Hello friends! I’m back today with another installment of the Thrift It series. I took a break from this series last week to usher in fall with a couple of virtual fall home tours, see the first one here and the second here. Thanks to Hurricane Florence last week for my family also included a little evacu-cation down to Florida for a few days. But today I’m happy to be back home safe and sound in Charleston and am praying for all those who were negatively impacted by this storm.
If you recall, this thrifting series was inspired by conversations with friends who would tell me they “never know what to look for” , so they don’t shop second hand, or browse antique malls, and find themselves only ever dropping off items at Goodwill stores.
The goal of this series is to inspire you to get out there and support your local thrifting scene by sharing the home decor related things that are always on my radar regardless if I’m working on a specific space or just browsing for fun. Thrifting is my cardio. I need that on a sweatshirt. 😉
Thrifting always inspires my creativity whether I bring anything home or not. But finding a treasure is always fun! So far in this series, I’ve shared my love for vintage frames and what I affectionately refer to as lonely chairs.
Today I’m talking trays, boxes and bowls, oh my!
It’s the little (and often inexpensive) things in a space that have a way of upping the cool factor in design, at least I think so. They add a one-of-a-kind look that you just can’t find in a big box store. And the really great thing about trays, boxes and bowls specifically is that they’re super useful as well. Whenever form and function combine in design I’m always a fan!
Vintage boxes are great for hiding match books or the gas key for your fireplace. Use them to store mints on a coffee table, or to house stamps and paper clips in an office space. You get the gist ~ they’re pretty and functional. Are you someone who has lots of little things – chapsticks, essential oils, pens, mints, etc. – on your nightstand? Get you a cool box at your local thrift store, or hit up a vintage shop on Etsy!
Bowls are great for styling bookcases and can double as great serving pieces for entertaining. So often I find bowls that look like something that would be $70 or $80 at Anthropologie that are priced less than $5 at a second hand store.
This little oval shaped wooden bowl was all of 75 cents found in a thrift shop during our trip to Maine last year. That’s the other fun thing about having a thrifting game plan or a general list of things you collect or are always on the lookout for ~ these smaller things make wonderful travel souvenirs that can be used and displayed rather than tucked away. It’s those special pieces that add meaning and personality to design.
I love to use vintage trays in bathrooms and powder rooms. They’re wonderful for corralling all the things you like to have within reach, keeping things pretty and organized rather than a jumbled chaotic mess of bottles and products on a bathroom counter.
And small sizes are often easy to find and are great for that ‘above the commode’ spot that a lot of people don’t know what to do with.
In this case I’m using a thrifted bowl, not a tray.
Second hand trays, especially those that are showing their wear, are great for using in outdoor spaces. Thrifted pieces that are beautiful but aren’t too precious mean not having to worry about the elements.
A simple outdoor table can be created by turning over a large planter and topping it with a tray.
In this case below I topped a metal plant stand with a round vintage tray to hide surface damage.
More often than not thrifted trays, boxes and bowls are priced well under $10 so they’re inexpensive house accessories that give you the opportunity to play with your decor and really hone your design style. Next time you make a Goodwill drop off, venture inside to see what you might find!
Do you have a thrifting game plan or a general list of things you’re always on the look out for?
Beautiful! I look for old plates and use them under my plants inside my house. I love old plates with faded flowers on them. I set them around on shelves as well. I use one in my bathroom as an earring catch-all at the end of the day! I have my essential oils displayed on one too.