It’s time for our bi-monthly Lifestyle of Love hop. If you aren’t familiar with it, my friends and I who love all things vintage, antique, repurposed, and thrifted share how we use the theme for the month. On this occasion, the theme is Old Pitchers. So I’m asking the question… Are vintage pitchers designed for drinks or decoration?
If you’ve arrived here from Lora Bloomquist’s blog, welcome! Please leave a comment so I can get to know you better. And if you’d like to learn more about me, click the ABOUT ME page so we can become good friends. 😉
Are Vintage Pitchers Designed For Drinks Or Decoration?
Over the years, I’ve collected some real beauties and will be the first to raise my hand admitting to a total infatuation with them. Do you have a collection? Are you mesmerized by the soft color, the clacking sound they make, the sizes, or sometimes the hefty weight? I am!
A collection of Stoneware sitting on top of the refrigerator.
I inherited several blue-striped Stoneware pieces from my mother-in-law and have since added a few more. They are versatile and come in handy for outdoor parties. When I use them outdoors, I don’t have to worry about them blowing over with strong winds, which is how I’d describe our spring season.
Stoneware pitcher used as a centerpiece for a July 4th party.
Pitchers make great centerpieces!
To add a little pizazz to the stoneware pitcher used at a July 4th party, I added red ribbon in between the blue stripes using double sided tape. Stick a couple of flags inside and boom – you have a fun centerpiece.
Pitchers are great for keeping collections together.
Pitchers are useful too when needing to keep things together. I have an array of vintage silver and instead of keeping them in a drawer unseen, I display them in the dining room hutch.
Of course they make great vessels for flower arrangements.
No more gross-looking water!
The obvious choice if you aren’t using a pitcher for serving is to use them to hold flowers. This way not only elevates the arrangement, it can hide the yucky water that shows up after day one. Especially when I don’t have more of that special powder and no time to continually add fresh water.
Doing double duty!
Technically, this little cutie is a creamer but it is being used not only as a small vase for flowers but as a place card holder. How cute is that? You sit down at your own beautiful place setting then glance up and you have your own personal mini-pitcher of flowers. I’d love it!
Old pitchers add height in vignettes.
When stacking a bunch of dishes in a hutch, you can use pitchers to add height or when you need to fill in corners. Adding flowers or greenery also softens the hard edges a collection can have.
They make great plant holders.
Pitchers make great decoration when using them as a vessel for plants. All I do is add some rocks to the bottom for drainage or sometimes drop the plant down inside while it’s in its original plastic container. When watering them, I simply remove the entire plant. It’s super easy.
Old or new pitchers mixed together can make a beautiful statement for mantel decor and they don’t have to have anything inside to be pretty.
Repurpose them into birdhouses.
Around the farmhouse you’ll find several galvanized or aluminum pitchers turned on their sides and mounted to trees. A pitcher turned bird townhouse? Now that’s what I call brilliant repurposing.
Corral kitchen utensils in them.
I love practicality mixed with beauty. And using a vintage pitcher for everyday kitchen utensils is a step up in my book.
Last but not least are two of the most precious pitchers I have collected.
Pitchers make interesting bookends.
When you come across a vintage piece that has fantastic texture, grab it before someone else does. I wanted to add more pink to our home this spring, when this little lady caught my eye. Just look at her all gussied up with her fuchsia leaves. I’m using it as a bookend but wowza, it would look fabulous all by itself anywhere else in the house.
The show off their beauty all on their own.
That same fuzzy feeling I got from finding the pitcher with the fuchsia leaves is the same feeling I got when I found this one with the rows of flowers. It had a white lid sitting on top. That told me this girl had gumption. She might have been abused but with her new golden color, she gets center stage during autumn. I often wonder what turned her that beautiful shade of yellow. Was it the sun or maybe being buried under some dirt or clay? Either way, she’s all mine.
So when I asked are vintage pitchers designed for drinks or decoration, my answer is – drinks are nice and all but for me, it’s decoration all the way!
Next to share how to style vintage pitchers is Ann at Dabbling and Decorating. Then check out the others. I know something or someone will inspire you!
Cindy,
You have a great collection of pitchers. They are one of the best vintage items to collect because they can be used for their intended purpose and are great for decorating in so many ways. Thank you for hosting.
