Vintage Items You Can Thrift For The Perfect Fall Fireplace Display

Cold weather comes with its set of challenges for homes, gardens, and people alike. Still, that first fireplace burn of the season, and the delicious warmth and crackling sounds that it radiates through the house, makes it almost easy to forget the iciness outside. There's nothing quite like sitting around the fireplace with loved ones or a good book, which is why, regardless of the many modern alternatives introduced through the years, this ancient heating system has maintained its central role in many households across the country.

As efficient as they are, radiators just can't beat the coziness and beauty of a glowing fire. Not only that, but the fireplace itself is still a coveted architectural feature for modern homeowners. As interior design strives to bring a sense of comfort and nostalgia back to contemporary spaces, the fireplace, with its centuries of history and associations with family and community, has become absolutely essential. The best way to decorate a fireplace hearth, of course, is with similarly vintage pieces that can truly channel the homey, lived-in atmosphere that this structure represents. 

No fireplace is complete without its tools. What's great about antique fire tools is that, because they were made with durable materials to resist high temperatures and intensive wear, most of them are still usable today. A set usually contains a poker, tongs, and a shovel, and can be made of wrought iron, brass, or steel. You're more likely to find these pieces separate, but if you want the complete package, stand included, be prepared to pay more. To restore tools that look a little too weathered, use a wire brush, vegetable oil, and metal polish.

Andirons or fire dogs are the precursors of the modern fire basket. These metal stands elevated logs in order to improve air circulation for less smoke and a more intense fire. A vertical bar at the front kept the logs in place. Though the earliest models date back to Ancient Greece, it was in the 16th and 17th centuries that they became proper status symbols as their designs grew more intricate and luxurious. Iron was replaced with bronze, brass, and even silver, and the stands and guards were adorned with mythological, animal, and other eccentric motifs.

Forget boring bricks — ceramic tiles are a classic fireplace decoration that can bring so much life to this structure, both on the hearth floor and the mantelpiece. This material is heat-resistant and incredibly versatile. For an eclectic look, you can mix and match antique tiles in different styles and from different time periods, taking care to use the appropriate adhesive and grout during installation. Antique tiles can be found at most resale markets and stores, but consulting a specialized dealer is best when you need enough tiles to cover an entire fireplace.

Antique fire screens are a brilliant option if you're dealing with a nonworking fireplace. These ornamental beauties come in all different shapes and sizes and look right at home placed on the hearth, hiding the burnt out, dusty interior. But fire screens are just as handy for functional fireplaces, too. As is their original purpose, they'll shield bystanders from excessive heat and protect carpets and floors from sparks. Similarly to the rest of the fireplace accessories, these pieces are commonly found in brass, steel, and iron, but there are also examples made of wood and beautiful embroidered tapestry.

Mantel clocks have quite the fandom as collectible antiques, so there are plenty of resources for those interested in learning more. In the U.S., they became household staples during the Civil War years. Prominent manufacturers from this period include Arsonia, Ingraham, and Waterbury. For something a little more ornate, however, you may have to look across the pond. In France, for example, they made opulent ormolu mantel clocks. In the UK, they loved marble. By the '50s, these clocks had become less prevalent, so you might not find as many models from recent decades.

What better match for the glowing embers of a fireplace than the flickering flame of a candle? These two elements have always belonged together as both sources of light and heat, so there's no better way to decorate a mantlepiece for fall than with old candlesticks. These vintage decor items will instantly elevate your home with their elegant, almost regal aesthetic. And, as days get shorter and shorter, lighting a candle can also serve the very functional purpose of showering the room with welcome ambient lighting, in perfect collaboration with the burning wood.

The wonderful world of vintage ceramics can provide all kinds of fall fireplace decor. You can turn your mantelpiece into a plate rack for an assortment of china you've collected over the years. Alternatively, find a few adorable vases, jars, and bowls in a variety of shapes and sizes, within a cohesive color palette, and display them next to picture frames and candles, holding flowers, matches, or candy. On the hearth, you can place a large antique pot. The possibilities really are endless and, thankfully, the resale market is filled with one-of-a-kind pieces for friendly prices.

Wall art can be quite expensive, even when you're buying the work of small artists, so sourcing vintage pieces is a great solution. For fall, you can curate your own mini gallery wall above the fireplace, filled with landscape, still life, or portrait paintings that remind you of the season. Some you can hang, others you can casually place on the mantelpiece, leaning against the wall. Alternatively, a large painting can create a focal point in the room. Make sure to pick a piece that's a few inches narrower than the mantel shelf for balanced proportions.

Chances are you are not using coal to heat your home. Nevertheless, vintage coal buckets and scuttles can still be incredibly stylish fireside accessories. You can fill them up with pines, pellets, or firelighters if you have a working fireplace, or use them as unique planters if you don't. Though some buckets are as ornamented as andirons, screens, and other antique fire tools, most are simpler in design, which makes them a perfect addition to your decor if you prefer a more understated, textured style.

Shopping for vintage mirrors is relatively easy compared to other relics, which makes them a simple, yet effective, addition to any mantelpiece. You can choose to mount any vintage mirror you fall in love with at the thrift store on the wall above your fireplace, as is most common. However, to really tap into the vintage aesthetic, go for an overmantel mirror. These are typically arched at the top, with a large, straight, and padded platform base so they can simply rest on the mantel, leaning flush against the wall. Some gilded and extravagant, others wooden and low-key.