Thrift stores can be amazing places, which is why I try to avoid them whenever possible. I almost always end up spending more money than I intended when I first walked in the door. Case in point: my daughter has been growing, so yesterday we visited a fantastic thrift store in a neighborhood we visit often. They have children’s clothes for a dollar. I walked out with $30 of goodies, including a wonderful new spring jacket for me. Yes, I needed the jacket, but I didn’t really need to spend the money!
One of my greatest failings or pleasures in the thrift store is the home décor. Now, if you wanted to find something creative like a clock made out of a roll of corrugated cardboard, you might need to visit a prestigious gallery or a boutique. Not me. No, I walk into a thrift store and walk out with a clock made out of a roll of cardboard, perfect for my kitchen.
In my kitchen, I also have a thrift store metal cage that was originally a bird cage. I keep plants in it. It looks very chic, or something. Funnily enough, it also seems to match the cardboard clock. However, my greatest coup is the piece of art that hangs in a central location in our living room. It’s a hand-painted ocean scene and it’s painted on a piece of old plywood that is at least three feet long. I love it, my husband…well, he’s gotten used to it over time.
All jokes aside, though, if you are looking for eccentric décor elements, don’t try an art gallery or a niche boutique. Go to a good thrift store, preferably one in a well-off area of town. Collect the castoffs of those who do visit boutiques, and save or spend, depending on your point of view.