Turn flea market finds into warm, nostalgic touches inspired by prairie life.
Bonnets may not be back in style, but Little House on the Prairie certainly is.
For generations, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books transported readers to a world where people curled up with patchwork quilts, sat by crackling fires, read by candlelight and hung their clothes on a clothesline.
Then came the beloved TV series, with its calico dresses, one-room schoolhouse and Charles Ingalls on the fiddle.
Now, a new Little House television series has put prairie style back in the spotlight.
While few of us are ready to trade electricity for an oil lamp, there’s something irresistible about the cozy, collected simplicity of the Ingalls’ world.
Photo by Ronnie Wendt
Fortunately, you don’t need to head west in a covered wagon to capture the look. All you need is a flea market or antique store and an eye for vintage finds. So, grab your market basket and start hunting for these prairie-perfect finds.
Baskets Ma Ingalls Would Love
Prairie storage came woven, handled and ready to work. Hunt for gathering baskets, market baskets and old hampers, then use them to hold blankets, firewood or dried flowers.
Quilts That Tell A Story
Nothing delivers instant Little House charm like a patchwork quilt. Look for hand stitching, faded florals, mismatched fabrics and the occasional imperfect square. Fold quilts at the foot of a bed, stack them on a shelf or drape one over a rocking chair.
A Rocker Worthy of Pa
Every prairie home needs a wooden rocking chair. Spindle backs, rush seats and arms worn smooth with age only make them better. Park one beside the fireplace or near a sunny window and add a quilt to get the full Ingalls effect.
Cast Iron Cookware
Old skillets, Dutch ovens, griddles and kettles bring hardworking farmhouse character to a kitchen. Hang a few from sturdy hooks or leave a favorite skillet on the stove, ready for flapjacks.
Tin Pails and Lunch Buckets
Vintage galvanized pails, metal lunch buckets and tin containers are wonderfully useful flea market finds. Fill them with wooden spoons, kindling, flowers or garden tools.
Brooms That Deserve to Be Seen
Look for old corn brooms, whisk brooms and handmade straw versions with wooden handles. Lean one in the corner of a kitchen or mudroom or hang whisk brooms on the pegs of an old shelf. Suddenly sweeping up will feel almost charming.
Crates, Stools and Ladders
Prairie decorating was practical. A wooden crate held things. A stool provided a seat. A ladder helped the Ingalls girls climb into the loft at night. Today, those same pieces make great side tables, blanket storage and displays.
Oil Lamps and Lanterns
Nothing says Little House like the glow of a lantern. Search for glass oil lamps, hurricane lamps and old metal lanterns to display on mantels, shelves and tables.
Samplers and Needlework
Alphabet samplers, cross-stitch, embroidery and other handmade needlework inject color and personality to prairie-inspired rooms. Look for pieces with dates, initials and charmingly imperfect stitches.
Candlesticks With Character
Brass, iron, pewter, tin and wooden candlesticks fit beautifully into the look, especially when they don’t match. Gather different shapes and heights down the center of a farmhouse table or scatter them across a mantel.
Get the Look
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Prairie Collected
Photo by Ronnie Wendt
The trick to the Little House look is restraint. Think prairie charm, not historical reenactment. Mix flea market finds with what you already own, choosing natural materials, faded colors and pieces with a little wear.
Now grab a basket and start hunting. Your own little piece of the prairie may be waiting.
