House Tour: Time to Collect

Updated January 21, 2020

Collections of all things vintage (and white) fill this Illinois home with romantic charm.

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Salvaged chic

A mix of chairs looks casual around an old farm table. Vintage-and white-items are the heart of the French farmhouse decorating style in this 1909 Illinois home.

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Timeless accents

Old pocket watches from a flea market provide a tabletop accent.

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Stairway style

The homeowner's timepiece collection extends to a dozen antique and reproduction clock faces climbing the stairway wall.

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Architectural add-ons

Displaying architectural pieces, such as an arched window frame, is interior decorator Denise Knickrehm's go-to trick for adding character to her home. Denise owns the home-decor and clothing shop Denise's Adornments in nearby Geneva, Illinois.

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Recycled storage

Hard-sided suitcases store files on a shelving unit.

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Organized vintage

Wire baskets attached to an old barnwood plank organize odds and ends above a desk. A framed chalkboard displays quotes.

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Reimagined space

A closet becomes a walk-in pantry with built-in cabinets, drawers and open shelves; a hutch just outside holds overflow pieces.

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Architectural salvage

Pediments and pilasters enhance the plain trim of doorways and windows. Leaning a diamond-paned window inside a kitchen bump-out was a simple way to improve the view.

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Unified hue

Denise painted and distressed her kitchen cabinets. If she finds a great item that isn't her beloved white, she paints it.

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Repurposed use

Figuring out new ways to use old things is a passion. Here, tarnished silverware decorates a lampshade's framework.

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Small collectibles

Grouping collections maximizes impact. Here, a glass container shows off flatware, pocket watches, perfume bottles and more. You can also use old pots, pitchers, baskets, trays, and bowls to corral and display.

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Master bedroom chic

The master bedroom is one of the few rooms in the house to feature a color other than white; the ceiling is painted a soft blue-gray.

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Pretty and practical

Vintage hard-sided suitcases tucked beneath a bedroom side table are pretty and practical. They hold linens and clothes.

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Dresser dress-up

Favorite items are grouped on the dresser: a vintage fur collar, a glass jar full of perfume jars and an old tiara.

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Laundry decor

Even the laundry room gets an artful touch, with a pretty assemblage of lace-edged linens, a rusty iron and wooden clothespins.

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Ladder linens

Snow-white linens hang from a white wood ladder in the laundry room.

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Home office organization

Remember library card catalogues? This lookalike cabinet keeps envelopes and paper clips organized in the home office. It's topped with a whimsical mix of used paintbrushes, binoculars and a well-loved derby hat.

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Guest bedroom

A vintage dresser gets a makeover with white paint and old-fashioned knobs.

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Pinecone vignette

This carefully curated vignette shows off cement pinecones in a basket.

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Texture contrast

Mixing textures-rough string, gauzy lace, nubby linen-keeps a monochromatic vignette interesting.

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Repurposed tray

What to do with an old tray? Use chalkboard paint to transform it into a wall hanging with ever-changing inspirational sayings.

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Farmhouse welcome

With four finished floors, this Bartlett, Illinois, farmhouse has more than enough space for a large family.

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House Tour: Time to Collect

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Salvaged chic

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Timeless accents

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Stairway style

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Architectural add-ons

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Recycled storage

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Organized vintage

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Reimagined space

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Architectural salvage

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Unified hue

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Repurposed use

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Small collectibles

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Master bedroom chic

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Pretty and practical

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Dresser dress-up

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Laundry decor

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Ladder linens

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Home office organization

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Guest bedroom

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Pinecone vignette

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Texture contrast

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Repurposed tray

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Farmhouse welcome

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