The secondhand shoppers always looking for bargains

Who doesn't love star quality?

We love shopping for bargains and many times this means the Goodwill Stores in our area.  We have three of them and we check periodically for new donations so we can find what I call: the pretties, for our home decor.  Once in a while we like to visit Goodwill Stores in neighboring towns too.

The stars in the picture were once a Christmas decoration someone had made.  They were screwed together, rusty and had lights between them.  We looked at them, saw the price of $5, set them back down and took another look at them.  We realized we could take them apart and repaint them to make them look better.  Once we saw we were getting two for $5 we decided to buy them.  Each star costs anywhere from $8.95 to $28 each on auction sites and in stores.  So $5 for two is a bargain.  Never underestimate any decorative piece's potential.  After painting them, they look great on the primitive wooden bench in our home.

Victorian planter, another great find

Many folks like yard and garage sales too.  We check out festivals in our surrounding small towns because they have yard sales and once in a while, flea markets.  The fun is you get to have a nice ride and you never know what treasures you'll find.  I have always eyed those Victorian metal planters at out local flea market but could never afford them.  Flea market ones can go for as much as $75 to $150 each.  Way out of our budget.  Last year we traveled to a festival and checked out a barn sale.  A lady had a barn full of antiques.  We were able to buy this Victorian planter for just $5.  It was pretty rusty but we took it home, Steve cleaned it up and painted it flat black.  It's been on our porch holding plants all summer long.  I'd say it was our find of the year.   

                Shadow boxes, always pricey

Shadow boxes online and in person, always seem to be high priced.  We were shopping the Goodwill Store one day and there was one just tossed on one of the shelves.  Dried flowers and fake birds seem to be a popular subject and command a good price.  In my research I found they sell from $60 to a few hundred dollars.   We got ours for $1.99 and it appears to be an antique one.  We absolutely love it and it looks very pretty on our wall. 

Our local courthouse in puzzle form


Last but not least in this blog, is a puzzle of our local courthouse.  It is framed and appears to be a picture from the 1950's, judging by the vehicles. We were browsing through the framed pictures at the local Goodwill and stumbled across this old puzzle of our courthouse downtown.  This is absolutely one of my favorite finds.  I adore old photos of our city and local places.  This also looks wonderful on our wall, in a pretty frame.

You just never know what secondhand shops, garage sales or flea markets will yield.  So to find pretty bargains, always shop those places.  Remember: Cleaning and paint, will make it what it ain't.  Happy shopping and feel free to share anything you have found in your hunt.  Follow us on Facebook. 

Budget fashion and style

A mid-century modern rather large dresser

We bought a set of rather large, dressers which came with some nightstands.  This particular dresser (in the pic) has sat in our living room, posing as a Credenza.  We even offered them for sale, once, on Craig's list at a pretty bargain price and had no takers.  I'm mystified as to why no takers because these dressers are in excellent condition and dressers aren't cheap in any store these days.  Be that as it may, we finally have settled on what this dresser would be when it grew up.  Right now, its permanent home is in our kitchen as an island. 

The dresser's new role as a kitchen island.

When decorating your home, remember it is just that, your home, a reflection of your taste, your style.  Don't let decorating become a daunting task.  You read in magazines about eclectic designs, or taste or designs.  Toss it out the window.  Whatever suits you can become an eclectic design.  Your taste, your choice is you, as a person, as a designer.  Whatever color or style you choose, is you, it is unique, no one else's ideas.  Don't be afraid to mix the old with the new either.  Let your own personal style shine.  What makes an interior designer famous anyway?  Lord only knows.

Tin stars on an old bench makes a nice fall display

We bought the tin stars at the Goodwill Store.  We paid $5 for the pair ($2.50 each) and we repainted them.  Shopping our local antique stores, we found tin stars for $10 to $15 dollars each, this same size.  Coupled with an old bench we bought a while back for $4, they make a nice display for Fall, or anytime of the year.

                      Umbrella holder

We bought this ceramic umbrella holder at Goodwill for $3.  Since we don't have real umbrellas, we paid 99 cents each for the paper ones we have on display.

   Old game board

The old game board in this picture was found in a dumpster.  Price: free

These game boards are still made, but this one is an older version of today's models.  We found this in a dumpster.  I told you we are not above dumpster diving if there is something interesting.

Large letters, Maxwell House coffee mug, cute nest

The letters are displayed in our dining room and the nest and coffee mug were all found at Goodwill.  We repainted the letters red, from a plain brown.

Wicker sleigh

This little wicker sleigh was found at Goodwill for $2.

So now, don't be afraid to choose whatever style you like.  Your style can be as fashionable as any 'professional' interior designer's.  Happy decorating.