If you are a vintage shopper, you most likely have vintage milk glass pieces. It is a beautiful and versatile material that can add a touch of elegance to any style home. The neutral white milk glass material will mix well with any decor style to create a variety of stunning vignettes.
Today we will explore 15 stunning ways to use vintage milk glass in your home. Neutral white milk glass is seasonless and the perfect addition to any room year-round.
So whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting out, read on for inspiration on how to use this beautiful material to add some vintage charm to your home.
(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)
Table of contents
- What Is Vintage Milk Glass?
- Why Is Milk Glass So Popular?
- Is Milk Glass Valuable?
- How To Collect Milk Glass
- Best Known Manufacturers
- Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop
- Tablescape Ideas Using Vintage Milk Glass
- Centerpiece Ideas
- Unexpected Ways To Use Milk Glass
- Dinnerware Place Setting
- Craft Ideas for White Milk Glass
- Bowls and Baskets
- Bedroom Decorating
- Bathroom Decor with White Milk Glass
What Is Vintage Milk Glass?
Vintage milk glass is a type of opaque white glass that was popular from the 1830s to the 1980s. It is made by adding arsenic to the standard glass recipe, which yields a faintly grayish but nicely opalescent effect. In the early factories, molten glass was dropped into heavy iron molds.
Some of the manufacturing methods evolved over time, but the beauty of the translucent items remained.
Vintage pieces are often decorated with intricate patterns, such as Hobnail, pressed flowers, or seashells. It is also sometimes used to create figurines, lamps, and other decorative objects.
Why Is Milk Glass So Popular?
White Milk Glass is a classic and never goes out of style. Because white is really the absence of color, it is the more versatile of all colors making it the perfect decor choice to blend with any style.
- Milk Glass is timeless and works in any decor style, from rustic to modern.
- White Milk Glass is simple, yet elegant.
- It is seasonless, meaning it can be used to decorate your home year-round.
- Milk Glass is more readily available than some antique and vintage decor. You can find pieces in thrift stores, yard sales, and antique shops.
- It is reasonably priced in most instances. I’ve found vases for 25 cents at thrift stores.
Is Milk Glass Valuable?
The value of vintage milk glass ranges from $5 to $65 for a single piece. The most valuable pieces are those that are made between 1870-1910.
Here are some tips on how to identify vintage milk glass:
- Look for the “ring of fire.” When held up to the sun, vintage milk glass will produce a halo of iridescent colors.
- It is often marked with the manufacturer’s name or logo.
- Vintage pieces may have small chips or cracks. However, if the damage is extensive, the piece may be worth less.
How To Collect Milk Glass
If you are interested in collecting vintage milk glass, there are a few things you can do to get started:
- Visit antique shops and flea markets.
- Shop online at Etsy or Ebay.
- Thrift stores and yard sales.
Vintage milk glass can be a beautiful and valuable addition to any home. You can find the perfect pieces to add to your collection with a bit of knowledge.
Many earlier manufacturers did mark their pieces which will increase the value if you find a piece. However, I see many unmarked pieces but still beautiful additions for vintage charm decorating.
Best Known Manufacturers
- Fenton
- Westmoreland
- Imperial
- Eagle Glass
- Anchor Hocking
- Hazel Atlas
- L. E. Smith
- and more
You may also like to read Top 10 Tips For Successful Thrift Store Shopping.
Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop
Today’s post is part of the Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop hosted by my friend, Cindi at County Road 407. You are in for a treat because you will see decorating ideas from expert bloggers, and all their links are available at the end of this post.
If you are joining me from CoCo at The Crowned Goat, I appreciate you for hopping over.
If you are new to my site, I hope you will enjoy your visit. I love sharing tips for budget-friendly and vintage decorating. My site is filled with DIY projects and unique tips for decorating on a dime. I hope you follow along on my adventures by subscribing to my newsletter.
Tablescape Ideas Using Vintage Milk Glass
My favorite way to decorate with vintage milk glass is when decorating tablescapes. Let’s take a look at some of the ways to add these pieces to your tables.
