Give the Vintage Globe Trend a New Spin
Chart new design territory with the familiar globe trend by seeking unusual sizes, color palettes and display places
I've been looking at trends (such as vintage typewriters and suitcases) that were sweeping design blogs when I started at Houzz several years ago, charting their tipping points and how designers are freshening them up after their ubiquity. Vintage globe collections have also hit their peak, but are they over?
The trend: Collectors love to group their beloved orbs together on top of bookcases and on shelves. It's fun to spin them and see how the world has changed in the years since they were made; for example, you can look at a globe and tell whether it was made before the Berlin wall went up, while it was up or after it came down.
The problem: Everybody seems to have a vintage globe, which makes us start to feel like followers. This trend influenced many major retailers to offer "antique" globes that were new but made to look vintage as accessories, which makes us feel like mindless catalog followers to boot. Here's a look at the trend as it neared the tipping point. I've always loved globes, so I will never tire of them, but we've seen a lot of globes, single and in collections lately.
The solution: Use jumbo globes, put smaller globes somewhere unexpected or seek out new globes with unusual color palettes.
The trend: Collectors love to group their beloved orbs together on top of bookcases and on shelves. It's fun to spin them and see how the world has changed in the years since they were made; for example, you can look at a globe and tell whether it was made before the Berlin wall went up, while it was up or after it came down.
The problem: Everybody seems to have a vintage globe, which makes us start to feel like followers. This trend influenced many major retailers to offer "antique" globes that were new but made to look vintage as accessories, which makes us feel like mindless catalog followers to boot. Here's a look at the trend as it neared the tipping point. I've always loved globes, so I will never tire of them, but we've seen a lot of globes, single and in collections lately.
The solution: Use jumbo globes, put smaller globes somewhere unexpected or seek out new globes with unusual color palettes.
What's new here: Size. This globe fills a lifeless corner with aplomb, and one can stand in front it and spin it around to study geography.
Large Vintage Globe, 1940s
Where to find an oversize globe: This one is not easy. The globe in the previous picture is a one-of-a-kind vintage 1960s piece from London's Lufthansa offices, which is an incredibly cool detail to add to the conversations it surely inspires.
To find globes with a similar look, you are going to have to keep checking Google, Etsy, eBay and 1stdibs; search under "giant globe," "oversize globe" and "large globe." Looking today I found this one from the 1940s that is 3 feet wide by searching "giant globe."
To find globes with a similar look, you are going to have to keep checking Google, Etsy, eBay and 1stdibs; search under "giant globe," "oversize globe" and "large globe." Looking today I found this one from the 1940s that is 3 feet wide by searching "giant globe."
This search will take some patience; if you strike out, just keep checking sites each week until the perfect jumbo globe lands in your lap. If you have your own antiques show pickers, put them on alert to look out for large globes.
The Goliath Display Globe
Specialty shops such as 1-World Globes offer custom extra-large and giant globes. Made to stand up to large public spaces and crowds, they also come with large price tags.
What's new here: The vintage globe in an open upper cabinet in this contemporary kitchen is an unexpected touch that adds retro style to the room.
If you're a little tired of the composition or placement of your beloved globe collection, think about breaking it up, dusting it off and placing single globes in interesting spots around the house.
If you're a little tired of the composition or placement of your beloved globe collection, think about breaking it up, dusting it off and placing single globes in interesting spots around the house.
What's new here: The globe is rendered in black and shiny silver, giving it a sexy, futuristic look. Yeah, that's right, I just called a globe sexy.
This silver globe is a very interesting sculptural object that doesn't distract from this office's subdued color palette. I think this one is sexy too.
Vintage Globe Bookends
What's new here: Globes take on a new function in these vintage bookends. This is a great way to get your globe fix, add interest to your bookshelves and prop up a stack of books.
Where to find them: I did a simple search for "globe bookends" on eBay and Etsy with some great results.
Tell us: How are you making an old trend new?
Where to find them: I did a simple search for "globe bookends" on eBay and Etsy with some great results.
Tell us: How are you making an old trend new?