Hello dear friends! Thank you for all your input on our master bedroom furniture! Ya’ll had some great ideas and have really got me thinking about this space now!
Since I am on the last pieces of my Fall haul, it was time to go in search of new treasures! I am saving those last two pieces which are a set of chairs for Thursday when I team up with my furniture fixer upper girls, and I thought it might be a fun change to share what I found while thrifting last week! Ya’ll tell me all the time that I find such great deals, and the truth is yes, I do ha ha BUT I only buy the really great deals. I leave the pricey stuff behind! Today I’ll share a little of both!
We live in Virginia Beach and if you aren’t familiar with our area, we have a HUGE military population. Because of that, we have a lot of folks moving in and out of our area on a pretty regular basis, and I’m sure that helps to keep our thrift stores in business! We have a ton of them. Last Thursday and Friday I visited a total of six thrift stores.
On my first stop, I found a few goodies!
Let’s start with this table:
This was an old Bombay Co table and it was a steal:
That tag says it’s $15.95 and 50% off that! Talk about a deal!
I also found this:
At $5.25, that may have been a deal for some, but I think my boys would have had a hard time Falling asleep if they had that hanging in their room!
This was the Goodwill closest to me. Every tag is a certain color that rotates. On Sundays, the oldest color used in the rotation is 50% off, so checking out the Goodwill on a Sunday is the best way to get a deal!
A couple of weeks ago I spied this gorgeous solid dropleaf table there for $30:
I wasn’t looking for that much work at the time, so I passed on it. Just the week prior, I almost took a chance on this:
It was half off at only $25! It was Broyhill, I believe. I redid a similar-sized TV cabinet HERE and turned it into a storage armoire. It sold from my booth almost immediately, but our garage was full of Halloween boxes at the time when I saw this, so I passed on this one also.
Here are a few smaller finds:
- That lamp was half off of $5.25. It needs rewiring, but I think it could be really pretty!
- At $3.25, that simple wooden tray has so much possibility!
- Another piece with so much potential is that box, and boxes and trays are always good sellers for me! That box was $5.25.
- Need I explain this one? $5.25 That could go right into my booth!
Here is my basket so you can see some of what made the cut, plus a couple of other goodies I found:
That glass serving dish was a green tag, so half off of $2.25!
And the last thing I found at store #1, la piece de resistance:
Oh yes I did buy that! It’s already been washed, and I plan on rocking it at our annual Christmas Eve family dinner.
Store number two was a stop at the DAV. That stands for Disabled American Veterans, and they are my favorite. There are three locations within 30 minutes of our house. They drop bags off at your house and then come around on a designated day with a truck to pick up what you stuffed in the bag. For this reason, their stores are always jam-packed.
I have found tons of great pieces here like this hutch, this dresser, and this TV armoire. On this stop, I didn’t have too much luck. I did find this beauty for $99:
I steer away from pieces like this that can’t be separated since they are too hard to transport.
I found this already-painted side table for $14.95:
It was part of the same bamboo-inspired furniture line that matched this $6 night table I shared last week! It had the same detailed work in the corners that my table had as well.
I always check the linen aisle while I’m thrifting because sometimes I find good fabric like these:
I loved that green one, but I don’t do much in green or I would have grabbed it. Both of these were marked at $6.95, but there were at least a couple of yards of each there.
I spied this dollhouse here a couple of weeks ago:
Some of you may have seen it on my Facebook page. It was $49 and if I had space for it, I probably would have gone back for it. It would have been a super fun project! Of course, it was gone when I stopped in last week.
I did find one thing that day that came home with me. I found it by the front checkout just as I was about to leave:
It was $27 and I thought it might make a nice match to these headboards I redid last month.
My next stop: DAV #2!
I always find deals at this store, like the super stinky dresser I recently shared and this super dated hutch, just to name a couple.
