For her latest installment of “Feathering Your First Nest,” D Home blog contributor Hilary Walker talks all things thrifting. Being a (huge) fan of the thrift store myself, Hilary is most definitely speaking my language this week…
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Looking back at all my posts for the D Home blog thus far, I find it hard to believe that I’ve come all this way without discussing my Achilles heel of shopping… thrifting!! Call me alternative, hippie, or outside the mainstream (I don’t know, is thrifting popular?) but I think thrift store shopping is a gold-mine for decorating on the cheap. Like any good treasure hunt, it requires a bit of dedication, patience, and time. But if you have those things, than the loot is yours
Ask yourself the following three questions:
- – Do you want quality furnishings?
- – Is your budget more than limited, say, water tight?
- – Do you like pieces that are unique?
If you answered yes to any of the above then thrifting is your answer.
It’s fairly common knowledge that thrift stores offer clothing and home goods at significantly lower prices than even the least expensive retailers. But what may not be as commonly known is that many times a person can find high quality furniture far beyond anything your local big box store has to offer, as long as you can forgive a little wear and tear. Much of my own home has been decorated with thrifted pieces, so I’ve learned a few things along the way.
First, don’t enter your shopping experience with rigid expectations. You never know what you’re going to find, so your eyes and mind need to be open to the possibilities. Second, disregard anything that would require too much fixing up. It can be easy to fall for the super low prices, but if the piece would require more than a day of repair, then it might not be worth the time. Move on! Instead, focus on strong woods, sturdy joints, and unstained fabrics. A fresh coat of paint or new foam cushioning can transform a lot. Last, consider the options. Could a small dining table become a bedside vanity? How about repurposing a stack of records as wall art? There are so many ways to reinterpret the old and ragged into the “new” and exciting. You just need to open your eyes.
Here are a few of my favorite shops to get you started Of course, there are MANY more but I’ll let you discover those on your own:
- – Casa View Thrift Store (Dallas)
- – Berry Good Buys (Fort Worth)
- – Thrift Town (several throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth)
(Ed. note: You can keep up with Hilary on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.)
