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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29 posts tagged kitchen

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[ SMALL FINDS ] I’ve been feeling quite satisfied by our recent furniture acquisitions, so I’ve been spending more of my time at the thrift store pouring over some of the sections to which I don’t typically give as much attention. Though I usually do a general scan of all the shelves when at a thrift store, searching through the rows of books, stacks of dishes, and wedged together art can eat up more time than I have. This change-up in my routine has yielded some great new—though small—finds.  I love finding vintage children’s books, especially ones with great illustrations. I found all of these on one shelf during my last trip to Deseret Industries: The kids are really drawn to these stories and have been asking me to read them over and over and over. I really don’t mind, especially since most of them are ones that I remember fondly from my childhood. I had forgotten how great the Frances books are! We check out a ton of books from the library, so I’m surprised that it hadn’t occurred to me to look for them there. You can see some of my other favorite children’s books that I’ve collected here and here. In the housewares department, I found a new sugar bowl—I’ve been looking for one for quite a while. My previous one was top-heavy and the shape didn’t really go with the little creamer that I bought at Goodwill last year. Though I would have loved it if this Mikasa pattern would have been made in white, the black and white combination seems to be a new accidental theme in my kitchen. Lastly (though there were several nice, but un-blog-worthy finds), look at these Hanna Andersson swedish moccasins. They retail for $18–$22 but I picked these up at Deseret for 50¢ in almost new condition. They are too big for Tula right now (and sadly, too small for me), so I’ll tuck them away for a few years until she can fit into them. It’s always nice to have a little stash of clothes and shoes for those times when I realize that the kids have had a growth-spurt. Aren’t they a little “Wicked Witch of the East” looking? I adore them! It seems that this pattern is no longer available, and the ones that are on their site now are a little boring. I’m so glad to have run across them.

[ SMALL FINDS ]

I’ve been feeling quite satisfied by our recent furniture acquisitions, so I’ve been spending more of my time at the thrift store pouring over some of the sections to which I don’t typically give as much attention. Though I usually do a general scan of all the shelves when at a thrift store, searching through the rows of books, stacks of dishes, and wedged together art can eat up more time than I have. This change-up in my routine has yielded some great new—though small—finds. 

I love finding vintage children’s books, especially ones with great illustrations. I found all of these on one shelf during my last trip to Deseret Industries:

The kids are really drawn to these stories and have been asking me to read them over and over and over. I really don’t mind, especially since most of them are ones that I remember fondly from my childhood. I had forgotten how great the Frances books are! We check out a ton of books from the library, so I’m surprised that it hadn’t occurred to me to look for them there. You can see some of my other favorite children’s books that I’ve collected here and here.

In the housewares department, I found a new sugar bowl—I’ve been looking for one for quite a while. My previous one was top-heavy and the shape didn’t really go with the little creamer that I bought at Goodwill last year. Though I would have loved it if this Mikasa pattern would have been made in white, the black and white combination seems to be a new accidental theme in my kitchen.

Lastly (though there were several nice, but un-blog-worthy finds), look at these Hanna Andersson swedish moccasins. They retail for $18–$22 but I picked these up at Deseret for 50¢ in almost new condition. They are too big for Tula right now (and sadly, too small for me), so I’ll tuck them away for a few years until she can fit into them. It’s always nice to have a little stash of clothes and shoes for those times when I realize that the kids have had a growth-spurt.

Aren’t they a little “Wicked Witch of the East” looking? I adore them! It seems that this pattern is no longer available, and the ones that are on their site now are a little boring. I’m so glad to have run across them.

[ VINTAGE KITCHEN FIND ]

While searching around in the kitchen at last weekend’s estate sale, I stumbled upon this foil/wax paper/paper towel dispenser. A friend of mine inherited a similar version of one of these because it was left by the previous owners of her house, and I’ve been a bit jealous of it since the first time I saw it. I picked mine up for $3, and I couldn’t be more pleased with it.

Apparently, the paper towels I buy are too big for their designated space at the bottom, so I stuck plastic wrap in there instead. I’m loving the way it looks with my canisters, though I don’t think I’ll be painting it, and look… my little hen has a happy new nesting place.