On this day, I spied this pretty dresser for $99:
And the matching long dresser for $99 also:
The longer one had a very scratched up top and $99 was still a tad steep for me, especially with that damage to the top of this one. Actually, these would have made great replacements for my grape dressers!! Dang, maybe I need to go back lol! My husband specifically requested that I don’t buy second-hand for our bedroom, but these would be really pretty painted! I shared some of our bedroom in my last post HERE if you missed it.
I also found this gorgeous piece marked down to $149:
I love all the carved details! This would be a beast to move though.
And of course, I spied a basket…
They wanted too much for it though…it was $9.98.
I ended up finding a few dishes on this stop, and this necklace which was my favorite:
It was in the case at the checkout counter and at first, I thought the tag read “$39”, but nope, it was only $3.98! It didn’t have any markings, so I’m not sure if it is vintage or what, but I loved it. I figured I could use it for staging and maybe I’ll eventually have an occasion to wear it!
I stopped in across the street at the Salvation Army next. This store always has a ton of furniture, but it is always priced just out of what I want to spend.
This piece was $69:
That’s not too bad actually and this could be a really cute piece, but too much sweat equity to get rid of that bold red and the paint job on this one wasn’t the greatest, so it would have needed a good sanding too. I usually pass on already-painted pieces.
This would be a great piece, but again, a lot of work at $79:
Here’s another cool old piece I found on that stop for $99:
And this secretary as well for $99:
This was beautiful at $79:
All of them just a bit more than I want to spend if I want to see a return on them. You really can find great pieces if you are trying to furnish your own home though.
I did find this little piece, complete with unmentionables tucked inside:
That one was only $34!
This store has 25% off the entire store on Wednesdays, so I might stop back by tomorrow and see what I find then!
There were only a couple of smaller things that caught my eye…don’t these bunnies have the sweetest faces?
This recipe holder for $3.99 would be kind of cute painted white:
My last stop on day one was the Family Thrift near my Mom’s house. This is where I scored this table for less than a dollar!!
I spied this pretty jewelry box that would have made a lovely gift painted:
$20 was too much for me though!
I also found this flatware box for $4.98:
Ya’ll know I can’t pass those up, especially one that has a drawer! Spoiler: this one came home with me!
On Friday I dragged my sister out to the third DAV in our area:
Doesn’t she look so excited??
They had a run on chairs:
- I love the style of this chair, and it had an unbelievable price tag of only $9.98! The Springs in the seat were terribly uncomfortable though.
- I love the country charm that this chair has, and it was a great deal as well at $14.98.
- This cutie was also $14.98.
- This club-style chair had been redone and was $24.98. I redid one similar to it HERE.
I also came across this vintage dresser set:
About $129 for all three pieces was a really great deal. The drawers weren’t all super smooth though, so I passed.
If I didn’t already have a desk in my booth, I probably would have bought this one for $25:
And finally, this huge ornate mirror had been marked down to $34:
My sister is active duty military, so we got an additional 20% off on this one. Yep, I bought it! I should take her thrifting with me more often!
I’ll share my new haul next week and you can see what else I said yes too!
If you want to catch me and my favorite thrifting buddy, Nancy from Artsy Chicks Rule, thrifting in action, visit my VIDEOS page HERE!
In other news, I’ve been busy at my sister’s house! The week before last I worked ahead so I could clear my schedule to help her paint her kitchen:
We have made so much progress, but it’s not completely finished. The cabinets are done, and we installed a backsplash, but we still need to do something with her kitchen island.
We also need to decide how we can update her kitchen table and chairs:
I thought it would be fun to share her kitchen makeover since so many have a kitchen they’d love to update!
I hope you enjoyed our thrift store field trip today!
I’ll be back on Thursday sharing the final two items from my Fall haul:
Update: See how these chairs look now HERE!
See ya Thursday, sweet friends!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Wow it would be so much fun to go thrifting with you! You have great thrift shops to go to and plus you are so fun!! I am so laughing that you bought the Meowy Christmas sweater!! We will need to see a picture of you in it!! Your sister is so lucky to have you for a sister, I am jealous of her, and I wish you were my sister, but I would be the OLDER sister! Looking forward to seeing your new haul!
