Inspiration is F-R-E-E!

After clicking on some eye spy links, a friend emailed to say that she thought $190 for a pillow was out of her price range. Whoa — mine too!  By about $170. I love finding beautiful things; my thrill is in the looking.  And if it’s a super duper bargain, that’s thrilling too! 

I’m a scrounger. My favorite buying trips are to Nearly New thrift store, Goodwill, Kudzu, Scott’s Antique Market, Providence Antiques and Gypsy Camp. Nearly New’s tag line is “Repurposed Style.” I like that. 

I comb craigslist for bargains and consistently find them. I think my best score was 4 French antique chairs for $25 total!  If my best friend’s truck were more reliable, I’d be hauling home craigslist finds from all over the southeast. { Mel, I vow to stay inside the perimeter. And thank you for your truck! }

I also barter like crazy. Everything from art to furniture. Right now, I’m designing a logo ( for an interior designer I think the world of! ) in exchange for a Bobo Intriguing Objects chair. I know a guy who used to exchange gallery/studio cleaning for art and now he has quite a collection. And, I’m a magnet for discards. Just recently, I complimented my friend on a sofa in her basement and she replied “it’s your’s.”  

rcarver via Flickr

When it comes to fabrics, I still make the rounds at the same stores my Mother frequented 40 years ago!  Lewis & Sheron, Fabric World (most fabric $3/yard), and Discount Fabrics. My best purchase was 40 yards of really fine unbleached linen for $1/yard!  And, well... yes. I splurge sometimes. But, always always always I look at what designers are doing and what artists are making. It spurs ideas and gets me thinking about color, texture, shape... and my home and all its possibilities. So, fill your eyes and heads with interesting interiors images — and let's have some fun! 

 

Comments

[style court]

Hi Susie, glad you gave Nearly New a mention!