Vintage Finds
Prince Albert in a Can: History, Dating & Values of the Tin
The full story of Prince Albert in a can: where the famous red tin came from, how to date yours, what it's worth, and that old prank call joke.
The Custom Southern Co. Blog
Vintage history, repurposed decor tutorials and Southern home know-how, 39 articles and counting.
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Prince Albert in a Can: History, Dating & Values of the Tin
The full story of Prince Albert in a can: where the famous red tin came from, how to date yours, what it's worth, and that old prank call joke.
Read the story
Seasonal Decor
DIY Tinsel Tree: How to Make a Faux Vintage Tinsel Christmas Tree
Turn a thrift-store artificial tree into a shimmering retro showpiece with metallic paint and tinsel garland.
Seasonal Decor
The Christmas Barn Sale Trail: A Holiday Shopping Guide
Holiday barn sales are pure magic for vintage lovers. Here's how to find them, what to bring, and the Christmas treasures worth hunting.
Seasonal Decor
DIY Spindle Snowman Ornament From Old Stair Balusters
Give an old stair baluster or chair spindle new life as a cheerful little snowman for your tree, mantel, or gift basket.
Southern Home
Southern Front Porch Decor Ideas for Every Season
Rocking chairs, ferns and a little haint blue. Our favorite Southern front porch ideas, plus easy ways to change things up with the seasons.
Seasonal Decor
Quick Vintage Door Knob Christmas Tree DIY
Turn a jar of mismatched vintage door knobs into a sparkling wall-hung Christmas tree that doubles as a coat rack.
DIY & Repurpose
How to Repurpose Antique Light Globes: Cloches, Planters, and More
Old schoolhouse shades and glass light globes make beautiful cloches, terrariums, and planters. Here is how to find, clean, and repurpose them safely.
Vintage Finds
How to Clean Old Jars Without Damaging Them
Dusty, cloudy, or grimy? Here's how to clean old jars gently, from simple soaks to stubborn residue, plus what to do about cloudy sick glass.
Seasonal Decor
Easy Christmas Spindle Ornaments From Salvaged Wood
Short pieces of old chair rungs and balusters become rustic painted ornaments that look right at home on a farmhouse tree.
DIY & Repurpose
DIY Tiered Tray: Build a Rustic Two-Tier Stand from Thrift Finds
Build a rustic two-tier tray from thrift-store boards, plates, or tins, then style it for every season of the year.
DIY & Repurpose
How to Distress Furniture with Chalk Paint for a Farmhouse Look
Paint, sand the edges, seal and you're done. Our step-by-step for a believable farmhouse finish on a thrifted piece of furniture.
Seasonal Decor
Simple Barn Wood Christmas Trees You Can Make in an Afternoon
Stack weathered boards into a rustic tree for your porch or mantel. Here's how to source barn wood and make it your own.
DIY & Repurpose
Repurposed Yardstick Decor: A Simple Yardstick-Framed Sign
Old hardware-store yardsticks make a perfect frame for a chalkboard or painted sign, with all the numbers and faded lettering you love.
Southern Home
DIY Laundry Detergent 3 Ingredients: An Old-Fashioned Recipe
Our old-fashioned 3 ingredient laundry detergent takes about 20 minutes to mix and costs pennies a load. Here's the recipe, plus HE and safety notes.
Southern Home
Homemade Fabric Softener: An Easy Old-Fashioned Recipe
Three pantry-shelf ingredients, one big jar and about fifteen minutes. Here's our simple homemade fabric softener and how to use it.
DIY & Repurpose
Easy Ball Jar Decor DIY: A Farmhouse Jar Centerpiece
A rustic wooden caddy and a few old Ball jars make a farmhouse centerpiece you can restyle with flowers, candles or cotton every season.
Seasonal Decor
Vintage Jello Mold Pumpkin DIY: Easy Fall Decor
Flip a fluted vintage gelatin mold upside down and its ridges look just like a pumpkin. Add a stem and you're done.
Vintage Finds
Vintage Jars to Look For: A Collector's Guide
Not every old canning jar is a treasure, but some are. Here are the vintage jars to look for, the colors and marks that matter, and how to spot fakes.
