Look What I Saw at the Thrift Store
 |
It had been weeks since I last hit up the thrift store (’cause I had been stalking some estate sales and found stuff like benches….a pool table…etc!), so yesterday, a trip was in order. I figured–why not sneak by after work?
Can you believe I didn’t buy a thing?? That’s unheard of. I always walk out with something. But since I also have a ton of upcoming projects, it’s best I stop hoarding and get my ass in gear and start painting, now that life is somewhat back to normal after attending BlogHer in NYC.
Chairs
One of my favorite things to look for at thrift stores are chairs. They’re plentiful, usually good quality wood, and are cheap-o. This round-up of chairs cost anywhere from $2.99 to about $20! What a steal!
Dressers
Oh, man…I loved this dresser. There were 6 separate drawers at the top, and 3 large ones below. Priced at $55, it was a great deal. Hell–you could even sell it on Craiglist for a good $125 easily, without having to paint it! There was a whole rack of ‘em lined up (*wiping my drool*).
This unfortunate thing was so lovely, and I actually thought that round brassy handles were unique. But–ugh!–it reeked of smoke! And if you know smoke, that sh*t doesn’t come out of anything!
 |
| Who cares how much this cost?! It REEKED! |
Now this dresser was in such great shape. Seriously, you could have just bought this and put it in your house immediately! Okay–well, not immediately, but you know what I mean. Clean it first! Oh, hell…..paint it, too! But isn’t it so solid??
 |
| Price…Hm…$50?? |
Bedding
I’m really not one to buy bedding from a thrift store…..(nor panties, bras, or rugs, HAHA), but this pattern caught my eye and it looked so modern! It was about $20. Am I stupid for thinking that’s too much?? For some reason, it just felt like it was.
 |
| $20 |
Kid’s Stuff!
Buying kids stuff at the thrift store is one of the smartest things you could ever do, because a) they outgrow stuff faster than you can pay for it, and b) they ruin everything. This little table was so cute!! What little girl wouldn’t want this in her bedroom or playroom? It was only $3.50!! I should have bought it. Hell, my boys would have loved it, too.
 |
| $3.50 |
This easel was in fantastic condition! Solidly built, with a dry erase on one side, and a chalk board on the other, kids would be able to use this for years! And super cheap!!
 |
| $7.50 |
Not, it’s not a tiny boat–it’s a cradle! Actually, kind of cute, but the bottom was way too flimsy for me to put an infant in there. What about a doll’s cradle for your little girl? But at $30, a bit pricey, ya think?
 |
| $30 |
Everything Else!
Lamps…..ahhh…..another thrift store staple. This black one here was great because it had a nice shape, and was already “done” (read: no paint needed!).
Here’s a tip: If you ever find a cute lamp at the thrift store, and it doesn’t work, BUY IT. You can easily get this lamp kit and re-wire it yourself. It’s pretty simple. Anyhow, with a replacement lamp kit, and my thrift store lamp shade I found a while back for $2.00, this would have looked good in my house.
 |
| $8.50 |
This dining table was pretty beat up. But overall, I think it was pretty solid. Just scratched up! A table like this will scare most away, but not YOU, right?? And at only about $7.00 (with a discount, about $5.00), it’s a great deal!!
 |
| $5.00! |
This console was very simple. I could see a sleek black. What do you think?
 |
| Price?? |
Crap, this lamp was ugly. You’d think it would be glass, but it was a thick plastic! Still, I would have bought it. I had some really cool ideas for it. But, it was a bit overpriced at $30! WTH!
 |
| $30 |
Any, hey, if you’re ever injured, you know where to go, right???
 |
| FAIL |
I don’t know how to play chess, but I want to learn, and what better way than with Little Tommy’s “Chessmen.”
I think they were hand-carved! I’m impressed!
Not sure how much this costs, but it looks like someone went to the trouble of DIY’ing it themselves. Would save me the work! 