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[ MODERNISM’S GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST ] Get out your thrift store rolling pin and baking sheets, and get to work to enter Modernism’s First Annual Gingerbread House Contest! I’m so glad someone is holding this contest. I wanted to have a gingerbread house contest here at Modern Thrifter, but being a thrifty, I couldn’t think of a prize that would be incentive enough for people to enter. Last year our family attempted to make a MCM gingerbread house, and though I had dreams of clerestory windows and modern landscaping, my plans fell apart when the kids got involved in the construction. Seeing them have fun was far better than a perfect house, so the house in the photo was what we came up with—a little more Fred Flinstone than Joseph Eichler. Hopefully, we’ll have time to enter Modernism’s contest this year, and if we do, we’ll probably have to make a separate house with the kids.

[ MODERNISM’S GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST ]

Get out your thrift store rolling pin and baking sheets, and get to work to enter Modernism’s First Annual Gingerbread House Contest! I’m so glad someone is holding this contest. I wanted to have a gingerbread house contest here at Modern Thrifter, but being a thrifty, I couldn’t think of a prize that would be incentive enough for people to enter.

Last year our family attempted to make a MCM gingerbread house, and though I had dreams of clerestory windows and modern landscaping, my plans fell apart when the kids got involved in the construction. Seeing them have fun was far better than a perfect house, so the house in the photo was what we came up with—a little more Fred Flinstone than Joseph Eichler. Hopefully, we’ll have time to enter Modernism’s contest this year, and if we do, we’ll probably have to make a separate house with the kids.

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[ $1 ORGANIZATION ] I took a trip to Ikea yesterday to pick up a few things and I ran across these drawer organizers that were on clearance. They were originally priced at $15 a piece, which seems crazy, and maybe had something to do with why they’ve been discontinued. The clearance price was $1, so I picked up three. They are made of felt and are easy to cut to fit snugly in a drawer. They are meant for office drawers, and I’m a little concerned about the felt getting dirty in the kitchen, but I’m guessing that I can spot clean them when necessary. For that price, I think they’re worth trying. I’m thrilled to have a little organization in my kitchen, but really, all of my cupboards are in serious need of an overhaul. Actually, I’ve come up with a new organization plan that I’m pretty excited to implement. Since organizing the entire house at one time seems overwhelming, I’ve decided to focus on one room each month. During that month I will organize, deep clean, and make small repairs, as well as making a list of decorating improvements that I’d like to do as the budget allows. Being organized seems more like a ongoing journey than a final destination, so I’m betting that by the time I complete the final room, it will be time to start the whole thing again.

[ $1 ORGANIZATION ]

I took a trip to Ikea yesterday to pick up a few things and I ran across these drawer organizers that were on clearance. They were originally priced at $15 a piece, which seems crazy, and maybe had something to do with why they’ve been discontinued. The clearance price was $1, so I picked up three. They are made of felt and are easy to cut to fit snugly in a drawer. They are meant for office drawers, and I’m a little concerned about the felt getting dirty in the kitchen, but I’m guessing that I can spot clean them when necessary. For that price, I think they’re worth trying.

I’m thrilled to have a little organization in my kitchen, but really, all of my cupboards are in serious need of an overhaul. Actually, I’ve come up with a new organization plan that I’m pretty excited to implement. Since organizing the entire house at one time seems overwhelming, I’ve decided to focus on one room each month. During that month I will organize, deep clean, and make small repairs, as well as making a list of decorating improvements that I’d like to do as the budget allows. Being organized seems more like a ongoing journey than a final destination, so I’m betting that by the time I complete the final room, it will be time to start the whole thing again.

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[ TOY STORAGE ] I’m always on the lookout for attractive ways to store toys. I’m that crazy mom who freaks out if all the toys are just dumped into one bin—sort, sort, sort! Tula’s play food used to all fit in an adorable little basket, but as she has accumulated new food, like these felt cookies Alden and I made her, we needed to find a better container. The new canister was thrifted from Goodwill for 99¢. I almost didn’t buy it, thinking that we might already have too many containers. I’m so glad that I changed my mind. Tula loves it, and it looks so cute with her little green and yellow wood play kitchen.

