modern thrifter
I love beautiful things and thoughtful design. I also live in one of the most expensive cities in the country, and our family lives off a single income so that I can be at home with our kids. Patience and persistence have been the key to finding stylish things on a tight budget.
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![[ DATE ]
It’s rare for Patrick and I to get to spend time together during the day without the kids, so when he said he would be taking a half-day off this week, I quickly suggested a morning when both kids would be in school.
So, what did we do on our mid-week morning date? We spent the morning sipping coffee (purchased with a Chinook Book coupon) and browsing aisles of used sinks and toilets, reclaimed windows, and old light fixtures at the ReStore, of course. This is the type of place that is hard to get through with two kids in tow, and perusing the shelves without being distracted by the kids was a fun treat.
We went in with a long list of things that we’d hoped to find, but it’s not like shopping at Home Depot, and sometimes not a single wish list item can be found. We did find two boxes of really great click-together Marmoleum in a rusty red color that would have been nice in our office-turned-art-room, but there was only enough to cover 1/5 of the space, and purchasing additional boxes at full price would have set us back about $600. Sad.
In the end, we walked out with new drip pans for the stove (the current ones were here when we bought the house and have rusted beyond cleaning), some drawer pulls for a mid century kid’s sized desk that I scored for free from the curb, and some heat vent covers that we have now discovered are the wrong size and will have to be returned.
I’m sure this date sounds horribly mundane to most people, but I’m incredibly blessed to be married to someone who gets just as excited about used building materials as I do. And, tomorrow night we’ll be going out for a little more traditional dinner date.](http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyg0huX4Sc1qc7v1bo1_500.jpg)
[ DATE ]
It’s rare for Patrick and I to get to spend time together during the day without the kids, so when he said he would be taking a half-day off this week, I quickly suggested a morning when both kids would be in school.
So, what did we do on our mid-week morning date? We spent the morning sipping coffee (purchased with a Chinook Book coupon) and browsing aisles of used sinks and toilets, reclaimed windows, and old light fixtures at the ReStore, of course. This is the type of place that is hard to get through with two kids in tow, and perusing the shelves without being distracted by the kids was a fun treat.
We went in with a long list of things that we’d hoped to find, but it’s not like shopping at Home Depot, and sometimes not a single wish list item can be found. We did find two boxes of really great click-together Marmoleum in a rusty red color that would have been nice in our office-turned-art-room, but there was only enough to cover 1/5 of the space, and purchasing additional boxes at full price would have set us back about $600. Sad.
In the end, we walked out with new drip pans for the stove (the current ones were here when we bought the house and have rusted beyond cleaning), some drawer pulls for a mid century kid’s sized desk that I scored for free from the curb, and some heat vent covers that we have now discovered are the wrong size and will have to be returned.
I’m sure this date sounds horribly mundane to most people, but I’m incredibly blessed to be married to someone who gets just as excited about used building materials as I do. And, tomorrow night we’ll be going out for a little more traditional dinner date.
![[ MR. CHAIR ]
This chair, the Mr. Chair by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, has owned the top spot in the chair category on my “maybe someday” list, for quite some time. Look at those arms and tell me you don’t want one, too.
Imagine my surprise when I received a text one evening last week from a friend who had just stumbled upon one at the Goodwill near my house. Here’s the photo that she sent me:
Granted, this wasn’t the gorgeous black leather that I’d been swooning over, but I was willing to compromise. The chair was in the collectables section and priced at $299—not cheap, but far less than we’d pay at a mid century shop.
My friend had warned us that the upholstery and wood were in very rough shape, but we were optimistic, and headed over right away. After examining the chair, we knew that we could restore the wood, but the upholstery was a different story. It was dirty, badly faded in spots, and it made a weird crunchy plastic sound when it was compressed. It was obvious, there was no saving the fabric. And with all of those tufts and buttons, it wasn’t a project we felt even remotely skilled enough to complete.
If we could have paid to have the upholstery done professionally, I think we would have brought it home, but there was just no way to live with it the way it was until we could save up to have the work done.
So, Mr. Chair, I do hope we meet again under better circumstances.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxxi9q4r021qc7v1bo1_500.jpg)
[ MR. CHAIR ]
This chair, the Mr. Chair by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, has owned the top spot in the chair category on my “maybe someday” list, for quite some time. Look at those arms and tell me you don’t want one, too.
Imagine my surprise when I received a text one evening last week from a friend who had just stumbled upon one at the Goodwill near my house. Here’s the photo that she sent me:
Granted, this wasn’t the gorgeous black leather that I’d been swooning over, but I was willing to compromise. The chair was in the collectables section and priced at $299—not cheap, but far less than we’d pay at a mid century shop.
My friend had warned us that the upholstery and wood were in very rough shape, but we were optimistic, and headed over right away. After examining the chair, we knew that we could restore the wood, but the upholstery was a different story. It was dirty, badly faded in spots, and it made a weird crunchy plastic sound when it was compressed. It was obvious, there was no saving the fabric. And with all of those tufts and buttons, it wasn’t a project we felt even remotely skilled enough to complete.
If we could have paid to have the upholstery done professionally, I think we would have brought it home, but there was just no way to live with it the way it was until we could save up to have the work done.
So, Mr. Chair, I do hope we meet again under better circumstances.
![[ VELOCITY BRICK & MORTAR - CLOSING! ]
Just this week Velocity Art & Design in South Lake Union announced that they will be closing their brick and mortar store and transitioning to an online only company. While this is sad news, there is a silver lining. Everything in the store is 50% off until it’s gone.
I made a quick trip into the shop this morning, and was surprised at how many great things were still left. It was hard to resist a Blu Dot Buttercup Chair at half the original price, but I persevered. I can’t wait to share what I did buy, but I’m keeping it a secret until we get it installed.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxq30o3eAE1qc7v1bo1_500.jpg)
[ VELOCITY BRICK & MORTAR - CLOSING! ]
Just this week Velocity Art & Design in South Lake Union announced that they will be closing their brick and mortar store and transitioning to an online only company. While this is sad news, there is a silver lining. Everything in the store is 50% off until it’s gone.
I made a quick trip into the shop this morning, and was surprised at how many great things were still left. It was hard to resist a Blu Dot Buttercup Chair at half the original price, but I persevered. I can’t wait to share what I did buy, but I’m keeping it a secret until we get it installed.
![[ TWELVE LITTLE SPICE JARS IN TWO STRAIGHT LINES ]
Okay, there may be a little too much Madeline happening in my house (books, movies, music boxes) but when I was setting these spice jars out yesterday to photograph, I couldn’t help humming the little Madeline tune.
I picked these up yesterday at Goodwill for 50¢ a piece. I couldn’t believe that there was an entire set of twelve still on the shelf. They had obviously been there a while because they were half off when I bought them.
They aren’t in perfect shape—there are a few dings and paint chips—but all in all, they are still pretty fantastic. The undersides of the corks are stamped “Sam Mann Designs” but I haven’t been able to find out much more about them.
My plan is to get a thin ledge shelf to set them on so that I can enjoy them instead of hiding them in a cupboard like my current messy spice heap. I’m also brainstorming how I can label them. Ideally, I’d get little vinyl words cut for them, but I haven’t checked into whether it would be budget-friendly or not.
On the shelf right next to the spice jars was this ceramic sugar/honey bowl. I already have a Franciscan sugar bowl that matches my teapot, so I plan to use this for honey. I’ve been buying my honey in bulk for a couple of years, and I’m excited to be able to keep a little of it out in something pretty.
I’ve been spending a lot of time in my kitchen the last few months (um, years), and now that the holidays are past, life is settling back into a more normal routine. January is always the time of year I get the urge to overhaul my whole house and it’s very likely that a little set of spice jars could lead to some cupboards being ripped off the wall.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxe5lhLmVu1qc7v1bo1_500.jpg)
[ TWELVE LITTLE SPICE JARS IN TWO STRAIGHT LINES ]
Okay, there may be a little too much Madeline happening in my house (books, movies, music boxes) but when I was setting these spice jars out yesterday to photograph, I couldn’t help humming the little Madeline tune.
I picked these up yesterday at Goodwill for 50¢ a piece. I couldn’t believe that there was an entire set of twelve still on the shelf. They had obviously been there a while because they were half off when I bought them.
They aren’t in perfect shape—there are a few dings and paint chips—but all in all, they are still pretty fantastic. The undersides of the corks are stamped “Sam Mann Designs” but I haven’t been able to find out much more about them.