Christy says
We do have fantastic shops here…we are very lucky! Isn’t that sweater hilarious? I will definitely get a picture to share! My sister really appreciates me after spending a week painting her kitchen cabinets haha! Have a fantastic week! XOXO
Sheila DelCharco says
A new hail! So exciting!! And yes! I’m so looking forward to the kitchen makeover!
Christy says
Yay! It is looking so good so far!! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Dang, girl!! Guess I have to move to Virginia Beach!! So… that’s your secret behind finding those lovely pieces!! They are gorgeous WITHOUT your creative genius!! You are so fortunate. And I never gave a thought to the fact that you are near a military community. I eagerly await to see the future transformations… Good luck with the sis’s kitchen!!
Christy says
We do have some great stores here for sure and I come across some amazing pieces. I’m always surprised at what things some people let go of. My sister’s kitchen is looking SO much better so far! I can’t wait to share! XOXO
Christina in SW FL says
What a great virtual shopping trip Christy! I imagined you buying the bedroom set ostensibly to sell in your shop but your husband liked it. 🙂 Of course, I don’t know what kind of room you have to store such a set.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with the chairs and the after photos of your sister’s kitchen. Speaking of which, please thank her for her service for me!
And give Lyla a hug and kiss for me.
xo
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Christina! I would love to have that bedroom set, but I think I may try to work with the one we have. I will pass along your kind words to my sister, thank you! XOXO
Janice Holt says
I would have loved to be thrifting with you. That’s my favorite thing to do and watch several people on youtube as they go thrifting. Enjoyed.
Christy says
Oh girl, thrifting is my favorite thing to do as well!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Christy, this was great!! You enlightened me to the fact that just because something is a GREAT deal….it doesn’t mean I have to bring it home! Your rationalizing is much better than mine!! I have a few chairs that I want to make over and sell in my booth so I can’t wait to see what you do with theses. Do single chairs sell well for you? Tell your sister THANKS FOR HER SERVICE!! XOXO
Christy says
I’m glad you enjoyed our little field trip today, Cecilia! I have become really picky about what I bring home to redo these days. I have taken a chance on so many pieces that ended up being too much trouble in the end. I do sell single chairs oddly enough. I have been in search of a small round table to put with these two chairs that I have left, but have had no luck. I’ll just have to redo them as a set and see how they do. My sister will appreciate your thank you! XOXO
Carolyn Price says
Can’t wait to see how you’re able to transform the pieces you snagged the other day!
Easy to see you two are sisters. I’ll bet you ladies had loads of fun and shared lots of laughs at some of the items you came across. Looking forward to your sister’s kitchen transformation.
Please thank your sister for her service!!
Christy says
We always have a good laugh when we get together! Thrifting isn’t really her thing, but she was a good sport! Her kitchen is looking SO good…can’t wait to share that! I will pass on your thank you to her! XOXO
Rebecca - Knoxville, TN says
So fun to shop with you! Can’t wait to see After pics of your sisters kitchen.
Christy says
I’m so glad I could take ya’ll along with me this time! Her kitchen looks SO good…can’t wait to share it! XOXO
Cynthia says
You are so lucky to have so many resale stores close by.
I am painting a mahony credenza that came with our house.. using Dixie Belle paint, I think I read that you have used wax to help with the bleed through. If I use the wax and then apply another coat of paint can I use Gator Hide over it?
Thanks Cynthia
Christy says
I really am, Cynthia! We have so many more that I didn’t even visit last week, but these were my favorites. For bleed-through, I’ve been using Dixie Belle BOSS first, which works fantastically without a stinky odor, but there are several ways you can combat that dreaded bleed-through. You basically just need to seal in those pesky tannins in the mahogany that want to come through the paint, so yes, waxing can work as well. Also, shellac works or a shellac-based primer. Whatever you use, after sealing it with whatever you choose, I would give it a good day or so before repainting. Try on a small area first to be sure it won’t bleed through again, as you may need another coat of whatever you used to seal. Then you can seal with gator hide after you final coat of paint. Good luck! XOXO
Mother Deer says
I love these thrifting posts, Christy. It’s so interesting to see what’s available on your side of the U.S., what you choose to upcycle, and why. So fun for me to read all about it 🙂
Christy says
Yay, I’m so glad! I always enjoy seeing what other people find too! XOXO
Kaycee says
Hi Christy! Wow, you been a busy girl! You and your Sister must be having a blast working on her kitchen together. I love doing things like this with my Sister. I’m looking forward to the reveal of the kitchen. Have a great week!
