Organizing with Thrift Store Finds

I thought a good follow up to yesterdays post would be to show you some of the other repurposed "finds" I'm using around my house for storage.

A big perk to being a dealer for an antiques, furniture and home decor store is that it is my job to shop.
This means when I'm out searching thrift stores, Good Will, yard sales and more;
I'm always keeping in mind the items that I could use in my own home.

Here are 3 Repurposed items for organization and storage:

1.  Metal Basket with Handles

This black metal basket works great for holding extra toilet paper. You could also use the handles to hang it on the wall and store towels, magazines and toiletries.

2. An Old Shopping Basket

 This shopping basket made me think of the grocery store which made me think it should go in the Kitchen. So there it sits, on top of my fridge holding all the cook books I don't use  ;)

You could also use it to store coffee accessories, spices, kitchen towels, aprons etc.

3. An Old Wooden Wine Crate

I found this crate fell in love with this crate on a shopping trip in New York. Well, the trip was to visit my family but since I drove and had extra space, I "had" to shop while I was there.

I mean really, two of my favorite things (New York and wine) together on one vintage wood crate?Perfection.

 I wish I could remember the name of the little shop I picked it up at because I found another great crate there too, for a steal. Plus the woman who owned it was really sweet, which always helps.

The crate fits perfectly tucked under one of the side tables in my Living Room.

It is currently holding about 15 wooden kids puzzles but would also be great for blankets, books or magazines.

Do you use vintage items or thrift store finds for organization and storage?

Thanks for reading!

~Kim

Repurposed Military Trunk

It doesn't seem possible but today was the last day of school for most kids around me. So if you are like me, happy unofficial start to Summer!


Today I wanted to share my favorite Good Will find ever. Yes, ever.
There are actually several Good Will stores near me, including one right next door to "A Classy Flea" where I am a dealer.

It was at this Good Will that I discovered this:

Now as a dealer I really did not need any more trunks, but it caught my eye so I had to check it out. That's when I saw the price tag -

 $7.98

Seriously?!

 I immediately took the tag off and went to the front for a shopping cart. For those of you thrifters, you know there is no risking walking away from a find, even just to get a cart. Hence the "take the tag off, it's mine, no one else can buy it" approach :)

I just loved how clear the lettering is and the fact that there are two shipping stickers still legible dated from 1952. Oh, the places this trunk has gone and the things it must have seen in its 60 years!

 I instantly pictured something like this:

Restoration Hardware

Pottery Barn

Southern Living

Once I got my new find home, I cleaned it up a little and added small casters to the bottom. This made it closer to coffee table height and also helps mobility since it will quickly be filled with toys.

Here is how it looks in my living room:

 

~Kim

Sources:

The pillows were made for me by my friend Christin from "Struttin' your Buttons." I picked the fabric and she made them for me :)

The metal basket full of candles is a vintage thrift store find and the rug is from IKEA

Linking to:

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Good Will Chair Re-Do

A few months ago I came across 4 of these chairs at my local Good Will.

I had never reupholstered anything other than a basic chair seat, but I was up for the challenge.

Especially since I have been wanting chairs like this for our livingroom for months:

southern living

or this..

southern living

or this..

Better Homes and Gardens

too bad I don't have $200+ to spend on each chair... but this is no excuse not to have the same look for less :)
To me, the Good Will chairs looked to be from a waiting room or conference room but I knew they could be used for more.

I took the seat off the frame and was sad to see it was one piece not two.
So I started folding, cutting and stapling the fabric I purchased from Hobby Lobby until the dingy old brown fabric was out of sight.

For the frame of the chair I simply used Howard's restore -a- finish in walnut.

Here is how it turned out:

Again here is the Before:                                                                And After:

I have since refnished a second one to match and put them in our livingroom.You can read about that here.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kim