Hi friends! Do you love saving money like I do? Do you love having new things for your home like I do also? Those two things don’t usually go hand in hand, but today I’m going to share 13 thrifty makeovers that satisfied both! These are all my own projects and some go way back! 🙂
Let’s start with this sad little cabinet I picked up for $5 at the thrift store:
With a little paint in a fun pattern, and some chicken wire, it got a fresh new look!
Chicken Wire isn’t Just for Chickens
How about this very hotel-esque picture I picked up from a yard sale for $5?
I turned it into the perfect addition to my Mom’s French Country Bathroom:
French Graphics Revive a $5 Yard Sale Find
This $2 thrift store tea pot was super cute as is:
But it made an even cuter garden feature!
This little headboard was $15 at my favorite thrift store. It came with the footboard also, but that is still sitting in my garage.
I turned it into a sweet place to hang your coat, your hat, your kid’s backpacks or whatever else you feel inspired to hang:
How many of these little shelves have you passed up? This was $1 at a yard sale:
I felt compelled to bring this particular one home. I added a chalkboard and some paint and now it’s a fun piece that hangs in my boys’ bathroom (hence the message):
This little cheap plastic garbage can…
…was the perfect candidate for this Ballard-inspired wastebasket:
Ballard Inspired Monogrammed Fabric Wastebasket
This next find was $5 at an estate sale. I’m sot sure what I liked about this at the time:
But I was able to give it a whole new look with a little paint and jute twine:
This odd shelf was a $5 find and was dusty and neglected, and had a weird shelf in the middle that was no longer functional:
I wacked out the shelf and replaced it with a plain one, and added a piece of beadboard to the back. And of course, a little paint goes a long way:
This next little find is a favorite. I found this at my favorite thrift store for a couple of dollars:
And after a small fail, it turned out pretty cute:
One Caddy (that I almost ruined), Two Ways
Ooh la la!
How about a wreath redo? I buy all my wreaths at thrift stores. If you look closely, this wreath was only 75¢:
I buy them out of season to get even better deals. This is about the cheapest one I’ve found. I used it to create this pretty Summer wreath a couple of years ago, for less than $10!
I am a bit of a frame hoarder. There are just so many things you can do with a simple frame. Three of these I found thrifting:
Well these actually stayed frames for the most part:
Old Thrift Store Frames become New Treasures
They became part of a gallery wall in my boys’ bathroom. A little paint , even on the mats, make them look fresh and new! I’ll never buy a brand new frame again! (Not true.)
Next up is from the Fall. I know it’s a seasonal post, but the before and after is really worth seeing. Here is what I had to work with when creating a new vignette for my dining room table:
And here is what they turned into:
How about one more to round out our 13? I tried not to include furniture in this post, but this is a little one. I found this at a yard sale for $5. The previous owner had attempted to give it a makeover:
It actually wasn’t awful, but I took it in the opposite direction:
Better, no?
So now are you ready for my fun announcement?
For the entire month of March, I’ll be posting a thrifty makeover every day! I post a lot of furniture and while I know most of my lovely readers enjoy seeing the transformations, isn’t it nice to see smaller things too? I have a few things that I’ve never posted about before that I transformed a while back that I want to share, and I have several things I’ve been working on recently for my booth and for my house that I want to share also!
I hope you’ll stick around and follow along! Everything will be thrifted, as in from yard sales, thrift stores, and estate sales! We’re talking supa cheap, y’all! These posts are going to be short and sweet, and hopefully inspiring!
If you liked this post, you’ll love this one even more:
And you might enjoy this one too!! These items weren’t transformed at all…I used them as is! 🙂
My friend, Nancy from Artsy Chicks Rule is also sharing some fantastic thrifty makeovers today! Be sure to stop by and say, “Hi!”
I would say that thrifting is my middle name, but really it’s Kink. No kidding. 🙂
XOXOXO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Pinterest * Hometalk * Twitter * Instagram
I love to share at some of these great parties:
Home Stories A to Z Not Just a Housewife Kammy’s Korner The Happy Housie Design Dining and Diapers Liz Marie Blog Funky Junk Interiors Savvy Southern Style Tatertots and Jello DIY Show Off Redoux Interiors Between Naps on the Porch The DIY Dreamer Oh My Creative Little Miss Celebration Just a Girl and Her Blog Sand and Sisal Interior Frugalista House on the Way Addicted 2 DIY I should be Mopping the Floor Miss Mustard Seed
Paula@SweetPea says
I am so excited to see what you share in March! You find the best stuff and I love to see how you transform it.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! I’ve been a busy bee getting projects together and I’m excited to share them! 🙂
Sue Farmer says
Christy, all I can say is WOW!!! I just don’t know how you do it. I love to decorate but have to find things ready to go. I do not have your vision. Sure wish I did!! Love your posts. Thanks so much!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Sue!! I really appreciate your following along with all my thrifty adventures. 🙂 XOXO
sheila ressel says
Such great transformations! You’ve really inspired me. I can’t wait to go through my “junk” room and see what I can come up with!
