Get A Handle

A few years ago we remodeled our kitchen for just around a thousand dollars. Of course that price did not include the appliances or new cabinetry. But it did include light fixtures, beadboard, glass, primer, paint, glaze, poly, granite tiles, grout and all the materials for the new underlayment that's required when you tear off the existing counter tops. Then there was the cost of the trim at the top of the cabinets, tile for the edging, and hardware for the drawers and doors. And when it was finished I was pretty proud of our "new" old kitchen. However, there was one element that I felt we could improve on if we could find another bargain. The white hardware.

I had purchased a big bag of white handles at the thrift store for three dollars. Who can pass that up when there's twenty-six handles that need to be replaced? It looked fine enough until I came across another
bag-o-hardware last week at the thrift store for four dollars. The new handles match perfectly with our lighting fixtures
and the lead on the stained glass door. I think the kitchen is complete. . . .

at least until we get weather warm enough to throw open the windows and break out the paint brushes because there's just one more element that I need to improve upon!

My Dearest

Dearest Hurricane,
I am sorry to inform you that your twin, the one I purchased at the thrift store when I purchased you, has undergone some cosmetic changes.You see, while giving her a bath in the kitchen sink I heard a loud pop and noticed a large crack in her base (likely a result of the combination of scalding hot water inside her while she sat on a cold sink bottom).
A few weeks later the crack turned into a severed break! I could not bear to throw her out but instead I placed your twin upside down to mourn her unfortunate state.
Then one day my hubby, desiring to relieve the two of us from our misery, had a wondrous plan! He would gently break off the rest of her base and sand down the sharp edges. The plan was successful with one exception, she was still a bit rough around the edges. Thank goodness a little dressing of burlap and rope could come to her aide and cover her flaws.

So you see my little hurricane, there is no need to mourn for your twin. She is living a new life.
She has blossomed into a beautiful cloche!

Hubby's Skills

My hubby has skills!
I could list several.
Among the list would be that he is the best amateur carpenter, plumber, motorcycle rider (he would want me to include that),
dishwasher, and electrician that I know!
It is the latter that was very helpful
in the installation of my bargain thrift store chandelier.I was not fond of the original hanging apparatus. It was a little too sleek and modern, and the fact that it hung down
11 inches created a big problem with my 8 foot ceilings,
especially hanging in the middle of a closet.
I didn't need anyone to poke their eye out while getting dressed.

The solution was to replace it with a more traditional ceiling canopy. That's when it's really nice to have a hubby with electrician skills.

Problem number two came when we
took down the antiquated light fixture. Apparently the previous owners had at one time installed high watt bulbs
causing so much heat that the paint discolored and peeled.
We have big plans in the future for remodeling this
so-small-you-can-barely-call-it-a-walk-in closet
so I didn't want to take the time to re-paint it now.
Instead I decided to use a quick and inexpensive cover-the-mess solution;
a thrifted silver tray.Now that the ceiling looked so pretty
I thought I'd stage my side of the closet. I use some pretty boxes and apothecary jars
(already stored there waiting for another organization project).
Then I tacked up my small collection of vintage hats. Now it's a real treat to walk into my closet!

I-Key-A-Bargain

Look at what I just purchased!Did I buy it from the big blue Swedish store for $59.99?

Nooooooooo!
This was a brand-new-in-the-box $10 thrift store purchase.I'm so happy that I won't have to look at this ugly fixture anymore.Now I just need a little help from the man of the house. . .

Stick A Fork On It

For those of you who requested that I tell you how I painted my sub floors, I'll do a tutorial next week. I need to dig a sample board and paints out of the cold garage and let them warm up first. So I thought I'd share another easy fix in the meantime.

These are my keys. Every time hubby borrows them he tells me that I'll need a new key chain soon. He says this e v e r y time. Which got me to thinking, they're my keys, they should have something unique hanging from them.

My solution came when I spyed this beautiful little olive fork at the thrift store for 10 cents. Isn't the detail on the handle exquisite?
And it's real sterling silver.
Since sterling silver is rather soft I just snipped off the tongs with wire cutters. Then I used my brute force to bend the end (then hubby used his brute force to finish the job).

Now I have a key fob that is
sterling silver and uniquely exquisite!

***Don't forget to enter for the
Sodderbug giveaway here***

A Cozied Corner

You've seen the end of my upstairs hallway before with

the large monogram, the "family" sign and the family photos.This is the longer view of said hall,
complete with painted subflooring and dings in the walls. (and yes, I have brass doorknobs---
haven't you heard, brass is making a comeback)
On the left is a closet door and the doorway into the computer room.
Straight ahead is the door to the bathroom
and just right of that is the door to our master bedroom.

When we first looked at this home I fell in love with the way
the doorways were set back into alcoves,
just a little architectural detail that intrigued me. The master bedroom door alcove has a small corner
that stayed vacant for years.
One day I haphazardly plopped a this small table there
and I liked the feel of it. But when I found this gorgeous plant stand
at the thrift store
I knew it would make a better fit.Of course I had to top it with something,
something that would
reflect a little light
into this darkened corner.
That something was a PB vase I picked up...at the thrift store. Love it!
And since the theme for this corner seems to be
thrifted elegance with a bit of shine,
why not finish of the vignette with this collection of mirrors. These were gathered one by one
over a period of time,
just waiting until there is enough to make a statement. And what a statement
this thrifted elegant hidden corner makes!

