| When most people think of coat racks, they think | | | | I've found Renaissance festivals and Civil War |
| strictly of hanging coats, hats, and scarves. But | | | | Reenactments to be especially rich sources of |
| coat racks can be a lot more than just a place to | | | | quality reproduction vintage clothing (and many |
| keep clutter off the floor. They can also provide | | | | other interesting items useful for decorating).Both |
| you with an opportunity to display your own, | | | | events attract a large number or merchants who |
| unique decorating tastes. | | | | specialize in reproduction vintage clothing and |
| One of my favorite ways to decorate with coat | | | | other items of those times. And you can find |
| racks is to display vintage clothing on them. | | | | many of these merchants on the Internet, as |
| Wall-mounted coat racks work particularly well for | | | | well. |
| displaying vintage hats and bonnets. And | | | | Be aware, though, that while you can usually find |
| floor-mounted coat racks are a natural for cloaks, | | | | a greater variety of items through these |
| gowns, shawls and scarves. | | | | merchants in brand new condition, the prices for |
| Don't go cheap when using coat racks as a | | | | reproductions can be expensive because of the |
| decorating accent. True, you can pick up a generic | | | | amount of labor involved in faithfully reproducing |
| wall-mounted coat rack for under $10 and a | | | | construction techniques from a pre-mass |
| floor-standing one for under $30. But if your goal | | | | production era. |
| is to create an eye-catching accent, don't expect | | | | In looking for vintage hats to display on a |
| a cheap one to have the effect you want. | | | | wall-mounted coat rack, you can either go for a |
| Bent wood, rattan, wrought iron, or brass give | | | | single era, or go eclectic with vintage hats from a |
| you the best eye appeal in a floor-standing coat | | | | number of eras and styles. And don't forget the |
| rack. And look for furniture-quality solid hardwood | | | | eye appeal of including one hat in your collection |
| in wall-mounted coat racks. Don't settle for | | | | that drapes a ribbon down beneath. Or consider |
| generic, dime-store coat hooks on your coat rack | | | | dangling a vintage umbrella or cane from one |
| when you can easily combine the beauty of brass | | | | hook to create various lengths of items hung |
| and porcelain or get the rustic strength of | | | | from your coat rack. |
| wrought iron. | | | | And the hats you use don't necessarily need to |
| You can find wall-mounted coat racks with | | | | be formal. Some of the most effective hats I've |
| rosemaling, or other styles of decorative painting. | | | | found for decorating have been the well-worn, but |
| These always add to your accent, as do such | | | | extremely unique, vintage hats of everyday |
| features as a plate rack or decorative shelf on | | | | laborers. |
| top that allows you to display other collectibles. | | | | For a floor-standing coat rack, avoid reproduction |
| And a mirror, whether etched or plain, on your | | | | or vintage clothing that really needs a hanger for |
| wall-mounted coat rack is always a big plus. Not | | | | it to look its best. Look instead for drapey items |
| only does it enhance the beauty of your accent, | | | | such as cloaks, gowns, shawls, and scarves. |
| but it provides a much appreciated service to | | | | Experiment with interweaving a colorful scarf or |
| your guests of letting them check their | | | | shawl among dark and elegant formal wear. |
| appearance after coming in from outdoors. | | | | Or try hanging a coat or gown by the shoulder |
| As for finding vintage hats or clothing for your | | | | instead of by the collar for a casual, asymmetrical |
| coat rack, here are some places to try. | | | | look. Include a vintage purse. Or, depending on the |
| Most larger cities have at least one vintage | | | | effect you want to create, consider the effect |
| clothing store available. You can also find vintage | | | | that draping some vintage silk stockings or lingerie |
| clothing in many estate sales. And more and more | | | | could add to the accent you create. |
| second-hand stores gather vintage clothing | | | | The options are endless when it comes to |
| donated to them into a special area. | | | | combining coat racks and vintage clothing. Just use |
| Or you can look for reproduction vintage clothing | | | | a quality coat rack that does justice to what you |
| and hats from merchants who specialize in | | | | display and let your imagination, and your |
| supplying the participants of living history events | | | | decorating taste, be your guide in selecting items |
| with clothing and items from daily life of the eras | | | | to display on it. |
| these participants portray. | | | | |