The Ultimate Guide to Thrifted Brass & Silver for Shining Holiday Decor

Hey friends, are you tired of spending a fortune on generic holiday decorations? If you are a thrift store junky like me, a high-end vintage holiday style is more affordable than you think. Learn how to shop for vintage brass and silver pieces like a pro. These beautiful pieces instantly add the kind of elegant warmth and nostalgic sparkle that mass-produced decor can’t match. In this Ultimate Guide to Thrifted Brass & Silver for Shining Holiday Decor, I’ll cover everything you need to know, from how to spot quality metals, how to remove tarnish easily, and how to style and mix metals for an elegant designer look. Get ready to hunt for some treasures and make your holiday season shine without breaking the bank!

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Why Thrift For Vintage Brass and Silver

Although you can purchase new pieces of brass and silver, the benefit of thrifted pieces extends beyond just a good deal. Most pieces you find in big box stores and even boutiques are mass-produced and readily available in the marketplace. Items you find while thrifting have a unique charm and character, better quality, and don’t forget about the amazing patinas.

Vintage Brass Trending Appeal

• Brass adds a classic, warm, golden glow that perfectly complements cozy holiday lighting and greenery. Even tarnished vintage brass reflects candlelight beautifully.
• Many vintage brass pieces, such as reindeer, bells, and angels, offer a collected, non-commercial feel, which is very popular now.
• Brass items, such as candlesticks and trays, are versatile and can be used long after the holidays are over, making them a sustainable and worthwhile purchase.
• You are likely to find higher-quality pieces compared to the mass-produced items you’ll find in a big-box store.

Thrifted Vintage Silver Appeal

• Think elegant style with your silver pieces reflecting the colors of your holiday decor and making your home sparkle.
• By choosing secondhand, you are participating in a circular economy. It’s a chic way to be a responsible consumer.
• You’ll find superior quality in vintage pieces. The old saying “they don’t make them like they used to” is very true when it comes to silver and silver-plated pieces.
• Most silver can be used year-round. Serving trays, bowls, and platters without a holiday theme will be on your tables for all occasions.

Part 1 – “What to Look For” (Sourcing Tips for Vintage Brass)

Vintage brass is always on my list of things to look for at thrift stores. Here are a few that I’ll never leave behind.

• Vintage Brass Candlesticks – Collect a variety of styles, shapes, and heights. They don’t need to match to create a unique and interesting visual display.
• Holiday Figurines – The most popular holiday shapes are reindeer, deer, owls, and pheasants.
• Brass Bells and Horns – Vintage brass bells and horns can be used on shelves, added to greenery, or incorporated into a wreath.

How To Know If It’s Worth The Price

If you are looking for vintage and the real deal, here is a great tip to avoid paying for lower-quality pieces.

• Carry a magnet with you when thrifting. Solid brass is non-magnetic. If the magnet sticks to the piece, it’s plated and less valuable. If the price is right and the plating is in good condition, it can still complement your vintage holiday style.
• Don’t worry about the patina. I love tarnished brass because it has an aged, vintage feel. I like mixing tarnished candlestick holders with shiny ones on my tablescapes. However, if you like shiny brass, no worries, because solid brass will shine right up with our tips.

How To Clean Brass

Thrifted brass may need cleaning, and many times, there’s a hidden gem under all that tarnish. There are many commercial cleaners available, but this recipe offers a cost-effective and non-toxic alternative.

• Baking Soda
• Lemon Juice or vinegar and salt.

Make a paste and rub it over your brass pieces to remove dirt and tarnish. Rinse and rub with a dry cloth until your pieces shine.

How To Repair Chipping Plated Brass

If you have a piece that is chipping or that doesn’t shine to your satisfaction, here’s a great solution. Find a color of Rub N Buff and recoat the piece. It’s easy and will look brand new. My favorite brass tone colors are Antique Gold and Grecian Gold.

Decorating With Vintage Brass For Christmas

Decorating with vintage brass creates a warm, cozy ambiance during the holidays. Let’s explore several ways to incorporate your brass treasures into your Christmas decorations.

