UncategorizedI’m a Collector of Thrift Store Finds June 23, 2014I have a problem. It’s no secret around here that I love shopping at thrift stores. I have furnished much of our home and even my wardrobe through thrift stores. My favorite finds are still the mid-century hutch and green chair. You can read about them here. It’s amazing what you can find with some searching! The only issue with thrifting (but also the exciting part) is that you never know what you’re going to find! So, it doesn’t work great when shopping for a very specific project. This has turned me into a major collector of thrift store finds. We have thrift store finds shoved into every closet and corner of our house just waiting to find their home. My husband has often pleaded asked for me to do something with them before I buy more, so I’ve made it a goal in the next few weeks to tackle this project. My goal is to find a place for/redo it or it has to go. We’re bursting at the seems in this small house and who am I kidding? I want to have an excuse to do more thrifting! So, I was pulling all of them out today and realized so many of them, I never even shared! Here are a few things that I’ll be re-vamping and styling in our home soon. Lamps are one of my favorite things to look for at thrift stores. You can find some really unique vintage lamps that are great quality. Even at Target, lamps are anywhere from $30 to $40 or higher. At thrift stores, you’re usually looking at $2-$4 for a lamp. Sometimes, they’re higher, but still a major savings. I loved these two above with the wood and brass and the navy. I’m excited to find a place for them in the house this week. And I couldn’t believe when I stumbled upon this beauty! I love the geomtric lamp trend and finding this black one for $4 was pretty exciting. It definitely needs a new coat of paint, but this one will have a really high-end look and get me that trend I’ve been loving for way less. This next find blew me away! I found this tufted leather roller chair at an antiques store that is really more of a thrift store. They have the best stuff and way more variety than a thrift store, yet they have thrift store pricing! I saw this chair the minute I walked in. I knew it would probably be $50 or so and wasn’t willing to spend that since I didn’t have a specific use for it. I asked anyway and they said it was $8. What??? I hesitated for a minute just because I was shocked how cheap it was and the saleswoman said I could have it for $5 if I would just take it. They wanted to move it! She didn’t have to tell me twice! I haven’t really found a use for it in our home yet. But since it’s so my style, I’ve got to find a place! *** Recently, I got asked to participate in a thrifting blog hop. Of course, I was game! Tomorrow, I’ll be joining 9 other bloggers for Swap it Like it’s Hot! Here’s the concept: each blogger went thrift shopping and bought some items. Then, we sent those items to the blogger in line after us. With the items that we received, we are to redo them and style them in our home in a useful way. Jessica from Gourley Girl and Guy sent me three awesome items: a cute little teacup and saucer, a deer figurine, and a china plate. I can’t wait to show y’all how I use them tomorrow!
Katie Gavigan says June 23, 2014 at 2:59 pm LOVE the geometric lamp – such a great find. And I can definitely relate – thrift shopping is one of my very favorite activities…aaaaand I’ve needed to back off a bit because I’m running out of storage space. 🙂 It’s so tough to pass up amazing pieces. I always think it’ll be the perfect piece for a client project someday. Can’t wait to see what you come up with! Reply
sarah dorsey says June 23, 2014 at 4:04 pm I have a problem too .. my basement is quickly filling up with my thrifted finds!! can’t wait to see what you come up with! Reply
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says June 23, 2014 at 9:04 pm Same problem here! And a thrift store swap sounds like so much fun. Reply
Sarah{Handbags*and*Pigtails} says June 24, 2014 at 11:47 am I think Mandi from Vintage Revivals blog has the best idea…the annual HOARD SALE. I too am guilty of buying pieces just because they’re so great/I’ll never see them again,etc… but even in an old Victorian era home there is only so much space. Our attic became a (full) third floor storage room and it was depressing. I’ve learned to purge like its my job and be a lot more selective when I thrift. Or…if I find something really great that I HAVE to bring home, that means something else has to go to make room for it. I cant wait to see what you do with your lamps and the items that were sent to you:) ~Sarah Reply
Lindsay says June 24, 2014 at 2:48 pm Sarah this is a great idea! I’ve seen info about Mandi’s sale and I really think I’m going to have to look into that someday! I’m definitely buying a lot less than I used to, but I have so much built up now it’s ridiculous. Reply