First Thrift Haul of 2023 and Winter Refresh

I guess January has been a busy month because I'm shocked to realize it's nearly over. 

I managed to squeeze in a thrift haul -- my first of 2023 -- and shared it in a video:

Laundry Reveal

 

My budget-friendly laundry makeover is complete and I'm excited to share it with you. Warning: This post is packed with photos. 

Two Thrift Store Purchases = One Great $5 Lamp

 

On a recent thrifting excursion I came across a French script lampshade for $2. 

Did I need a lamp shade? 

No. 

But the shade was my style and in great shape. And for $2 I couldn't pass it up. I knew that sooner or later I'd find a lamp base to use with it.

$4.99 Thrifted Table Makeover

 

Last week after work I stopped at Goodwill for a browse and saw a hand painted side table for $4.99. I've been thinking about adding a side table next to the sofa, though it hasn't been a big priority. However, when I saw the price tag, the size of the table (which is pretty much perfect for the spot I had in mind) and found the table to be sturdy, I put that find right into my shopping cart. Although I thought the hand painted flowers were rather charming, the colors really didn't work with those in my living room, so I knew I would do some kind of makeover on the table. 

Copper in the Entryway

Whenever I pass through thrift store aisles, I keep my eyes peeled for tarnished silver and copper. Some people wouldn't dream of using tarnished pieces in their decor, and, even worse, would be aghast at the tray I painted with chalk paint. One time a stranger commented while I added a tarnished silver tray to my thrift store cart, "That will be really pretty when it's all polished up." I just smiled. I didn't have the heart to tell her I didn't plan to polish it. The funny thing is, I've felt this way about aged metal for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, my mom had an old silver salt and pepper shaker set -- very ornate -- that my dad brought home from an estate sale. It was practically black with tarnish, and forever sat on a kitchen shelf unused. She never had the time or inclination to polish it, and I thought it was beautiful in its needy state.

Thrift Store Artwork - Updating the Frame

 

Happy Weekend, Cottage Friends!

Back in October I picked up a pretty framed still life print at the thrift store. The frame was pine -- a wood that I happen to like -- and it was priced at $5, which was a real bargain. I had thought to leave the frame in its original condition, however, the more I looked at it, the more I felt the frame didn't do justice to the still life. Rather than enhance it, the frame seemed to detract from the beautiful muted colors in the print.

Thrift Store Finds - Staffordshire Ironstone, and Porcelain Farmhouse Pitcher

 

I truly believe that when it comes to discovering amazing finds at thrift stores, timing is everything. There are three shops in my town that I frequently patronize: Habitat for Humanity Restore, ARC Thrift, and Goodwill. All three stores are on my way home from work, so it's easy just to pop in. I don't always find something when I visit. However, it's always fun to browse, and sometimes I return for another look in the next day or two if I don't feel like going right home. Just something fun to do, and it helps me unwind from my job. It's often that second day visit that is the charm. Something has just been put out that day, and I'm fortunate to be the one who's on hand to claim it. My vintage french country night stand is a great example of an amazing "second day" find. 

I usually find good deals at ARC thrift store on Saturdays. That's the day they offer 50% off four of the five price tag colors they use. I always  check out their serving pieces -- platters, bowls, sugar and creamers, etc. Especially the white ones. I am particularly on the hunt for ironstone, which I never find. So imagine my surprise when I spotted this vintage Staffordshire White Mist ironstone creamer and sugar set.

They were priced at $4.98 each, which I thought was an unbelievably great price. The price tag color wasn't one of the colors on sale for 50% off, and that was fine. But get this. I had also picked up a few little items that were all 50% off, and when the clerk checked me out she gave me everything including the ironstone for 50% off. It wasn't a mistake. She let me know exactly what she was doing. 

When I got home I did an online search to see what the Staffordshire White Mist Creamer and Sugar Set might be worth. Turns out an Etsy shop has a set priced at $40. And that set has a little crazing. The set I bought is pristine. Needless to say, I'm pretty jazzed at having found this beautiful ironstone.

Earlier this month I discovered a white porcelain farmhouse pitcher at Goodwill that made its way into my cart.

I think Target sells a pitcher like this for $14. This one was $6.99, which is a little more than I would normally pay for a thrift store pitcher unless it's one that is in perfect condition, has great style, and is priced lower than one I can buy new. This gorgeous pitcher checked all the boxes. I know I'll enjoy it for a long time.

These new acquisitions have brightened my kitchen. All part of my after Christmas refresh.

Are you refreshing your home?

Hugs,

New Addition to My Bedroom

 

Vintage French Country Nightstand

 

Hello Cottage Friends,

I hope the new year is off to a good start for you. I've had some challenges, which I'm not going to elaborate on now. I'm more interested in showing you my latest thrift store score: an amazing Ethan Allen French Country Nightstand from the 1990's for only $20!

Christmas Decor - Three Thrift Store Makeovers Under $6

 

Greetings Cottage Friends,

Today I have three thrift store makeovers under $6 each that I want to share with you for Christmas. All three were inexpensive and super easy and quick to accomplish.

Bedroom Mirror Makeover

            

One of the items in my Mega Thrift Store Haul last January was an oval mirror. While the mirror was sturdy, the finish was very worn and looked cheap. The oval shape and $5 price tag sold me, and I knew with a little paint I could transform it into my style.

Thrift Store Rooster Makeover

Hi Cottage Friends,

I've been wanting a rooster for my kitchen for a while now. But not just any rooster. I wanted one with a French Country vibe. After watching one of my favorite Youtubers transform a tacky thrift store ceramic figurine into a fabulous French Country piece with chalk paint and white wax, I wondered if I could find a rooster to redo. Fortunately, I found one for $2.99 at Goodwill. A very gaudy rooster that prior to witnessing the ceramic makeover on Youtube I would have passed over without a second thought.

