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Everything is Beautiful on the Inside

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I really enjoy visiting thrift stores to see what kind of goodies I can find. Zack loves it, too, so we make it a fun Mother/Son outing, usually ending in a Starbucks run.

He likes to look for “treasures” at Goodwill, and he always seems to manage to find a toy that has to come home with him. Some of his favorite toys are the cheap, used toys that he picks out at thrift stores. I’m pretty certain that we have more three-wheeled toy cars than any other household on Earth.

We also have several plastic pots, since they apparently make the best dog toys EVER.

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I’m a bit more picky about my “treasures” than Zack is, but I still manage to find quite a bit of great stuff. There’s really nothing quite like taking something ugly and turning it into something great. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling on the inside. Or, maybe that’s just the paint fumes finally getting to me.

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After
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Pretty cute for $4 and a can of white spray paint, huh?
People often say to me that they wish they had my creativity or had my ability to see the inner beauty in ugly objects. Well, it’s not rocket science. AT ALL. In fact, it’s more trial and error than anything. Believe me, there have been a LOT of errors throughout the years. Just ask my husband about that dresser we got for free on CraigsList several years ago that basically fell apart as soon as we got it out of the car. Scrap wood, anyone?

If you’ve been too nervous to jump into searching CraigsList, garage sales, or your local thrift store, let me hold your hand and lead you down the path of repurposing! Here are a few of my favorite tips to keep in mind:

  • I encourage you to go to thrift stores often. I go to my favorite one at least once a week. I think the best items are to be found on Tuesday mornings (or during your Tuesday lunch break if you work outside of the home). Remember, most people clean house and donate their unwanted items to the thrift stores on the weekends. The “Tuesday Plan” gives the store staff all day Monday to put out the new goods, so you are most likely to have the best selection on Tuesday.
  • When looking for furniture, look past the color of the piece and the ugly hardware on the drawers. All of that stuff can be changed. You first need to find something that is the right size and shape for your home, just like you would in the fanciest of furniture stores. Once you find a piece that meets that criteria, you need to figure out if it’s sturdy enough. You don’t want it to fall apart like my dresser. Shake it a little bit and see if it’s wobbly. If it is wobbly and you don’t consider yourself good with a cordless drill and wood glue, keep on walking. If you see it’s a little shaky in the joints and have a husband who humors you enough to put a few extra screws where it’s loose, then go for it!
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After
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This chair was $10 from Craigslist. I loved the shape of the back, so Tom and Zack helped me sand and repaint the chair an antique white. I sewed a new cushion and it’s now my super comfy (and super adorable) sewing chair.

  • ALWAYS look at the clearance aisles when you go to craft stores, home stores, or even department stores. ALWAYS. I posted yesterday that I found some great buys at Hobby Lobby for 80% off. Today, I went to Target to pick up a birthday present for Zack’s buddy, and I found a $4 white square bamboo tray in the process (originally $20). I have no clue what I’m going to do with it, but I will figure it out.
  • If you see something and can’t get it out of your mind for a few days, GO BACK AND GET IT. I saw a purple desk at Goodwill on Tuesday and it suddenly hit me today that I had to have it. Zack and I ran over there and I actually had to fight off two other people for it.
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The after is in my mind…but cross this:

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with this:

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It’s so beautiful in my mind…I hope it turns out that way in real life. If not, it’ll be another mistake to add to my list like a notch in my belt.

  • Most importantly: Don’t worry about making a mistake! If you totally ruin a coffee table you bought for $10 at Goodwill, then you are out $10 but have probably learned something new. As my mom used to tell me, “I’m sure you’ve wasted $10 in worse ways than that.” My mom is always right.

New to repurposing? Tell me what you want to create for your home and what you will look for when you start your search. An old repurposing pro? Tell me about your favorite project that you’ve completed. Have questions? Ask them here and we can all try to answer them. Let’s have a little repurposing party in the comments section!

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This week, Kristen at We Are That Family his hosting a “greatest tips” Works for Me Wednesday. Since I love thrifting tips, I thought I’d include th
is post. For another great tip, check out Teach Me Tuesday!


