furniture key tassels | favorite things

by | Nov 30, 2022 | All Things Home, Decorating | 46 comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

When I shared the antique French vitrine, I pointed out the handmade furniture key tassel I purchased to tie onto that beautiful old original key.  I used to love key tassels and I would hunt for them at discount stores like Tuesday Morning.  I thought they were classic, sophisticated, and a fun little detail.  But, somewhere along the way I sort of forgot about them.  Well, my fellow tassel fans, I have now remembered them!

antique louis philippe vitrine | furniture key tassels | miss mustard seed

Let’s start with the keys first.  Almost all of my cabinets, dressers, and boxes are antiques and have keyholes.  Only a couple of them came with an original key when I bought them.  So, over the years, I’ve picked up furniture skeleton keys and small keys that might fit into a piece I have or will buy in the future.  While you can buy them online, I usually pick them up at antique stores and markets for $1.00 or less each.  I have a nice little collection and I can usually find a key that at least fits in the keyhole even if it doesn’t operate the latch.

This really is just a preference thing.  I like the little detail a key adds to a piece of furniture or an antique box.

antique art boxes | miss mustard seed

And the tassels add just one more layer of detail.  I really would like to make my own, but there is a shocking lack of information on how to make this style of tassel online!  I bought a couple of older books and I’ll see if I find anything helpful in them.  Until I figure it out, I wanted to buy a few furniture tassels.  I found a couple of sellers on Etsy who sell beautiful handmade European key tassels and I ordered a few.  Majorieanns and MerceriaNoeViu are the two shops that carry beautiful, fluffy tassels that were just what I was looking for.

furniture key tassels | miss mustard seed

I even branched out and added a pretty soft pink tassel for the antique dresser in our foyer.

furniture key tassels | miss mustard seed

The key is one of the antique furniture skeleton keys from my stash and it happened to fit perfectly and look appropriate for the style of this Sheridan dresser.

furniture key tassels | miss mustard seed

I have never had a key in my antique French wardrobe (a craigslist find), but I found one recently that fit.  So, let’s put a tassel on that, too!

furniture key tassels | miss mustard seed

furniture key tassels | miss mustard seed

furniture key tassels | miss mustard seed

I did find some smaller and simple cotton tassels at a lower price point (less than $3.00) HERE.  I might replace these in the future with some furniture key tassels I make myself, but they are a nice little addition.

furniture key tassels | miss mustard seed

I added some of these small key tassels to some of my boxes as well.  It might be a little bit big, but I don’t mind.

antique art boxes | furniture key tassels | miss mustard seed

Is anyone else with me on the furniture key tassels?

 

Receive a Daily Dose of Encouragement and Inspiration!

Stay Inspired with Marian's Daily Blog Posts

Sign up to receive uplifting blog posts directly in your inbox! Join our community of like-minded individuals and start your day with a burst of creativity, motivation, and positivity. Whether you’re seeking decorating tips, DIY projects, or simply a dose of inspiration, Marian’s daily posts are sure to brighten your day and ignite your creativity. Don’t miss out on your daily dose of encouragement – subscribe now!

    46 Comments

    1. Kim

      Oh yes, I love old keys with either tassels or ribbons! They are a lovely, finessed touch!

      • Rita

        I don’t have any keys in my furniture, but I have a couple cabinets that would accommodate one. I may have to check my small stash to see if I have one that fits. Keys are pricey in my area, but I have managed to find a few at a reasonable price. I will be waiting for that tassel tutorial.

        • JoAnn

          I’m a tassel enthusiast also and find it exciting when you are acquiring items that would fit into our home!

      • Jeanie Cox

        YES!! I love them!!

    2. Danab

      I have used tassels on my furniture for the last 40+years. They add just that touch of whimsy that I love.
      My daughters are grandmillineals and want to know where I purchased mine from, or want mine! We are always buying them to hang on a lamp knob or piece of furniture. I have purchased my fair share from many fabric stores.
      Love the pink one in your foyer.

    3. beverlee

      I have always loved them, and made them.. My former Mother in law made tassel dolls (no faces)….so cute. They are just classic and just a little above ordinary.

      • beverlee

        I intended to say, bought them and made them.

      • Cheri

        I have a collection of skeleton keys that were my gramma’s. It’s been on my list to find fits for them on my furniture with keyholes – thanks for the reminder to just do it!
        Gramma had tassels on her keys and even some on her glass door knobs in the bedroom.

