Seven Reasons to LOVE Thrift Stores, Flea Markets & Garage Sales

You might think reason numero uno would be price...but no.

Except for the pillow, EVERYTHING in the above photo was either free (church storage building clean-out) 

or was purchased at a thrift store or garage sale. EVERYTHING. Even the faux flowers and artwork.

Reason #1 - QUALITY

Old stuff is REAL. Real wood, glass, ceramic, metal, etc. 
More than likely, your thrift store piece is not made of resin or plastic. It has already stood the test of time. A little cleaning (maybe some glue or paint or stain) and you're good for another 50 years. 

Detail of my $60 sofa after its $1.50 Makeover

Reason #2 - PRICE

Not only is it nearly impossible to find the quality in new stuff that you find in old stuff, but if you DID find it, it would be extremely expensive. People may THINK antiques are expensive, but compare them to the prices of new furniture...
Old stuff has nicer wood, cooler carvings, amazing hardware and even casters. 

Except for the Bible, the art glass piece next to the ceramic bottle and a Walmart lamp shade, 

everything in this photo was found curbside, at a thrift store or garage sale. Even the topiary.

Reason #3 - STYLE

If you're reading this, most likely you are not someone who prefers to go into a furniture store and purchase a total room of matching furniture. You want to express your individuality and have a home with layers, textures and history. If you weren't blessed (like my friend Marsha) to have a family who kept all the cool old stuff, you have to seek it out. My grandmother wanted everything new and shiny, chrome and glass. She grew up in the Great Depression. She was not sentimental, and sold things in garage sales for pennies. 
NOTE: If you are blessed to have family pieces, it's a great connection! USE them.

Now, I go to other people's grandmother's garage sales. :) I have a home full of adopted history. I LOVE mixing old and new, fancy and plain, rough and refined. It excites my sensibilities!

Reason #4 - IT IS NO BIG DEAL
If something breaks, it's not precious. It's great for houses with children, and for single fifty-something clutzes alike. 
If it can't be fixed, it can be replaced. No tears. No regrets. Things can remain in their proper place - less important than people and good times spent together.

Reason #5 - IT IS "GREEN"
I like the idea of "saving" something from a landfill and giving it a new life in a new environment. Even though I would do this even if it weren't green, this is a bigger deal for some people than it is for me. 

Picture frame turned faux antique mirror

Reason #6 - IT IS GUILT-FREE
If you decide you suddenly want to go all-white, or change your color palette, or for some reason you just look around one day and decide it's time to change EVERYTHING, you can do it without regret. If you don't spend much for your stuff, you can give it away, sell it (probably for MORE than you spent), or repaint it. You probably won't be destroying the value of a priceless antique...but it is wise to look for marks on the underside of your furniture, just in case you decide to paint a Heywood-Wakefield table aqua. 

Reason #7 - ADVENTURE!
Seriously - you NEVER know what you'll find that will excite you so much you end up redecorating a whole room! And you CAN do it, since you won't pay much for the new-old stuff and you didn't pay much for the old-old stuff! (See #6) 

Word for the Day:
Luke 12:15
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
http://thoughtsfromalice.blogspot.com/	Sundays at Home
Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com	Revival Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
http://cityfarmhouse.com/	Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Show Me What Ya Got
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/	Penny Pinching Party
http://tarnishedroyalty.com/	Drop it or Swap it Party
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://staceyembracingchange.com/	Creative Inspirations
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.commonground-do.com/	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/	Party Junk
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday