We were delighted to be featured in Martha Stewart for their piece on whimsical thrift store finds! Being asked to share our favorite playful, charming discoveries was so fun—these are the pieces that transform a house from decorated to collected, from styled to lived-in.
Publication: Martha Stewart
Article Title: Whimsical Thrift Store Finds
Publication Date: February 9, 2026
Author: Heather Bien
Martha Stewart explored the joy of discovering whimsical treasures at thrift stores, asking designers to share what they look for and how to style these playful pieces. The article celebrates the personality and charm that quirky vintage finds bring to homes.
What I Look For: Whimsy With Purpose
When Martha Stewart asked about whimsical thrift store finds, here’s what I shared:
I love whimsical pieces for finishing out spaces, and I look for items that add color, charm, and a sense of story. The key is finding pieces that bring joy without tipping into clutter—each item should earn its place through beauty, function, or genuine delight.
My Favorite Whimsical Finds:
Murano-Style Glass Animals
What to look for: Vintage glass animals in vibrant colors—think: fish, birds, cats, abstract sculptures
How I use them: As unique bookends and decorative pieces on shelves or mantels. They catch the light beautifully and bring a little moment of joy and whimsy to a space.
Styling tip: Group odd numbers (3 or 5) of different sizes for visual interest, or use a single statement piece as a focal point.
Colorful Vintage Glassware & Enamelware
What to look for: Depression glass, colored vintage glassware, enamelware bowls in fun patterns, vintage cookbooks with graphic covers
How I use them: A personal favorite in my own home is to find these pieces for styling a shelf in the kitchen or creating a fun vignette on the counter!
Styling tip: Mix eras and colors freely—the eclectic combination is part of the charm. Display cookbooks with spines out to show their vintage graphics.
Quirky Brass Objects (Especially Animals!)
What to look for: Brass animals (especially whimsical ones), vintage brass candlesticks, decorative brass boxes, brass desk accessories
How I use them: These bring a bit of personality and patina to any surface. The aged brass adds warmth and sophistication even when the subject is playful.
Styling tip: Don’t polish them! The patina is part of the story. Group with books and plants for a collected look.
Old Board Games With Graphic Covers
What to look for: Vintage board games from the 1950s-1980s with colorful, graphic box covers
How I use them: They stack beautifully and add a playful, family-friendly touch to shelves. Even if the games inside are incomplete, the boxes are decorative gold.
Styling tip: Stack 3-5 games of varying sizes on shelves, use as risers for other objects, or lean one against books for visual interest.
Hand-Thrown Pottery & Imperfect Ceramics
What to look for: Small hand-thrown pots, imperfect bud vases, ceramic vessels with unique glazes, studio pottery with makers’ marks
How I use them: These bring that “collected during travels” energy. The handmade quality and slight imperfections make spaces feel personal and authentic.
Styling tip: Group vessels of different heights and glazes together. Use for fresh flowers, dried botanicals, or simply as sculptural objects.
Quirky & Unique Artwork
What to look for: Vintage storybook illustrations, old travel postcards, museum souvenir prints, botanical postcards, vintage maps, architectural drawings
How I use them: It’s all fair game to add to a fun, eclectic gallery wall or to add a single framed one to style a bookcase or shelf.
Styling tip: Mix frame styles and sizes for an collected-over-time look. Don’t worry about matching—the variety creates visual interest.
How to Shop for Whimsical Finds:
Go Often: The best finds appear randomly. Regular visits increase your chances.
Know Your Space: Have a mental list of what you’re seeking (color, size, function) but stay open to surprises.
Inspect Carefully: Check for chips, cracks, or damage. Some wear adds character; some just looks broken.
Consider Repairability: Can that brass be polished if you want? Can that frame be painted? Is the glass cleanable?
Buy What Delights You: If it makes you smile, it’s probably worth the $5 risk.
Styling Whimsical Pieces:
The 80/20 Rule: 80% neutral, classic pieces + 20% whimsical finds = curated, not cluttered
Group by Color or Theme: Collect brass animals together, group colorful glass, cluster vintage books
Give Them Purpose: Use that enamelware bowl for keys, those brass animals as bookends, that vintage glass for fresh flowers
Rotate Seasonally: Keep a collection box and swap pieces out every few months to keep things fresh
Tell Stories: The best whimsical finds spark conversation. Don’t hide them—display them proudly!
Why Whimsical Matters:
At The Intentional Design Studio, we believe homes should have personality, not just polish. Whimsical thrift store finds inject joy, color, and story into spaces in ways that new, mass-produced decor simply cannot. These pieces say “a real person with real interests lives here”—and that’s exactly what transforms a house into a home.
The beauty of shopping secondhand for whimsy is that you’re guaranteed no one else will have the exact same brass duck or vintage game collection. Your space becomes genuinely unique.
We’re so grateful to Martha Stewart for the opportunity to share our love of whimsical thrift store finds!
Read the full article on Martha Stewart →
Love thrifting and vintage finds? We’ve got more where this one came from! Check out our feature on The Best Secondhand Items to Look for When Decorating Your Garden here!
And our feature in Southern Living on the best styling accessories to buy secondhand here!
Curious to see what else we’ve been featured in? Explore our full collection of press mentions and expert insights on our Press Page.
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