Vintage Brass For Tablescapes

I always include a few vintage brass candlestick holders in my tablescapes. I enjoy using a variety of heights and patinas to keep the table interesting. To complement the candleholders, add brass charger plates under your holiday dishes.

Mingle your candlestick holders with a table garland for a festive tablescape. This DIY coffee filter flower garland is easy and inexpensive to make.

Holiday Mantel Decorating with Vintage Brass

The mantel is another focal point that benefits from the extra shine of brass. You can add candlestick holders for more than just candles. Consider using them to display ornaments like these DIY Hobnail ones or other Christmas decor, such as bottle brush trees, pinecones, and more.

In addition to candlestick holders, brass figurines such as these reindeer add a touch of shine to mantels, bookshelves, and coffee tables.

Add Vintage Brass to Shelves, Side Tables & More

Adding vintage brass figurines, trays, and accessories to shelving, side tables, bookcases, and other often-overlooked areas will help brighten dark corners and draw the eye to these spaces, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

Look for brass trays to hold your seasonal decor and help to draw attention to small table vignettes.

I was excited to find this stunning brass leaf dish recently. Add it to a coffee table to brighten a stack of books or create a piece of art by standing it on an easel. You can also fill it with pinecones, ornaments, or other seasonal decor for a shiny addition to your holiday decor.

Part 2: “What To Look For “Sourcing Tips For Vintage Silver”

Finding quality silver pieces at the thrift store is easier than you think. Because silver tarnishes, many will donate it to avoid the cleaning. But never fear, there are ways to clean your thrifted silver and make your holidays shine.

I love to collect silver serving pieces and tableware. Here are a few favorites that will add instant, elegant holiday impact.

• Serving trays make great vignette displays with their reflective surfaces. Additionally, place them at the back of a shelf to complement other holiday decorations displayed.
• Water pitchers, vases, goblets, and trophies can be used for their intended purpose or look amazing filled with greenery, pinecones, ornaments, and other holiday fillers.
• Cream and sugar bowls, silver tongs, silver flatware, salt and pepper shakers, small bowls, and platters all help to make your table shine during the holidays.

Is It Worth The Price?

There are many silver-plated items at the thrift store, but follow this advice to make informed decisions.

Look for Heavy Pieces: Unlike cheap, modern aluminum, quality vintage silver (even plated silver) often feels substantial and heavy. This is a good indicator of a solid core metal underneath the plating.

Don’t ignore heavily tarnished pieces! Look for stamps on the bottom or back of the piece.

• “Sterling”: Purest form (and most valuable, but rare).
• “EPNS,” “A1,” or “Sterling Inlaid”: These indicate quality plating (Electroplated Nickel Silver). They clean up beautifully and are perfect for decor.

The No-Scrub, Cleaning Method

I’ve used many commercial cleaners, and for larger pieces, they work great. My favorite is Wright’s by Weiman Silver Cream. It goes on easily, and you rinse and dry quickly. However, if you have silverware or smaller pieces, here is a quick and easy solution that works.

• The Foil Bath Method
  1. Line a plastic container or deep dish with aluminum foil (shiny side up).
  2. Place the silver pieces on the foil, ensuring they are in contact.
  3. Pour in hot (almost boiling) water until the silver is submerged.
  4. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of salt (the chemical reaction will start bubbling and smell slightly sulfuric—this is the tarnish leaving the silver!).
  5. Let it soak for 5−10 minutes, then remove, rinse with clean water, and buff dry.
• The Ketchup/Toothpaste Trick: For tiny spots of deep tarnish that the bath didn’t reach, use a dab of ketchup or non-gel white toothpaste on a soft cloth and rub gently.

If all else fails, Rub N Buff has a silver leaf color that will help disguise chips.

Styling Silver for a High-End Holiday Look

The magic of silver is in its contrast with other textures. One of my all-time favorite Christmas tablescapes features vintage silver and milk glass.

Silver Tableware For Christmas

Adding silver serving pieces, candlestick holders, and other tableware will instantly create an elegance and high-end style to your holiday tables.