Christy K. James says
That is my favorite thing to hear, Sheila! I’m thrilled that you are inspired. Good luck! 🙂
andi says
Kink? How did you pull that off? 😛 All of your makeovers are fabulous, of course. Wow…31 days. Quite ambitious. I’m tired just thinking about it!!
-andi
Christy K. James says
Isn’t that funny? It’s my maiden name and when I married, I didn’t want to let it go. It replaced Rochelle, which I don’t miss one bit! My plan is very ambitious indeed…I better get back to work. 🙂
Patricia B says
Oh, I can hardly wait to see what you have to share. I love your projects. I too love to thrift, I haven’t redone any of my pieces. Although you have inspired me to try. Love ya’
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Patricia! I have several goodies to share. Most of the things I bring home can’t look any worse, so I don’t fret about messing them up. Give yours a go. 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Sweet – I look forward to following this series!
Christy K. James says
Awesome! It’s going to be fun! 🙂
Sandy says
Oh my gosh So many great ideas so little time and spaces toputtem
Can’t wait for next month
Christy K. James says
You said it! If we only had more time/space right? Looking forward to next month too! XO
Darlene says
You are extremely talented!! I am in awe of how you can see past the original state and transform these pieces into beauties!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Darlene! It does take a while for inspiration to strike sometimes. 🙂
Maggie M says
I love all of your makeovers and thrifty finds….your post(s) are making me re-think a few of my thrifty finds:) I can’t wait for March!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Maggie! Sometimes it doesn’t take much to bring something to life, right? 🙂
Sherri S. says
How fun! I love all your make overs 🙂
Blessings…
Sherri
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sherri! XOXOX
Linda J says
I wish I could find just a few of the treasures you find. I have a good eye but we just don’t seem to have much in my town. I’ll keep looking! BTW, has anyone noticed thrift shop prices on the rise? They are where I live! Love ALL your stuff.
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Linda! I am very lucky in that I live in an area with a ton of thrift stores! You are right though. It does seem like things are getting more expensive and you really need to be right there as things are coming in sometimes. I prefer yard sales, but we’ve got a couple of months to go yet! XO
MaryJean says
What a great idea, Christy! Looking forward to what you have in store! And you give me some ideas for things that I already own and will be transforming. Thanks!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, MaryJean! Glad to hear you are feeling inspired! 🙂
Rose L. says
I love all the renovations! Those items look so much better! You should move her to Oregon and help me!!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rose! Ha ha! 🙂
Lisa says
I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next month. Loved all of your transformations in this post. Time to start hitting the local thrift stores……
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lisa! Next month will be fun! XO
Krista @ the happy housie says
I am a secret frame hoarder too. Wow, 31 days? Seriously?!? You are amazing my friend!!!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha I know, I am crazy lol. I might need a vacation afterwards. 🙂
Lara says
You are truly inspiring, Christy! I’m completely amazed that you have such great vision for some pretty awful looking, dated items! I have bought numerous things to makeover and sure wish I had your vision – usually I have no idea what to do with it, just that it could be something cool.
Thanks for sharing your vision!
Lara
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks so much, Lara! I appreciate your sweet words! Honestly sometimes I just start painting and hope inspiration follows. Usually it does. 🙂
Michelle Lepak @ Dandelion Patina says
Amazing transformations Christy! I love a good thrift project! Thrifting and repurposing is so much more fun than shopping in the mall!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Michelle! I couldn’t agree more!! 🙂
Dianne K says
Hello,
I am a new follower, and I am new at diy.Everything you’ve reprised is absolutely wonderful. I am glad I signed up to your email.Thank you for the inspiration.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Dianne! I’m thrilled to have you following along with me!
Billie Jo says
Wow you’re amazing! I love how your brain works!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Billie Jo! XO
From Evija with Love says
Wow this is amazing, so many great projects, absolutely love every single one! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Evija! It’s always fun to turn an oldie into a goodie. 🙂