Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Salvation Army Finds {Thrift Shopping}

Michaela Byrd and I had a few minutes to spare yesterday, so we stopped at our favorite thrift store, our local Salvation Army. I don't currently have the budget, the space, or cooperating weather to make any large makeover purchases, but it sure is fun to look. Won't you join me for a little thrift store makeover shopping today?

I fell in love with this hutch. Can totally see it in a nice shade of gray with patterned paper on the backing, or maybe a stencil. 
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now


These stools just need to be sanded down and freshened up with some paint. A fun color would really make them pop!
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now


These little side tables are cheap and easy to find. I found one at a yard sale once for $0.75. They're great to use in a guest room as an end table...just throw some pretty fabric on top and accessories with a small tray, flowers, a pitcher, some old books, etc.
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now

Spotted three dining table sets with absolutely beautiful bones. I would kill for a workshop area to work on these. Okay, I maybe wouldn't kill, but I would really twist somebody's arm!
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now

Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now

Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now

Would that last little round table be perfect for a small breakfast area? Needs a coat of glossy white paint and some pretty fabric for the cushions!

Outdoor living alert! I'm not a big fan of the dark green, but it's so easy to spray paint metal furniture (I have a tutorial for how to paint metal outdoor furniture here on the blog!). These would be so cute in punchy summer shades with inexpensive cushions you can find at any big box retailer. 
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now

This desk reminded me of one that my friend Kate from Centsational Girl worked some makeover magic on for her daughter's room. As Kate has shown, pieces like this can work in many different color schemes.
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now


Not digging the peachy colored drawer fronts, but glass knobs would make a stylish update to this dresser, right? What color would you paint it?
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now

A woman was already staking out this four poster bed and dresser set. Judging by the look she gave me when I tried to snap a shot of it, I'd say it's making its way home with her today. 
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now


I've seen lots of filing cabinet makeovers online in the past 6 months or so. Not only a great way to store paperwork, but why not keep your fabric or other craft items inside?

Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now


Don't forget to look at the accessories! Desiree from The 36th Avenue completed a fabulous makeover on an old suitcase like this. A fun way to store craft supplies or doll things:
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now


These guys are vintage...I've seen the same ones in my Nannie's house.
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now

Our Salvation Army also has boxes of free books outside. These are great to use to add height to vignettes, or just as extra decoration. There are loads of book page crafts online too...I'd rather use old, discarded books for stuff like that.
Thrift Store Shopping Makeover Inspiration, at Serenity Now

We came home with a few books for a dollar. My girls love Berenstain Bears books, and we didn't have this one, so I picked it up, along with a historical fiction piece Natalie can read when she's older and some first readers that we can keep in the car.

As always, it's fun to window shop. Not quite as satisfying as bringing home that awesome find, but still enjoyable.

What have you spotted in your local thrift store lately? Which of these pieces would come home with you?

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14 comments:

  1. I'm loving your thrift store finds....that's so funny that you knew the poster bed was spoken for just by a glare. I have seen that many times....and I having given that glare many times!! Ha
    I sure wish I would stumble upon a hutch like that. Wowzers....it's very cool. Thanks for sharing. Love you site and am your newest follower!
    Kelly from copperroofinteriors.com

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  2. I would twist someones arm to visit YOUR salvation army - we only have a goodwill and they are always picked over! :)

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  3. Sooo you should probably come thrift shopping with me... I never find this many good deals! Love that outdoor furniture, especially.

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  4. I love all of your finds--especially that hutch! :) I love going thrift shopping, even if it's just to look. It is sad not to leave with anything, but still a lot of fun to look :)


    -Bonnie @ Revolutionaries
    www.revolutionariesblog.com

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  5. Oh why, oh why doesnt my local Salvation Army look like yours?! Perhaps thats a good thing...I would definately NEED a workshop to tackle all of those amazing makeover projects!

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  6. Love that hutch! Now I want to go to our local Salvation Army, never been!

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  7. Seams like thrift stores are the only places you can find good quality wood furniture these days. That hutch would be fabulous painted.

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  8. Love thrift store browsing! It's worth going often to spot some nice finds. Interesting take on the filing cabinet... I never would have seen any potential in it! Nice to have a different perspective.
    {lamourcheznous.wordpress.com}

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  9. That cabinet is so gorgeous! Great finds Amanda! Have been to Goodwill recently and I got me some Van Gogh fo $1! Love thrifting!

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  10. Your Salvation Army rocks my socks off! Such awesome pieces! I want to go to there. We're definitely going thrifting together if I'm ever in your hood.

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  11. I love that hutch. I'll bet that it will be gone the next time that you are there. The book section is always one of my first stops. I love getting something that will provide hours of enjoyment for not much money.

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  12. Geez, I need to take a road trip up your way! Score!!

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  13. Oh my, that china cabinet would be such a great piece -- tons of storage for all those dishes we like to collect!

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  14. I can't believe your local Salvation Army has this much great furniture, I would hit that place up every single day!

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