This previous Christmas table uses a combination of a silver candleabra, vintage candlestick holders, silver goblets, and vintage silver flatware to create a stunning table. The coldness of all this silver is softened with white milk glass, warm red textiles, and greenery.

Vintage goblets make great silver collectibles. They work beautifully on a holiday table, and I also use them for vases and candle holders.

Vintage Silver Beyond The Dining Table

Use silver to elevate your vignettes. Place a silver tray on your table or mantel, then layer it with a mixture of holiday ornaments, candlestick holders, and greenery.

Use silver for its reflective material. Place trays or platters at the back of a shelf and layer them in front so that your items stand out.

Create unique ornament displays by using silver bowls as catch-alls for ornaments.

The Art of Mixing Metals: Brass & Silver Styling Secrets

The key to mixing these two gorgeous metals is to treat one as the base and the other as the accent, and then ground them with a third element.

Base Vs. Accent

You need to select one dominant metal to provide harmony to your vignettes.

• If you are striving for warmth, use brass as your dominant base. A large brass tray with silver serving pieces or candlestick holders on a side table, or several tall brass candlesticks mixed with a sprinkling of silver ornaments on a mantel.
• For a glamorous or elegant look, allow silver to be your dominant metal. Consider a silver tray with vintage brass candlestick holders. The silver provides a reflective base for the warmer brass pieces. Another idea is to use a large silver bowl as a centerpiece surrounded by small brass figurines or candlesticks.

Provide a Third Element To Connect The Two Metals

Metals can appear too cold or bright when paired with each other alone. You need a third texture to tie them to the holiday theme. Here are a few ways to warm up your silver and brass treasures.

• Natural Greenery and other elements of nature – Gather pine, cedar, magnolia leaves, pinecones, and more from your own yard. Fill your brass and silver vases, bowls, and trophies with these natural elements. Weave greenery around your candlestick holders on mantels, shelves, or tables.
• Rich Textiles – Add table runners or tablecloths under your silver and brass pieces to soften their appearance. Use rich fabrics like velvet for ribbons around candlestick holders or the neck of a brass reindeer.
• Crystal or white glassware – Mix metals with white ironstone or milk glass to soften the vignette. Add crystal candleholders or votives to brass or silver trays for an elegant display.

3. Actionable Styling Techniques

• Layer metals for a more unique mixing and matching effect. Consider adding copper or forged iron to your silver and brass treasures to create eclectic decor charm this holiday.
• Mix your elegant silver pieces with natural elements to create an unexpected rustic vignette.

• Candlestick Holder Display – Look for interesting ways to use candlestick holders, such as adding ornaments, pinecones, or other small holiday items.

Your Thrift Store Shopping Takeaway

Are you ready to head out to the thrift stores? Avoid the stress of big box stores and instead enjoy the thrill of the hunt on the shelves of your local second-hand shops.

You can easily and inexpensively transform your home with an elegant vintage style this year. You are ready to spot quality brass and silver decor that tells a story, and it’s history will add vintage charm to your holiday decorating.

Confidently mix and match your finds by combining them with natural elements for a sophisticated, high-end designer look.

So grab your list and let’s get thrifting for the holidays. This year’s shiny holiday decor is just one treasure hunt away.

Thrifting with the Gals

Today’s post is part of our monthly series, Thrifting with the Gals. If you are new to our series, we are friends who share a love for vintage and thrifted decorating. We all live in different parts of the country, but we come together once a month to share thrift store shopping ideas and tips on decorating with your treasures.

Here are the Gals:

• Ann from Dabbling and Decorating finds her treasures as she travels between Vermont and Maine. She decorates both homes with so many vintage treasures.
• Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest loves to travel and bring her vintage treasure to her lovely Florida Home.
• Lora from Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder is thrifting and picking up amazing roadside finds to decorate her home in Minnesota.
• I am from North Carolina and love filling my farmhouse and beach cottage with thrift store finds. I focus on budget-friendly decorating and DIY projects.

Robyn – How To Decorate With Family Heirlooms / Ann – Thrifted Gift Ideas / Lora – How to Revive Old Metal Pieces.