About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  3. Melissa @ The Inspired Room says

    What a great post. I think sometimes we get afraid to be creative because we think we will do it wrong or mess it up! Yes, sometimes that happens. But once you get brave enough to try you can get on a roll! There are no rules and you can create something personal and unique that no one else will have. There is something beautiful about that process of creating that you just can’t get from buying ready made! Thanks for the great inspiration!

    Reply

  4. Miss Sandy says

    Love your before and afters! Ki of Junk Camp says that when you are out looking for unique pieces for your home to look not at the object for what it is but for what it can become. Your post sums up this philosophy beautifully!

    Reply

  5. Living With Lindsay says

    Tiffy Wiffy – That’s my problem at the Salvation Army store here. Their coffee tables are $300 – I’m not even crazy. What’s up with that??

    Sandy – I had never heard of Junk Camp, but just checked it out. OMG!! Great blog!! Thanks for pointing that one out!

    Reply

  7. BusyMama says

    I don't know what's up with the goodwills around here but they usually overprice lamps, frames & dishes. I would LOVE to find lamps like that at the goodwill and FOR THE PRICE! You did an awesome job on that sewing chair too. Loooove it!

    Reply

  8. queenbee says

    Thanks for sharing. I love to see other people turn somethng not so lovely into something “bee”utiful. I have a footstool that I want to make a slipcover for, but I am just learning to sew and have been terrifed that I will mess it all up. I want to paint my kitchen table black as well as a sofa/console table. I have some windows that need some mistreatin and a list that goes a mile long of things I want to tackle. I can hardly wait for it to warm up so I can start hitting the yard sale scene again. Thanks for the tip about shopping on Tuesday’s I’ll try that out.

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  9. Shawn/Lifeatbuttercupfarm says

    Great Inspiration for finding an ugly duckling and turning it into a swan. I can’t wait to see that piece when you finish it!

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  10. Flower Patch Farmgirl says

    I love thrifting and doing home decor make-overs! Great post and thanks for the tip. You definitely do have an eye!

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  11. Misti of Studio M Designs says

    I do love a great Goodwill find! Can’t wait to see what you come up with…I noticed your bed, love it! And the azure night table…to die for!
    ~Misti

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  12. leigh ann says

    Thanks for the informative post! I’ll have to go to goodwill on Tuesday’s…I pass by it twice a day M-F but I’ve never been in with my children, maybe they’ll enjoy the “hunt”.

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  13. Sherri @ Design2Shine says

    Oh I will chime in that my Goodwill is way overpriced here on most items too. Lamps…$14 and up! Love your $5. makeovers! I keep a notebook with ideas for projects (maybe it was inspired by a blog photo) and for things I am on the ‘hunt’ to find. I can look really quick before I go in the thrift or junk store.

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  14. DomesticDivasFancy says

    I love all of these. Your dog looks alot like mine. Sounds a lot like mine too! I just found your blog while I was surfing around blogland…glad I did. I will be back!

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  16. Laura says

    I love goodwill! This is my first time reading your blog, and it was a delight to know that other people love to shop at second hand stores as well. Thanks!

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  17. Christina says

    Great lamp transformation. Can’t wait to see what you do with the desk. Your inspiration pictures are great.

    Your bed is just wonderful with all the layers!!

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  18. Holly says

    Goodwill must be getting the big head…they’ve become way overpriced here too. It’s really random though, sometimes I still find a great bargain.

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  19. Jerralea says

    I’m going to have to start going to thrift stores! When it’s warmer, that is … Hope you publish what you do to your little lavender desk when done.

    Reply

  20. Clean and Classic Interiors says

    I LOVE great deals and almost feel like that is my mission in life as a shopper to find them! I have tried the goodwill store many times with no luck but I’m going to try your Tuesday idea! My favorite is the 80% off clearance section at Hobby Lobby! Always great deals…As always, thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

  21. Kendall says

    Oh how I love your blog! Being new to blogging, you are on my list of "blog envy" for sure! I LOVE thrift store shopping too! Everyone is so right about Goodwill being hit or miss! I happened to find a GREAT one in my suburb with LOW LOW prices and I have 3 projects waiting in my garage to show for it. I will be posting on my blog when complete. I love your idea for the desk. It's such a cute little piece!

    Reply

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