DIY & Repurpose
Easy Vintage Cutting Board Decor: 15 Styling Ideas We Love
Old bread boards are the hardest-working decor in a farmhouse kitchen. Here is how to find them, freshen them up, and style them all year long.
DIY & Repurpose
Easy Vintage Spice Tin DIY: Mini Planters and Bud Vases
Those colorful old spice tins at the flea market make charming little succulent planters and bud vases for a sunny kitchen window.
Vintage Finds
How to Spot Reproduction Antiques: A Practical Field Guide
Wear in the wrong places, too-perfect paint and modern screws give fakes away. Here's how to check before you pay antique prices.
Seasonal Decor
Easy Vintage Funnel Pumpkin DIY for Fall
An old kitchen or garage funnel turns into a whimsical, rust-kissed pumpkin with a little paint, twine, and a curl of wire.
Vintage Finds
Why Are Barns Red? The History of the Classic Red Barn
Ever wonder why are barns red? The answer is a mix of thrift, chemistry, and tradition. Here's the story behind America's favorite barn color.
DIY & Repurpose
Easy Vintage Photo Holder Shelf Sitter From Scrap Wood
A scrap of old wood and a single saw cut make a simple shelf sitter that shows off old family snapshots and flea market photos.
Vintage Finds
Estate Sale Tips: How to Shop Smart and Find the Good Stuff
From numbers at the front door to half-off Sundays, here's how to shop estate sales with confidence and bring home the best finds.
Vintage Finds
Pie Bird: History, How to Use One & Collecting Tips
That little ceramic bird poking out of Grandma's pie had a real job. Here's the history of the pie bird, how to bake with one, and how to collect them.
DIY & Repurpose
How to Make Faux Bread Loaves for Farmhouse Kitchen Decor
Golden, crusty-looking loaves that never go stale: make faux bread from salt dough to style your bread board, dough bowl or open shelves.
DIY & Repurpose
Old Window Mirror DIY: Decoupage an Antique Window Frame
An old multi-pane window makes a stunning farmhouse mirror. Here is how to pick one, make it safe, and decoupage the frame with vintage paper.
Southern Home
How to Remove Rust from Vintage Metal Without Ruining It
Rust doesn't have to be the end of a good find. Start gentle, match the method to the metal, and protect your work when you're done.
Seasonal Decor
Upcycled Vintage Cutting Board: Easy Spring Cutting Board Decor
A worn breadboard, a hose clamp, and a mason jar of fresh blooms make a sweet spring wall hanging for your kitchen or porch.
Seasonal Decor
Rustic Patriotic Decor DIY: A Barn Wood Flag Sign
Weathered boards, a little paint and a star stencil make a rustic flag sign that looks right from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
DIY & Repurpose
How to Make Tea Stained Hymn Pages for Vintage Decor
A few tea bags turn plain hymnal pages or printed copies into warm, aged paper for frames, banners, wreaths, and gift wrap.
Vintage Finds
Let's Go Pickin': Antique Picking Tips for Beginners
Ready to go pickin'? Our antique picking tips cover where to hunt, what to bring, how to negotiate, and how to spot the good stuff.
Vintage Finds
Vintage Tobacco Tin Value Guide: What Makes a Tin Worth More
Some old tobacco tins are worth a few dollars and others draw serious bids. Here's how collectors judge type, graphics and condition.
Seasonal Decor
Easy Valentine Book Decor DIY With Old Books and Twine
A stack of old books, a little twine and a few paper hearts make a quick valentine vignette for shelves, mantels and tiered trays.
Seasonal Decor
Rustic DIY Cloche for Spring From Thrifted Glass
Turn a thrifted glass vase and a vintage knob into a rustic cloche for showing off spring moss, nests, and little treasures.
Seasonal Decor
Easy Vintage Valentine Banner From Old Paper and Lace
Old book pages, a scrap of lace and some jute twine come together in a soft, old-fashioned banner that looks right at home from February on.
Vintage Finds
How to Date Ball Mason Jars by the Logo, Color and Clues
That script logo on your Ball jar is a built-in timeline. Here's how to read it, plus the color, seam and lid clues that narrow down its age.
DIY & Repurpose
Succulent Dustpan Planter: Easy Vintage Repurpose DIY
Give a rusty old dustpan a fresh start as a wall-hung succulent planter that's practically made for a sunny porch.
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