Mason Jars – Forever Farmhouse Style

Both a timeless accessory and a Piper Classics favorite, the traditional glass Mason Jar is not only affordable and functional — it just so happens to also be the perfect accent to tie together almost any style of rustic vintage farmhouse decor.

The race to create this new method of food storage actually began in 1795, with a request by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. But it wasn’t until 1858, when the Philadelphia tinsmith John Landis Mason invented and patented his namesake glass jar, that canning jars as we know and recognize them today entered the commercial landscape.

The history of the companies who manufactured them — Ball, Kerr, and others — could fill a book.

Wondering how to incorporate Mason or Ball jars into your own contemporary designs? Take a read through our suggestions below…

1. Mason Jar Floral Arrangements

Grab a few seasonal fresh-cut stems from your local florist, gather stems while on a walk, or pick some blossoms from your backyard garden and arrange them artfully in a Mason jar filled with water. Hydrangeas, roses, wildflowers and seasonal greenery all look great this time of year, and the timeless simplicity of the jar brings a chic touch to any arrangement, without overtaking the look.

Don’t forget, faux flowers and greens are amazingly realistic these days and look particularly sweet in a bouquet simply dropped into a Mason Jar like this one!

2. Mason Jar Food and Household Storage

Forget about canning! Mason jars in all sizes make great storage containers for dry and bulk foods like pasta, beans, oats, and even coffee and sugar. Get creative by mixing and matching sizes, and then displaying the filled jars around your kitchen or dining areas. They look great clustered on counter tops and shelves.

Pint jars can also be used to make great DIY spice racks. Simply screw a few pint jar lids onto the underside of a kitchen cabinet or shelf, fill up the little jars with your favorite dry herbs and spices, and screw them into the affixed lid.

3. Mason Jar Photo and Keepsake Displays

Fill jars with mementos from family vacations, graduations, reunions or weddinga! Frame some of your favorite photos, hang them in your family room and accent them with a tabletop display of Mason jars filled with keepsakes like seashells, small souvenirs, or travel and event tickets.

Create an arrangement with individual photographs tucked into mason jars of various sizes, stacked on top of books, risers or even other momentos. You can also buy a chalk marker in white or black, and add a single word to the outside of each jar that relates to the photo inside.

Use the jars as place holders at your next dinner party or large gathering. Simply put a small Mason jar with a recent photo of each guest inside and write their name on the outside of the jar with a chalk pen, to designate their place at the table.

4. Mason Jar Lighting Options

• Vanity Light

Talk about adding wonderful Mason Jar Style to your bathroom sink area!! Wow! This vanity light really kicks the vintage style up a notch! Dark metal adds a rich tone to the green-tinted glass, bringing the traditional look of canning jars to your everyday farmhouse in a brand new way…

• Nightlight

Another imaginative way to incorporate a love of Mason Jars into our homes is with this darling little nightlight. This mini jar provides the classic vintage look to your hallway or bathroom, and helps guide your way during the darkest hours. With a lovely lifelike flame glowing bright inside and glass and metal accents, you’re going to adore the realism of this Mason Jar in its miniature form.

• Lid Lights

Mason Jars can also be easily turned into lovely lighting accents with the clever, versatile Angel Tears Solar Lid Lights as well.