If I had high ceilings, you can guarantee this baby would have been coming home with me. I really liked it, crystals and all. The funny thing is that when we moved into our house, we actually had a chandelier that had crystals on it, and I thought it was the most hideous thing ever. Funny how our tastes changes over time. LOL
What’s this thing? Not sure, but wouldn’t it look cool over some fireplace?
And last but not least, look what I found when I was walking from my building today at work–seriously, why would a department, or whoever, just throw this stuff out?? They were solid, and even had the holes for an umbrella! I was kicking myself for not having my van today, and knew I probably wouldn’t be able to go back to get one.
SIGH….I guess some poor unfortunate landfill will be consuming them. >:-(
So, see anything you like? Anything I was CRAZY to pass up? Tell me, and I will go back and look for it. LOL
|
OMG it almost makes me cry to see the things in other peoples thrift shops I have never seen a shop like it. Ours you would be lucky to find four chairs and they go with a garbage table and it’s prices over $100 I get furniture from garage sales. Also well done on not bringing anything home I would have needed a truck.
Cheers Shirley
I just saw you had verification I never get these right do yourself a favor and turn it off.
Shirley, you should check UNique Thrift. They are all down the east coast. Where do you live?
And sorry about the verification. I meant to remove that! I was getting sooo much spam comments and didn’t know how to foil the robots. Lol. Thanks for reminding me to remove it!
Regarding smoky furniture, I’ve had some success with Kilz primers (http://www.kilz.com). Available at most stores, they do a good job at covering up smoke and other smells as well as stains.
I don’t know chess much beyond the basic mechanics of the game (i.e. how the pieces move), but I’d gladly snap up little Tommy’s set!
Kilz! Yes, thats right! As for chess, I don’t know how to play either. But that chess set was a good starting piece set!
Hi Serena Sorry about being so blunt about the verification it takes me so many times to get past it I usually don’t bother.
I am in Australia and the secondhand market is unbelievably expensive, I can but dream.
Did I mention I love your blog I am going to curl up with a drink and read back through it today.
Regards
Shirley
Hi Serena, I found you because you left a very thoughtful comment on my site & I thought I’d stop in & check you out.
What an amazing site you have here! When I used to have more time than money I used to hit consignment & thrift stores every week (Now I still have no money but I also don’t have any time
Stores in your area appear to have much better offerings than the ones around here do!
great site, wonderful pics!
Oh my stars!! I would have bought the black & white curtains, washed them & covered the Louis style chairs.
$20 is cheap for that much upholstery fabric.
Love vicariously thrifting via your blog, thank you for sharing.
Lush
London, UK
Jean (AKA Geekbabe), thanks for commenting! Yeah, we do tend to have a lot of good stuff around here. What area are you in? I’m in the Washington DC metro area. We have sooo much good stuff around here, it’s a crime these people are getting rid of it!
Mumma Shirl, wow, I’m so happy you love my blog! Ditto about the word verification. It sucks. It also deters me from commenting on peoples’ blogs, as well. But I’m glad you made it past mine!
And I just took it off, so no more annoying verifications! I would love if you stopped back again. Thanks!!!!!
Diegoagogo, crap, you’re right! $20 wasn’t much for all that fabric. Fabric is what can make an cheap piece of furniture turn into an EXPENSIVE piece! I just bought a $100 Ethan Allen sofa at estate sale, and to even consider recovering it myself would be about $400. Professionally, they quoted me about $1,200! HA! NEVER!
I would have gone back for the first dresser you posted. …sigh…so nice.
Great post & that’s some thrift store! Just found your blog and hope to spend some time checking out your older posts.
You’ve inspired me to start trying to do things with the less-than-impressive furniture I have lying around. I’m moving next week, and I’m so excited at the thought of having a functional craft space again.
It’s amazing what you can fin at thrift stores… I get so excited when I visit one.
That chandelier ROCKS!! I’m so jealous of your thrift store.
I would go back and get the chandelier, paint it white and sell it if I were you. Well I would keep it myself but if you don’t have high enough ceilings I bet you could make some money from that. Even just selling the crystals would be a good idea. If you go back I would buy the crystals from you.
I love everything you found.
Dido