Tips on using vintage decor and cookbooks in your kitchen

Nobody knows how to use vintage decor in kitchens like Elizabeth Maxson. (I am especially loving how she re-purposes her surplus of vintage cookbooks!)

Tip #1
Have you ever gone to a flea-market and come across a pile of vintage linens that have those small linen or cotton table toppers for only a few dollars each? I am talking about the small vintage table cloths that go over small end tables, or the long tea towels or even a small table runner. They are usually pretty and some have fringe on the ends. The reason they are priced so cheaply is usually because they are flawed in some way. Tears, a hole, a stain, ripped fringe. So, people pass them up. What do you do with a $3 or $4 little table topper with a stain anyway?

Well, you use it as a great kitchen dish cloth! That is all I ever use in the kitchen. This particular vintage towel has beautiful edging that has torn slightly in one area and a small stain. I paid only $3 for this fabulous find. It not only hangs beautifully from my vintage stove, but I have used and washed it 100’s of times. And because you only pay a couple of bucks for them, and since they are already ruined, you won’t hesitate to wipe sticky hands on them or wipe the dirty counter with it either.

These antique linens have been through the ringer (literally) and there is nothing you can do to them that will harm them. And if they really start to get worn out, just toss them and go find some more. They are plentiful at flea-markets. I give them as gifts all the time and people love them. I promise you, once you get a stack, you will never

spend $4 for a brand new, plaid, small, terry cloth dish cloth from the store. NOTHING beats a long, thick, woven table topper with some pretty handiwork to hang in the kitchen… and I love watching a new guest gasp as I grab it to wipe up my dirty counter with it! And besides, there is something special about using something so nice on a daily basis. It makes cleaning up not so…well… yucky.

Tip #2

Are you like me and find yourself with a lot of cookbooks but you also find yourself not using half of them? I was cleaning and making room in my tiny kitchen the other day and was about to take an armful of cookbooks to Goodwill when I realized that maybe some of my girlfriends would like them. And if not, then they could pass them on to someone else. So, instead of just letting your cookbooks sit on your shelf, going unused and taking up space, give them away as hostess gifts! Simply wrap them up in parchment paper and tie with kitchen string and attach a new spatula. Who couldn’t use a new spatula or a new wooden spoon?

Recently, I just happened to be going to a little Valentine get together, so I wrapped my old cookbooks in brown paper and crafted a few decorations and handed them out and one would think I had spent a bundle when all I did was clean out my cabinet. And what
is even better? Everyone was so excited to try new recipes from their “new” cookbooks…guess who gets invited over to try out the new dishes? Better get out my spanx so I can fit into my jeans….yikes!

From my house to your house,
Elizabeth Maxson
www.elizabethhouse.us