Cash can be tight in this tough economy-- but that doesn't have to stop a gal from sprucing up her decor! Thrift shops are becoming the go-to place to find that special something for your home. From furniture to housewares to decorations-- all it takes is a willingness to see things in a fresh way.
Deb Kennedy is a retail visual design consultant, writer, speaker and all around thrifty type. She's sharing her best tips for transforming someone's trash to your treasure.
Why shop at thrift stores for items for your home?
While I find beautiful ideas and inspiration in decor magazines and furniture catalogs, I want my home to reflect my own personal style. By mixing & matching one of a kind and vintage items, I can interpret trends my own way and 'curate' the style of our home. It's a very personal way to select unique decor elements. Many of them also bring back fond memories of times past, which is a bonus - who doesn't want that cookie jar they grew up with back on their pantry shelf?
What's been your best bargain so far?
Finding six vintage metal chairs for five bucks each - then seeing their modern reproductions in a catalog for over a hundred each. They are in our dining room, and I smile each day when I see them!
What do you look for when deciding whether to buy an item?
Either the lines of the piece, or the color or patina (the 'wear' of the original finish, whether metal, wood, or stone) has to speak to me. With great lines, a piece can always be painted, distressed, covered with canvas or wallpaper or metal sheets, to change the look. Real 'honest' patina that comes with age can't be faked and is getting rarer, so it can make me choose a piece that I may have walked past otherwise. As for functionality - I can find a way to use anything, and I RARELY use things for their intended purpose!
Are there certain items you would pounce on immediately if you saw them?
Metal furniture, hardwood dressers, chairs with personality (and I don't always use a chair as a chair, so they can be small!), lamps & lampshade frames that have great lines. Notice I said lampshade frames... I make over lampshades so they have personality, too. 
What wouldn't you get at a thrift store?
It always depends on the particular item and the store itself... what turns me off is odor, staining, damage, or an unsafe item.
Do you believe in setting a thrift store budget for yourself?
My husband and I thrift together as part of our business, RETREAT, and we call a budget 'the magic number'. It all depends on our bankroll at the time we are shopping...the magic number could be five bucks, ten bucks, twenty bucks... if we see an item under or at that price that we like, we grab it. No questions, no discussions, we just get it. Rarely have we disagreed about any item, and maybe only once or twice have we regretted getting it. Our deal is that if we spy something OVER the magic number, we put it in the cart and have to discuss it with our partner. But truthfully, we usually end up getting the item!
Tips on shopping for decor at thrift stores:
1. If you shop large chains (Goodwill, Salvation Army, Value Village, etc.) get their printed schedule so you know what categories are on sale and what the sale dates are. Helps you to avoid being in the stores on a day when hundreds of people crowd the aisles to buy clothing - when you are looking for furniture. NOT fun!
2. I find that smaller community & charity thrift stores have reasonable prices AND a much less 'homogenized' selection. Hospital auxiliary and Children's Hospital stores have higher-end merchandise (due to their donors) so fur coats, costume jewelry, and silver & crystal are more easily found there. Clothing is also a good bet at these stores - more name brands & designer labels. Thrift stores that benefit pet charities are a great place for small items, housewares, and books.
3. If you've never been to a Goodwill outlet, you're missing out! It's a bargain-hunters' dream.
BUT there are a few things you need to know:
- Wear some thin rubber gloves (from the paint department at the hardware store) to keep your hands clean - or have some hand sanitizer to clean your hands when you are done.
- Wear dark colors and older clothes, as it is really grimy in there and you'll be leaning up against large bins to dig through them.
- Don't take a purse in - just put your cash or bank card DEEP in your pocket - you need to keep your hands free and not worry about a purse in the cart.
- If you like something, grab it and put it in your cart before someone else gets it. My thrifting philosophy is Grab Now, Sort LATER. You can always put it back in a bin if you decide not to get it.
4. Always keep heavy twine or bungee cords and a canvas painters' drop cloth in your trunk or back seat... you never know when you'll need them to haul something big home!
Deb's Guide to Seattle-area Thrift Store Gems:
North of Seattle, I prefer to shop the Deseret Industries store on Aurora Blvd., Goodwill in Lynnwood, and Salvation Army in Marysville.
My top pick for furniture is the St. Vincent de Paul store in Everett: 6430 Broadway, Everett, WA 98203 (425) 355-3504
Deb Kennedy has been a retail visual design consultant, writer, and speaker for over 35 years. She and her husband Bob are the creative force behind RETREAT, designing vintage-inspired furnishings and accessories from reclaimed materials. You can get more of Deb's decor ideas at www.DebiWardKennedy.com and www.RetreatStyle.com. To learn about upcoming events visit www.RetreatVintageMarket.com.
$20 off the royal peek
