Who doesn’t love a vintage sign or two? Or even 10 – I’ve been having a peek through the décor of some vintage sign fans and well, I’m just so impressed at their gallery walls.
Use it wisely and your vintage sign (or signs) can easily become the focal piece of a room. Certainly, they’re bound to be a conversation piece.
When I think of vintage signs, the Pears soap babies, Coca Cola kids and Betty Boop all spring to mind (your list probably has none of these). And yes, vintage signs can be bright and, dare we say even gaudy, but there are also signs that chime perfectly with a shabby chic look. Some even look great with a minimalist decor theme.
How Vintage Signs Came About
If you’re a fan of vintage signs then you may be interested to learn that they didn’t really appear en-masse until the early 19th century. And that coincided with the concepts of branding and advertising. Artists were used to create images and fancy lettering for logos. Wood and porcelain were used for signs but by the end of the century tin was the favourite medium to print on. You could swap a lithograph onto a tin sheet, for instance. Better still, unlike old wooden signs, the metal signs could be hung outside because the rain wouldn’t ruin them (at least for a while until they started to rust).
Metal signs finally met their end when, during World War II, they were melted down and the material used for ammunition in the war effort. Some of them have survived, but not many, which is why there are so many reproductions around today.
Image via Pinterest
Image via @lizmariegalvan
As well as Shabby Chic, vintage signs also look great in an Industrial Design theme, as you can see here. We also like the fact the sign is casually placed on a shelf:
Image via Robb Restyle
This old, rather tattered metal sign, looks great in this modern kitchen where, again, it’s simply left to sit on a shelf rather than hung up on the wall:
And why stop at just one sign if you like the look:
Image via Deavita
Owning a Piece of History
Another great aspect of hanging up a vintage sign is the political, economic and social history that comes with it. Some of those posters were – and still are – truly stunning.
And, of course, vintage signage can look fantastic in the smallest room in the house too – whether it has relevance or not. Playful signs are always a big hit in the little boy’s room.
This Co-op sign (below) really adds character to a neutral kitchen shelf. The rusted look also coordinates beautifully with the chopping board below, bringing balance to the whole look:
Image via @paintedgoodness
And, of course, you can use a vintage sign outside your home too. Their pithy, humorous nature means they can be an ice breaker at work when new clients turn up at your office or work den and you’re not quite sure what they’re going to be like.
You can find signs and a whole lot more at Caroline Jane. Why not drop by today?
