It’s been a long while since I’ve been in the thrifting game (obviously when you’re eyeball deep in renovations you’ve got other priorities. Like not eating at McDonalds again.) I was cruising Craigslist last night and feeling like every good thing ever was gone. Man this world of instant gratification! So instead of feeling sorry for the lack of cool vintage leather and the overabundance of microfiber, I took a trip down memory lane at all of the great things that I’ve scored and I thought it would be fun to look back over the years at my favorite secondhand finds.
My ultimate #1 favorite thing ever was the card catalog that I found on Craigslist. This thing was in rough shape. You can read all about how I saved it and see the original ad here! The previous owners used the little pullout shelf to spray paint on. Just typing that feels like someone stabbed me in the gut with a shiv. But after some serious TLC it is to this day my best score. It’s hanging out at my SIL’s until I’ve got a spot for it at the Merc. And honestly it makes me throw up in my mouth a little when I think of how I almost sold it. More in this post!
#2 on the list has to be The Nugget. What started as a knee jerk craigslist search on my birthday turned into one of my favorite DIY adventures. This cute vintage trailer came home with me for $1000 and after 4 months of hardcore renovation was completely unrecognizable! You can fall into the world of The Nugget here!
The next thing on the list is one that might make you green with envy. The pair of green leather chesterfield sofas that I found for $400. I somehow convinced Court to drive to the middle of nowhere Nevada to pick them up. They still need a heavy cleaning but I’m feeling pretty great that I’ll be able to find a home for them in the Merc.
#4 on the list is the vintage Michael Arnoult sling chair. Oh how I love this chair. Unfortunately with the leather being almost 60 years old its starting to tear. It’s one of those look but don’t sit chairs.
#5 is a basic midcentury staple that I just can’t quit. The vintage Brasilia dresser that I thrifted for $65 way back in 2013. It is just the most perfect simple guy that looks good in any space. I loved it in Brem’s Nursery!
Last but not least is a set of 6 chairs that I’ve never shown, aside from one instagram back in 2016. I am DYING to get phase 2 done in the Merc so that I can get them upholstered and moved in!
What is the best thing that you’ve ever thirifted?!!
Wow! Just WOW!
I just scored a mid-century modern Lane Hope Chest at our local habitat for $35 with original paperwork still inside. I’ve only been able to find it 1 time online in NY for $1600. Happy Girl!
Love the card catalog!!
What about the leather couch you had reupholstered? Do you still have that?
My best find has got to be my salmon/orange fiberglass Eames chairs for $20! I did find some pretty awesome metal chuppendale chairs today though. I have a chair problem. Have missed #colddeadfingers
I got a set of fiberglass shell chairs at a yard sale for $20, an absolutely gorgeous mid century walnut credenza from the Goodwill for $85, and a set of perfect 1950s teak and brass dining chairs (2 captain’s chairs and 4 armless chairs) for 50 cents from the landfill.
Do side of the road finds count? Like the vintage Milo Baughman recliner I found FOR FREE and had reupholstered, which I LOVE and will never part with even though it’s worth mucho bucks now in its refinished state.
I also missed #colddeadfingers!
My favorites: we found an old metal trunk for free once. We bought an awesome typewriter for $5 at a thrift store (but I gave it away later). And I got a vintage mid-century couch from my grandparents (which has some structural issues, but I like it anyway). But I’m starting a renovation which includes cleaning out a lot of stuff from this house, so I don’t want anything in my life right now.
I scored a cherry wood Danish Mid Mod L shaped sectional couch with matching corner table for about $250 on Craigslist. I reupholstered it myself. I also scored a cherry Mid Mod shelving/cabinet unit with pull down desk ($125?) at a local thrift store, and a FREE Mid Mod record cabinet that a thrift store didn’t want to move inside as it started to rain, so they gave it to me:) I pulled out the record player and put in a computer monitor (hooked up for gaming) on the interior of the flip up lid after reinforcing the hinges so the lid would stay up. These were all at separate finds. I also scored a vintage contour lounge chair in mint condition in a neutral tan vinyl with working reclining motor. The family love that chair…so comfy! My house is maybe 50% vintage pieces. It’s got flair! Love your style Mandi!!
It would have to be the golden beige velvet tufted curved couch I just bought a week ago off someone on OfferUp! It was a pain in the a** to get it up the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment, but oh so worth it (hopefully my partner agrees, she goes along with like 93% of my crazy ideas). Plus my thrifting world has expanded now that I’ve learned how to rent trucks on GetAround! It’s the handiest!
Ps you’re hands down one of my fave bloggers out there. Appreciate all your honesty and enthusiasm!
My #1 score is also a vintage card catalog. It was in almost perfect condition and I got it at my university’s reuse warehouse for $160.
Honestly? More of the dishes I’d been using for ten years – a dirt-cheap matte black set from Walmart – and I was thrilled. Ten years further down the road and I’m still using them.
Thanks for this post! Hearing about other people’s thrifted treasures makes me so so happy ? I too have a chesterfield- I found on the sidewalk for FREE. Reminds me I need to get that recovered ASAP!
I scored a huge, steel drafting table with a butcher block top from a high school for free, and a set of matching mission oak recliners off CL for $50, but my favorite is a set of oak barrister bookcases. They weren’t cheap ($300), but they are oh so handsome! Now have four sets of barristers, so I guess it’s an obsession.