Christy says
Well I don’t know if I would call painting kitchen cabinets a blast lol, but we are super pleased with our efforts! We make a great team for sure and I too love tacking big projects with her! Can’t wait to share her kitchen! XOXO
sharon austin says
Good to see and hear your process on picking pieces. Tell sis thank you for her service!! Can’t wait to see the finished kitchen. BTW, you’ve inspired me to paint my mom’s old cane back dining chairs and table. Now I just have to decide colors, etc.
Christy says
I’m glad this was a help! My sister will love to hear all the thank yous…I am super proud of her service! Her kitchen looks amazing…paint is magic!! I love that you have been inspired to make something beautiful again…what a fun project! Good luck! XOXO
Michelle says
Hey Christy,
I always wondered where you were able to get such great deals with an overabundance of good finds! Our local Goodwill is usually pretty sparse. When I saw the picture of you and your sister at the DAV that had the run on chairs, it got me thinking about the trouble I am having renewing several chairs that I have updated and wondered if you have any tips or if you have run into this problem? In the past, the seat usually just unscrews from the frame of the chair which makes it very easy to reupholster. I am coming across chairs that the fabric is stapled and glued beneath the cording over the padding to the frame of the chair. Also, I have chairs that I can not figure out how to remove the backing that has fabric on both sides. Any help would be fantastic.
.
Christy says
Oh yes, we have a ton of stores in our area. When I visited my brother and realized that they had just one lone Goodwill store, I realized that there is no way I could live this blessed life if I lived there! With your chairs, have you removed the piping yet? Usually, the piping is hiding all the staples that are holding the fabric in place. Here are a few chairs I have reupholstered over the years. Maybe one will be of help? https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/?s=upholster+chair Good luck! XOXO
Sherry Stuifbergen says
I loved this tour! I love thrifting too. You are lucky yo have so many stores. I wish you were my neighbor! You would be a big energy jolt every day to not waste a minute! Lyla is so lucky!
Christy says
Yay I’m so glad, Sherry! Thrifting is my favorite thing to do! It would be awesome if we were neighbors! 🙂 XOXO
Ruth says
Thanks for a great blog-I follow though I don’t redo furniture anymore- love, love your work &
your fun chatter.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Ruth! I’m so glad you enjoy it! XOXO
Mariele says
First of all… thank you to your sister for her service. So glad she’s getting a beautiful new kitchen. 🙂 Definitely share that process with us!
Second… thanks for taking us on this trip! Wow, your stores are like the exact opposite of mine. Here, Goodwill is the one that is always overpriced, and Salvation Army is where you find good deals. DAV and St. Vincent de Paul tend to have the best quality, but minimal supply. There are a handful of smaller stores, too–the most standout is Encore which is probably the best out of all of them. There are only 3-4 thrift stores in my city, but if I’m willing to drive an hour down to our capital, there’s 30-ish, counting the ones in the town between us. I’d love to see what you could find here, there are so many deals to be found, lol!
And, oh and third, that French Provincial set is a gotta have. 😉 The chairs all looked beautiful!
Christy says
I will definitely follow up on my sister’s kitchen and she will appreciate all the thank yous! I’m so proud of her! Funny that we all have our favorite stores…the pricier ones are losing business because of it, I’m sure. I’d love to be able to travel and try some new areas! I did pass on that French Provincial set and may regret it! XOXO
gwen says
It’s always fun to read your thoughts on pieces you do and do not buy! We are heading to Kansas with an empty enclosed trailer and I’ve already researched the stores near our destination!
