Home Decor Thrift Finds

This summer I did a lot of second hand shopping.

Antique shops, church thrift stores, yard sales.

The curb.


I even made my first purchase on Facebook Marketplace.

I wasn't picky about the venue, so it turned out to be a very fruitful few months for a girl who loves old stuff.

And bargain home decor.

In the past, I've only purchased items to rehab or upcycle.

However, this summer, I became a collector and started seeking out items to decorate my home. As is.

And that was a big change for me.

Exhibit A.

Way back in June, I shared several candlesticks I'd found for a almost nothing at a yard sale.

I've always been a huge candle fan, but until recently, I've only displayed pillar candles, not tapers.

I owned one lonely pair of brass candlesticks, a wedding present, that I brought out for celebration dinners.

Then, last fall, I found a second pair at an antique shop for $25. They were solid and intricate, so I brought them home to join the others.

But this summer, I hit the jackpot and realized that brass plated candlesticks are everywhere.

And cheap.

So I've added many more to my stash and placed them inside and out.

These giant ones were $1 each. Don't let the photo fool you. They're huge.


They're over a foot tall with a 6 inch base. They're light as a feather, but very stately. They need a little polish and they're clearly not solid anything.

Just very different. And I like different.

I think they'll look great during the holidays.

I could display them close to this white ceramic church. It was 50% off its $4 price tag.


It matches the Dollar Tree Christmas village I painted a few years ago.

But unlike my made-over structures, this one comes with a bell and a light. How festive.

In the same shop, I found these tiny glass votive holders. They were a dollar a piece, but also 50% off.


Adorable and a perfect addition to the collection of milk glass and while ceramic pieces I've been placing in the newly renovated hallway. Thrifted finds to fill that $25 marketplace score.

I also found this milk glass double candle holder for $4. I'd never seen anything like it before.

Online they retail for a lot more. 


Mine was a little dirty, but it cleaned up nicely with soap and water.

These lovelies were $4 for the set of four. I just couldn't turn them down. Aren't they darling? 


I have no idea who the manufacturer is..or I should say, was...but I've seen them all over Etsy for a lot more. I like my price better.

There was a lot more white in my shopping cart this summer. It seemed to be the color of the season.

I had absolutely no willpower to resist this charming $5 fellow. A white rooster cookie jar.

Although, I wasn't thrilled when I got him home and found this large crack hiding inside.

Apparently, without that damage he would be worth a whole lot more, too.


He was taped up in the store to keep his top in place, so I never noticed the gaping hole. I wasn't thrilled, but I figure I'll never use him for cookies, so his secret will be safe.

Although, honestly, knowing it's there does bug me, so I may try to fill that crack with clay or epoxy to prevent further damage.

Seems like all the birds were slightly worse for wear this season. 


But again, for $5 she was too sweet to leave behind. Solid wood and gracefully posed, I knew she'd be right at home in my beach cottage with all my other decoys.

And my trash to treasure swan planter. 

There are no markings, other than the name James signed on the bottom, so I have no idea how to track down the creator, but that's ok, I like a little mystery.

I can give her a story of my own.

I also picked up lots of white plates. Those were all easy to find online.

This tiny set of four was a dollar. They're very little, but so sweet. The bottom says they're from Crate and Barrel.

I've never seen anything for a quarter in that store, so this was an exciting discovery. I think they were part of this set.

So I definitely got a deal.


I also purchased a few random dishes, also in white, from my church's shop.

I can't remember the prices on these, but they weren't more than a dollar each.


Of course, I also picked up several red plates. My passion.

This was a good story, too. You see, I'd seen these plates online and fell in love with the color, the beading, the unique shape and the scene, but they were pricey. Mainly due to the shipping.

They're Johnson Brothers, Castle on the Lake.


Well, a few days after I'd given up my internet quest for a few reasonable ones, I found three of them in a shop nearby.

I just walked in and they were staring at me for $8 each. Meant to be, for sure.  So I grabbed them all.

I love when things work out that way, don't you?

I did pick up a few potential makeover items at a yard sale. I'm looking forward to getting creative with this small wooden chest of drawers.

It was $3.


This unfinished wooden cutting board. I think it was a buck.

And this very tall, white candle holder. It's very shiny and a bit too pristine looking for my vintage style aesthetic. It needs a bit of aging.

Two dollars.

I have a cabinet full of paint and transfers ready to doll them all up.

Someone already had some fun with these candle holders. The pair was $5.


When I first saw them I was sure they were going to need a do over. The paint job is messy and inconsistent.

Although, the red undertones are right up my alley. 


So far, I've left them alone. That may or may not change.

Right now my project list is long and the longer I stare at them, the more I like them.

The last two items on my list were found far from home, in a rather fancy Junior League thrift shop. The place was arranged like a high end boutique. 

And the volunteers were dressed to the nines. They asked if we needed assistance as soon as we crossed the threshold and offered us refreshments.

Based on first impressions, I was sure the prices would be out of my league. But I was wrong.

They had great stuff, unique items and labels that you don't often come across in church basements. And it was soooo clean. 

Clean enough for me to buy this entire tablecloth and napkin set for $15.

It didn't have that thrift store smell. You know the one...it just smelled fresh. The material is lovely, heavy, with a slight silky feel.

I doubt I'll use it as designed. It's gorgeous, too appealing to sit in a drawer waiting for a holiday dinner.

So I have plans to use it for upholstery DIYs, pillow covers and aprons. 

However. That was not my favorite find.

This stunner was.


I mean look at her. A vintage silver plated triple candelabra. Dreamy.

Can you believe I hesitated?

I should've scooped it up right away for fifteen bucks, but thought, where in the world would I put it?

And would my husband think it was a little too haunted English mansion for our airy little beach cottage?

Then I came to my senses.


She needs a little clean up, but until I investigate the best way to clean silver plate (and I'm open to suggestions) she's been lighting up the night in my master.

With my electric candles that go on and off by themselves. And you should see how she looks at Christmas, decked out in custom made candle rings.

As for the rest of my treasures? 

Well, you'll just have to keep your eyes open to see where they land.

I promise to share of bit of that this week as I continue decorating my renovated hallway.

And welcome fall into my home.

With my brand new, old summertime treasures.

If you'd like to see how I used my summer thrift treasures to decorate for fall, you can peek here...

Did you find anything interesting this summer?

Happy Thrifting, Friends!