Sunday, June 14th, 2009...1:48 pm

Thrifty treasures

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This weekend my mom and I hosted a home & garden tour. There where four homes on the tour. Lunch was served at one of the homes at which the homeowner, a jewelry artist, also had her line of jewelry set out. People wondered through her gorgeous home and backyard as they nibbled yummy sandwiches and snacks and admired her beautiful jewelry. After enjoying lunch they went on to see the other homes; one decorated like a Tommy Bahama hotel, truly an escape to paradise, another a ranch style home filled with primitive and country finds and the other a lush garden with used brick walkways. The last stop was my house.   It was really a very fun filled day.

 

My home, located directly above my store, Alchemy fine living, is a super urban and industrial loft that I have filled with antique, vintage and some new finds. Almost everything I have is either from a garage sale, found in the trash, handed down from my parents & grandparents or picked up at thrift shops. Before the tour I decided to, on top of cleaning like a mad woman, stage a few little vignettes and add a bit of interest to some boring parts of the house.

 

The laundry area was one of those boring spots. All it had was a washer, dryer, an antique drying rack on the wall and a few framed targets I shot at when my best friend took me to the shooting range.

 

 

 

I hung the targets in two black frames that I got at Big Lots. They were only $6 each. The drying rack I scored on clearance at an antique mall. It was originally marked $120 and it was on sale for only $35. I actually use it to hang dry my clothes. I love how compact it is when not in use.

 

To create a bit of whimsy and a conversation piece I added an old tool that was used to wash clothes by hand in a bucket. I found that in the rafters of my grandparent’s garage. I also added a red bucket that I picked up at a garage sale for $1, filled it with my laundry detergent and a creamer that works as a scoop. The creamer is a vintage one I also found at a garage sale for only $2.50! I purchased an old iron to complete the vignette and sat all of my finds on a vintage tray. The iron was purchased at the Goodwill for $5 and the tray I found at an estate sale for $.50.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I just set this up for the tour I think I’m going to leave it. I really think it looks cute, but the best part is it actually functions. I buy my detergent at Sam’s Club in a tub that weighs 50 pounds, or at least it feels like it does. Lugging it in and out of the cupboard every time I do a load of laundry is a big pain. Having it out and handy with a little scooper is so much better.

 

I wanted to create an unusual center piece for my table too. I am always trying to think outside of the box. I love using things in ways that they were not intended for. I borrowed a huge birdcage from my store and filled it with white pillar candles. I got a really good deal on the candles, only $1.25 each at this little thrift shop near my house.

 

 

 

Are you a sucker for a really good deal? Do you enjoy the thrill of the hunt at a garage sale or thrift shop? If so, you want to get on over to Southern Hospitality for Rhoda’s Thrifty Treasures blog party. CLICK HERE to get in on the fun.  

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Filed under "Junk", Blog Parties

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