[ TOY STORAGE ]

I’m always on the lookout for attractive ways to store toys. I’m that crazy mom who freaks out if all the toys are just dumped into one bin—sort, sort, sort! Tula’s play food used to all fit in an adorable little basket, but as she has accumulated new food, like these felt cookies Alden and I made her, we needed to find a better container.

The new canister was thrifted from Goodwill for 99¢. I almost didn’t buy it, thinking that we might already have too many containers. I’m so glad that I changed my mind. Tula loves it, and it looks so cute with her little green and yellow wood play kitchen.

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[ HOMEMADE HALLOWEEN: NINJA COSTUME ] Marin made this fantastic ninja costume for her son when he changed his mind at the last minute about what he wanted to be. Here’s how she did it: “The head covering is one of my husband’s t-shirts turned inside out. I used 2 black fabric scraps from my stash to make a belt and sling that would hold his “ninja sword” (which was just a Batman sword we already had). We already had black pants, but I did buy the long-sleeved black shirt at Target ($4 and he’s still wearing it a year later). I cut a throwing star out of black cardboard, put a pair of my $1 stretchy gloves on him, and that was it…instant ninja.” Marin also sent two image of her recent thrift store finds. The first is this super cute cherry patterned pot, which she picked up for $2.99. I think it looks great with her tea kettle, too. Second are these candlesticks that were thrifted for 99¢ each. Nice finds Marin, and thanks for sharing them with everyone.

[ HOMEMADE HALLOWEEN: NINJA COSTUME ]

Marin made this fantastic ninja costume for her son when he changed his mind at the last minute about what he wanted to be. Here’s how she did it:

“The head covering is one of my husband’s t-shirts turned inside out. I used 2 black fabric scraps from my stash to make a belt and sling that would hold his “ninja sword” (which was just a Batman sword we already had). We already had black pants, but I did buy the long-sleeved black shirt at Target ($4 and he’s still wearing it a year later). I cut a throwing star out of black cardboard, put a pair of my $1 stretchy gloves on him, and that was it…instant ninja.”

Marin also sent two image of her recent thrift store finds. The first is this super cute cherry patterned pot, which she picked up for $2.99. I think it looks great with her tea kettle, too.

Second are these candlesticks that were thrifted for 99¢ each. Nice finds Marin, and thanks for sharing them with everyone.

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[ THRIFTED SKIRT TRANSFORMED ] This idea came from my friend Missy, of Missy Makes a Mess, who decided to take an ill-fitting thrift store skirt and give it a new life as an apron. When I saw her creation, I couldn’t help but grab a skirt from my closet and start sewing. I loved the pattern on this skirt when I spotted it at the thrift store, and even though it was several sizes too big, I bought it, hoping to alter it later. That was last year. A skirt is nice, but I think an apron is more fun, and now I get to wear this sunny print every day. I like the way Missy combined two different, but complimentary prints, and since I didn’t have enough extra fabric from the skirt to make the ties, I started scavaging my closet for fabric. I found a polka dot shirt—once thrifted itself—in bag of clothes that are headed back to the donation bin at Goodwill. I cut off the cap sleeves and turned them into pockets, then used the bottom of the shirt for ties. Thanks, Missy, for the great inspiration!

[ THRIFTED SKIRT TRANSFORMED ]

This idea came from my friend Missy, of Missy Makes a Mess, who decided to take an ill-fitting thrift store skirt and give it a new life as an apron. When I saw her creation, I couldn’t help but grab a skirt from my closet and start sewing. I loved the pattern on this skirt when I spotted it at the thrift store, and even though it was several sizes too big, I bought it, hoping to alter it later. That was last year.

A skirt is nice, but I think an apron is more fun, and now I get to wear this sunny print every day. I like the way Missy combined two different, but complimentary prints, and since I didn’t have enough extra fabric from the skirt to make the ties, I started scavaging my closet for fabric. I found a polka dot shirt—once thrifted itself—in bag of clothes that are headed back to the donation bin at Goodwill. I cut off the cap sleeves and turned them into pockets, then used the bottom of the shirt for ties.

Thanks, Missy, for the great inspiration!

