This is Why I Thrift!

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I’m a big bargain hunter….I mean REALLY big, as in I am addicted to the hunt. (My fellow thrifters, you all know what I’m talkin about)  You never know what you will find and it is such a fun experience when you go through and spot a diamond in the rough.

I love saving money.  I know you all can relate to that one!  For reals though, thrifting lets you find cool stuff without spending buckets of moolah.  We have SO many pieces I’ve scored either thrifting or at the flea markets.

I love thrifting because you can find some of THE most amazing pieces, I mean things you never expected you would see.  Sometimes you just need a little bit of imagination but after that, you have a jewel.

Here are some of the pieces I’ve found at thrift stores in the last few weeks…

Here’s a perfect example of a diamond in the rough, and not even that rough!  This is how I first saw this chair.

Just ho-hum right?!  It had this lackluster pale pink-ish hue, a big dirty mark on the back and an ugly as all get out skirt.

 But I saw potential.  I saw insanely gorgeous asymmetrical lines and a $12.99 price tag.  I knew if I reupholstered it, it would still be worth the money because I’m a. buying it so cheaply and b. it was just a fab piece.

Here’s how it looked in natural light (those nasty fluorescents make a big difference) after we used some Nature’s Miracle on the dirty spots and ripped off the ridiculous skirt.

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It’s a beautiful blush pink with curves that sing.  I am debating on painting the legs but I’m in no hurry.  She’s gorgeous as is. I’d say that’s a pretty great $12.99!

 My daughter needed a bigger dresser in her room.  But the Jewel Box bedroom needed something special, funny thing was I wasn’t actively looking for one.  Just doing my weekly rounds through the thrifts with 3 of the kids. (I’m making sure I have future thrifters and they actually love to go with me!) When BAM!

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This beauty bout jumped up and slapped me in the face! It’s got all kinds of elaborate filigree work, dovetail solid construction and butterfly handles.  I mean really, whaattt?! The top cabinet has shelves on one side and drawers on the other.  It’s incredibly functional, hello new dresser for the Jewel Box bedroom!  (I even got another 9% off as they were doing a fun spin the wheel to see your discount day!)  Oh and the 2 handles that look like they are missing…they aren’t.  They are both in a drawer and just needed screws which we easily reattached at home.

 And not only the dresser but they had these 2 matching side tables!

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The top is a bit beat up but I’ve got some awesome stuff to fix that. (read all about restor-a-finish here!)

And they are laid out just like the dresser in a mini-version!

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Check out the detail work!  I’m not sure what I’m going to do with these yet but I couldn’t not buy them when I was buying the dresser.  It was a bit steep at $300 for the whole set but I plan on selling her old antique pink set (dresser and side tables) to make up most of the cost.  And I couldn’t be too upset about it, the money goes to support our local Habitat for Humanity.

Then there’s this knockout..

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A 1950’s glass chandelier. In all honesty I scored this at a local flea market, but for $95!  It’s currently at a lighting shop getting all the wiring checked out and getting the one arm a little love to get it into perfect and safe condition.  (And the estimate for the lighting repairs…$35) I’d say that was a major score for the eyeballs and the wallet.

Or how about this insane vintage rattan/bamboo sectional? This is another I-see-potential piece.  I hate the cushion color so I plan to do new covers but the frame is in great shape.  I’m debating painting it but I haven’t made up my mind on that yet.  I just found this bad boy yesterday for a whopping $24.99.

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It’s a really long sofa that is made up of 2 pieces, can we say extra cool?!

And then there’s this brass and glass coffee table!  Here’s the pic from the thrift store.

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The frame was upside down and so was the glass top but dang it was love at first sight.

I put this in my office since I moved the marble tables that were in here to the family room.  Perfect size, visually light, and with serious style.

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This is right side up!  $34.99, go slap your mama!

The key to thrifting is to keep going.  I don’t find something every trip, or even every other trip.  It’s about consistently going and keeping an open mind.  A little love goes a LONG way toward saving you money and getting incredibly awesome pieces you wouldn’t find otherwise.

Here is a post with some tips on navigating and shopping the flea markets/thrifts!

Are you a big thrifter?  What is your best find to date?  If not what is keeping you from heading over to your local thrift store?  Let me know maybe I can answer some of your questions!

Hit me up in the comments below!

And don’t forget to hit up the subscribe box in the sidebar for the next crazy I’m sharing!

XXXX&OOOO

 

 

 

 

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12 Comments
  • Corinna - TheBohoAbode
    February 28, 2019

    Competition from resalers had made it really hard to find good furniture in my area right now. The chalk paint craze is still going strong here! I’ve been thinking about heading up around the Richmond area since there’s always amazing craigslist deals there but I don’t know how I’d get anything home haha. That light has to be the coolest find ever. So beautiful! And the dresser set has such cool metal work!

    • Tina Bousu
      February 28, 2019

      Corinna! Thanks babe! Yeah we have quite a bit of that (chalk paint) stuff around here too and it’s mostly at the flea markets with the re-seller booths. I have been having the best luck at the thrift stores lately though. Everything but the light was from a Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity or Arc. Maybe you could rent a uhaul trailer? I think they are super cheap for a day and then you can still bring all of your awesome finds from Richmond home!

    • Paula A
      April 13, 2019

      I share your sentiments exactly I am overjoyed
      Every time I go out thrifting it’s amazing , the finds that are out there I have many retro pieces, eclectic is the word, keep on keepin on

      • Tina Bousu
        April 13, 2019

        Hi Paula! I tell my kids “Time to go treasure hunting” because it really is like treasure hunting. You never know what pieces you might find!

  • Lisa
    March 22, 2019

    Wow, I am in love with that chair. I’m changing my decor to “Comfy” and that chair would have made my list too. You have great taste. My problem is that I hem and haw when at the thrift stores, I leave, come back and the item is gone. UGH! Glad I came across your blog looking forward to your next post.
    -Lisa

    • Tina Bousu
      March 23, 2019

      Hey Lisa! Girl let me tell you I have done that too, “I’ll think about it…..” and it’s gone! I have learned that if I really like it I better just go for it haha! Thank you so much for the comment, I have a couple of big projects in the works that are going to be so much fun!

  • Jamala
    March 27, 2019

    Excellent scores!!! I love everything you picked out!! You’ve got impeccable taste

    • Tina Bousu
      March 29, 2019

      Thank you Jamala! You can really find some amazing pieces!

  • Mary Bee
    April 13, 2019

    Wow – Absolutely love your “Gentleman’s Dresser’ set! You can see the “Chinese” furniture influence (gentrified), and it wouldn’t take much to remodel them in a more feminine glossy colour (in that same influence) to suit your daughter’s bedroom (without them losing value). Congrats on your find.
    Your asymmetrical Chair (what a bargain) and glamorous round coffee Table are beautiful! You have such a great ‘eye’ for a ‘find’ that has relevance and value in this age (both in the States and Europe). ???

    • Tina Bousu
      April 13, 2019

      Hi Mary! Thank you so much! I actually haven’t touched the dresser set, she is using it as is until I decide if I want to change it. But the wood is so beautiful I’m leaning towards just cleaning it up and letting it shine.

  • Diana Bauman
    March 28, 2022

    Loved this…great information!

    • Tina Bousu
      April 8, 2022

      Hi Diana, thank you and happy thrifting!