When it comes to my decorating budget you might say I’m a cheapskate. I just don’t see the logic in paying a whole lot of money for things that may eventually wear out, break down or go out of style.
I love to stalk estate sales. Here in Tucson there is one company imparticular that does a really great job. They hold up to three sales around the valley every Saturday at homes of people who have either passed away, want to downsize, moving, whatever (I prefer not to know). On Thursdays they post pictures of EVERYTHING in the house that is for sale so you can decide whether or not to attend the sale or not. Admission is free.
They open the doors at 7am. At 11am everything gets marked down 25%, at 1pm 50%. There are a few things I have loved but felt the price was still too high. No bartering at these sales. A little investigating led me to discover that they donate everything that doesn’t sell to a local owned and operated thrift store here in town.
This mirror at the estate sale was $275.00. No one bought it. A week later I found it at my new favorite thrift store for $30.00! I actually love the gold but nothing in my house is gold. I have a thing about not mixing gold and silver. No reason. Just bugs me.
I do however, have a lot of white.
So white it is.
Funny story. I don’t love this lamp against this mirror. We plugged it in right before we pushed the piano against the wall. This piano weighs 800 pounds. So regardless of whether it looks good or not the lamp will stay there until we move (so says my husband).
Better After says
HEART! I love this. I wish I was in Tucson and could go estate sale-ing with you!
Eh, sorry about my ugly button over there… I’m going to have to upgrade my photobucket…
if you delete the old image html and put this code in it’s place, it should fix…
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy114/betterafter/betterafterbutton.jpg
Sorry!
Better After says
Ok, it looks weird… try this one… http://i783.photobucket.com/
albums/yy114/betterafter/
betterafterbutton.jpg
Sorry again!
Jessica says
Great job!
Nikki says
LOVE THAT! Beautiful.
IONGI FAMILY says
I LOVE IT WHITE
Annie says
I have to say… that lamp on the piano is FAB!! I like how it’s so modern and silver sitting atop a beautiful “antiquey” piece of history. The new white mirror (I believe) creates a balance the two need to compliment each other.
Just my humble opinion… 🙂
ms. less is always more says
LOVE it! Just gorgeous!
Haloti and Sinai says
I love it!!! Looks great too! You have motivated me to get going with the decor in our house (actually the no decor…LOL). Love all your posts too!
ImagineCozy says
Love that you found the same mirror at the thrift store!! That is good info.
I found your blog through Olive Rue, she showed some great interior photos that you had done, wow— they look fantastic!
-Angela
Kasey Keeps Track says
Wow – I need that thrift store! What an awesome score!
I also have a thing about mixing gold and silver…can’t do it.
Leanne says
Love the white so much more. It looks beautiful. I would love to go to some estate sales and a thrift store like yours. Great buy and a nice size.
Erin says
oooooh! the mirror looks BEAUTIFUL painted white. i have been on the look out for a mirror like that during my thrifting trips. you are so lucky that you got it for such a fantastic price!
Write Your World says
Please do share…Just where is this favorite thrift store? Pretty, pretty please…
Michelle (Three Men and a Lady) says
Miracle Center Thrift on Pima!
Donna says
Hi Michelle!
I found your blog on design-sponge…and then realised we both went to BYUH at the same time! Small world!
I absolutely love your blog…and you have inspired me to get creative. I’m great at drapes and soft furnishings(usually for other people!) but I’d never even considered building furniture: your footstool is fabulous!
I admire so much how you can turn other people’s cast offs into something beautiful.I love it!
(oh, and of course, it goes without saying that you have a gorgeous family too!).
Thanks again (and great to “find” you!),
Donna x
JennyMac says
What a difference! Love your work.
Elisa1 says
Wow! it’s crazy what a little bit of paint will do. Hope you get that camera your wishing for. Have a blessed day.
Olive Rue says
Yes, Erin is beyond amazing as you are with your interior design. Thank you so much for getting me in touch with her. I hope I haven’t driven her crazy with all my little changes.
Love the mirror.
High-Heeled Foot in the door says
It looks beautiful! Everything just looks better painted white. I tell my husband all of the time if he stands still for a bit too long I just might paint him. Nothing is safe with me.
Ambrosia Girl Jenn says
So pretty! And $275 for a mirror? Really?
Elizabeth (blue clear sky) says
Fabulous mirror! I really need to keep my eyes out for a mirror like that. So many areas have the BEST thrift stores. Oh to be so lucky. I will have to broaden my search area.
HomageBlog says
I LOVE that mirror! And the story about the lamp is too funny. My husband purchased a similar piano – it made it to JUST inside the front door and won’t be moving! Maybe we will sell it with the house 🙂 I love your blog! ~K
Carrie says
ah, again beautiful. it takes such talent to be able to see a diamond in the rough as you always do!
bovagoods says
is that your thermostat right above the piano? aren’t you lucky that it cleared it!? i don’t know why builders always put the thermostat in the worst places! ours is smack dab right in the middle of a wall. thanks mr. builder, now i can’t use that perfectly good wall for anything. you sure did luck out; one inch lower and you’d been in trouble. love the mirror, btw.