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[ FINISHED CANISTER PROJECT ] Although I ambitiously set out to tackle several projects over the summer, most of them never even got started. I did, however, manage to do a little update on these vintage kitchen canisters that I bought at Deseret Industries last spring for $2 a piece. I guess I shouldn’t take all the credit for this project. I did most of the prep work, but Patrick actually sprayed most of the coats of paint (two coats of primer, two coats of color, and two coats of lacquer). I’m so glad that I was able to find the exact color of red-orange that I was imagining, and I think it looks much better than the yellow I almost settled for. Here are a few pictures of the process: The first photo is apparently the only “before” photo I took. I hate when that happens. I used frog tape and an exacto knife to mask off the labels. We also masked the bottom and the inside, which was a total pain. Next we primed and sanded with a very fine sandpaper. Oh, and that’s Patrick’s hand, not mine :) The third photo is of our mistake. Usually when using spray paint, spraying thin layers from ten to twelve inches away yields the best results. We learned the hard way that this particular paint (Montana brand) dries so fast it was leaving a thick texture on the surface because it was drying mid-air, so we had to spray at closer range. Alden even got to do a little painting. The specialty paint was more expensive than the standard spray paint at home depot—$8 per can as opposed to $4 per can, and we needed two cans—but we were able to get a few extra projects painted with the leftovers. Remember that vintage desk lamp that we picked up for $3 this summer? It’s now been rewired and repainted. Here’s what it looks like now:

[ FINISHED CANISTER PROJECT ]

Although I ambitiously set out to tackle several projects over the summer, most of them never even got started. I did, however, manage to do a little update on these vintage kitchen canisters that I bought at Deseret Industries last spring for $2 a piece. I guess I shouldn’t take all the credit for this project. I did most of the prep work, but Patrick actually sprayed most of the coats of paint (two coats of primer, two coats of color, and two coats of lacquer). I’m so glad that I was able to find the exact color of red-orange that I was imagining, and I think it looks much better than the yellow I almost settled for.

Here are a few pictures of the process:

The first photo is apparently the only “before” photo I took. I hate when that happens. I used frog tape and an exacto knife to mask off the labels. We also masked the bottom and the inside, which was a total pain.

Next we primed and sanded with a very fine sandpaper. Oh, and that’s Patrick’s hand, not mine :)

The third photo is of our mistake. Usually when using spray paint, spraying thin layers from ten to twelve inches away yields the best results. We learned the hard way that this particular paint (Montana brand) dries so fast it was leaving a thick texture on the surface because it was drying mid-air, so we had to spray at closer range.

Alden even got to do a little painting.

The specialty paint was more expensive than the standard spray paint at home depot—$8 per can as opposed to $4 per can, and we needed two cans—but we were able to get a few extra projects painted with the leftovers. Remember that vintage desk lamp that we picked up for $3 this summer? It’s now been rewired and repainted. Here’s what it looks like now:

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[ GROWN-UP SIPPY-CUP ]  I admit to being somewhat of a coffee snob. Maybe even a full-on coffee snob. I buy organic, fair-trade beans, which I grind every morning in a conical burr grinder and brew my coffee in a stainless steel bodum french press. The problem is, my mornings are usually hectic. Between running kids to the potty, feeding everyone breakfast, and making Patrick’s lunch, more of my coffee ends up on on the floor, than actually makes it to my mouth. For months now, I’ve been joking that I need to get a sippy cup, but I’ve railed against the idea of using a typical travel mug for two reasons. First, I like the look and feel of ceramic mugs. There is just something nice about the warmth of the coffee in my hands—a feeling that you can’t really get from an insulated travel mug. Second, I find most travel mugs visually unappealing (is that just a euphemism for ugly?). Enter the hotjo. I found this mug recently at Goodwill for $2. The bottom originally had a non-slip pad glued to it, that was in pretty bad shape. I ran it through the dishwasher, which softened it up, and then I scraped as much off as I could. I was able to clean off the sticky residue that was left behind with butter and a paper towel. If you didn’t already know this, butter is great for removing tar, sap, and other sticky substances that aren’t water soluble. I love that I can run this mug through the dishwasher, and microwave it when my coffee starts to get cold. I’ve been using for a few days now, and I haven’t had a single spill. I was even able to take it in the car and set it on the passenger seat without it tipping over. The hotjo is available on Amazon, but with a much heftier price tag than I paid.

