My Thrifting Adventure + My DIY Inspiration

I hope everyone had a great weekend! On Saturday, I had mentioned (on Facebook) that I was out and about shopping at a few local Thrift Stores.  One of my favorites, Tops, is about 30 minutes away, and with 18,000 sq ft of shopping, there's always something to be had.  It has an eclectic mix of new and old furnishings and accessories.  The two levels are filled with timeless treasures, BUT you really have to dig to find a true a...   

{diamond in the rough}

I {really} loved this apothecary / library chest, but left it behind :(

 

I went on this thrifting adventure with my mom and we both scored some great transformable items.  After the hunt was complete, I walked away with 2 large mirrors, a side chair, and a serving tray.  None of the pieces are ready for immediate display, but with some love (and a few cans of spray paint & fab fabric) my thrift finds will become gems!

Even though I have an eye for design (+ 5 years of design education), I was never really the DIY-type.   

Yes ~ I have painted furniture.  

Yes ~ I have made window treatments (using my favorite Stitch Witch).   

Yes ~ I have made crafts.  

But NOTHING like I've recently been doing since starting this blog.  There are so many great ideas out in the blogosphere, but one of the biggest inspirations and DIYer's I know, is my mom.  She is the QUEEN of spray painting and transformations!  When I was young, she would always be up in the middle of the night (not being able to sleep),  and some piece of furniture was a different color than it had been the night before.  Each season, the same wicker table or iron chair, got a color transformation.  Her style is transitional country (a little traditional with a touch of country), and on our thrifting trip, she scored a set of 3 nesting tables.  When she saw them, she was in love...her mind was moving so fast with all the thoughts on the various colors they could be and the different places they could go.  It'll be interesting to see where they end up (you never can tell with her).  She truly is a wonderful, talented woman.  

{Love at first site}...This side chair is definitely something that can move all around the house and be happy (and coordinate) in any space...extra seating is always welcomed.

Other than the price tag, I love finding pieces like this mirror because of the history and their roots.  And besides it's amazing design, I was so attracted to the labels on the back.  Unfortunately the fabrication dates weren't listed, but from the aged tags, they've obviously been around a few decades.

The other part that I appreciate about old pieces, similar to this chair, is it's construction.  This is a picture of the underside of the side chair.  It's interesting to see how the supports for the seat were created, using a modified tongue and groove connection.

As for the serving tray...so many ideas are in my head ~ hang it, paint it, or keep it the same?!?  For now, it's home is on my dining buffet and is looking quite nice! (That's my wedding bouquet from over 7 years ago, and the hurricane vase holds some dried hygraneas from my moms garden!)

I also have to quickly share this ~ My mom crocheted this pillow (for my daughter's baby dolls) in about 5 minutes....she had two random crocheted squares in the bottom of her sewing box.  I thought they were just so stinkin' cute and I can't crochet....so she whipped em' up!  I walked out of the room, came back, and the pillow was created...Scraps all of a sudden became an adorable treasure that my daughter loves! 

 

Have a great week!!

Check back soon to see how my treasures become transformed!
Do you have favorite thrift stores that you enjoy visiting on a regular basis? 
What treasures have you found at thrift stores?

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