    4. Alice Blackmer

      Ha Ha! I love tassels on keys in my furniture, too. Then….grandchildren. They were utterly obsessed with the tassels. They would come and make a beeline for the tassels and I would find them hidden in strange places. They are older now, but I still see them walk by and give them a little flip!

      • Marian Parsons

        That is so funny! I loved playing with a tassel on one of my grandma’s lamps. I thought it looked like a girl in an amazing twirly, fringey dress, so I would make her “dance.”

        • Ruth McLean

          Yes I love tassels too! Have them on my tv cabinet, china cabinet, writing desk and chiffioner. They are not as fluffy as yours, but add a little bit of “class” in my opinion.

          Thanks for sharing yours. Wishing you a lovely festive season from New Zealand.

    5. Laurie Mo

      Oh yes!! I LOVE tassels and have had them in different uses in my home for over 40 years. I’m so pleased you love them too and are now sharing that interest with others. They really are a lovely little, yet refined, detail that just adds a little special touch.

    6. Peggy

      I have always had tassels. In fact I had just ordered the Fenghuangwu colorful key tassels from Amazon. They aren’t very expensive and have good reviews.

    7. Mary

      I have used tassels and kept a collection of antique keys for the last 34 years. I love the extra they add to a piece of furniture! Jewelry for decor!

    8. Pakster

      I love them but…cats, in particular one kitten who is an adorable menace. I know my little guy will become obsessed. The result will not be pretty.
      Are your cats of an age where they don’t care?

      • Marian Parsons

        They are three and haven’t really paid much attention to them. We make sure they have toys they like, scratchers, etc. Of course, some cats are just drawn to certain things and you can’t do much about it! Esme loves crunchy things and just brought me a wad of wrapping out of the trash. ?

      • Anne

        I love tassels and have them on several pieces of furniture as well as lamps. I have the same grandchild problem – my 6 year old grandson loves to remove them and relocate them!!

    9. Lisa P

      My mother always has key tassels on things and it only recently occurred to me that I could use them too! So I’ve made a couple of simple cotton ones and plan to try making a fancier version with embroidery floss. And will also keep an eye out for ones to buy! I hadn’t thought of buying old keys that might fit a keyhole that’s missing it’s key—but will now put them on my hunting list! Thank you for the inspiration!

    10. Shelly

      Love them and have used on my furniture for years. They are “jewelry” for cabinets, tables with drawers, tied on lamps. I even have some special holiday tassels.

    11. Hélène

      I love tassels too. I have one on a key to my vintage mini-corner-hutch that houses all my best teacups. But I sew vestments for our chapel in an antique style and tassels are often called for on liturgical items, so I’m very lucky and I work with them quite a bit. One thing I learned about resurrecting an old art is that you can learn a lot by taking something apart and studying how someone else had put it together long ago. It’s fascinating. Maybe if you have a tassel you no longer need, you can dissect it and figure out how to make it by yourself. Then make a video for us all 🙂 Love your new happy family friendly house!

    12. Rebecca

      I’m definitely all about tassels! I have one on the grandfather clock, the sideboard cabinet, the secretary and my dresser. They also help the key stand out and it won’t get lost easily!

    13. Judy Miller

      Oh how I love tassels as well. If it has a key hole and a key, it’s got a tassel. I’ve found some really nice ones at Tuesday Morning as well and garage sales are a good place to look. They just add the finishing touch to an antique piece of furniture and help keep up with the key.

    14. elle

      I too like tassels and a few decades ago found a pamphlet on how to make them using wooden beads, embroidery thread, and other easily obtained supplies. It was very straightforward. My preference is for the slimmer tassels with decorative heads, but your fluffy ones could be easily made by grouping together many smaller ones. It is a lot of fun!

      • Suzanne Reiersen

        Started using tassels in the 70s to help me locate the little knob that turned out lamps on or off. I bought silk in various colors from an importer of Italian linens. Wholesale only except two times a year when I lived rummaging through stove sized cardboard boxes for treasures! Now, if there’s a key or knob, it has a tassel!

    15. FIL

      Tassels and the girls.

    16. Irene Kelly

      Yes I too love tassels and tried to make them years ago but they looked home made not finished off like what you can buy. Very diddapointing esp with all the time I put into them using DMC floss. Oh Well maybe you can teach us ! !

    17. Darleen

      Love the tassels. Unfortunately i do not have a lot of keyholes in my furniture….so I hang them on the handles and knobs of the drawers….also lamp switches

    18. VAMama

      With our frequent relocations, the tassels are the only way to keep track of clock keys and cabinet keys here. You can sometimes find them in stores like Tuesday Morning where the curtain tie-backs are.

