When I first started avidly thrifting in college, I mostly paid attention to clothes. This singular focus continued throughout my mid-20s. Clothes, I figured, I could resell or donate again, but thrifting home decor like sentimental trinkets and kitchenware felt more permanent, like I was settling into place.
For the first few years that I lived in the Central Valley, my room, a fair-sized nook of my parents’ new home, was blank and drab, the epitome of sad beige mom. A part of me felt certain that I was going to move back to the Bay Area at some point, so I didn’t want to feel too attached to a physical home.
As a maximalist drawn to eye-catching colors and patterns, it was an absolutely miserable time to spend most of my waking hours working and existing in a drab space. After two years of residing in my sleepy little commuter town, I started wanting my space to feel more comfortable and cozy. My foray into home decor began with indoor plants, which got me into looking for planters and baskets at the thrift store.
At first, I picked up home decor pretty willy-nilly (and arguably still do), purchasing pieces that I felt attracted to without focusing too much on quality or brand. Lately, however, I’ve been paying attention to hallmarks and noticing vintage home decor pieces that often make it to the thrift store. While I’m not a vintage brand collector by any means, I appreciate knowing the history of different pieces and being cognizant of what people like to buy comes in handy when you’re a reseller!
So, what are the vintage brands that people often buy and donate? Here’s a guide to the most common vintage decor brands at thrift stores and what kind of items you can expect from them.
Enesco
If you see a cute matte ceramic cherubic figurine at the thrift store, there’s a good chance that it might be from Enesco. The giftware company, which currently owns Department 56 and Heartwood Creek, previously owned Precious Moments and Things Remembered. That’s to say that you might find pieces by, respectively, artists like Samuel Butcher and Mabel Lucie Attwell. The brand touts its collaborations with award-winning artists as well as beloved brands like Peanuts and Disney.
Around my neck of the woods, many of the Enesco pieces at thrift stores are from the Things Remembered collection. People do collect Enesco, but I think that only the remarkably cute pieces sell well, like the “Them Dishes Nearly Done” figurine pictured above. One thing I want to note is that if you’re a collector, Enesco pieces are very fragile. I recommend keeping them away from pets and kids, if possible.
- Founded: 1958
- Common items: Giftware and figurines
Lenox
Lenox is the very definition of fancy (but still somewhat accessible). Did you know that the White House commissioned Lenox for its fine bone china? Another fun fact: Lenox also belongs to the same family of brands as Kate Spade New York and Oneida. When I think of Lenox, elegant, high-quality plates and bowls with gold accents come to mind, but the brand creates seasonal figurines, too. I’ve sold a few Lenox items (including napkin holders and a tray), but they do sit in my online store for a few months before they move.
If you want intricately detailed table pieces that are gorgeous and long lasting, I would definitely pick up Lenox at the thrift store. (Obviously, don’t microwave it if it has gold!)
- Founded: 1889
- Common items: Tableware and seasonal figurines
Avon
I can’t say that I care much for Avon jewelry and beauty items, but I absolutely adore Avon pottery and tableware, which the company started to sell in the ‘50s as gifts. You can often find vintage Avon bowls, plates, vases, and salt and pepper shakers lying around at the thrift store.
I especially love any pieces with any dainty floral or nature motifs. My favorite Avon pieces have been Easter and spring collectibles, like my adorable duck platter and collectible trinket egg.
- Founded: 1886
- Common items: Jewelry pieces, perfumes, beauty items, seasonal collectibles, and giftware
Fenton Art Glass
The defining characteristics of a Fenton glass piece are beautiful form and rich color. I wouldn’t say that Fenton Art Glass pieces are often lying around at thrift stores, but they’re commonly available at curated vintage shops and antique fairs. Fenton items aren’t exorbitantly expensive (nicer pieces generally sell for around $50 to $200), but they are somewhat hard to find since they’re no longer being produced.