The only before photo I have of the rooster is this one.

I had already begun the painting process on most of the rooster when I realized I hadn't snapped a before photo. This photo doesn't give a true picture of just how gaudy and awful this rooster was. The clerk at the Goodwill checkout called it "the dalmatian rooster". Well, yeah, what with the smattering of all those polka dots.

It took several coats of Waverly chalk paint in Steel to cover all that ugliness. I then tinted some Waverly clear wax with White Waverly chalk paint and brushed it over the whole piece, concentrating on the crevices and places I wanted to highlight, until  I got the look I wanted.

Now it sits on the windowsill above my kitchen sink, along with a French Soda bottle and a vintage transferware vase (both thrift store finds), and a scented candle. (And, yes, I need to paint the windowsill. It's on the To-do List.)

Have I inspired you to look at ugly thrift store items in a new way?

Hugs,

 

Welcome Spring

 

Hello Cottage Friends,

Today truly felt like a spring day. Even though my patio is still partially buried in snow, much of it has melted and I am filled with spring fever. When I get this kind of feeling, I know it's time to make some decor changes around my home.

Recently I purchased a 3 tier tray at the Goodwill for $5.99. Normally, I try to keep my small item purchases to $5 max, but when I saw this 3 tier tray my heart melted. It had all the things I love. A chippy white finish, chicken wire, a scrolly (is that a word?) top and ooh! that little chalkboard. I knew that it would be a decor piece that I would love for a long time, and it didn't need any kind of makeover. It was good to go. So even at $5.99 from a thrift store, I felt it was a good buy.

With the change of seasons, now was the perfect time to decorate my new-to-me 3 tier tray.

The glass bird bottle was a thrift find last year. (If you've followed me for awhile, you know I love birds.) The eggs are from Hobby Lobby. They came in a bag of varied eggs: buffalo check, burlap and spotted, and were 40% off. The flower pots and flowers came from the Dollar Store. 

The birds and "It is Well. . ." magnet came from Hobby Lobby, as well, and were 40% off.

The watering can, again, was a Hobby Lobby 40% off find. The moss came from the Dollar Store.

So, that's my spring centerpiece, and I love it.

I also finally took down my Christmas wreath this week (I know, I know. . .but it wasn't really THAT Christmasy, and I really thought it was pretty. Besides, I think it's okay to "live in the season" and not hurry into the next, if you so desire.) Anyway, today I hung my spring arrangement. 

The wall basket was a $2 thrift store find. I dressed it up with burlap ribbon from Walmart, and a handmade bow. The hyacinth came from the Dollar Store. 

Are you decorating for spring? 

Hugs,

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Thrift Store Paper Towel Holder Makeover

 

Hello Cottage Friends,

For months I've been on the hunt for an inexpensive countertop paper towel holder. There's a plethora of stylish paper towel holders on the market, but my wallet doesn't like the price tags. I've been scouring thrift stores, knowing if I found a wood holder I could paint it. The problem with the used paper towel holders I found is that they weren't in very good shape. That is until I found a light oak countertop paper towel holder for $2. And while it was outdated and the finish was worn, it was sturdy, all the pieces were there, and I knew I could give it a makeover. So into my basket it went.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a before photo. If you're a thrifter you've probably seen the type of paper towel holder I purchased. Very 90's country style.

Anyway, I wanted to give my latest thrift store find a cottage style makeover, so I painted it with some leftover white chalk paint I had in my stash. It still needed something to spice it up, so I glued the little blue and white creamer I found for $2 at Goodwill onto the top.

A quick little project that gave me the cottage style paper towel holder I wanted. And for the very frugal cost of $4.

It just doesn't get any better than that, does it?

Hugs,

My Lime Green Frame Thingy Makeover (Or How I Made a Valentine Wall Hanging)

Welcome Cottage Friends! 

Earlier this month I shared with you my mega thrift store haul.

The lime green frame thingy with chicken wire was, in my opinion, a real sleeper. Kind of funky, but I could see it had potential for a crafty project. Especially at the meager price of $1, what did I have to lose?

I really do have a thing for chicken wire. After all, when I designed our cottage kitchen in Oregon, I made sure the glass cabinets included chicken wire. The cabinet maker installed the wire between two pieces of glass to make it easy for me to clean. Practical, as well as charming. Brilliant.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to transform my lime green frame thingy with the chicken wire into a Valentine wall hanging.

I picked up a pack of willow hearts at The Dollar Tree, and a roll of linen-like ribbon at Wal-Mart, along with a bunch of faux lavender and ivory chalk paint. Everything else I already had in my craft stash.

Then I got to work painting over the crazy lime green. I originally thought I might distress the edges, so I covered them with brown paint. I also took a few minutes to put a coat of burnt umber craft paint on the new chicken wire to give it an aged look. 

It took two coats of paint to cover the lime green. I liked the end result and decided not to do any distressing. 

I wrapped the bottom of the lavender with jute, 

and glued the hearts to the ribbon.

Since all the individual elements are tied to the frame and not glued, I can always use this ivory frame with chicken wire for another project.

So, there you have it. A charming wall hanging for just a few dollars and very little work. 

Have you ever found a "sleeper" at a thrift store that you transformed into something new?

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

Hugs,

My Mega Thrift Store Haul

Happy New Year Cottage Friends,

While I'm not making any New Year's resolutions, I am setting some goals for myself in 2021. One of them is to blog more often and make my posts shorter. 

Earlier this week I visited our local Habitat Restore and came home with everything you see in this photo, including the print hanging on the wall.

All for less than $55. A lot of these items will be make overs, which means my "to do" project list is growing.

Looking forward to sharing more. Stay tuned.

Hugs,