Thrift Store Finds
For a while I resisted bringing new pieces into the house. I was focused on editing what we owned, finishing the kitchen updates, laying wood floors and painting so the home felt more like ours. I prefer to clear out first and then add only items I truly love or that have meaning, rather than accumulating clutter.
My style has continued to evolve — nothing is ever truly finished — but I knew I wanted to introduce more of the vintage cottage feel I adore by bringing in older pieces. I’m a fan of mixing new and old, natural and painted finishes to create a layered, comfortable look. The goal isn’t more stuff, it’s thoughtful touches that set the right tone for our home.
Luckily we discovered a surprisingly good flea market nearby. Living on a small peninsula in the Puget Sound, I didn’t expect to find many vintage gems, but this place changed that. It’s where I found several pieces that have become favorites.
Recently my daughter and I stumbled across a charming dresser that felt like the perfect entry piece. As soon as we brought it in, the main floor felt transformed. It had a graceful rounded front, original metal hardware and just enough character that it didn’t need painting. It fit right in with the cottage mood I wanted to create without adding clutter — a real win.
If you prefer natural wood, don’t worry — I do too, and my home has plenty of it. This painted piece simply fit the mood for the entryway.
The dresser tied in with other painted elements on the main floor: the powder room vanity, the dining table and two painted rattan chairs in the kitchen. Having multiple places with white or near-white painted furniture helped solidify the cottage vibe while still keeping a balanced mix of styles. Paired with the white planked walls across the entry, the space now feels bright, light and welcoming.
At that same thrift store we found a wonderful painting. The seascape with a small boat stopped me in my tracks — it was just right for the entry. Shopping flea markets and thrift stores can be feast or famine, but lately it’s been a feast. I picked up a few other finds I’ll share later. The blue planter in the photos is from a big-box store, another reliable source for accent pieces.
One favorite find was an old water jug that I turned into a lamp. I was surprised at how easy it was to assemble a working lamp from a flea-market jug; it took only a few minutes and no electrical mishaps. I’ll share the simple steps in an upcoming post because I’m now hooked on making lamps — it’s a fun, quick DIY that gives vintage pieces new life.
Follow-up details on making this lamp will appear in my next post, where I’ll walk through the simple process. For now, I’m happily enjoying how a few well-chosen thrift store finds have refreshed our entry and set the tone for the whole main floor.
So can you believe it? I made my own lamp!