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Tag: garage sale finds

A Green Planter + A Turquoise Table + A Coral Chair

Before picture of my garage sale finds— a before shot of my garage sale finds that I shared on my instagram page last week —

This Summer I have been in complete survival mode. Simply surviving, making sure to create memories each day with the kids so they have the Best Summer Ever.  BUT as each night falls, this mama is just d-o-n-e. It’s been a blast, but it’s been tiring. And we still have 2+ more weeks till school starts…

Packed days have left little time for personal creating, but after a quick stop at a garage sale last week where I picked up some ‘trash treasures’, I found myself with a few spare minutes + 2 cans of spray paint.  And that makes this gal gitty with excitement!

First up, Green Citrus (by Rustoleum)…

Before and After planter - $1 garage sale find transformed with Green Citrus spray paint

Isn’t that such a vibrant, unexpected, fun color?! For $10 I made out well after stopping on a whim at a garage sale last Wednesday…

I picked up a wicker chair, a planter, and a table.  ALL need a bit of TLC, but I am confident that ALL will look great with a splash of color!

THE PLANTER.

The planter update is complete.  I chose to spray paint it a lime green hue called Green Citrus in a glossy finish…

Before and After planter - $1 garage sale find transformed with Green Citrus spray paint

A few coats later, it was complete.

Before and After planter - $1 garage sale find transformed with Green Citrus spray paint

And ready to fill with a pretty plant.

Before and After planter - $1 garage sale find transformed with Green Citrus spray paint

Now it sits beautifully on the front porch and looks awesome with the green front door.

Before and After planter - $1 garage sale find transformed with Green Citrus spray paint

Definitely one of the best + EASIEST before and afters ever…

Before and After planter - $1 garage sale find transformed with Green Citrus spray paint

THE TABLE.

A splash of turquoise spray paint gave this falling-apart-table new life.  It’s still rusty but I find that beautiful.  The new color is complete, but there is still work to be done – it needs a top.  I’ve got some ideas, but still need to put it together…

Before and After Table: $3 garage sale find transformed with turquoise spray paint

Want to know how to spray paint like a PRO?  Need Tips?
Check out these 2 helpful posts:

Simple Steps to Spray Painting Success

5 Surfaces to Spray Paint

THE CHAIR.

The chair hasn’t been touched, but I have a plan. CORAL is the COLOR that is going to make this chair shine again.  I first need to prime it, then I’m going to paint it.  I think I’m going to skip spray painting this one and instead try a hand sprayer.  I’ve had one sitting in the garage forever and I think this is just the project to try it on…  Wish me luck 😉

Plans to spray paint this chair a new coral hue

Plans to spray paint this chair a new coral hue

I’m looking for a wicker sibling to go along with this beauty.  Not a twin, but a something alike.  Have a wicker chair?  Share details.

I’ve got plans for these new green + turquoise + coral additions.

You’ll see them finished soon. AND all together.

Somewhere around the homestead.

Before I let you go, here is another great score from the weekend.  The fam & I were up & out early on Saturday at a ‘biggest yard sale’ event & I found these 2 headboards for the girls room (in a couple years).  Oh the potential!  Here is a picture I shared on my Instagram page

Headboard find!

 

7 Savvy Tips for Finding Thrifted Treasures

Once Spring hits, my brain goes immediately to the thoughts of garage sales & thrifting. We finally come out of Winter hibernation to get our feet wet and hands dirty in the garage by upcycling and transforming those blah finds to be beautiful.

7 Savvy Tips for Finding Thrifted Treasures - Tips + Tricks + Ideas for finding the perfect 'something'... Some of these simple ideas you may never thought of.

Hitting up a weekend garage sale or visiting a local thrift store is a great way to introduce unique, interesting, and inexpensive décor into your home. That “something special” is unlikely to be the same piece your neighbor picked up last week. Thrifting allows the opportunity to bring elements into a home that are meaningful and/or have the potential to be transformed or upcycled for little money. With the warmer days to come, it’s the perfect time of year to find some new fun and fabulous thrifty treasures.

