Abandoned Find New Home!

Hi Everyone,
It's time for another "Today's Thrifty Treasures" party graciously hosted by the fabulous Rhoda of Southern Hospitality! Please be sure to check out her latest post and visit all the participants in this always-fun event!

The thrifty finds I’m showing you today didn’t come from a traditional thrift store (at least not one where the items for sale have been donated in support of charities or other worthy causes). The merchandise in from a "junk store." The owner of the shop sells items from self-storage units that have been auctioned to the highest bidder due to non-payment/abandonment of property.

Did you know that one of every ten US households rents a storage unit? In good financial times, people are buying, replacing, moving up; in an economic downturn, people are downsizing, losing their homes, moving in with relatives. Either way, business at storage companies is good. Potential buyers at the auctions have to look in from outside the units before bidding and can’t open bags and boxes … because it’s still someone else’s property at that point. It would be trespassing until the goods are auctioned.

The shop owner says she generally finds things of value in the units she buys. Other times, she pays to have it all hauled straight to the dump. She almost always ends up with nice furniture that sells for enough to make it worth her time. I enjoy digging through the “smalls,” and have found quite a few nice things for what I think are reasonable prices.

Here’s what I found there last weekend:


This little ladderback chair cost $5. The woven seat is in good condition and, since it looks old (and there's no place for it in the house) it went to the booth my partner and I have at a local antique mall. The cushions went too (priced separately).


This antique, hand-made oriental rug is worn and a bit tattered ... but I like the colors. I actually like the fact that it looks as if it's had a rather challenging life. It also cost $5.

One pair of long green drapes and two fringes scarves (ecru?), each about 18 feet long. $1 for both. They're in spotless, perfect condition. You'll likely see them draped across a table in an upcoming tablescape.

Plastic hangers ... and who doesn't need more hangers? $1, including tote.

I've wanted one of these trays/desks for a long time. They're usually rather pricey. This was my biggest single expenditure at $7. You'll probably say I should paint it, but I like the color it is; I think I'll try touching up the scratches first.

This silverplated candleabrum was only $2. Very shiny ... didn't even need polishing (not that I mind polishing silver!).

Two books that could contain useful information. Fifty cents each.

A simple glass carafe and two plastic stemmed glasses (great for sipping something cool while in the hot tub!).

A Corningware tray and a blue Pyrex pie plate. $1, total for both. I collect the original blue cornflower pattern. It's discontinued and, I think, very classic looking. I'm gradually eliminating the other later patterns.

This came from Goodwill. It wasn't priced, so I asked the manager (who sees me in there a lot). He went in the back and came out with a $3.99 sticker. I didn't hesitate for that price. It's very sturdy. The pickled pine finish is slightly distressed on top. I think I'll paint it espresso brown. I don't mind the hardware ... I'll see how it looks with the new color.

Here's where the $5 rug ended up, in the sitting area of an upstairs bedroom. I think it defines the space and "cozies it up."

I used the decanter in my first Pink Saturday post.

This is a lemon pie I baked yesterday ... Paula Deen's recipe ... in the blue Pyrex dish. I thought the lemony yellow would be pretty with the blue. Thank you to a fellow blogger for providing the recipe!

That's it for now. Let me know what you think!!

Bill