A Thrifting We Will Go
Wednesday, January 30th, 2013Yesterday, I did something I love to do each month and that is to go thrifting. I set out on my typical round visiting the four thrift stores I ordinarily visit when I’m in the mood since they’re all within 15 miles of my house. I work fast and I can scour all four in less than two hours.
I’ve been asked to feature a “what would you do?” tour of thrift stores by some readers, so I’ll take you on yesterday’s adventure and pretend you’re all with me to show you what I look for, what I reject, and the thought process along the way. Here we go.
When I go thrifting for furniture, I’m looking for something with good quality construction and cool or classic lines. Hidden adjacent to and among the yucky stuff are diamonds in the rough – I look for those pieces and in them I see potential.

With furniture, the first thing I do is give a cool piece like that hutch a good inspection. Pull the drawers, test the hinges, and check for dovetail joints on the drawers since they are a sign of quality construction.

This one looked really good and was $75 so I considered it a good buy. I think it would look great painted any classic color, black, white, cream, gray, blue, whatever.
Sometimes I spy pieces that should really be in antique stores but just need a little TLC. Like this vintage dresser. Remove the dated mirror, add new knobs and bam, a totally gorgeous addition to your home.

I spied a bowfront chest in the window of a favorite store, lovely right? It looked a little beat up but some Restore-A-Finish may be all you need to bring it back to life.

I loved this cabinet with fretwork detail and I can see it painted a Chinese red with antique brass pulls and a Lucite tray on top with barware above and inside too.





























