Six Old World Textures I Look for when I go Antique Shopping

The way to my heart is antique shopping!  I discovered a trend in the things I brought home and found 6 of my favorite old world antique textures to find.

So we’ve built a new home, but sometimes my heart laments that I am not playing with a beautiful new “old” home.  You see, I love old things.

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As much fun as it is watching our new home come together with my designs, I have the most fun when I get to go antique shopping and bring home my “old” treasures to infuse character into every little spot.  Today, I’d like to share my six favorite textures that I look for when I go antique shopping for my home, along with some of my most recent finds for our new pole barn home.

It doesn’t really matter what it is, if I run into an item with these old world textures, my heart just goes pitter patter.

The first texture that has my heart . . . 

1 – RAW OLD WOOD

Sometimes I despise the fact that we have to slap stains and poly coats on beautiful raw wood.  Sure, I understand the purpose, but I love finding treasures that show wood transformed through the ages.

This simple wood trivet, complete with dents and scuffs caught my attention right away.  It’s perfect to use as a hot pad of sorts for our frequently used cast iron skillet.

This mantel piece we have yet to install is a beautiful piece I picked up from my friend Holly from Vintage Farmhome.  It’s stripped down to raw wood from years of sitting out in unfriendly elements. And I love it!

This beautiful handcrafted raw wood bowl is one of my favorite finds, and I use it to store my wool dryer balls in the laundry room.

These unique wood shelves are not raw all over, but there are plenty of spots that show age and use, and I don’t plan of touching them up one bit.

Second favorite texture –

2 – METAL WITH PATINA

How I adore a metal piece with signs of tarnish and wear. 

I’ll even try to replicate that look like I did on this new candelabra project.  I’ve picked up several old metal pieces lately and am still working them into our new kitchen space.

Can you imagine all the dust this old copper dust pan has collected through the years.  Good news is, it still works fantastic!

These sweet old copper measuring cups need to find a place in my kitchen for display.  

I’ve been looking for old copper pots at good prices to hang here and there.

This black tin can with signs of a fading surface just might be the perfect spot for me to hide my stash of dark chocolate.

I’m envisioning a bucket load of lilacs for this big copper pot I recently found at an antique market.  My kids like to use it for making a witches brew.

I love the subtle aging happening in these silver candlesticks I picked up at a yard sale for next to nothing.

I know I have several other tarnished metal pieces tucked away into storage, that I am dying to get back out.

3 – AGED POTTERY and STONEWARE

I know collecting crocks is quite a fad right now, but I’ve always loved them – or any old pottery piece for that matter.  The more signs of age and imperfection, the better.

Pottery and ceramics are so handy for corralling items such rolling pins and wooden spoons.  This cute little one holds some stirring spoons out where they are handy.

I used to only look for the lighter creamy tones but lately I’m loving the darker pieces as well.  In the laundry room I use this darling one with the lid to fill with dryer lint until it is time to dump.  This smaller one is for any missing sock pairs.

I have a croc for a bunch of laundry supplies as well.  I’m sure as we finish each room more will pop up!

I also scored these amazing thick and hefty pottery mugs, and I adore the patina on them.  They will look fantastic on some shelves in the kitchen. My little guy has already claimed this small one for his cup of Crio Bru.

4 – NUBBY LINENS

Beautiful textiles were my first love, and will likely be my last.  My grandma passed on her love of fabric to me, and I find the nubbier – the better.  

I love old worn fabric, and the feel of it in my hands.  If I find a beautiful piece, I like to repurpose it into pillow covers, tea towels or just use it for display.  

One of my all time favorite fabrics is 100% flax linen.  I’ll happily buy it new too, because it only gets better and better with use.  

We still have our blue linen sheets, and they are more wonderful than ever!  

I also collect beautiful old quilts when I see a good one.

I will also buy new linen items that have and old world or farmhouse feel to them, like these cute little linen aprons I found on amazon here and here.

5 – CHIPPY PAINT

With fun paint applications, you can get a chippy paint look on just about any piece.  But nothing beats a real, genuine piece of furniture with paint peeling off from years of neglect – try as I might!

I’ve got lots of those goodies stashed away in our storage, but here is a recent cabinet I purchased that brings home this point perfectly.  The chipping is authentic and beautiful, in my mind.

The only downside is I don’t love the paint color, but we will see what I decide to do with this piece.  It was such a bargain and I couldn’t pass it up.

I often find stools or benches with a lovely chippy paint patina.  Depending on the price, they usually come home with me.

This marble coffee table pictured here is one of my favorite chippy finds, with the curved legs naturally chipping away.

The aging marble top on this table brings me to my final favorite texture . . .

6 – ETCHED STONE

It’s harder for me to find, especially at a price I am willing to pay, but I love finding stone that shows years of wear.  I adore the discoloration and etching on real marble, or the flaking surface from old stone carvings.

I got this large console table from my antique loving friend Holly as well, and I love how the marble shows so much color variation and wear.

I don’t know how antique these marble vases are, but they stopped me in my tracks and had to come home with me.

I don’t have a lot of these stone treasures, but it is something I like to keep my eye out for.

Okay, there you have it!  My current 6 favorite old textures that I seem to always hunt for on my antique or thrifting shopping trips.  I would absolutely love to hear if you have any favorites, or if we might have a spot in our hearts for the same things.  If I’m ever feeling burnt out or need an outing – antiquing is my favorite hobby to boost my spirits. I’ll avoid the mall at all costs.

I hope you’ll follow along as we infuse old world character into each space in our new pole barn home. 

Be sure to visit my friends who are also talking about textures for their homes today for our Simply Home Series.

Old World Textures to Look for when Antique Shopping by TIDBITS

5 Essential Textures Every Room Needs by Maison de Cinq

European Farmhouse Decorating by Seeking Lavender Lane

3 Decor Textures I love in Every Room by Shades of Blue

How to Add Texture to Complete a Room by So Much Better with Age

5 Creative Spring Mantel Ideas by Thistlewood Farms