Arts and Entertainment Sunday Favorites: How to be Thrift Store Chic

PALMETTO – On the way to a Big Brother/Big Sister event, I spotted a potentially unsullied living room set displayed on a front lawn with a ”for sale“ sign. I abruptly pulled over. There it was -- an unblemished set of beautiful white couches, a very rare find in the world of garage sales.  

”What are we doing,“ asked Madison, my little sister. 

I told Maddy I had to look at something. I enquired about the price of the couches, and was told they were eighty dollars.  By this time, more people had spotted the set and cars were pulling up at every angle on the lawn. I knew I had to make a decision quickly. I asked Maddy what she thought.

”I think it’s a really good deal,“ replied the eight-year-old. 

”I’ll take it!“ I exclaimed, before realizing I had no way to transport the furniture, and no way to pay for it. However, this particular garage sale was more accommodating than most – they took credit cards and had deliverymen truck the couches to my home.  Maddy and I were only thirty minutes late to our event. 

The truth is, I have a gift when it comes to finding decorating deals -- I always seem to be in the right place at the right time. It’s not just chance that enables me to garnish my home at a reduced rate; it takes a level of skill to pull it off. I draw inspiration from magazines, frequent discount stores and always keep an open mind.

Rule #1 Keep an open mind

If you know exactly what you’re looking for, you’re never going to find it for a good deal. You have to be open to new ideas and allow yourself to envision the potential of an item.  I never thought I wanted white couches, but after seeing them I knew they would brighten up my dark living room. 

When it comes to furniture, it is amazing what new throw pillows can do. They automatically modernize a dated piece as well as add color. Another instant update is to buy a new shade for an antique lamp. It automatically offers a fresh take on a classic piece. 

The current trend is mishmash or mixing furniture instead of purchasing a matching set. I like to remind myself that not everything has to match perfectly, in fact colors that share a similar hue will often blend well. For instance, a slight orange pattern in a rug may look coral after throw pillows with coral patterns are added a nearby couch. 

Rule #2 Know where to look

I am always buying used furniture because the new stuff is so expensive. I make due with what I can afford or what people are willing to give me for free.  That means seeking out smart buys, and painting or varnishing old pieces.  I am a busy woman, so I don’t waste time driving around to see what Saturday’s garage sales have to offer. In my opinion, the only garage sales worth going to are the ones located in upper-class neighborhoods because the owners often sell high quality items or antiques that have been well maintained. Another great time to seek out garage sales is if there is a mega sale in a community or neighborhood, then the efficiency level increases significantly. 

I also stay away from antique shops. These places are usually considerably overpriced, which is understandable because the business has to cover costs. I consider www.craigslist.org to be a deal-seekers best friend. Not only can I search for exactly what I’m looking for, but sellers are more likely to wheel and deal with the buyer than someone in an consignment store would.

Rule #3 Mix old and new

After finding that perfect second-hand chair, you’re going to need some accessories to go along with it.  Stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall’s and Homegoods are great for accessorizing. Throw pillows can run up to $50 at places like Pier One but are sold at these stores at the reduced rate of $15. Other great discounted items include picture frames, candles and artificial plants and are often made in the USA. Quality sheets and towels can also be found at these types of stores.  However, you should avoid buying rugs without close inspection because they are often defective in some way. One rug I bought from Ross wasn’t square; another purchased from TJ Maxx didn’t lay right.

When it comes to rugs, www.overstock.com has abundant bargains and a massive selection. Wool rugs age well and can last for years, but are also the most expensive. For a cheaper solution, buying rug made of natural fibers is a great way to pull a room together or group furniture and you can always purchase up at a later date. 

Also, don’t be afraid to change something someone gives you; break out the sander and paint varnished wood a contemporary color to make it more modern. If you inherit a dining room set that is not your style, make a trip to IKEA and pick up some new modern looking chairs – they have a huge selection at great prices. 

Rule #4 Get creative

Wall art can be pretty pricy, but cheap prints can often look tacky. Why not make try creating your own? You could paint an abstract. A friend of mine glued crayons to a canvas, and then used a hair dryer to melt them, which created a colorful drip effect. Even an old map, a child’s drawing or a favorite family photo can look great in a nice frame, but usually it’s the framing that is the most expensive part. Keaton’s Office Supply on Manatee Avenue in Bradenton has a huge selection of mats.  Just select a color apparent in the photo or artwork and then buy a mat and frame that is one size larger. 

The Manatee County Library system has a beautiful historical photographs of the area that are available online that and free to download. You can select a few and store them on a zip drive, then take it over to Jeffcoat Blueprint on 14th St. West in Bradenton. They will print enlarged photos on a variety of different kinds of paper.  

Just following these easy steps should help to guide your discount decorating decisions, so save your pennies and start shopping today!