Why I Thrift, Reason #3: Unique & Personal
This post is part of a five part series entitled, "Why I Thrift," beginning with Why I Thrift, Reason #1: To Save Money.
One of the things I love most about decorating and gardening is creating a space that deeply reflects my unique personality. I don’t want “cookie-cutter” spaces with suites of furniture bought en masse or plants dropped in by the local builder. Even if I wanted to pay for that (which I don’t), and felt good about that kind of consumption (which I don’t), I still wouldn’t want to do it. I don’t want a space that looks like a catalog, or the neighbors’ house. I want a place that’s uniquely mine.
One of the best ways to do this is to thrift. You can find one-of-a-kind items that few people will have, like this large, ecru-colored handmade pitcher or the vintage hand embroidery in the photo above.
Sometimes pieces have been altered or personalized before they get to the thrift store, like this picture frame, which was painted lavender and gilded by the previous owner.
Once you bring it home, you might personalize it further, like I’m doing with this china hutch (that I got, yes, for free) by sanding most of the paint off.
Sure, it takes longer to do a room when you’re hunting and gathering your pieces, but it’s so worth it to have a space that’s completely unique and completely you.
What about you? What pieces have you found that are one-of-a-kind or just so you?
This five-part "Why I Thrift" series continues with "Why I Thrift, Reason #4: More Creative."
Comments (24)
I am glad to hear you are okay, I myself have been too busy to read blogs but did look at yours and thought you might be busy as well. I hope everyone is okay now!!
I think we all need some serious spring and thanks to the clocks we will have it before you know it!!
Ellen
Posted by ellen Crimi-Trent | March 7, 2008 4:44 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 16:44
I have been collecting milk glass pieces for about 10 years now. In particular, I like to look for premier pieces by "Westmoreland." I have corraled quite a collection of them in a corner cabinet and have them sprinkled about the house too. I have found my pieces priced between 35 cents and 8 dollars, mostly at garage sales. I love the clean white look of milk glass and how well it blends into the cottage look. Milk glass is very pretty and still available and affordable.
Posted by lindenhaus | March 7, 2008 4:49 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 16:49
Well duh, don't type a comment and then hit Vote without first finishing your comment. I'm so glad you're back and hope everything really is ok.
Thanks to you I visited my first thrift store. I brought home a pair of mens old fashioned black ice skates which will look lovely hanging over the radio flyer I found in the garbage one year. A nice vignette for next winter if I say so myself.
Thanks!
Posted by Melanie | March 7, 2008 4:52 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 16:52
So happy you're ok! Sounds scary!
I just know when I find a piece that I love that I will find a place for it. I've added skirts to chairs and painted frames and re-shaded lamps to make them "mine"--but there had to be that certain 'something' that drew me to the piece in the first place. (Usually the deeply discounted price tag :)!) I know it works each time we move and all the stuff is bunched together. The things from the bedroom look good shoved next to the things from the living room and kitchen. It just all flows and I know I'm putting the house together right!
Posted by Jennifer P. | March 7, 2008 4:54 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 16:54
Glad you are ok but it still sounds like some major drama!
Love your thrifty things. I totally agree that by whatever means you acquire things for your home, make sure it is unique and personal. If you see that everyone else has one of "those things", MOVE ON! :-) Kind of contrary to how many people think but I much prefer to have MY OWN look! :-) Great advice, Angela!
Happy weekend!
melissa
Posted by melissa @ the inspired room | March 7, 2008 5:39 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 17:39
Oh my, Angela, you have me worried now. I just asumed you were having computer glitches again, or were simply too busy with life to blog. I hope all is well now and that you are all healthy and safe.
I so agree with your approach to non-cookie cutter decorating. And you're right: the way to achieve that is to buy "outside the box". Thrift shops are my favourite sources for home decor as of late, as I find the stores seem so "been there, done that" right now...
Take care, and I will get those promised magazines out to you next week. This week I was still in recovery mode and not out and about too much.
Linda
xoxo
Posted by linda | March 7, 2008 6:57 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 18:57
I'm glad you're back. I have missed your posts! I hope that things are better with your family now. How unfortunate.
You have a great "eye" for finding wonderful things! I love all of the things you have posted. My favourite find is a set of bookends that were only $1.00. The one is the letter "A" and the other is a "Z". I just love them and can't believe my luck and finding them!! I was so thrilled when I found them that I even wrote a post about it on my blog!!!
Posted by Jill from foreverandeverhouse.blogspot.com | March 7, 2008 8:38 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 20:38
I am so glad you are okay. I was getting worried!
I am so with you with the thrifting. It makes our own space.. ours...and for cheap!
Jen R
Posted by Jen Rizzo | March 7, 2008 9:21 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 21:21
Hi Angela,
Happy you are back! Hope all goes better for you soon. Life can be trying at times.
I love to thrift and hunt for treasures. That is part of the whole FUN process of adding to your home.