    19. Debi Tabor

      Well, I am now. The tassels are like the cherry on top of a banana split, just perfect.

    20. Gail

      Funnily enough, I spy four tassels from where I sit and write this post. I always thought tassels were a charming addition. : )

    21. Eileen

      I have purchased tassels for years and hang them everywhere, including doorknobs to closets and bedrooms.

    22. Michelle O

      I loved this post because I, myself, recently purchased a burgundy/gold tassel from Germany. Not only is it beautiful, but it was fun getting a package from another country. She packaged it beautifully and put in a hand written note. That makes it extra special!

    23. Brenda

      I love tassels! My daughter, not so much. She keeps reminding me that they are old fashion. Had some lovely trim on pillows with tassels that I added trim with beaded balls. Thanks to my dog and cats, there are no tassels left. It looks a little strange with out them! I’ve not caught them at it…..but, They just look guilty! Have a great day!

    24. Alena

      Oh my. Your blog is dangerous! I am now obsessed with finding tassels for my skeleton keys. Looking forward to your tutorial on them. Love the big fluffy European ones!

    25. Shelley Humpal

      Hi Marian: It’s the little things. The finishing touches. I too have lots of antiques with key holes and I don’t have keys for most. I too have found skeleton keys to fit although they don’t operate. Yes I have been using beautiful tassels for years. Most I have had for years and purchased at high end design studios or antique shops. Unfortunately in my part of the midwest all those types of shops are gone now. I could pick up a gorgeous tassel for 16.00 when I couldn’t afford anything else! Shopping just isn’t as fun as it used to be. I envy your move Maryland. Mighty fine antiquing there. Maryland is one of my top 5. Love the stone, the 200 plus year old homes, the mountains, Love it. So think of me the next time you turn that key!

    26. Johnny Gibbons

      There is a wonderful small textile and embroidery shop hidden away in Siena, Italy that I visit every time solely to treat myself to one of their handmade silk key tassels. Their about $10 – $15 each and are the best “souvenir!

      • Sue DeSanna

        I started my tassel collecting in a Florence shop, then a beautiful silk Fortuny one in Venice. I never came across a shop in Siena – maybe next time!

    27. Kimberly Howell

      The first time I fell in love with key tassels was over 30 years ago on a trip to Victoria, BC, when I stayed at a B&B. The room keys each had tassels on them. I thought it was such a charming touch! Since then I have collected just a few as I find them. My favorite is a softly faded seafoam green color one with tiny beads attached that I also found at Tuesday Morning, probably 20+ years ago. It changes location as I change the decor around. Currently it’s on a table lamp switch.

    28. Wendi Unrein

      I have one that came with a lamp I bought on Marketplace and my hubby made me get rid of it!!! But I must admit your adding the key to it is just perfect! I have a few cabs with keyholes and will so look into this!! Thank you!!!!! Wendi

    29. Debbie

      I love old keys and tassels with old furniture. If you have a selection of keys, I would make a display of them in a pretty cup or dish or bowl.

    30. Victoria

      I wonder if a book like this would have them in there “Practical Tassels: Revealing the Secrets of How to Make the World’s Most Gorgeous Fabric Decorations” By Anna Crutchley. She has another tassel making book too, but the one I listed specifically mentions Key Tassels in the description.

    31. Maria

      I just love the tassels and have them on my keys too. Unfortunately my cats also love them, to death, so the keys are now in bowls on top of the furniture…

    32. Connie

      Love tassels and old keys. Have only one antique piece with original key. Will try one of my old keys in old dresser I have. But I have tassel on knob of old grandfather clock. Even have one over neck of antique bottle. Metal lartch on corner cabinet also perfect spot. You have renewed my hunt for tassels!

    33. Addie

      I have used old keys and tassels for years. I think they add a nice finished touch. I have my collection of extra skeleton keys on a ring, the ones not used on furniture, and my kids call me
      “The Warden” !!!….lol

    34. Teresa

      Thank you for the tassel source. I just ordered two. We have inherited antique furniture with skeleton keys including two chests. When the grands visit we are always searching for the keys they remove. With the tassel we will have no trouble finding them now. 🙂

    35. Melissa

      Love furniture tassels…love to add small Christmas with them during holidays…will be looking for keys now too. Merry Christmas…thank you for sharing with us.. love your books too.

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Share This