This is a guest article from Stacy.
I was once told that there are more eBay sellers from Washington, DC than anywhere else in the country. While I am not sure if that is actually true, I would certainly believe it. Between the Federal Government and Military, our region is home to a very well-traveled and transient community making the secondhand scene in the area one of the best in the country. So much of that trickles down to our local thrift stores and fills them full of treasures.
Being both budget conscious and a vintage lover, I have managed to furnish most of my house with second-hand treasures … many of which I found thrifting.
Here are some of my favorite secrets to score the best treasures for your home.
Where to Thrift
As you know, what you find at thrift stores is completely dependent on the donations they receive. There are several tricks to make sure you are searching at the places with the best donations.
Many auction houses will donate any unsold auction items to the thrift stores in their area. I like to search on Google Maps for auction houses then try to identify the surrounding thrift stores. I try to wait a few days after their auctions to see if there are any donated treasures at those stores.
Thrift stores that are run by churches are also treasure troves. These stores are usually much more curated and can be more manageable than some of the larger chains that can sometimes be overwhelming.
Did you know that military bases often have their own thrift store on base? Check their websites for hours and directions on how to access the thrift store from the front gate for the general public.
Lastly, give some thought to what you want to find. I have found thrift stores that pick up donations, such as our local Salvation Army stores, have a much better furniture selection than places that require drop off donations since most people want to avoid the headache that comes with renting a truck.
Few things make me happier than vintage china. Because older couples are more likely to own this in the first place, I usually find the best patterns at independent, in-person donation, thrift stores in older neighborhoods.
How to Thrift
With COVID-19, things have changed a lot, and wearing a mask, wearing gloves, wiping down a cart and items, and keeping a physical distance from others is my first priority for their safety and mine. Do what makes you feel the safest. After that, my first tip, once you enter the store, is to always get a cart. You don’t want to chance someone else grabbing an item because you are busy running back to the front of the store to grab a cart halfway through shopping.
After you grab the cart, make a first lap grabbing any items that jump out at you. Even if you are on the fence about an object, put it in your cart. After you are done shopping, you can be deliberate if you actually want to purchase it. If you leave it on the shelf, it may not be there on your second or third lap around the store.
Once you find an object, examine it thoroughly. Are there any cracks or chips? What kind of repair does it need? Be honest with yourself about the time you would be able to commit to a repair project. Being a mother of two young kids, I only have time to give an object a new frame or a quick polish these days!
Run your hands over the object. Do you feel bumps on the vase to let you know it is hand-painted? Is there a ridge on the teapot to let you know that it isn’t just tarnish but the silverplate is actually peeling off? Can you feel the paint on the art piece to let you know it is an original?
Lastly, get out your phone. I often take a picture of the makers mark on the bottom of a piece and blow it up to be able to read it better. Can’t quite see that makers mark on the under part of the chair frame? Snap a picture. Then do a quick Google search on the mark to get an idea of what you have in your hand. Is it valuable? Mass-produced? Made overseas?
What to Thrift
I am always on the hunt for unique items but there are 5 things I always grab when thrifting because you can usually get such good deals on them.
I always scoop up pretty and unique table linens. Paying only a few bucks for a set of Irish linen napkins makes it much easier to stomach your son getting spaghetti sauce all over them! I also like to have them monogrammed and give them to friends as house warming presents.
Taper candles are another favorite. You can usually grab a stash of them for next to nothing. And oftentimes, you can find colors you can’t find in some of the big retail stores.
I love finding vintage ribbon, trims, and tassels when I am hunting. I add them to doorknobs, pillows, curtains, and presents. They make such special statement pieces!
Fabric (especially bolts of unused fabric) can be such a score. I have found bolts of designer fabric for a song and used it to recover chairs I have thrifted.
Lastly, I never leave a thrift store before checking out the baskets. Baskets in traditional retail stores can be pricy. I can usually grab large quirky baskets thrifting for what I would pay for an iced coffee.
Don’t let the fact that the item is second hand scare you off. There are so many ways to disinfect and clean these items to bring them into your home and back to their original condition. An internet search and some elbow grease is all you need! For some of my easy cleaning techniques and other thrifting tips, check out www.capitolvintagecharm.com
About the Guest Author
Stacy was born and raised in Louisiana and moved to DC nearly 17 years ago. She lives with her husband, her son Grayson (4 years old), her daughter Adeline (2 months old), and her dog Hemingway. She is powered by iced coffee and has become skilled in the art of smuggling estate sale, thrift store and auction finds into her home without hearing grief from her husband. (You would be shocked how many teacups can fit into an average-sized purse).
