A Secondhand Rose Is Just As Sweet...Or Maybe Sweeter

Apartment Therapy's got a readers' list of amazing secondhand finds, including free designer coaches (from an estate sale) and Hermes scarves -- new ones -- for a couple of bucks each.

   One person talks about snagging an Eames lounger and ottoman for $80. Sigh. I love those beauties. Apparently the doctor who originally owned it died -- and his wife didn't like the style.

The price on this one? A cool $1199.

Reminds me of this weekend, at the Firehouse Quilters show. I was appraising when I saw a beautiful -- and unusual -- quilt the client found at a Goodwill in Parker. (Colorado, that is.) And she bought it only a few weeks ago.
     Jealousy reared its ugly little head. I said, "Wait a minute - I shop at that Goodwill. How come I missed it?!" Turns out 'her' Goodwill was actually some miles away from the Parker one I frequent, so felt better. (Silly, I know.)

Bargains I've found? 

*A Scottish-made (high end label) cashmere sweater in pale blue - $6. (This one came a few weeks ago from "Sally," the Salvation Army store in Boulder. High incomes, casual approach to stuff -- it's a perfect mix for finding good things. I've bought everything from paintings to mountain bikes there for pennies on the dollar.)

*A longer alpaca sweater - $3.

*handmade, original design Italian high heels, with a label that said they were runway samples - $4. (Daughter #2 snagged these; they fit her perfectly.)

*A first edition of Amelia Earhart's autobiography. Purchased for $2; sold for $50 and change on Amazon.

*Snug, down-stuffed paisley print lounging chair, with removable pillows - $40. High-end fabric, and it's worn like iron.

*Arts & Crafts iron-and-stained glass lamp - $20.

*Depression-Era Double Wedding Ring quilt top - $35. (The Mama quilted it for Daughter #1's birthday.)

*Swedish leather clogs - 2 pairs - $2 each.

*Chinese blue-and-white ceramic stool - $40. It's held up beautifully to weather, and currently holds a large potted pepper plant.

*12 place setting set of 1930s dishes -- only a few pieces missing -- for $29. Even platters and bowls were included. A beautiful red/yellow/blue floral on cream background. The only problem: they're gold-rimmed, so can't be used in the microwave.


More amazing finds from Apartment Therapy here -- but weirdly, the comments section seems to be the same as the later article.

And an apartment filled with secondhand finds that's intriguing.

I'm still looking for that Eames chair, though.