No one does layered vignettes better than flea-market lovers! In 2020, Santa stopped in his tracks for 24 vintage creatives to follow on Instagram, and in 2021 he found 32 rising stars.
As we round the corner towards the second half of 2024, we still think they’re inspiring and can help prime the pump to get you into Christmas spirit. Enjoy this roundup of jolly inspiration from our Santa Stoppers 2021.
Courtney Harms of @vintage__charms goes all out with an explosion of whimsy, color, flamingos and her Putz house collection. Her extensive Pyrex collection also shines center stage.
Melissa Ashley Folino of @melissaashleyhome has a true love of jadeite. She bought her first pieces nearly a decade ago, and it adorns her kitchen year-round. Paired with red, it is extra magical!
Mary Pat Fleming of @ironstoneandpeonies (no longer active on Instagram, but the picture’s still fantastic!) tends to lean toward clean and simple, yet almost always adds pops of color. She loves playing with color and texture until it looks “right.”
Shay Vernon of @2561farmhouse has a heart for vintage Christmas whether it’s vintage Santa mugs or aprons. She likes her Christmas décor to make you feel like you stepped back in time.
Amanda Upton of @forestknollsvintage hunts year-round for the holidays, so she can fill every room with vintage décor. Her mini trees and greens remain through January for easy winter décor.
Hannah Hathaway of @welivedhappilyeverafter combined soft, natural elements like layered Christmas wreaths and some copper twinkle lights to create an elegant, wintry bedroom.
Chelsea Gray of @kevrosefarm (also no longer on Instagram, but her photo is still definitely worth sharing) lovingly calls this guest bedroom in their 1700s home “The Kid Room,” and with an antique Radio Flyer and a vintage Red Ryder, any guest will feel young at heart.
Candice Birmingham of @littleredhousevintage fills her home with colorful, charming, vintage pieces that bring her joy. She loves to mix and match and create spaces that are cozy and bright!
Amy Pandes of @cloverhousevintage believes you can never have too many vintage ornaments and has 10 full- size trees throughout her home. Vintage décor is her way of helping traditions borrowed from a stranger live on.
Kellie Coe of @thecoefam uses traditional greens and reds with neutrals in her holiday décor, but this adorable pink Putz house won her heart over and works perfectly in her cubby.
Louise Mair of @thevintageroom is not afraid of pastels in her holiday décor and uses her extensive collection of 1950s brooches to artfully craft gorgeous wreaths.
Val Butler of @barn_again stacked pink mid century Santa mugs atop a perfectly aged marshmallow tin and sprinkled mini marshmallows about for a sweet and dreamy vignette.
Courtney Vettel of @thevettelfarm hung two handcrafted retro-inspired deer, made by her mother-in-law, above her stove, and they pair perfectly with her collection of vintage ceramic Christmas trees. (See more of Courtney’s work with our sister publication American Farmhouse Style.)
April Hershberger of @barnhomeliving named her red range “Lucy,” with the help of her IG followers. With its hood of antique copper salvaged from an old barn, it is the focal point of the kitchen.
Kimberlee Klein of @sweetpickinssouth used an old frame to highlight a vintage sign she found in her treasure hunts. Bottlebrush trees fill silver baby cups that Kimberlee collected all year long.
Alyssa Sena of @house.on.holmes adores baking traditional cookies with her family and has that much more fun when a vintage sled serves as centerpiece with vintage Santa canisters.
Christine Vogel of @rusticfeatherstone gathered vintage skates, a sled, a thermos, a metal picnic basket, and then topped it all off with a Christmas card list box to add cheer to her outdoor fireplace.
Stacey Turner of @sawyersvintagehaven filled Santa mugs with bottlebrush trees, layered in thermoses and hung an antique sled on the wall, for a simple yet unique twist on the holiday season.
Holly Blain of @rusticwildarrow found her c. 1890 sleigh at an auction and placed it in the garden that she decorates for each season. What a perfect spot for family photos!
Lisa Kindred of @beyond.the.blue.front.door (no longer on Instagram by this name) cozied up her front entryway with a $10 chair and a $5 blue velvet ottoman. Her grandmother’s tablecloth, a 1930s yellow rose painting, a gift wrapped in red and a plaid throw give it extra charm.
Melissa Leon of @misma74 enjoys seamlessly adding Christmas to her everyday spaces. She loves mixing old with new and adding greenery and bottlebrush trees to her treasures, as more is always more in her book!
Sue Hamilton of @brocante_victoria displays antique carved bread knives as the base of her Christmas bouquet of mercury-glass ornaments and greens in an ironstone pitcher.
Pam Rodda of @junktales demonstrates that Christmas décor need not be a budget breaker. She added greens she foraged along with oranges she dried herself to create this gorgeous vignette.
Georgia Niblock of @militarywife_farmhouse_life (no longer active on Instagram under this name) is making military housing feel like a vintage farmhouse. Inspired by Christmas baking from years gone by, she hung a Noel banner made from cardstock, created trees of coffee filters, then added a few bottlebrush trees and finally Santa mugs.
Jana Graf of @thevintagejoy loves using a lot of “smalls” in one place to make a BIG impact. She displays pieces at different levels to add depth and dimension. Jana shops for Christmas boxes and tins all year long to use as platforms and risers.
Elizabeth Robbins of @creekgrown collects Santa mugs, some new and some old, and brings them out every Christmastime. Her kids’ handmade ornaments are hung on the tree as the family recounts treasured memories.
Michelle Stewart of @vintagechickster is a master builder as she carefully arranges layer upon layer of colorful vintage finds for her vignettes. She started with two trucks and added all sorts of fun vintage Christmas details, creating a holiday playground.
Tiffany St. John of @paintedrootshome believes there is something nostalgic about an oversized tree, homemade orange garland and a vintage tree stand in the perfect green that still works! Adding the glowing spotlight from below adds to the fun, and can we believe she scooped up the amazing tree stand at a local market for $20?
Lorin Paul of @something.gray cherishes the National Cash Register, an heirloom passed down from her grandfather, to which she adds some adorable vintage Putz houses mixed with bottlebrush trees of various sizes for Christmas.
Amy Melin of @thevintagebreadbox dresses up her favorite antique piece of furniture for every holiday. She mixes up the heights by adding bottlebrush trees, and the many faces of Santa always bring a smile.
Jennifer Walden of @rural_rhodey_saltbox keeps her family of six organized while keeping her décor sweet and simple. Greens from their property add just the right touch to this cozy nook.
Christa Lane of @comfylanecottage believes memories are the secret gift at Christmas time. Setting out special things that remind her of those dear to her heart is why Christmas brings such joy and blessings.
Feeling the flea market holiday vibes yet? Don’t miss this year’s upcoming holiday special issue! You’ll be able to order your copy here. Meanwhile, you can get to work on some holiday DIY crafts such as DIY Wine Glass Cloche and Upcycled Paper Scrap Gift Tags. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more updates and flea market inspiration.