Monday, June 15, 2009

Spotting a Bargain

It really doesn't take a lot of money to make a house a home, just the determination and patience to search for a bargain, and the willingness and humility to take a freebie when you find one. My son-in-law and daughter's apartment is made up of several bargains and freebies.
You already know that the sofa was bought on Craig's List, but there's even more budget savers. Let me show you just a few.
I purchased the mirrored table from the thrift store for six dollars. It went home with them last summer in a car that was filled to the brim with wedding gifts and luggage. The sassy little black and white vase on the top was a cast-off from a friend.The coffee table was a freeie, and so was the chest I used to define the entry. It got a coat of black spray paint to fit in with the Swedish store bought furniture.
That great looking over-sized orange lamp was a
five dollar discovery from "my" thrift store. Fortunately it arrived safely inside a very well packed check-in suitcase. It just needed a new shade to give it a classy up-date.
The shutters flanking the windows were free. I got a phone call from my daughter asking me if she should pick them up. Of course I said YES! They're hung on both the living room and dining room windows to add an architectural element to a plain apartment, as well as unify the style of the two rooms.We saw that tall piece late one night (right corner in above photo) in someone's garbage pile on our way back to the apartment. My daughter stopped the car and I jumped out to pick it up. It's missing a few baskets, but it's still functional for storage. It may get a make-over next time I visit.The beautiful china cabinet was a twenty-five dollar find on Craig's List. It's missing the glass shelf. They'll get one cut at a glass/window shop. The dining room table was a freebie from their last apartment. The top had a light stain, but with some sanding and a couple of coats of dark cherry stain it lost it's farmhouse feel and now looks fresh and hip.The bar stools were found on CL. They only wanted two but the sellers wanted them sold as a set of four. I'm sure they'll come in handy when they have several dinner guests.
Most of the accessories were wedding gifts, thrift finds, dollar store goodies, or family heirlooms.
With a little determination, patience, willingness, and humility, you really can create a beautiful, stylish home on a tight budget!

14 comments:

Mel said...

I have a table very similar to that in my kitchen, I am now seriously considering sanding and staining it similar to that! Thanks for the inspiration.

Tiffany said...

This is a beautiful testimony that you don't have to buy new (or at all!) to have beautiful things.

I'm terribly jealous of the mirrored table. Terribly. :)

the undomesticated wife said...

Our thrift stores are so much more expensive than yours! I'd never find a lamp for under $25 there! Love the mirrored table. I want it. ;)

Joanna said...

Oh my goodness I love those shutters on the sides of your windows!!

Meredith said...

You have done an AMAZING job. Oh, 12 years ago when I was a newly wed I wish I had the creativity and thrifty determination I had now...I could have had a beautiful home with my freebies and other people's hand me downs. I didn't know what to do with them. You did it right!!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

You find the BEST stuff! I love that mirrored table. I can't believe you found that at a thrift store!!!

XOXO
Jen

Amy said...

Lovely, fun, unique! Great job!!! I'd love to find bargains like that!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I am AMAZED at what you have done! Why cant I ever find good stuff (mirror table) at the thrift stores?

~Katrina

Alaskangal B said...

A&L are very lucky they had you to help them get that place looking AMAZING. I wish I could make the A bigger in AMAZING. Great job, you always inspire me to go junk diviing...then turn it into treasure.

Janalee Hubbard said...

Wow, that looks waaaaaaay better than my first apartment! So stylish and fun. I'm sure they'll love to entertain in it!

Free Art Printables said...

I love how that table turned out!

Anonymous said...

I love what you two have done with all of the found, thrifty, and frugal things. That apartment looks like a real home with your touches.

Richella Parham said...

This is great! I love the way you show all the things you've found. And you are right. Nester says "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." You could add to that "It doesn't have to be expensive to be beautiful." And this post is proof!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Joy, you've been a busy girl! I love how you've found all those goodies & made a really special place for your daughter & her hubby. You're a great mom to do all of that! It looks beautiful.

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