Howdy Friends! How was your weekend? Ours was full but in a good way. One of those days was spent with friends from our home group. She’s a newly retired teacher and her hubs is a retired Principal. Don’t they already sound like salt-of-the-earth kinda people? They are! Anytime we go to dinner together 3 hours goes by and it feels like 30 minutes. While visiting their charming home she mentioned needing some ideas for filler in her vintage bowls that sit in various places. As I thought about it, I also thought you might have the same question. So, if you also ask yourself what do I put inside my vintage bowls? Here are 5 fun ideas!
What do I put inside my vintage bowls? Here are 5 fun ideas!
A vintage crock full of candles – County Road 407
I’d like to mention that I get asked a ton of questions when I’m with people that don’t know me well but know what I do on a regular basis. They might ask what’s my favorite neutral color which is actually a long explanation. Sometimes they ask things about furniture placement or what size table or shape table would look best in a certain area.
A bowl full of small handmade bowls – County Road 407
Then there are the people that know me well and hesitate or don’t ask my opinion at all for fear of overstepping or fear that I may ask for a consultation fee. Whatever the reason, I am here to say – I adore what I do and if we are in a casual setting (like having dinner at your home) I’m happy to give advice or lend a hand if you need a chair moved.
Old crock full of vintage rolling pins – County Road 407
Many of our friends don’t like asking us over because they think I’ll judge the look or condition of their home. I don’t and won’t do that! I certainly wouldn’t want people doing that to me. It’s an interesting quandary for sure. My angst is if people come over and take their shoes off. Their feet will turn black because I haven’t mopped the floor!
Now that I’ve spewed a little about my life, let’s get to the good stuff – the fun display ideas for bowls!
Idea one – Pink Hydrangeas, Liz Marie Blog
The go-to for bowl filler is typically flowers. And why not?! Just look at these gorgeous hydrangeas all fluffed up for all to enjoy. Don’t you want to sit there and ooh and ahh and smell them and touch them? I do!
Idea two – Bowl full of antlers, Fiona and Twig
When you display items that are out of the ordinary your eye is drawn to the vessel as well. As soon as I saw the antlers I immediately noticed the concrete bowl which looks like a broken bird bath. Keeping both the bowl and the collection in similar colors look so pretty together.
Idea three – Pumpkin in silver bowl, Daisy Mae Belle Blog
With the fall season coming up, having several small pumpkins in a bowl or an extra large one is a favorite of mine. It gives me the chance to not only add seasonal decor to my space but to use bowls I usually don’t see. Look in your cabinets and find bowls you’ve had tucked away and use only for special occasions. Like a punch bowl or wedding gift!
Idea four – Vintage teacups in bowl, County Road 407
I have a collection of teacups with saucers and even though I use them as scoops in my canisters, I don’t see them often enough to enjoy. Sometimes during the spring I bring them out choosing just the right colors to work with my other decor. Of course you can put them on a shelf but why not gather them together in a vintage cafeteria bowl? Maybe tuck in a few pretty flowers to elevate the gorgeousness.
Idea five – Silverware displayed in ironstone bowl, Pinterest
There are few things I love more than silver and ironstone. Very few. We use our set of vintage silverware at the farmhouse during meals. When visitors ask me why, I say why not?! We could always use some niceties out in the country. And I’d rather not store them in a box never to be seen again ’cause there ain’t nothin’ fancy goin’ on around here! Just sayin’.
Velvet acorns and mini pumpkin in toile bowl – County Road 407
What do I put inside my vintage bowls? Here are more ideas!
To finish up, how about these ideas? Buttons (another fave because I love digging my hands around in them), bells at Christmas, pinecones or greenery during winter, a collection of anything like vintage pipes, keys, watch faces or game pieces, old spools, croquet balls, small books, old badges (like girl/boy scouts), shaving supplies or fabulous soaps in the bathroom, vintage cookie cutters in the kitchen! I could go on the rest of the day but we all have things to do.
So many fun ideas, Cindy! I’m especially loving the silver in the ironstone. So much gorgeous patina!
Author
Isn’t it though?! Doesn’t get much prettier than that! Thanks for stopping by.
Amazing ideas, Cindy!! I love the small bowls in a bowl idea and how clever that you use your teacups as scoops!!! Thanks for sharing this one…have a lovely day!
Author
Thank you so much Rachel. I noticed the other day that the one in the flour sounds like it has a crack. I can’t see it but it’s there. 🙁 Not a good idea to use them as scoops with young adults around. Thankfully when it decides to crack through, I’ll have a replacement. 😉
Cindy,
I love all these creative bowl idea.
Author
Glad you like them and thanks so much for the visit today. Hope you’re having a great week!
I love all your ideas and old bowls. I have used buttons, pinecones, and butter pats in bowls and now I have some new ideas. Thanks Cindy, it suppose to get cooler here and rain, I’ve been praying!!! Have a great week dear friend.
Author
So glad you found some new ideas. I’ve been searching for butter pats for years and none of the stores I venture to ever have any. Total bummer. Hope you get that rain! Send it our way when you’re done. Big hugs Marlene.
I loved your fillers, but I lost half of my day when I glanced at the first blog suggestion. Those pink hydrangeas blew me away! As always, I love this blog!!!
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I appreciate that mom and I know what you mean about the pink hydrangeas. Truly stunning!
I feel famous❤️Your ideas are fabulous! Thank you for so much inspiration.
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Aww, thank you Julie. I truly enjoyed being at your home and each time we get to spend together. Glad you have some new ideas too. Send me a photo or invite me over again to show off what you do!
So beautiful. Love hydrangeas in bowl! Ty.
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Me too Denise. Especially when they’re pink!
I’m loving all these great ideas, Cindy! I would love to share this post on my Saltwater Sounds this Sunday.
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Oh my goodness Kim, thank you! So sweet of you and greatly appreciated. 🙂
Great ideas, Cindy. I need to pull out more of my bowls for styling. Each one is unique.
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You should Carol. They look so nice by themselves or round out a grouping perfectly. I bet you’ll be outside this weekend! It’s beautiful this morning! Thanks bunches.
This was such a helpful post filled with so many fabulous ideas, Cindy! I love how you shared both seasonal and everyday examples. I feel like I put the same things in the same bowls all the time so this post definitely inspires me to look at things in a different way. Loving and pinning as always sweet friend, CoCo
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Yay Coco! I am so excited to hear the post was helpful. I am looking forward to seeing what’s in your next bowl! 😉 Thanks friend.
Love your ideas for using vintage pieces. Displaying the teacups in a vintage bowl is a great idea. Using teacups as scoops is good…… especially if they are missing their saucers. Most are 8 oz., which is a measured cup for baking, etc. I do have some vintage cutlery, and haven’t been using it. Your post may just inspire me to use them next time I entertain.
Author
Yay Wendy, glad you’ve been inspired! All of my canisters have vintage cups inside and I switch them out seasonally. 🙂 If I could get my hands on vintage Santa mugs, they’d be the ones I use for Christmas. But they’ve all been snatched up around here. Hope you use your vintage goodies every chance you get. Thanks for the visit and Merry Christmas!