Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Why You Should Shop at Habitat for Humanity Re-Stores!

I don't hide the fact that I am a fan of shopping second hand.  I love craigslist and garage sales and thrift stores and architectural salvage yards.


Maybe this is why I love Habitat for Humanity Thrift Stores and Re-Stores so much!  You can find great used stuff, AND architectural salvage.

(This post is being linked to Blogging A to Z, H is for Habitat Shopping!)

A few years ago, a colleague and I staged a Habitat for Humanity Show House for a local affordable home tour. We had some tough rules: no nails, nothing but white paint, furnishings needed to come from Habitat stores, and accessories and textiles needed to be thrifted or re-purposed items.


The purpose of the tour was to show how a beautiful home could be created using affordable items. Many of the items donated to Habitat Re-Stores are brand new overstock or slightly damaged items.  For instance, this beautiful bed was donated by a local furniture retailer, and had been scratched in places.  A little touching up was all it needed!


This sectional sofa was in near new condition!  A little spot cleaning was all it needed to look great in our show home!  Because spring was in the air, we used lots of high quality silk florals -- all thrifted, of course.


Even the office was furnished from Habitat stores!  The globe and vintage camera and lenses and vintage golf bag added just the right touch.


Classic pine furniture, vintage bedspread and vintage sports pennants set the tone for this boy's room.


A recent trip to my local Habitat Re-Store yielded these blue shutters -- wouldn't they make a great headboard or mantel backdrop?


This sink would set you back several hundred dollars at your local design center!


More designer sinks!  Sometimes a local business just need to clear out last year's inventory to make room for new arrivals, so they make a donation to their local Habitat store.


I nearly died when I saw this antique built-in cabinet! Unlike other architectural salvage yards, Habitat usually prices items to move quickly.  This piece would have a four digit price tag on it at a regular salvage yard!

This small vintage credenza would be right at home in a modern interior.


If your taste leans more toward the traditional, how about a pair of high quality, brand new Louis XV style chairs?


The sink below is a utility sink, but the luxurious ten inch depth would be amazing in a kitchen.  I have a super deep sink in my beach house kitchen and I LOVE it!


Have I convinced you yet?


Go check out your local Habitat store -- you'll be glad you did!

Find some old leather furniture at your local Habitat? This post on dyeing leather furniture might be just what you're looking for!

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Thanks for stopping by!
Amanda