Lynne Laura
Posted by Lynne Laura | March 7, 2008 10:03 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 22:03
I'm had just discovered your blog, when you stopped posting. I'm so glad you're back and all is O.K. with you and your loved ones.
ITA about thrifting. It serves so many purposes, plus is so darn fun! It's like a treasure hunt.
By the way, did you ever paint the bed or leave it as is?
~elaine~
Posted by Elaine L. | March 7, 2008 11:50 PM
Posted on March 7, 2008 23:50
Angela!
I´m so glad you are back and I hope all goes better for you... I have been worried...
I´ll go directly and translate my last post again and you are sooo welcome!
Hugs ~Annie
Posted by Annie | March 8, 2008 1:05 AM
Posted on March 8, 2008 01:05
Hi again! The link to Annalunda in my comment above was wrong... so I´m sure you´ll find the way...
Annalunda
:) / Annie again
Posted by Annie | March 8, 2008 1:14 AM
Posted on March 8, 2008 01:14
Angela,
So sorry to hear of this upheavel...I kept coming over to see you and thought you were tied up or something. I'm so happy you are back and things are ok I hope. Your things are so special. I guess the one item I have is a wing chair that I picked up at a garage sale...I just adore the fabric on it, and the wooden detail on the legs...
Hugs,
Rose
Posted by Rose@Classic Charm | March 8, 2008 4:10 AM
Posted on March 8, 2008 04:10
Hope everything is settling down! The thrill of the hunt is the best part. Besides, it's good for the environment and good for the pocketbook!
Hope you have a good weekend!
Manuela
Posted by The Feathered Nest (Manuela's) | March 8, 2008 5:43 AM
Posted on March 8, 2008 05:43
Glad you are back and hope everyone is well and stays well. I have that same linen bureau scarf that you show in your picture. My mother made it for her hope chest in 1934.
Janet
Posted by janet | March 8, 2008 3:52 PM
Posted on March 8, 2008 15:52
I soo agree with the thrift shopping. I am addicted to it sometimes. The trill of the hunt in finding things. Sometimes it's frustrating when you can't find that certain something and then other times it's exciting when you find something you thought you really wasn't looking for.
Lately I've been finding thing galore.
Thanks for sharing.
Glenda
Posted by Glenda | March 9, 2008 12:16 AM
Posted on March 9, 2008 00:16
Oh no!! I just figured you were busy like the rest of us. I hope everything's okay!
Posted by Renee | March 9, 2008 10:31 AM
Posted on March 9, 2008 10:31
Oh wow, sounds like life has been providing you lots of hurdles to jump over. I, personally am so glad you made it over each one. Glad all is better and you are back to the blog world.
Loving your "Why I Thrift" series. I cannot believe you got the China Hutch for free!!!!So jealous.
One of my best things so far has been a plain ole farm table. You see them everywhere now, but I really made it my own by stripping completely and painting 3 different shades of green and distressing. I HEAVILY distressed the top and stained with many colors to look well-worn. Got it for 20 bucks from Salvation Army, but now I wouldn't sell it for $200. Well, maybe I would:)
Posted by Melissa Lewis | March 9, 2008 10:49 AM
Posted on March 9, 2008 10:49
I wholeheartedly agree with you! I LOVE that I can have things in my home that make me smile, knowing that it is a piece that no one else (or maybe few people) have. Looking around my home, there are SO FEW things that haven't come from antique stores, thrift shops, and the like. It doesn't matter if the things are worth anything, just that I like them.
Posted by Katie | March 9, 2008 8:11 PM
Posted on March 9, 2008 20:11
Oh, and I forgot...sorry to hear that you had some major stuff going on. I hope everything is better now!
Posted by Katie | March 9, 2008 8:14 PM
Posted on March 9, 2008 20:14
I'm so with you on this. I don't want what everyone else has and I don't want everything to match. Love your finds!
Posted by Jen | March 10, 2008 8:22 AM
Posted on March 10, 2008 08:22
Oh, so sorry for the recent family drama...I hope all is well now.
Yes, I completely agree...its the "one of a kinds" that make a house a home.
Its what gives it our personality.
Kimberly :)
Posted by Niesz Vintage Home | March 11, 2008 6:32 AM
Posted on March 11, 2008 06:32
Thrifting for me is not only necessary, but thrilling. Whether at a flea market or antique store or a thrift store, I love hunting for that perfect find. Linens, cookware, furniture, whatever. It's fun to me even when I don't need anything to just go and dream of "what could I do with that?"
My newest passion is embroidered linens. I buy way too many of these.
Posted by Megan | March 15, 2008 6:36 AM
Posted on March 15, 2008 06:36
I could not agree with you more about this particular reasons for thrifting. I love it when I find things that make me feel happy, and even if it doesn't necessarily go with what's in or whatever, I find it, I love it, I use it. That's what makes us cottage style decorators have such fun and unique homes.
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 31, 2008 4:12 AM
Posted on May 31, 2008 04:12