boards! I need to find some of those to cover up my ugly back splash. 😉 Fabulous ideas Anita – Thank you!