The Best Thrift Stores for Home Decor in the DC Metro Area
The question I am most asked is “What’s your favorite thrift store?” This is the equivalent of asking a parent to name their favorite child. I can’t do it. And, where I go completely depends what type of home item I am in the mood to find.
So, below, you will find not my top favorite but my top 10 favorite thrift stores in the DC Metro Area (often called “DMV” by locals).
Who is Sister Parish?
Sister Parish, a prominent American interior decorator, is known for her classic and traditional design style. Her signature elements include chintz fabrics, painted furniture, and needlepoint pillows. She partnered with Albert Hadley to form the renowned Parish-Hadley Design Firm and worked on notable projects like decorating the White House in the 1960s.
Finding the Best Vintage Bargains on DC Craigslist
When I first met Sarah Lyon (@sarahlyon9), I basically thought she was the little sister I never had. She loves Higher Education as much as I do, loves interior designs AND...she's an amazing Craigslist shopper. The stuff this woman has gotten off Craigslist blows my mind. Ya'll, she's like a NBA Baller status Craigslister.
Recently we put our heads together to come up with a little bit of a rules of the Craigslist game...you know a list of "Helpful Tips to Navigate Craigslist".
The Most Important Tools for Hunting Vintage Home Decor
Over the last few years, I have spent so much time and money buying things at thrift stores and flea markets only to get it home and realize something was wrong or broken….it wasn’t actually tarnish, the silver plate was worn off. Or the area I thought was just dirty is actually a stain. Or what I assumed was solid brass turned out to be brass plate.
I finally got wise and put together a little make up bag I carry with me now when I am out scouting at Estate Sales, Flea Markets and Thrift Stores. Here is a peak inside my magic goodie bag:
Vintage Paint-By-Number
I don’t know about you but when I think of vintage art, one of the first things that pops into my mind are paint by numbers. We have all seen them, those little kits with the canvas that has light blue or gray lines with numbers inside of them. The cute little plastic paint packets with just the perfect shade of blue for your sky.
What is the purpose of a Napkin Ring?
I feel like sometimes I find folks on Instagram and I fall into a black vortex of investigation. Holly Holden is one of my latest new instagram loves! If you don’t follow her, you should do so immediately. I love knowing what is considered “proper” and “appropriate etiquette” if situations ever present themselves. Also, I think it is just great to get a little refresh of some basics, like how to address an envelope properly. Ya’ll need to sign up for her Mummy’s Monday Manners newsletter!
She recently was a guest on the Welcome Home podcast (another favorite) where they were discussing Holiday entertaining. The subject of napkin rings came up and I just had to share what she said about them - this is something I never knew!
You May Be Calling the Wrong Thing a Ginger Jar…
For years anything that was a porcelain blue and white jar that had an Asian motif was simply a ginger jar to me. I had no idea until I opened my Etsy shop that there were differences. AND that there all kinds of differences in ginger jars.
Here, my friends, is your Asian Porcelain Jar Tutorial….
The Silent Butler / aka: Crumb Catcher / aka: Crumb Plate
I had always heard these called “Crumb Catchers” and was planning on doing an intro joke about how they are a mom’s best friend. Then, once I researched it a little further, I realized they were called “The Silent Butler.” Turns out they ARE the Mom.
What is the difference between Wicker and Rattan?
I was going to post something the other day on my Chairish shop and described the item as “rattan”. Then I stopped and said “wait, is this wicker.” Then I realized I didn’t really know the difference and I, incorrectly, use them two terms interchangeably.
I wanted to share what I learned from the ole Google machine because, you know, we can’ know everything.
My Favorite Thing to do with Vintage Porcelain Boxes
When I am out hunting, I never ever leave a porcelain decorative/trinket box behind. I love them. I have them all over my house and use them to hold toothpicks, ponytail holders and thumbtacks. But, my favorite thing to do with them is use them to hold matches and place them next to the candles I have around my house.
A Guide to Vintage Decanters: How to Clean Them, Use Them and Decorate with Them
I was recently having a conversation with a dear friend who asked me to keep my eye out for some vintage decanters for her bar. There really isn't anything quite as vintage and cool as a bunch of decanters, right? I don't know about you but I immediately think about Don Draper and smoking jackets and super cool things like Vintage Jags and the Dos Equis man.
Today I thought we'd explore what alcohol goes in what kind of decanter along with how to clean them and other uses for decanters besides alcohol.
What is the Difference between Retro, Vintage and Antique?
The other day I was listing some items in my Etsy store and something hit me like a big-ole ton of bricks. Etsy says anything made before 1999 is considered vintage. It is weird to put this into real context, isn't it? Sure, we all know that Mid Century Modern is vintage. We see a Lava Lamp in our parent's addict from the 70's and think "yeah, that's vintage."
But, ya'll. Vintage is so much more recent than you think.
Monogramming Vintage Napkins
Monograms have been around for ages and are considered to be the oldest form of identification in the world. Historically, rules of monogramming include a single last name initial or 3 letter monogram that includes the larger last name initial in the middle, flanked by a smaller first and middle initial.
Introduction to Collecting Milk Glass
Milk Glass. You've heard the term but do you really know what it is? Today we are going to briefly explore what it is and how to determine if it is older or a reproduction piece.
The Best 5 Things to Buy at a Thrift Store
There are some really off-the-wall things I have found and brought home from thrifting. I can't help it. When I find old vintage decorative birds, I have to purchase and put them aside...you never know when I may want to hot glue one to a wreath or add one to a Christmas tree.
My husband doesn’t even bat an eye anymore when I come in with these random items.
While I love the random items, there are 5 things I will never leave behind when I am thrifting:
How to Tell the Difference between Glass and Crystal
I used to get so tripped up trying to figure this out. (Don't get me wrong, I still run across things that make me have to second guess myself). But here are a few tips to help you know the difference between crystal and glass.
How to tell the Difference between a Handmade and Machine Made Rug
You are out at a flea market and you glance over and see it. It is perfect. It has that one hard to find color you have been lusting after. You go over and they quote you a price that you aren't so sure about. Is it fair? Is it overpriced?
One of the best ways to tell if you are getting a good price on a rug is to know if it is handmade or machine made. Obviously, if the rug is handmade, the value (and price) is more because of the skill, time and talent.
There are four types of rugs…
What is Elegant Glass?
Elegant glass is a relatively new term coined to the glass of this period that had to be touched by human hands. But, it does get a little complicated. Sometimes companies used the same molds as their “regular ole” depression glass and then manipulated it. Because of this, it is helpful to know some of the manufacturers and pattern names of the popular Elegant Glass of the time!
Introduction to Depression Glass and Patterns
Can you even imagining opening up your box of Cheerios or whatever and finding a piece of shinny colored glass in there? That might actually be enough to get my lazy ass out of bed in the morning.
Who is Charles Eames?
I remember the first time I ever saw the famous Eames Lounge chair. It reminded me of something my grandfather would have had. Something he would have curled up in at night to read the paper and have a drink. It was beautiful and filled me with the comfort of familiarity.