My plan is to get a thin ledge shelf to set them on so that I can enjoy them instead of hiding them in a cupboard like my current messy spice heap. I’m also brainstorming how I can label them. Ideally, I’d get little vinyl words cut for them, but I haven’t checked into whether it would be budget-friendly or not.
On the shelf right next to the spice jars was this ceramic sugar/honey bowl. I already have a Franciscan sugar bowl that matches my teapot, so I plan to use this for honey. I’ve been buying my honey in bulk for a couple of years, and I’m excited to be able to keep a little of it out in something pretty.
I’ve been spending a lot of time in my kitchen the last few months (um, years), and now that the holidays are past, life is settling back into a more normal routine. January is always the time of year I get the urge to overhaul my whole house and it’s very likely that a little set of spice jars could lead to some cupboards being ripped off the wall.
![[ THRIFT WRAP ]
Yes, I’m one of those crazy meticulous people who like to have all of the wrapping paper coordinated under the tree, but the cost of fancy wrapping paper and trim can add up quickly. This year I came up with some inexpensive gift wrap—thrift wrap, if you will—that I think looks pretty great.
Here’s what I bought:
5 yards of kraft paper in both brown and white from Paper Zone; $3 total
15 doilies (red and cream) at the thrift store; 75¢ for all
Giant spool of bakers twine (this thing will last for years to come); $10
1 sheet of scrapbook paper that I cut into gift tags; $1
Grand Total: $14.75 (and most of that was the twine, but seriously, I plan to use this for quite a while)](http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwdtir5XC71qc7v1bo1_500.jpg)
[ THRIFT WRAP ]
Yes, I’m one of those crazy meticulous people who like to have all of the wrapping paper coordinated under the tree, but the cost of fancy wrapping paper and trim can add up quickly. This year I came up with some inexpensive gift wrap—thrift wrap, if you will—that I think looks pretty great.
Here’s what I bought:
5 yards of kraft paper in both brown and white from Paper Zone; $3 total
15 doilies (red and cream) at the thrift store; 75¢ for all
Giant spool of bakers twine (this thing will last for years to come); $10
1 sheet of scrapbook paper that I cut into gift tags; $1
Grand Total: $14.75 (and most of that was the twine, but seriously, I plan to use this for quite a while)
[ ICE CUBE CELEBRATES CHARLES & RAY EAMES ]
I know this video has been all over today, but how could I not post it here, too? Ice Cube may just be the perfect tour guide.
![[ GARLAND ALTERNATIVE ]
I have been wanting to trim my tree with wool felt garland (like this) for at least the last three Christmases. I’ve looked into buying it and making it, but neither option is very affordable, and I just can’t justify spending that kind of money on trim.
An idea occurred to me while I was at the fabric store picking up some halloween costume supplies— red pom pom yarn! While it’s not an exact replacement for the wool felt, it still has a similar feel. I paid $6 for 50 yards of “Pomp-a-Doodle” yarn (enough for two trees!). Compare that to $15 for 8 feet of felt ball garland at west elm, or $38 for 15 feet on Etsy, and I think I found a pretty good deal.](http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvrrhzfGrr1qc7v1bo1_500.jpg)
[ GARLAND ALTERNATIVE ]
I have been wanting to trim my tree with wool felt garland (like this) for at least the last three Christmases. I’ve looked into buying it and making it, but neither option is very affordable, and I just can’t justify spending that kind of money on trim.
An idea occurred to me while I was at the fabric store picking up some halloween costume supplies— red pom pom yarn! While it’s not an exact replacement for the wool felt, it still has a similar feel. I paid $6 for 50 yards of “Pomp-a-Doodle” yarn (enough for two trees!). Compare that to $15 for 8 feet of felt ball garland at west elm, or $38 for 15 feet on Etsy, and I think I found a pretty good deal.
![[ THANKSGIVING NOSTALGIA ]
Nothing makes me remember the Thanksgivings of my childhood quite like the sound of the ball bearings spinning in a Foley rolling pin. Every year my mom would spend hours rolling out crusts for the many pies needed to feed our pastry loving family. Last year I found a beloved Foley of my own at Goodwill, and I can only hope that it gives my children the same warm memories.
