Trade Your Boring Flower Vase For A Thrift Store Find With Rustic Charm

There are lots of household items that can be repurposed into beautiful vases to display a bunch of flowers in your home. There's no doubt a bouquet of fresh blooms not only adds a dose of color to a space, but they also bring endless amounts of joy whenever you happen to walk past them. It doesn't matter whether you are a dedicated floral lover that insists on fresh flowers every week, or you just like them for special occasions, having a unique way to display them is equally as important. Glass and ceramic vases are all well and good but have you considered scouring the secondhand store for a vintage ice bucket instead? It's a thrifted gem that can double as a unique floral vase. Not only does this mean you'll be repurposing someones unwanted item, but it's a super unique and rustic alternative to a regular vase. 

If you were to source a vintage silver-plated ice bucket from eBay, although prices vary greatly depending on the size and style of the ice bucket, you'd still likely be looking at spending at least $100. The benefit of finding one in a thrift store is that it'll likely be a fraction of that price, and you will also get the satisfaction of stumbling across one, and being able to appreciate it for its beauty in real life. 

First things first, if you've managed to find a vintage silver-plated ice bucket, then it might be looking a little tarnished. To transform your ice bucket and get your silverware sparkling clean, simply mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part warm water to create a thick paste. Using a cloth, apply the mixture generously onto the bucket and rub it in until you can see the tarnish begin to lift. Rinse with clean water and pat dry with a clean cloth. 

Once you're happy with the condition of your ice bucket, you may be after some styling tips on how to best display your flowers. Because of the size, detail, and intricacy of a vintage ice bucket, it naturally exudes a sense of grandeur. Therefore, more is more when it comes to the flowers you put inside it. Don't be shy — fill your bucket to the brim with blooms. One stumbling block you might face is that due to an ice bucket having a wide opening, your stems might not sit exactly where you want them to. A top tip is to place some water-soaked oasis foam at the bottom of the bucket, so you can easily secure each stem in place. A vintage ice bucket typically has height, so it's a good idea to use it as a striking centerpiece in the middle of a table or in an entranceway to make a bold statement.