And Christy, please thank your sister for her service! I’m looking forward to her kitchen redo!
Christy says
Thanks, Gwen! What a fun adventure you have ahead of you…I hope you find some fabulous treasures!! I will pass along your thanks to my sister…she will appreciate that. And we are so excited to finish her kitchen as well…hopefully soon! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
So much good stuff! I love that Bombay table, the shape is beautiful and the size is so versatile. I hope you grabbed it! I cannot believe you bought that tragic sweater, though. 😝 When you have a cat, it’s so easy to acquire all manner of cat-related stuff. Given the lobster-claw clasp on the necklace, it could date anywhere from the 80s to last week. What matters more is that you like it! Looking forward to seeing how your sister’s kitchen turns out.
Christy says
Right?? That Bombay table was the deal of the day…you know I couldn’t leave that behind. And I LOVE that sweater…you called it tragic bahahaha! Good to know about the necklace…thank you! I do love it! XOXO
Susan says
I love seeing your posts. They always give me a lift! Is your sister creative also?
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Susan! I love that! My sister has great ideas, but is not interested in getting creative at all lol! XOXO
Gail says
Great informative tour! Large pieces that are hard to transport can be problematic so thanks for the advice! It is always nice to get another perspective of what seems like a bargain and what should be passed up, I am finding that Goodwill is sometimes more expensive than buying some things retail!! -Just have to know your prices!
Christy says
I’m glad you found this post to be of help, Gail! I am much better at talking myself out of things I should pass on than I used to be. And yes, you do need to know what things should cost for sure! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
Nothing like a little shopping therapy to get the creative juices flowing! The amount of inventory you have to pick from in your area is incredible. And that Meowy Catmas sweater is awesome — we have someone in our family who would love that! And don’t forget to include Lyla in the photo of you wearing it : )
Loving the shared photos of your sister’s kitchen redo and can’t wait to see how it all turns out.
Christy says
Yes, Debbie!! You are so right…a good day of thrifting always gives me a creative boost! I couldn’t resist that cheesy sweater and I can’t wait to wear it lol! I’ll be sure to include Lyla in my picture. 🙂 I can’t wait to share the transformation of my sister’s kitchen!! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Christy!!!Girlfriend, you passed on so many pieces. Now i know some needed a little work and were a little overpriced. The bedroom set was nice and all you need to do about the drawers is take them out and use some Big Mama’s Butta. I buy old pieces that i need love. I cannot wait to see what you do with the tray and the silverware box. I’m always picking those up also thanks to you. Haha. I think the Christmas sweater is soooo fun. I need to come up and thrift with you. Oh my gosh i would love that. Details on the box please!1
Cheryl
Christy says
I did pass on a whole lot…I have gotten better at knowing what could potentially be a problem piece. I am more willing to take on a trouble piece if it is super cheap! I loved the shape of that tray… I rarely pass on those if they are wood because they always sell. We would have a ball thrifting, I’m sure! XOXO
erica says
I don’t know about your Not so Goodwill store but all the stores in southern OR have raised prices FOUR TIMES THIS YEAR ALONE. It is no longer a thrift store but rather a retail outlet. A brand new little ramekin at Sur la Table is $1.16 and the local GW store wanted $1.33 EACH for used ones. It gets worse and worse each time I go by. It’s absurd and it’s gouging… for goodness sake it’s all free and used.
Christy says
What a shame! It sounds like they hired someone new who is in charge of pricing. I see that a lot too…all of a sudden a store will get really pricey and then I steer clear for a year or so and when I go back, it has gotten more reasonable. Who knows! Luckily we don’t have to rely on just one store here! XOXO
Addie says
I want the Cat-Christmas sweater!!! Unfair you got it!!!
I love thrift store so much….I love shopping with you. My favorite here is the DAV also. They have the BEST prices and move things in and out fast. Whenever i donate I give to them also. Goodwill and Salvation Army is getting quite pricey. GW does have those “color sticker” markdowns…yay!!! When you buy that fabric…you do wash it before you use it…right?
