I always say that the tighter your budget, the more creative you have to get when it comes to decorating your home. And this is probably why I adore searching through eBay, charity/thrift shops and second-hand sites to find the things that fill my home.
thrifted glasses and vintage glass sugar bowl
Over the years, I’ve become fairly adept at searching out a bargain and I really feel it’s these unusual items that give a room a look that makes it different from any others out there. Sure, it’s easy to buy everything new (if expensive) but firstly, when you curate a collection from different places as well as eras, it’s so much more satisfying and will result in something much more intrinsically you and secondly, you’ll end up with a look that’s simply different from every other home you see out on blogs or on Pinterest.
vintage hoop chairs and vintage brass side table
I wanted to first tell you about Brynne’s new series. You may recall I did a post in January called ‘The A-Z of Design Tips’ where for each letter of the alphabet, I came up with a little decorating trick you can try. Shortly thereafter, I was contacted by my blogger friend Brynne of The Gathered Home who wanted to take that idea and apply it to thrifting – I loved the idea, especially as she’s a master at finding amazing second-hand goods to fill her home. So far, she’s played it out to an amazingly insightful and thorough series, starting with A for Art and B for Brass. Go and check that out because it’s simply brilliant as she uses both her own home as well as a whole bunch of amazing fellow bloggers’ homes (including my own) to make her points.
vintage brass turtle
So as I was going through my own images to contribute to her series, I was thinking about all the items in my home that I have bought second-hand and actually surprised myself at the amount of things I have that weren’t purchased new but after searching through eBay or hitting up the charity shops in my area so I thought I’d do a little roundup of my Top 5 Favourites today.
First up, the Chinese Chippendale Chairs in my dining room.
At the moment, they are at the upholsterer’s getting new seats fitted and this room has been torn to bits for a makeover but they are probably one of my most prized possessions. While you could buy them new (Jonathan Adler sells them for £795 EACH), I collected my current set over the course of 2 years. Sure, it’s a little long to wait and yes, they needed some love but at £95 for all 4 side chairs and £80 for both of the end chairs, I literally saved THOUSANDS buying them second-hand. Yes, they are difficult to find but if you go into it realising that this is not an immediate pay-off, your hard work will eventually be rewarded.
My second favourite item is the chest of drawers in my bedroom.
I wanted something in wood to ground the space as there is so much bold colour in that room and it needed to fit the alcove. I was keeping an open mind as to the style I was looking for and I think sometimes that’s important when it comes to looking for second-hand goods. You really can’t be too specific but I promise, you’ll probably know it when you see it. And so, when I stumbled upon this 1930’s beauty two and a half years ago that was in perfect condition for £100 in my local area, I couldn’t click ‘Buy It Now’ fast enough.
The number three spot goes to the cabinet where my television sits.
We’d purchased a rather horrible contemporary black glossy number when we’d moved in and as the decor of the living room progressed, it simply didn’t fit the space any more (I’ll be honest, I have no idea what I was thinking buying it aside from the fact that we were broke and we needed something – anything – to fill the space.). So after widening my search on eBay and realising I would have to stump up to get it delivered from the other side of the country, I had my hands on this beautiful Art Deco style cabinet for less than £100 all in. I removed the existing glass and fitted mirrors in their place, added a shelf inside and painted it white. Since then, I’ve had a whole host of emails asking me where I got it. In some ways, it’s disappointing having to tell people that it was a vintage find but it just goes to show that persistence will pay off and you can find some unusual bargains!
My fourth most favourite second-hand score is my bar cart.
I found this over four years ago and I still love it. I mean, it has SWANS ON IT. I purchased it from a woman who had the entire 1990’s set in all its glory – she had the coffee table, side tables, a huge glass etagere and her home was like a pristine shrine to the era, all burgundy and pink wall-to-wall carpeting and flowery wallpaper borders. I almost wished I’d taken photos of it all because it was incredible. She parted with this piece for a mere £30 and I’ve genuinely never seen another like it. And while I do sometimes dream about buying a new one as there are so many gorgeous ones on the market since I bought this, it’s just so unusual that I can’t bear to part with it.
And finally…I know I banged on about the desk in my office recently but it’s still one of my most favourite second hand finds.
It started life as a horrible 1970’s relic but I saw potential in it’s shape and knew with a bit of elbow grease, I could turn it into the stunning antique desk I really wanted. This again is such an important thing when looking for items second-hand. If it has a great shape and is in sturdy condition, then you’ve got to consider if by adding a glossy coat of paint and some new handles, it could actually be your dream piece. Not every piece should be painted of course (please do leave those beautiful antique pieces away from the paint!) but if it’s an ugly laminate like this one was or the piece really can’t be saved by sanding and restaining or oiling it, then it may be worth the time to give it a bit of a makeover.