Happy Thanksgiving.](http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv4wwtxC2A1qc7v1bo1_500.jpg)
[ THANKSGIVING NOSTALGIA ]
Nothing makes me remember the Thanksgivings of my childhood quite like the sound of the ball bearings spinning in a Foley rolling pin. Every year my mom would spend hours rolling out crusts for the many pies needed to feed our pastry loving family. Last year I found a beloved Foley of my own at Goodwill, and I can only hope that it gives my children the same warm memories.
Happy Thanksgiving.
![[ MODERN DOOR CONVERSION ]
A friend just emailed me a link today to Crestview Doors. They are having a big sale until the end of November, and I wanted to pass along the savings to you. Crestview is different than most modern door companies because they sell conversion kits to use on existing solid wood doors. With their moderately priced window kits, you can change a solid door into something much more exciting.
Crestview is a new company to me, and until today I had never considered the possibility of converting a door. To get an extra 30% off of their clearance items, enter the code HOLIDAY at checkout.
If you are looking to update your door, but don’t want to go the DIY conversion route, be sure to check out Frank Lumber. We purchased a beautiful door there a few years ago, and I highly recommend them.](http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv2wlnj5Kv1qc7v1bo1_500.jpg)
[ MODERN DOOR CONVERSION ]
A friend just emailed me a link today to Crestview Doors. They are having a big sale until the end of November, and I wanted to pass along the savings to you. Crestview is different than most modern door companies because they sell conversion kits to use on existing solid wood doors. With their moderately priced window kits, you can change a solid door into something much more exciting.
Crestview is a new company to me, and until today I had never considered the possibility of converting a door. To get an extra 30% off of their clearance items, enter the code HOLIDAY at checkout.
If you are looking to update your door, but don’t want to go the DIY conversion route, be sure to check out Frank Lumber. We purchased a beautiful door there a few years ago, and I highly recommend them.
![[ WAITING ]
It was nearly two months ago that I placed my order with West Elm for our new living room rug. It was on backorder at the time, and so we waited and waited. Two weeks ago we finally received a letter informing us that the rug was out of stock indefinitely and that our order had been cancelled.
Emails keep flooding into my inbox from West Elm making other rug “suggestions” but really, they all cost more money than we care to spend right now.
So for now, we wait, trying not to notice the dingy, too-small, wool rug that currently resides in the living room. Waiting has never been a bad plan for us, though. It has kept us from several impulse purchases, and often allows us time to search out a really great deal.
In far better news, next week we are purchasing a much needed new (used) car for our family. Our current cars are twelve and twenty-two years old—obviously, buying a car isn’t something we do very often. The last time we purchased a car we had a very different financial philosophy and it took us five years to pay it off. This time around we will be paying cash up front and it feels really fantastic not to have any loans involved.
The car is coming from good friends who need to sell their vehicle because they are moving to Paris at the end of the month. It is working out fantastic for us all, since they will be able to drive it until just before they leave and not have to hassle with Craigslist buyers, and we are getting the exact car we’ve been wanting for a nice price, and from people we trust.](http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv2qqn81e51qc7v1bo1_500.jpg)
[ WAITING ]
It was nearly two months ago that I placed my order with West Elm for our new living room rug. It was on backorder at the time, and so we waited and waited. Two weeks ago we finally received a letter informing us that the rug was out of stock indefinitely and that our order had been cancelled.
Emails keep flooding into my inbox from West Elm making other rug “suggestions” but really, they all cost more money than we care to spend right now.
So for now, we wait, trying not to notice the dingy, too-small, wool rug that currently resides in the living room. Waiting has never been a bad plan for us, though. It has kept us from several impulse purchases, and often allows us time to search out a really great deal.
In far better news, next week we are purchasing a much needed new (used) car for our family. Our current cars are twelve and twenty-two years old—obviously, buying a car isn’t something we do very often. The last time we purchased a car we had a very different financial philosophy and it took us five years to pay it off. This time around we will be paying cash up front and it feels really fantastic not to have any loans involved.
The car is coming from good friends who need to sell their vehicle because they are moving to Paris at the end of the month. It is working out fantastic for us all, since they will be able to drive it until just before they leave and not have to hassle with Craigslist buyers, and we are getting the exact car we’ve been wanting for a nice price, and from people we trust.