[ GROWN-UP SIPPY-CUP ] 

I admit to being somewhat of a coffee snob. Maybe even a full-on coffee snob. I buy organic, fair-trade beans, which I grind every morning in a conical burr grinder and brew my coffee in a stainless steel bodum french press. The problem is, my mornings are usually hectic. Between running kids to the potty, feeding everyone breakfast, and making Patrick’s lunch, more of my coffee ends up on on the floor, than actually makes it to my mouth.

For months now, I’ve been joking that I need to get a sippy cup, but I’ve railed against the idea of using a typical travel mug for two reasons. First, I like the look and feel of ceramic mugs. There is just something nice about the warmth of the coffee in my hands—a feeling that you can’t really get from an insulated travel mug. Second, I find most travel mugs visually unappealing (is that just a euphemism for ugly?).

Enter the hotjo. I found this mug recently at Goodwill for $2. The bottom originally had a non-slip pad glued to it, that was in pretty bad shape. I ran it through the dishwasher, which softened it up, and then I scraped as much off as I could. I was able to clean off the sticky residue that was left behind with butter and a paper towel. If you didn’t already know this, butter is great for removing tar, sap, and other sticky substances that aren’t water soluble.

I love that I can run this mug through the dishwasher, and microwave it when my coffee starts to get cold. I’ve been using for a few days now, and I haven’t had a single spill. I was even able to take it in the car and set it on the passenger seat without it tipping over. The hotjo is available on Amazon, but with a much heftier price tag than I paid.

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[ KEEP CANNING ] I haven’t canned anything since I was twelve, when my mom and grandmother taught me how to can wild chokecherry jelly. I entered it in the county fair and won best in show. I had forgotten about that until our last trip back to Montana, when I discovered my old canning trophy—the only trophy I’ve ever won—in a box of memorabilia. The thought of canning on my own seemed a little overwhelming, but I picked up a twenty pound box of peaches at the farmers market this weekend, so I figured I had better give it a try again. I have quite a few mason jars that I’ve been collecting as we consume the delicious jelly made by my mom each year, but Goodwill sells mason jars at a great price, just 20¢ each. I needed to buy lids and rings, though. The lids had to be purchased new at Fred Meyer, but I was able to find a giant bag of rings at Goodwill for $2. The process was actually easier than I remember, and start to finish took me about an hour and a half. That’s probably pretty slow, but I’m sure I’ll get faster. The one complication was that I don’t own a jar lifter, and I couldn’t find one at the thrift store. I will never can anything again without one. I ended up burning my hand while trying to lift the jars out of the boiling water with salad tongs. The letterpress print above, by Old School Stationers, makes me smile every time I see it. It is available in notecard size at Birch Paperie, and several other local and national shops.

[ KEEP CANNING ]

I haven’t canned anything since I was twelve, when my mom and grandmother taught me how to can wild chokecherry jelly. I entered it in the county fair and won best in show. I had forgotten about that until our last trip back to Montana, when I discovered my old canning trophy—the only trophy I’ve ever won—in a box of memorabilia.

The thought of canning on my own seemed a little overwhelming, but I picked up a twenty pound box of peaches at the farmers market this weekend, so I figured I had better give it a try again. I have quite a few mason jars that I’ve been collecting as we consume the delicious jelly made by my mom each year, but Goodwill sells mason jars at a great price, just 20¢ each. I needed to buy lids and rings, though. The lids had to be purchased new at Fred Meyer, but I was able to find a giant bag of rings at Goodwill for $2.

The process was actually easier than I remember, and start to finish took me about an hour and a half. That’s probably pretty slow, but I’m sure I’ll get faster. The one complication was that I don’t own a jar lifter, and I couldn’t find one at the thrift store. I will never can anything again without one. I ended up burning my hand while trying to lift the jars out of the boiling water with salad tongs.

The letterpress print above, by Old School Stationers, makes me smile every time I see it. It is available in notecard size at Birch Paperie, and several other local and national shops.

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