So those are basically my top five vintage scores. Go check out Brynne’s series for even more second-hand gorgeousness and be inspired by the amazing finds you can get if you just put in the time and patience in your searches. For tips on bargain hunting on eBay, check out my post on How to Become an eBay Ninja!
What are your favourite vintage buys and where’s your favourite spot to score a second-hand bargain? I’d love if you could share your finds in the comments!
The best finds are unexpected, thrifted and vintage and you’re right, they give a home a personal touch that will be different from everybody else’s home. The desk transformation is probably my favourite :-) x
These are such all great pieces. They help anchor your space and make it come together. Love it!
I have a severe case of vintage-finds envy!! In all my travels I have never seen a bar cart with swans on it before. SWANS! I’d have had her etagere too! And I have hunted high and low for chippendale chairs over the years (one day I WILL own some) but the only ones I’ve ever found (apart from Jonathan Adler’s of course) were in America. The fact you found some over here is amazeballs. I might have to burgle your house :)
You have scored well! I myself am addicted to thrift finds. Because I love them all, I’ll have to say my 5 favorites… “today” …. are 1. Black, white and gold mid century LAMP 2. Metal FROG BOOKENDS that look like they are playing patty-cake, so I use them for jewelry/bracelets 3. WING CHAIR with down filled seat cushion that was ugly until I slipcovered it! 4. Artists traveling EASEL . And last, my absolute favorite 5. Mid century brass & glass COFFEE TABLE with three round glass tops, two swivel!! Combined total cost of these fab five? $38 US dollars. Yep, it makes me giddy. Keep rocking your finds and posts!! Smiles, Kathleen
Thank you so much for the shout-out, sweet friend! I’m so excited about this series and it would never have come about if not for you – I’m thrilled to be including your gorgeous home as examples!
Next, I’m absolutely crazy about this post because seeing other’s second hand scores is like crack to me! It get me so psyched up and ready to go treasure hunting myself. I love that you’ve been so successful on eBay – I’ll have to scour your post and learn your ways! I did just make my first home decor eBay purchase and I’m actually anxiously waiting its arrival today :)
It’s nearly impossible to pick a furniture favorite, but I’ve always adored the wood tone of that chest of drawers against the black walls in your bedroom! And I’d never noticed the SWANS on your bar-cart… Hello, amazing! My favorite part of posts like this is honing in on the fabulous details that make up a room!
Some great finds in there. Well jealous of the £30 bar cart – what a steal!! Love it!
Your chest of drawers in your bedroom is my favorite piece in your home. The mix of black, gold, colors and patterns in that room inspire me every time I see it. I worked for an antique dealer who specializes in 1700s American furniture and I fell in love with the traditional lines and flare. But eclectic mixes hold my heart close so your bedroom is the perfect example of my dream design.
Your an inspiration!
Great advice, especially about having an open mind and looking at a piece’s shape and condition rather than it’s finish.
I recently missed out on an amazing chest of drawers in my favorite charity shop, it was in perfect condition, absolutely stunning in every way and priced at €30. €30!!!!! I’m still in mourning.
Hi Kimberly, i have to agree i love nothing better than going out on a Sunday morning to a car boot, and seeing what I can find, and then getting really giddy because i found something (even if i dont know where i’m going to put it lol). I have a few second hand things dotted around the house, and i always have to smile whem people comment on them. Happy hunting everyone xxx
I’m right there with you girlfriend! Love vintage finds. My favorite thing to do on the weekend is hit up all the estate sales, it’s extremely fun and entertaining. I am on the hunt for the perfect bar cart, something chrome and glass as I have a lot of sterling silver in the dining room. (Also curated from estate sales and thrift stores!)
All SUCH great finds at amazing prices! I bow down to your eBay Ninja skillz!! I love the way you’ve transformed your pieces too (besides the bedroom chest of course, that piece is far too beautiful as it is!)
I adore all your vintage finds and 1,000% agree that vintage pieces really make a room stand out. Yes, buying new is nice, but there’s something so exciting about finding something perfect for your home that next to no one else will have. And for a fraction of the price of brand new!!! Which means more money for wine time. Hells yeah.
Your bar cart, TV stand and desk are my favourites. I still think that transformation with your desk is unbelievable. It is a dead ringer for that designer one.
I absolutely LOVE your TV cabinet! Fab idea swapping the glass for mirrors!