When I do find Fenton pieces, it’s a bit hard for me to get in the mindset to sell them because they’re so beautiful! I love this gorgeous vase with pink glass and lovely flower and gold details. It’s part of my permanent collection now, although I originally purchased it with the intention to sell it. I mean, how could I sell this? (My mom has a very close eye on it because she has first dibs if I ever get bored of it…)
- Founded: 1905
- Common items: Vases, tableware, and collectibles
Napcoware (National Potteries)
Although Napco (National Potteries) was founded in Ohio, many of its most treasured pieces are mid-century Japanese imports from the ‘50s and ‘60s. If you’re curating a retro style room, Napcowares can make for gorgeous additions to your space. They come in beautiful colors, either with a light pastel airbrushed finish or extra rich, deep hues. They also have fun and whimsical features, like intricately raised curly details and doll eyes. One thing I’ve noticed is that many vintage Napcoware pieces that end up at the thrift store are a bit imperfect, coming with crazing and minor chips.
With that in mind, I still can’t resist a Napco figurine or planter, even if they often come with minor dings. The style fits my decor sensibility perfectly — it’s elegant but also extra bold and kitschy.
- Founded: 1938
- Common items: Ceramic planters, figurines, trinket boxes, and mugs
Fitz & Floyd
Fitz & Floyd wares remind me of that soft and delicate Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit look — they’re twee and folksy, but they’re not aggressively maximalist or bold. Most of the Fitz & Floyd pieces I see at the thrift feature bird, rabbit, and seasonal themes. This vintage brand is perfect for anyone who wants vintage charm that’s not too overwhelming — it has a very palatable, minimal style, which is why it’s been featured in collections for the White House and Queen Elizabeth II.
I can’t say I own any Fitz & Floyd pieces at the moment. I did buy a chicken plate that I eventually re-gifted to my mother. While I have a lot of respect for it, the Fitz & Floyd aesthetic doesn’t particularly align with my personal style.
- Founded: 1960
- Common items: Dinnerware and giftware
Ganz
Known for its cute plushies, Ganz is a home decor and accessories wholesaler from Canada. I actually didn’t know it was most famous for its stuffed animals, but the wares that I’ve bought from it are very popular on my online shop! Outside of its plushies, I’d say that its most highly sought-after items are its seasonal gnome and animal figures.
Since a lot of brands fall under Ganz, it doesn’t have one particular style. However, most of the pieces I’ve seen so far are very quirky and colorful, like this witch figurine and Susan Paley face vase.
- Founded: 1950
- Common items: Plushies and seasonal giftware
Pfaltzgraff
If you frequent the houseware section at your local vintage store enough, there’s a good chance that you’ll come across a Pfaltzgraff piece. The most famous pattern by this American kitchenware brand is its Yorktowne pattern, a blue floral folk art motif that dates all the way back to 1967. This style is definitely collectible, so it’s something that might come up at an estate sale or a curated antique fair.
Other than bowls and plates, Pfaltzgraff also sells tablescaping pieces like candle holders. The only Pfaltzgraff piece I have on hand (that I know of) is a candlestick holder in the form of a curvy lady in a fabulous red dress. The Yorktowne pattern is a bit more understated, but I do think that this piece (from 2002) shares that folksy Pfaltzgraff charm.
- Founded: 1811
- Common items: Kitchenware and earthenware
Wedgwood
Founded literal centuries ago, Wedgwood is perhaps best known for its jasperware, which was invented by Josiah Wedgwood in the late 18th century. Although it’s named after jasper, the actual formula for jasperware is proprietary (in other words, a secret). It notably features an unglazed matte biscuit finish that often comes with gorgeous sprigged reliefs depicting scenes from ancient mythology. Actually, the texture itself is supposed to resemble ancient Roman cameo glass!
One of my all-time favorite pieces from my collection is a sage green Wedgwood jasperware piece depicting Venus and Cupid. This particular vase is too stained to sell, but it’s undeniably gorgeous.
- Founded: 1759
- Common items: Tableware, stoneware, jasperware, and more
Your personal style and intuition should guide what kind of home decor you pick up at the thrift store, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to know bread-and-butter vintage ware brands. This primer should give you an idea of what kind of common vintage home decor pieces are out there at your local thrift shops. And if you want them but can’t immediately find them at your local secondhand store, you now know their names so that you can shop for them online!
