You know I love a good thrifty makeover. Love might be an understatement, but guess what? I have several thrifty pieces in my home that I didn’t have to do a thing to! Come on in…I’ll show you…
First up is this lamp:
The shade was purchased separately, but I thought the lamp was really pretty for $6 at a thrift store.
The perfect addition to this drum table (a $59 consignment store find) in the corner of my dining room.
That chair peeking out is a recent yard sale redo with a secret drawer:
Next up is this set of whatchamacallits on my coffee table. It was a set of three I found at an estate sale for $12:
I love the chunkiness of them. The third one is on my mantel. These two are sitting on my $10 thrift store coffee table redo. The glass container is from Kirklands and the tray is from Target.
Also in my living room is my “office” which is really just a desk. I found this pretty silver plated pitcher as is with the flowers for $10 at an estate sale:
They are pretty on my desk (which used to be black). I can see them right next to me as I sit here typing.
Also on my desk is this cool $2 thrift store box, which holds envelopes and note cards:
This little bird came home with us from a thrift store for 50¢. I usually let my kids pick something and this is what Brennan chose! He’s perfect up on the shelf…
I made the framed fabric tray in the background from a yard sale frame and leftover fabric from my desk chair makeover.
To the left of my desk is this little piano bench (a thrift store redo of course), but below it I have this little storage box I found at a yard sale for $3:
It’s in perfect condition…
And perfect for stashing a few toys so Brennan can play beside me when I’m at my desk!
Also in my living room is this sewing cabinet, which I redid a while back (it was really ugly!).
But what I didn’t redo are these glass containers, both were yard sale finds at $1.50 for both and perfect as-is:
If I need a glass container, I can always find something that will work either at a thrift store or yard sale!
To the right, on the other side of the sliding glass door is this slip-covered chair:
It was $50 at a yard sale. I had seen a pair of them in the morning for $60 each. I didn’t want to pay that much, and the owner wasn’t ready to negotiate just yet. When I drove back by on my way home later in the day, one was still there and the owner was more willing to wiggle. Still more than I wanted to pay, but I’m cheap and you really can’t beat a slip-covered chair for $50!
The pillow fabric was made by stamping pencil starfish onto black fabric. You can also see how to easily add piping in that tutorial.
Just under the table beside the chair is this $1 yard sale basket.
I love the shape of it and it’s perfect for holding my favorite magazines.
Next up is this versatile pitcher, perfect for wildflowers…
Or for sitting on my kitchen cart next to a lemon. Whichever.
It was one whole dollar at an estate sale and usually lives here on the shelf in my newly painted kitchen:
The little stack of ironstone plates under the bird were also thrift store scores for 48¢ each.
This next item isn’t exactly “décor”, but it was a great find for $2 at an estate sale…my stainless steel breadbox!
In perfect condition! I know you want to see what’s inside…
Surprise! Bread.
And how about behind?
Cords and crumbs!
See my kitchen makeover here and how to add glass to cabinets here.
Our downstairs bathroom is the next stop.
This little stool is one of my favorite finds. It was $5 thrift store find:
It is quite beat up, but I love that it was hand-made.
It’s perfect to help Brennan reach the faucet.
Let’s head upstairs. I have a few more things to share…
Above Brennan’s bed hangs this sweet whale print. I found it at a yard sale for $8:
It matches his bedding perfectly! You can also see the little whale pillow I made from his old bumper pads in the picture below.
On to my room…
First up are the plates I found at various thrift stores that hang above my dressing table. (That was a $35 estate sale find.)
I just added paper clips using E6000 glue, to hang them. The dish that’s holding jewelry and the vase holding the hydrangeas are also thrift store finds.
Next up is this lamp. I paid $7 for this at an estate sale. Isn’t it pretty??
I love the birds.
My next thrifty find was a recent score. Just last weekend I found this flokati (I always thought it was “flokaki” ha ha) rug stuffed into a garbage bag at a yard sale.
It was marked $15, but when I pulled it out, it was twice as long as you see here. The owner had cut part the original rug off so it would fit in her space, and this was the remnant. So I got two rugs out of it and at $7.50 each, I’d say not too shabby!
