Styling with Vintage for Fall -DIY Vintage Model Boat Stand

Hello my Thrifty Friends!!! I’m back this month sharing how I am styling with vintage for fall AND a little DIY thrown in for fun! 😉  Vintage is how I do everything so me styling with all things vintage should be no surprise.  😉 The vintage model boat stand was a surprise project… what is that saying?  “Necessity is the mother of invention.”  I really wanted to use my sweet vintage model boat in a fall vignette and I needed it to stand up, hence the need for the boat stand.

Thrifty Style Team

It’s that time again, the second Friday of the month and that means I’m hanging out with my thrifty friends, YAY!   The Thrifty Style Team is hosted by  Julie over at Redhead Can Decorate. Each month the TST will be sharing inspiring and thrifty projects with you all,  you can find the whole team and all of the links to their projects at the end of my post.  Here is a wonderful sneak peek, so many amazing projects, right?!

Why Styling with Vintage is My Thing

Vintage is usually of Higher Quality and can be an Investment

You’ve heard the saying, “they don’t make things like they used to”? Take today’s furniture for example, vintage items are almost always of higher quality, that means they will outlast today’s laminated and chipboard pieces. I mean how many times have you been out thrifting and come across things from your childhood?  My first thought, how am I that old? Then I’m always impressed that those things are still around, lasting the test of time! Vintage items also can have a high resale value. If you buy vintage items for your home today and decide to sell them in the future, because our homes evolve as do our style you are more likely to sell these items quicker than that wobbly end table.

It Gives Your Home A Curated Look and Feel 

If you want your home to look more curated, then vintage pieces will help you accomplish that. Using antique and vintage pieces will add contrast, texture,  warmth and so much of your very individual personality.

Tells A Story

Antique and vintage items have a rich sense of history, some have worn patina, dings and scratches. They have actually “survived” a full lifetime before they came to you and they usually have a story.  Sentimental vintage, the story of your memories, items from loved ones no longer with us, passed on to the next generation and keeping that memory alive through story.

Vintage Pieces are Unique

Being unique, and an individual is very liberating (be yourself, everyone else is taken). I take a real sense of pride that my home reflects our personalities and is different than most. By brining vintage and antique pieces home I know that not everyone will have that same piece and for sure they won’t be using them the same way that we use them. It’s a freedom to play and use your vintage in new and unique ways – therefor your home will be unique just like you are.

Now that you know a little bit more about why I love vintage so much, let’s chat about this DIY model boat stand and how I made it.

A Model Boat Stand Using A Racket Protector

I bought a vintage tennis racket for $1 and the racket came with a frame protector and was thinking of using the frame protector as a picture frame at first but I needed a boat stand, soooo.  This isn’t the first time I’ve used something to do with tennis for a thrifty project,  if you’d like to see how I made jewellery with a vintage tennis racket you can see more here.  

The steps I Took

Mark where and how you want your stand look, height and angle. I used tape to hold the frame together once I cut my marked lines. I really like how the frame looks like it’s moving / leaning forward.

 Test fit how the boat sits and make any needed adjustments.

Determine your base and cut out your material, I used a jigsaw and thinner wood from another project.

Use wood glue and pin nails to attach the base. Sand the base as needed.

 And finally, I used a stain to finish the model stand. I may paint it later, I’m not sure just yet, what do you think? Should I paint it, or do you like the way the stain looks?

Fall Vignettes

I am loving the addition of nautical elements in this year’s fall decor.

Nature and textures are always my go to, these muted fall colours are a perfect subtle touch.

Feathers are another way to add texture and nature.

I love the textures of  our ornamental grasses. It’s a perfect addition to the gallery wall and still looks wonderful dried.

TST Projects