Top Five Ways I Find Thrift Shop Treasures

When I started my blog I knew one of the first things I would want to do is a little info session on how I find really nice items at resale shops. Whenever people see things I have found, they just cant believe it. The common response is, "I never find anything". Well today. I'm going to tell you how... 

One. 

RURAL

Rural areas are less likely to be picked over, simply because the ratio of people looking for the same 

style is significantly less than going to your giant mid town antique store. Current things that my grand-millennial mind are drawn to are bamboo, cane, Henry Link, wicker, Blue Willow china, Wedgwood, chinoiserie, water color paintings and toile. These items are VERY popular right now and get swiped quickly at specialty antique stores and high foot traffic shops. It may be a little out of the way but choosing shops in smaller areas, have big benefits and usually, lower prices. 

Two. 

FLIP IT OVER

I can spot a blue and white vase from a mile away, but the first thing I do when I get my hands on it, is flip it over. Vases, plates, chairs, tables, candle holders. FLIP IT OVER. This is how you find out exactly what you have found and if it's a REALLY good find. Most high end vintage items have a stamp of some sort. A quick online search of the name or plaque underneath will typically tell you what you have found (and how much it is worth). 

Three

DETAIL

High end items are not going to have seams or print lines. High-end items radiate quality. This goes back to flipping it over, while you're doing that, scan the item. Im not saying I don't have some good blue and white vases that are straight from a manufacturer, but if you are after items that are truly rare and one of a kind, the details will be exquisite. 

Four

VISION

The other day, my husband and I were at the Habitat for Humanity Resale store in Asheville (one of my favorites) We came across this very 1970's looking Pineapple finial that was brown, gold and yellow. I flipped, and my husband looked at me like I was insane to think that was a good find. Needless to say, I bought it (for $3) took it home and spray painted it high gloss white. It's now sitting in the tray on my coffee table and everyone is obsessed with it! (It's basically a perfect dupe for the Ballard Designs one). So, in short what I'm trying to say is if you like the shape or basic idea of an item you find, Envision it in your head with new paint, fabric or stain. 

Five

LOOK, AND THEN LOOK AGAIN

Nine time out of ten if I go to a resale store, and I take multiple laps around, I will find a great item. Thrift shops, antique stores and estate sales are not like going to Target. Nothing is going to be in bold letters. Sometimes you have to get on the floor and reach to the back of the bottom shelf for that Blue Willow bowl. Some of my best finds have been in random places, an abandoned buggy at the front of the store, inside a just put out cabinet, or even an item that has been set down by a child in the children's section.