My Grandma’s Antique 1900s Glassware Has Become My New Favorite Storage Gem (I Use Them Everywhere!)
When I moved into my first house, my parents used it as an opportunity to give me some of their old kitchen stuff (and get themselves some new things). Among the plates, silverware, and other items was a set of pink glass that had belonged to my grandmother. Turns out this style of delicately etched pink glassware is called “Depression Glass” because of the time period in which it was made and first popularized.
Instead of using the glassware I received for their intended purpose, I decided it would be better to repurpose them for storage needs around my home — and it was the best decision I made. Here’s how I use my grandmother’s antique glassware in every room.
Store beauty products.
My dresser is the first thing I see most mornings, so having it be an aesthetically pleasing area is important to me. I keep sentimental items here, like a conch shell that belonged to my mom, figurines from my childhood and travels, artwork, and even a plant. I also use a small cake stand to define an area on my dresser for beauty products, and it really works to elevate the space (literally) and make it look less cluttered. Next to it, I have a little bowl that came from the Depression Glass set that I use to hold hair ties, bobby pins, and clips. Yes, I could stuff these in a drawer, but it’s nice to have them where I can see them.
I used a coaster from the same set to house rings and other frequently used items, like pins from coats or bags. I also keep another coaster in the bathroom to hold my rings and earrings while I’m getting ready or washing my face at the end of the night.
Hold office supplies.
Once I no longer used my home office for distance learning, I made it a mission of mine to create an efficient but attractive space. One nice touch is the sugar bowl that came from the Depression Glass set. It’s not flashy to use such a pretty piece for paper clips and rubber bands, but it makes otherwise unattractive office supplies pretty. The whimsy of using vintage glass in my office puts me in a good mood when I sit down for a day of work.
Organize fruits in the kitchen.
If I were the type of person who wears a wedding or other ring, I’d put one of my coasters by the sink to hold onto these delicate items during dishwashing or cooking. As is, the only piece from my pink depression glass set that lives in the kitchen is the lovely ice bucket. Currently I use it to store tiny oranges. My kids are big on grab-and-go snacks, so having clementines out where they can see them means they get eaten more readily. I don’t know that the ice bucket has found its true purpose yet, though, so please send your suggestions.
If you don’t have this kind of heirloom lying around, thrift stores often have similar items. I love using these antiques instead of having them waste away in storage.