With some garage sale + thrift hunting experience under my belt, these are 7 tips + tricks that I find helpful to find the perfect thrifted treasure…

1. The Best Spots for Thrifting
There are various types of venues to find used and/or thrifted items, including but certainly not limited to: thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, antique malls, and even the side of the road (my personal favorite because the “treasure” is usually free – major score!)

Here’s my favorite side-of-the-road before & after

Thrifted treasures can be found anywhere. A garage sale, thrift store, or even the side of the road. That's where this chair beauty was found. Check out the before & after!

Thrifted treasures can be found anywhere. A garage sale, thrift store, or even the side of the road. That's where this chair beauty was found. Check out the before & after!

2. Keep a List
Looking for thrifted treasures can sometimes be overwhelming when you finally get to your destination, so having a list is key to staying focused. Either keep an ongoing list (I keep a list in myphone) or create one before you leave home. It will help keep you focused and evaluate what things you really need. If you have your eye out for a piece of furniture, take wall measurements ahead of time, so you’re fully prepared and aren’t questioning the size when you finally find “the one”.

3. Look for Good Bones
When on the prowl for thrifted decor, especially furniture, look at how it’s constructed; be sure it has good “bones”. The stability and structure of a piece of furniture is important for it’s longevity. If it gets the approval, using it as is or giving it a fresh new coat of paint will make the perfect addition in your home.

I found this beauty on Craigslist.  It had dovetail joints on the drawers and felt very stable.  At $50 it was a great score.  After a paint makeover, it was perfect for my boys room makeover

To find awesome thrifted treasures, look for good bones in old furniture!

Before & After Craigslist Desk. With some paint & TLC this desk got a complete makeover.

4. Think Outside the Box
When on the search for a new treasure, look beyond the items current state and imagine what it could be with a little TLC. Whether you decide to upcycle, repurpose, or revamp, think outside the box at the items potential.

Take a step back from an object and ask:

  • Can I paint it?
  • Can I reupholster it?
  • Can I use it for a different purpose it’s original intent?

This is my FAVORITE part of thrifting… finding an ugly duckling that just needs a little DIY love!  Like this clock to mirror makeover…

Before & After: Clock to Mirror

Before & After: Clock to Mirror

5. Look High. Look Low. Look Everywhere in Between.
Finding a secret treasure can sometimes be a challenge, but in the end, the result is often worthwhile. When shopping at a thrift store or garage sale, take an extra minute to scan all surfaces – the lower shelves, the higher ones, and every spot in between. O, and since the back corners are usually forgotten, they often have the best, hidden treasures.

Thrifted Treasures are all around you - high, low, in every nook & crannie

6. Do you really need it?
When thrifting, having your list in hand will help you stay on track. When you find something, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” or “Where and how will I use this?”. Even if the item is a great deal, it’s worth nothing if it can’t be used. And if you’re unsure, take a minute to think about it.

My most recent find which fell short of a treasure because of the price tag, is this awesome life-size metal windmill.  How cool is it?!  I spotted it while driving by a local shop & had to take a closer look.  I asked myself, “Do I really need it even though I love it?”… At over $500 I passed, but I’m still thinking of a way to make it myself!

Thrifted Find

7. Negotiate.
One of the beauties about garage sales or thrift stores is the possibility of getting your treasure for a lower price than marked. It doesn’t hurt to ask. If they say no, then you can ask yourself if the item is really worth it and how much money needs to go into it, if any. Again, it doesn’t hurt to ask!

The best garage sale finds are usually snagged right away, so grab a cup of coffee and start your day early. As for thrift stores, if you want a great deal, ask them if there are specific days they put out new inventory (I do the same thing with stores like HomeGoods & TJ Maxx). If you’re looking for something specific, ask them to call you if the item comes their way.

I hope these tips help you prepare and get you excited for thrifting season. And don’t forget, shopping is always better with others, so put on your comfy shoes and team up with friends or family who also enjoy a finding a treasure!

What have been your favorite garage sale or thrift store finds?