Last but not least is this little bell cloche found at a yard sale last year for $2.
My MIL bought these figurines and I thought this was a great way to display them. This is the opposite wall from my bed in my bedroom.
Now if I were to share the thrifty things I repurposed and redid in my décor, this would have to be a ten-part series! But as you can see, even if you don’t enjoy making things over or don’t think you have the “eye” for that sort of thing, there are plenty of great finds out there that don’t need a thing!
I hear what you’re saying, “I never find anything good.” I hear that ALL the time. You have to go a lot. Sundays and Mondays are usually better at thrift stores, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes it’s just luck. At yard sales, don’t be afraid to look under the tables and in boxes and bags. People often overlook these areas and you can find all sorts of treasures. If you’re in the market for something specific, ask! Estate sales are awesome. If you haven’t been to one, they really are fun. I mean a whole house full of goodies for sale? Yes please! I can almost always find something good at an estate sale.
Check Craig’s List under “garage sales” to find estate sales in your area.
Really for me though, it’s the thrill of the hunt. If I come home empty-handed (like that ever happens), more money in my pocket!
I hope you enjoyed this thrifty tour!
Till next time, my sweet friends…
XO,
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Ashey @ 3 Little Greenwoods says
I adore the sweet bird lamp! What an awesome find! Thanks so much for sharing all your thrifty treasures with us.
~ Ashley
Christy K. James says
Isn’t that so pretty? I love that lamp too! Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week, Ashley! 🙂
Karen says
Take me shopping with you next time you go!
Christy K. James says
Yes! Let’s go! 🙂
Saja Montague says
Christy,
As always, I love how you make a house a home.
Saja
Christy K. James says
What a sweet thing to say…thank you so much, Saja! XO
Beverly says
Lovely things for your lovely home. I love thrift shopping.. I actually prefer those items to new items. I always feel there is a story behind the used items.
Christy K. James says
I couldn’t agree more, Beverly! I too always feel there’s a story behind the things I find. 😉
karen says
What a fun post!!! I love all of your “finds” and so many awesome makeovers. I am on a strict diet of no thrift store/garage sale/estate sale purchases for this month, but I am so dying to go now!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Karen! I have only been yard saling one Saturday this entire season because my garage just can’t hold another thing! Thrift stores are another thing…I still sneak into a few here and there. 🙂
Katherines Corner says
so many wonderful things in your home. I invite you to share at my Thursday Favorite Things blog hop ( you can link up through Saturday at midnight) Hugs!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
So many great things Christy!!! Love them all! It is so much fun and so much cheaper!!!!
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks my sweet friend! You know thrifty décor is where it’s at 🙂
Leticia says
Wow, what a wonderful post! I loved every minute…..Thank you for sharing and your home looks absolutely lovely! Leticia
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Leticia! SO glad you enjoyed it! XO
Beth says
Love all of this! My head is spinning with ideas of items for my house!
Christy K. James says
So glad you enjoyed it, Beth!
Elizabeth@ Blue Clear Sky says
Your home is lovely. Those are some great finds and redo’s too. I love finding bargains at the thrift store or garage sales. My favourites are curb finds on big item garbage day here in our neighbourhood, It is amazing what people put out and so much goes before heading to the landfill.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Elizabeth! I wish we had a big item garbage day here, but then I might need a bigger garage 🙂
Eneida says
I am so inspired by you! I have always being creative but to see all the things you do is simply amazing. I love your home decor and the warmth reflected in every room. I am working on my condo to make it cozy and beautiful on a budget. I know is possible. Working on my bathroom..(yikes).
Thanks for your ideas 🙂
Christy K. James says
I appreciate your sweet words so much, Eneida! Thank you. It really is easy to create a lovely cozy home on a tight budget. I don’t know what I’d do if I had enough money to just buy everything I want. It might be great at first, but there would be no squeal moments when you find something amazing for practically nothing! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Aleksandra says
Gosh, can I move in with you? Lol. Loove your house and all the things you made/bought.
Christy K. James says
Oh girl, I love a bargain! XO