Please go here
if you haven't yet entered the Sodderbug giveaway.

The Right Timing

People often comment to me that they can never find great items at the thrift store. It really is a matter of timing, and by that I mean that you need to invest a little time and you need to be lucky enough to be there at the right time. One cannot just run in and out of a thrift store and hope to find something wonderful. Take your time! Treasures need to be hunted. I will often go up and down each aisle at least twice searching for that special something.If you're lucky enough to be there at the right time when that treasure is there, you might need to accept it in less than perfect condition. I was fortunate to be there at the right time to find this pretty little chair. I love the style and colors and it is really comfy too. It doesn't matter that there's a little bit of a tear on the arm. For now I just cover it with a throw. Later I might take a needle and thread to it, or a little hot glue.

I saw this beauty of a lamp at closing time. I didn't buy it because I have a supply of lamps and this one needed a bit of work. But I couldn't stop thinking about it so the next day I ran to the store as soon as it opened and snatched it up. Hubby made the repairs and luckily I already had the perfect shade.
These two additions were just what I needed to finish off my little corner. With the exception of the flowers, photo, tin shelves (purchased from a neighborhood boutique), dropcloth curtains, and the computer, everything you see came from thrift stores.I like the way the lamp and faux plant hide the computer from clear view from the doorway. And the comfy chair serves as a nice place to read, put on your shoes, as well as work at the computer. Finding incredible treasures at the thrift store really is just a matter of timing.

Not Just One

My husband decided that our home needed another computer. He was tired of sharing with the kids so he bought them an inexpensive used one. I thought it was a great idea until I had to figure out where to put "our" computer. We already have a room in the house designated as "the computer room" where computer usage is easily monitored. The room also contains all of the game systems so it gets quite a bit of use, especially on the weekends. It was decided that the other computer would find a home in the master bedroom---not the ideal place, but again, a place where it's usage can be monitored. However, I didn't want the computer, sitting on a big ol' desk, to be the main focus of the room.
I showed you this petite vintage dressing table that I started working on a few months ago. It was a thrift store find. Unfortunately I deleted the "before" photo of it looking quite sad covered in pastel green and pink sponge paint. I stripped all the paint, gave it a good sanding, and painted it a creamy white. I replaced the hardware with these pretties. And now it sits quite proudly beneath the vintage tin shelves in the corner of the room.

Did You See It?

Did you see glimpses of it in my Christmas photos? We've made a few changes in our family room.

Remember my post about The Beast? You were all so kind to remind me that

comfort isn't always about
good looks.

I was even beginning to accept The Beast, perhaps even embrace it. And then one day it happened! Son #2 plopped on the couch (as boys/men tend to do) and we heard an odd sound. The sound, combined with the sight of him sitting a bit lower in the couch, was the tell-tale sign that
it was time to release The Beast.
Yes, it was clear that it was time to replace our couch.
I began my search in thrift stores and the on-line classifieds.
But I discovered that I couldn't find anything that I loved more
and was a better price than The Beauty. We love our "new" couch!
It's smaller scale is a much better fit
and the colors truly compliment the room. Yes, I'm worried that my men will eventually destroy The Beauty.
But it will be worn out in serving my family---
what better way to be worn out, right? After all, my

home is meant to house
loved ones and good memories,
not showroom furniture.

With the addition of thrifted down-filled pillows
and a throw (to cover a small hole),
The Beauty is so comfy! And now I love my family room again, flaws and all.

Thrifty Decor

You know me well enough to know that some of my "new" Christmas decorations were purchased at the thrift store. Let's play a little show and tell.
See these gigantic faux poinsettia plants? Gorgeous, aren't they? Yep, I found them at the thrift store. They originally came from a very nice boutique. The $99.99 price tag was still on them. I was so excited when I found them and I didn't even have to race to grab them! Why? Because I purchased them in the summer, when few people have Christmas decorations on their mind. I always keep an eye out for holiday decorations, no matter the time of year. A perfect time to stock up on decorations from the thrift store is right after any holiday because people give things away that they don't want to store.
I found this big, beautiful glass vessel a few months ago. It's very similar to ones you would find in the PB catalog. I love it and I didn't want to hide it away when I brought out my decorations. I figured since it was a Christmas color I could make it work. So I added a little tree charm, paired it with a mercury glass finial, and the combination makes me smile. It really doesn't take much to turn something ordinary into a decoration; usually just the addition of a little ribbon trim or a shiny bauble can brighten the ordinary into Christmas extraordinary.
One of my favorite thrift store discoveries this year is this deer. I think that he may be made with real leather, at least he looks like it. I added the wreath to his neck so that he would look like one of Santa's reindeer. I found him in the toy aisle of the thrift store, which is a reminder to look in the unexpected places when you shop. Often times great things can be found in the oddest of places in the thrift store, so it's wise to keep your eyes open.
I added a little thrift store garland to the mix and I have a fancy boutique display for an unbelievably low price.

That's the beauty of thrift store shopping!