Christy says
Ha ha! It’s all mine!! The DAV is the best here too!! As for the fabric, it depends…if it looks like it is in great condition, no. I usually use it to line drawers and boxes and after all, it’s not like someone wore it ya know? XOXO
Kathy M says
Chrisy! I love everything you do so much. Love it when I get your latest emails. I can spend way too much time though, clicking on all the links. I get sooooo much helpful information from you. You are the best!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that SO much, Kathy thank you!! I am so thrilled to hear that you enjoy what I share!! XOXO
M. Constance Colvin says
Wow Christy! You’re soooooo lucky to have so many great thrift shops! We of course have them here in Los Angeles but there’s SUCH A MARK-UP! Our Salvation Army thrifts here have an “I’m an antique store not a thrift store” attitude!
Christy says
We really are blessed to have so many options! It’s a shame that your stores are so pricey. XOXO
Sandy says
I’m a great fan of you and your adventures. I sit in awe of the cool thrift shops you’ve got nearby. I doubt I’d be able to control myself as well as you. Then our garage would be even more jammed than it is with “befores.” But, I’d love the chance to explore. If anyone lives near Grass Valley CA, I love the Salvation Army store and ReStore by Habitat for Humanity. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, ONE AND ALL! And keep on thrifting, Christy!
Christy says
Wow thank you so much, Sandy! We are very lucky to have so many thrift stores to choose from. It is best for my marriage that I restrain myself ha ha…however I am much better at that now than I used to be! We have a ReStore here that I love too. Happy Thanksgiving!! XOXO
Mary Loveland says
This was a really fun post! Nice to see so many pretty pieces worth saving, I wish sometimes they would lower the prices just to “save” the piece of history and am glad you are able to fix them up. Truly, keep up the great work!
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Mary! I agree…some of these older pieces are so beautiful, but I feel like those that can afford the prices on them probably wouldn’t be shopping at the thrift store. Lower those prices and help us out! Thank you, my sweet friend! XOXO
KATHY BINKLEY says
Hi Christy, I would like for you to thank your sister for us for her service to our country. That is also so sweet for you to help paint her kitchen cabinets. Can’t wait to see the results. Boy you do have lots of places with furniture and pretty things at that. I’m excited to see your new reveal. Thank you so much for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! She will appreciate that! And she definitely appreciates my help with her kitchen. It’s been fun working on it together! We do have lots of great stores here…I wouldn’t be able to do what I love without them ! XOXO
Laura Sylvester says
I cannot wait to see all your creative and beautiful transformations. You are such an inspiration to me!!!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Laura…thank you!! XOXO
Brita K Carlson says
I enjoy following your web page. I have decided to try the three tier jewelry stand. I do have a question about some of your projects. Is it alright to redesign and paint “antiques”?
Thank you for doing your blog and all the information that you share.
Brita
Christy says
Thank you, Brita! There is a lot of debate out there about antiques. If you have pieces that you want to keep but don’t love them as is, then why not make them into something you love? The antique mall where I have my booth is mostly antiques and I have walked by the same pieces a hundred times because there are an abundance of these older pieces that people are trying to sell. I sell mine consistently because they are one-of-a-kinds! So do what you want! 🙂 XOXO
Karen says
I have thrift store envy! I really enjoyed how you “took us along” with you! Enjoyed the video trip with your friend that you took us on, too! Can’t wait to see your final purchases!
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Karen! We are very lucky to have so many great stores! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Some really great items you discovered
Christy says
Thanks, Rose! The hunt is always fun! XOXO
Christina Williams says
I got a silverware box and use it to store my meds on the side of the bed. My house is for sale so it worked out perfect.
I also look at the linens and stuff. I find some great patterns to recover small benches and chairs. Good fabric is expensive.
Love watching you transform your finds.
Christy says
What a great purpose for one of those boxes! I always check out the linens too. Thank you, Christina! XOXO