You all know I love a good thrift find, so when some blog friends (Jennifer of Dimples and Tangles, Pam of Simple Details, Lisa of Shine Your Light, and Kris of Driven by Decor) asked me to join in on their monthly feature of My Favorite Five: Thrifted Finds, how could I say no? I am energized by the hunt and thrifting is something I just can’t get enough of. I aim to save so I can splurge on some items too, but even if money was no object, I would still thrift. The thrill of the pursuit and the idea of rescuing someone else’s possessions is really gratifying.
So let’s take a look at my five favorite thrifted items in our home, shall we? This list is probably always changing, but here’s where it’s at right now…
In our dining room lives two of my favorite finds. I am a total Craigslist rug junkie, my tips are here and this rug is my greatest score to date. A 1920’s Sarouk that is full of color and life there are trees of life in the motif has worked out so well in this space. It hides any food that may come its way and cleans up like a dream. Our dog, Jake, loves to curl up under the table on it too.
At the ends of the table sits a pair of Parsons chairs that I thrifted for $12…for the pair. I did pay to have them reupholstered, but it’s still a fraction of the cost of something new. We eat every meal in here, and I claim one of the leopard chairs as my own every evening!
This blue vase on my nightstand is my newest “favorite” treasure. Blue and white is a classic, but is also on trend right now. This is a fresh take on the traditional patterns. The piece was made in Mexico and is such a generous size. I look forward to warmer days when I can fill it with some budding tree branches.
Our upper sunroom houses my office and the baby’s nursery. The first piece I bought for the space was this solid wood, executive desk. My husband painted it for me and I put on these beautiful, brass handles. For $30, it was just what I needed: a surface I can sprawl work out on with lots of room to spare.
I’m going to sneak in this $10 pink sink too, because why not…
When I was helping a friend renovate her living room, we ended up doing an IKEA Billy hack for shelving and wanted to add a library ladder. We found a pair that a man was selling and I knew I’d have a place for it one day. When we turned one of our front rooms into a library the ladder became the perfect addition.
And finally, thrifted treasures don’t have to be big to be adored. We gutted and renovated our kitchen last year, and while every element is something I enjoy, it’s these brass and porcelain hooks I found at Red Racks that make me smile every time I hang something on them.
Ok, I snuck a few extra in there, but I just couldn’t help myself. I can’t get enough thrifted finds, so tell me about some of your beloved treasures!
And be sure to head over to Dimples and Tangles, Simple Details, Shine Your Light, and Driven by Decor to check out their favorite as well!
These are so fun! I really can’t believe that library ladder, and that the seller had two of them! What a great find on such a hot ticket item! Thank you so much for joining us for MFF today, Gwen!
Thank you so much for having me!
I’m with you 110% on the thrifting. The hunt, the find, and the refurbishing has brought me hours of delight and satisfaction. Friends and family know my addiction and often enable me. One day my brother scooped up two matching ottomans put out for curb side pickup. This link shows what happened to them when he presented them to me.
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I don’t have access to the link 🙁 Ha, I love that your family enables!
Gwen the way you have used thrifted finds in your gorgeous home is so inspiring. Sometimes it’s those items here and there that adds that perfectly quirky, interesting vibe to a room. You do the high-low thing so beautifully! Thanks so much for joining us today, it was so fun to see your favorite finds! Your library slays me every time I see it!
Thank you so much, Lisa! And thanks for having me!
You are the best at everything! Really everything!
Ha, not quite, but you’re sweet to think so!
Gwen those leopard chairs are so fabulous, and that you use and enjoy them everyday is the best!! Love your beautiful home and all the inspiration you share! Thanks so much for joining us!
It is the best! Thank you for having me!
Iiiiiii adore you! Give me all the thrifting!!!!
It’s the most fun, isn’t it?!
That rug! The ladder! You’ve found some seriously amazing stuff! So fun having you join us today!!
Thanks so much for having me!
Checked out the other sites too–fun! Really enjoyed this post as my little cottage is 90% thrifted and everyone comments on how fun and interesting it is decorated. Some say they aren’t able to see or imagine these finds in the way that I do…my advice is to look in magazines, books, or pinterest to find the rooms and style you like and then go find them! I really enjoy your blog–you have cool style and imagination.
Yes, so smart, April! Thank you for following along!
I love thrifting and have a few favorites of my own. Your dining room rug is so pretty. I’m having a hard time finding rugs like that with a true red in them. So many I see are more burgundy or pink.
I had to laugh when you mentioned the hooks in your master bath. We bought a very rustic cabin in North MS about 2 years ago, and in the one and only bathroom were two of those same hooks! I didn’t really think much about them at first, but I took a second look at them when you mentioned them.
I love that! And yes, most used rugs secondhand are not a true red. Very hard to find!
I cannot believe you found a library ladder on Craigs List. That has to be the find of the century! This is my fav of the series..I am a major junk stoor junkie!
It was the find of the century!
I live in the Kansas City area and I was just wondering where you got your chairs reupholstered. I just scored 6 dining room chairs on Craigslist that I adore, but the color leaves a little bit to be desired. Any recommendations would be highly appreciated
I’m actually looking for some new places too, but have heard great things about the upholsterer on the Independence Square and also, anyone that Nell Hills uses…you can call and ask them for recommendations. Hope that helps!