Wednesday, July 30, 2008

One Man's Trash...

Having spent $1200 in the last 2 days on car repairs, I feel pretty bummed. So, in an effort to make myself feel better, I'd like to share a few of my recent thrifty finds with you. I don't think they add up to $1200 in savings, but who knows? Humor me!




Here's a cute little side table/plant stand I snagged out of a neighbor's trash. In broad daylight.





...And a $1.99 vintage bamboo magazine rack from the thrift store. The red spray paint cost $3.00. I'm thinking of painting it another color to match the tan family room.




Here's an old sideboard I thrifted for $24.00. I think it looks great painted white against my new "mocha" walls. What do you think?







Also, this $4.99 mirror from the 1940's was painted gold. I fixed some broken spots with putty. Spray painting it white cost $3.00. I'm hoping it adds some light to my now dark room.







This mirror was a fun find, also at the thrift store. I had been looking at star burst mirrors for $100 and up for above the bed. It may be a tad small, but at $1.28, who cares? It really completes our room.



The newly painted family room needed an entertainment center. I found this in the trash. Very ugly, very dark, very heavy. One coat of off-white spray paint, and I think it looks pretty good. It's just waiting for a flat panel tv, don't you think?I'll probably sell our $900 armoire on Craigslist to justify keeping this little freebie.



And last, but not least, I snagged these film canisters curbside WITH THE KIDS IN THE CAR. I thought they'd be fun. One says "Warner Brothers, 1968" on it. Okay, so I have absolutely no background in film production, but I thought they were cool. The kids did, too.


Soooo, with that, I think I'll call it a day. To those of you who leave stuff by the curb, or donate it to thrift shops rather than just carting it off to the dump, I thank you!

14 comments:

Kristen said...

I love ALL of it! Wish I had your eye for salvageable stuff. Gotta remember the spray paint trick...

Pamela said...

I LOVE the mocha! And your ability to incorporate unrelated items into a stunning home continues to amaze me.

Kinzie Sue said...

I. LOVE. THAT. SIDEBOARD!! It is so incredible painted white against your lovely mocha walls!! So inspiring. If only I had a home that I could paint, and even better, an incredible sideboard to paint- way to go!!

Marie said...

Love, love the sideboard make-over! Beautiful finds.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com

Unknown said...

Stalking from Thrifty Decor Chick. Can I just say OH MY GOSH! about that sideboard! Why couldn't I find something like that a few months ago when I was searching high and low for an affordable one that wasn't falling apart and totally disgusting? So jealous!

Eileen said...

***swoon*** I covet your white sideboard...it's got such sexy, yet clean curves. I am now officially over my boxy sideboard! LOL!

Elizabeth said...

I love it all!! The sideboard and mirror above it looks so good! Cute stuff.

Kammy said...

Hi Anna !
Wow I am so jealous on that sidebar find ! You have a great eye and doing it with kids in tow - you go girl !
Hugs ~ Kammy

jennifer said...

wow! love those finds. i can't believe that you found that fabulous side board for that cheap! WOW! Did I say, "Wow"? Cause I meant to...

~Crystal~ said...

That sideboard looks AMAZING in the room. So chic! Love it!

Coco said...

I know this is a really old post but you snagged some awesome deals. Wow.

Miss G said...

Wow! You got some GREAT stuff! Kelly

Mel said...

Hi Anna.

I really really really love that sideboard.

You have so many wonderful things but most of all I love the honesty in your writing. Thank you for expressing so many vulnerabilities that I'm not so great at exposing. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Emily said...

Awesome stuff. I need to do soe trash picking...haven't ventured there yet