Author
I think I may have to many so I’m directing my “needs” elsewhere. At least until one I haven’t see before pops up. 😉 Thank you Rachel.
I have been using pitchers and creamers as decorations/vases for years, but never have I thought about using one as a birdhouse. LOVE IT!!!
Author
Yay Kim! It makes my day hearing you’ve been inspired! We get little birdies every year in ours. Thanks so much for the enthusiastic comment. I love it!
I honestly don’t know how many pitchers I have. I know I have let a few go in the last few years, but at one time I had 22 feet of shelves covered with just pitchers, but when we had new windwos put in there wasn’t enough room on the shelf around the room for most of them. Lovely post and you have a couple treasures!
Author
Wow Sandra, 22 feet would be a dream! And a lot to dust. I already don’t dust as much as I should! I bet the collection you kept is still amazing! Thank you for stopping by. Happy Easter!
I have 18 vintage pitchers displayed on top of my kitchen cabinets. They were my mothers collection some of them belonging to both of my grandmothers.
Author
Oh my Mary, that sounds amazing! All I have from my grandmother is a quilt that I will cherish forever. Thanks so much for sharing that. Makes my heart happy.
Your pitcher with the maroon leaves is just a showstopper. I don’t think I’d like to drink from my collection, but they’re perfect for displays any season. I them, I love the versatility of ironstone and how they are so easy to incorporate into any grouping! Thanks for putting the group together, Cindy!
Author
We have used a couple of the new ones for tea and lemonade but only a handful of times. Most of mine feel so fragile and as if they’d crack if I ever added any weight like water to them. But I do love using them all over the place. One day maybe I’ll have such a collection I can fill the space above the cabinets with them?! It’s so beautiful when I see that. Thank you Debra!
Oh Cindy that blue and red stoneware pitcher is a dream. I need to find one now💙❤️ what a fun post today! Oh and the birdfeeder one too, loved it!
Author
You should make a trip down here to TX sometime. You can find blue striped stoneware just about everywhere. Glad you found something you like. Thanks so much Ann!
I do have a collection and enjoy using them. I love all the ways you use yours but, the best and surprising idea was that old metal one nailed to a tree. That was a great idea for them. Thanks Cindy for your ideas.
Author
Oh thank you Marlene! I’m so glad you found a fun idea. We’ve used that old silver one for a few years and have a couple of cast aluminum pitchers I plan to hang next time I’m down there. It’s probably too late for a bird to need a condo but it will be there for next year. 🙂 Happy Easter!
What a great variety of ideas. The book end is definitely my favorite!
Author
Thanks. That particular pitcher has become my favorite! Happy Spring
I never realized how many pitchers I own, until you picked the idea this month! Oh, my…I am an addict for sure. Maybe I should start a pitcher support group;) Your “new” pitchers are gorgeous! And love the stoneware ones, too. And that tin one on the tree-it’s too cute for birds to live in! Great ideas-I forgot about silverware! Thanks for picking inspiring subject matter every. time.
Author
I couldn’t believe your collection! I have never seen so many unique colors and shapes. They were truly amazing. If your decide to start a support group, let’s meet at the local antique store. LOL! Thanks bunches Lora
I do have several pitchers, but not sure they will look as pretty as you have displayed yours. I might need to go antique shopping to see what I can find! I will need a friend to go with me:)
Author
Oh my goodness, it’s Carol! Hey there. Name the time and day and I’m there although I seriously thought that was not your thing. 🙂
I too love a good pitcher. Hard to pass up any I see especially creamers. Don’t think I’ve ever used many together in one place so probably have more than I realize. Love your’s with the burgundy leaves. So unusual.
Author
I’ve always wondered if people keep their collections together or spread them around. Sounds like you spread them around. Thank you for commenting. I love that pitcher too. It’s my favorite. Happy Easter Dana
Cindy, I love collecting pitchers, too. They are such versatile pieces that can be used in so many ways. You did a great job highlighting many of them. Thanks for sharing.
Lynne, Thrifting Wonderland
Author
I appreciate that, thank you! I even forgot about all the silver ones until I saw some in Ann’s post. Happy Easter Lynne.