Centerpiece Ideas
When shopping for vintage milk glass, look for similar-shaped pieces.
These two vases were purchased at separate locations, but the design is identical. One is double the size of the other, and the combination of heights makes them a stunning pair for table arrangements.
Adding a vintage cake plate to your table centerpiece can bring an elegant touch. The translucent glass of the plate serves as a creative complement to any centerpiece.
The vintage milk glass riser holds a trio of vases to create a centerpiece for a Galentine’s Brunch table. And they look equally as lovely for an Easter Vignette with bunnies and birdhouses.
For a Fall table centerpiece, a fruit bowl, candy dish, and cake stand are grouped with other Autumn decor on the screen porch table.
Unexpected Ways To Use Milk Glass
Think outside the box when decorating with your vintage treasures.
Here are some ideas for using your milk glass in unexpected ways.
- A hob nail vase holds silverware for buffet-style dining.
- Use bud vases as candleholders
- A cake stand works perfectly as a riser for seasonal decor and a trio of candlesticks.
- You can use candy dishes as dessert bowls in place settings.
Dinnerware Place Setting
A rare find is these Westmoreland salad or dessert plates with a beaded edge. Each plate is adorned with a different fruit and they were manufactured in the late 1940s.
They add an unexpected twist to a simple table setting.
Craft Ideas for White Milk Glass
If you are crafty, you may want to consider using vases and containers when planning a DIY project.
There are several designs of white milk glass, and these simple vases are perfect for holding the DIY Boxwood and Lemon Topiaries. Their unembellished design doesn’t distract from the unique topiaries.
Simple vases also work well when grouped within another container, as you can see in the centerpiece below.
This patriotic fresh herb centerpiece needed additional height, and the collection of milk glass vases worked perfectly for holding herbs and flags.
Bowls and Baskets
Another way you can utilize your collected pieces is to mix them with other seasonal decor inside a bowl, tray, or basket.
Add them to a wooden toolbox or gather a collection for a stand-alone vignette. You can use various vase styles and gather them on the cake plate for a simple but elegant way to display your collection.
Bedroom Decorating
If you like to add flowers to your bedroom decor, milk glass vases are excellent for adding a touch of color.
Use individual bud vases or opt for a larger vase with a floral arrangement.
Bathroom Decor with White Milk Glass
In addition to the bedroom, I always add flowers to the bathroom, and this is when my collection of vases comes in handy.
Simply place a few bud vases in a toolbox or wall sconce for a sophisticated touch of seasonal flowers.
Collecting any vintage decor is an excellent way to add a unique style to your home. Milk glass is relatively easy to find and incorporate into any decor style.
Insider Tip
Shopping for vintage collections is always a treasure hunt.
Before heading out to shop, I recommend making a list of items you’d like to add to your collection.
Don’t limit yourself. Usually, I find what I least expect to find.
However, having a plan will help keep you focused so you don’t overlook desired items.
I hope today’s post inspires you to add milk glass to your next vintage shopping list.
Click Images To Shop or Click Here
Other Vintage and Thrift Store Shopping Tips
- Top 10 Tips For Successful Thrift Store Shopping
- How To Decorate With Vintage Kitchen Decor
- How To Decorate With Vintage Baskets in a Modern Farmhouse
- 10 Ways To Add Vintage Charm To Your Bedroom Decor
- How To Decorate With Vintage Candlesticks and Candles
- Vintage Loft Christmas Tour
- 19 Ways To Create Vintage Charm in a Modern Kitchen
- How To Use Vintage Thrifted Garden Decor
- 15 Vintage Decorating Ideas for A Modern Farmhouse Christmas
- Decorating with Antique Furniture in Modern Farmhouse
Please look at these other inspiring ideas for decorating with milk glass. Be sure to check out Lora’s Garden Party Ideas With Milk Glass next.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Pin It To Remember It
Did you find some great ideas you’d like to save for future reference? Hover over the images you’d like to save and pin to your favorite Pinterest Boards when you see the PIN button.
