I popped into my favourite thrift store the other day. The Nearly New Shop at 961 Portage Ave. has been a regular haunt of mine for over 30 years.
The store is run by McKinnon Guild volunteer members in support of the Children's Hospital, and they need your help to make their projected $20,000 donation this year.
I figured we could review ways to save money on our decorating budget by buying unique items at thrift stores and at the same time put our decorating dollars to good use. It's win-win.
There are other thrift stores that raise funds for various worthy causes, so check around for one that fits the bill for you. They all have unique items to offer that can be used to create a great decor.
Let it find you
You can't really go to a thrift shop with the intention of buying something specific, like blue curtains for the spare bedroom. More often than not your specific item will not be available. However, if you go to the shop with an open mind and let items find you, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised. You have to be patient and check the stores regularly as the stock changes weekly at the outside.
For example, when I popped in to Nearly New the other day I had no specific items or projects in mind. I just wanted to look around and see what they had to offer. I happened upon a set of four matching picture frames that had been relieved of their glass and backing.
What can be done with something like this, you ask?
Well, it just so happened that a client of mine was looking at giving her kitchen cabinets a facelift and I had suggested adding decorative moulding panels to the flat doors to give them some detail. The empty frames I happened upon could easily be used for a project like this. All they would need is a coat of paint and they could be attached to any cabinet doors to give them some appeal.
The unusual thing was finding four frames of the same style and size. While there weren't enough frames to reface all of the cabinets, one could easily use these for the lower cabinets and other sizes for the upper cabinets. Or they could be used to update a plain interior door, a bathroom vanity, bookcase doors and so one. You could also create a unique panel headboard by attaching the frames to a solid base and painting the entire surface, frames and all, in a fresh, new colour. One could give the frames a coat of paint and use them to frame fabric or even wallpaper to create a focal point over the bed.
For a buck a piece, these frames were a great bargain and could be used for a lot of decorating projects. Now, that's just one item found on any given day that has about eight uses. If you go often enough you can find tons of unique things for your specific decor.
Here are more examples of items and their uses. Remember, you have to keep an open mind.
Clothing
Don't pass by the clothing rack just because you're shopping for decorating items. Our feature photo shows a dress being used for decorative purposes by being displayed on a dressing dummy. A second dress was cut up and stretched over canvas frames as wall art. The necklace on the dressing dummy came from a thrift shop and is being used as a decorative accessory as well.
Clothing can be used in fun ways to update your space. For instance, a great fabric can be framed, used to make toss cushions, to reupholster seat cushions or small ottomans, to cover book jackets, lamp shades and so on. If you find a long skirt in a fabric that suits your space, pick it up and make some accessories with it. The small monetary investment is worth it even if your project doesn't turn out. Some thrift stores have bag sales every so often where you can stuff a bag with as many clothing items as you can for a few dollars. I always check the shop for items like silky scarves as well, which can also be framed or used as window treatments and toppers. I found an authentic silk scarf that came from Paris on one visit that was definitely frameable and priced at 50 cents.
Men's dress shirts in crisp white can be used to create unusual decorative bed pillows. Use the chest area of the shirt, buttons, pocket and all, as the base for the cushion covering. Once cut down and sewn to size you can insert a cushion into the cover via the buttons on the front of the shirt. Fun!
Sometimes the clothing item is worth buying just for the decorative buttons. Vintage or just plain decorative buttons are fun accents on lampshades, photo frames, on toss pillows or even framed as a collection. Buttons are expensive, so a few dollars for an outfit that offers great buttons is a great buy.
If you don't have the mindset for using items in unusual ways, there are tons of great deals on everyday accessories and supplies. Decorative tea light holders are usually in great supply at a great price. Photo frames, fabric for projects, wallpaper, mirrors and decorative stoneware (vases etc.) can be found on any given day for a lot less than they would be new. Sometimes the items are new. People get things as gifts that may not suit their tastes and you and the charities get the better end of that deal.
Pay it forward
When you visit your favourite thrift store bring stuff to donate. This way you keep your home clutter-free and help a worthy cause. Round up your purchase to the next dollar as an additional donation. Keep an open mind and let items and ideas find you. Let me know if you happen upon a fabulous idea for your space. I'd love to hear about it.
Connieoliver@shaw.ca
