Shopping the Salvation Army

Yesterday, on the way home from MARTHA, I decided to do a quick spin through the Salvation Army on 52nd, a few blocks from my apartment. Just like your favorite flea market or thrift store, it's all about going on a regular basis. You never know what you're going to find—or when! Plus, shopping at the Salvation Army feels even better because you know you're helping a great cause.

Whenever I go, I like to start with the small stuff. It really is like a treasure hunt digging through all those bins of silverware, sifting through stacks of plates, trying to decipher good from bad, new from old. This isn't, by any means, a nice looking store. And the good things—those that are either truly antique or just have great potential—are not always easy to find. But that's exactly why I love it! When you find a really great piece of furniture or something for the table and you figure out what you're going to do with it or a new way to use it, you make it your own. And nothing feels more special than a piece that's one-of-a-kind!

Check out this turquoise green Hall vase I picked up. I love all the art deco detailing on it. This would be so pretty on a foyer table in front of a large mirror filled with beautiful white gladiolas.

There I was doing my usual digging when the phone rang. Not a minute later, I discovered two 19th century yellowware bowls that were so beautiful and old, I nearly fell over! This is going to look great with the copper pot I picked up last weekend in Sag Harbor.

Here are a few crystal salt cellars I found, together with three Fire King mug shot glasses that would be perfect for a miniature flower arrangements.

This 1960s chip-and-dip bowl with a gold fall leaf overlay is very retro cool. It's not my style, but I do think it's a fun way to make even the most mundane appetizer look marvelous.

I thought this set of Homer Laughlin dinerware bowls were great too. How perfect would they be for serving lobster and corn chowder come winter?

After bringing up all my finds from the homeware section...

It was on to the furniture! This pair of slipper chairs I fell in love with. The fabric's not my favorite, but just imagine them recovered in beautiful homespun linen with a self welt. I might even do picture frame tape on the seats and backs. Pretty, don't you think? Now if only I had room in my apartment...

This art deco three-piece entertainment unit I adored as well. It's such a great example of furniture that's not a true antique, so getting in there and really doing something to reinvent it could be amazing. If it were up to me, I'd probably repurpose it as a home office. The middle unit would be great for a pull-out laptop shelf and the sides for printers, scanners and such. I'd paint the whole thing a pretty sea glass green (or, for a more modern look, high gloss black). I'd polish up the original door-knocker hardware, then swap out the copper screens behind the open work with contrasting fabric.   

Love the door knocker hardware!

Isn't this chest of drawers nice? The faux bamboo is great and I like the white, but I'd definitely swap out that hardware.

Here's another dresser that could be so good if it were done right. It's from the same era as the secretary I made over a little while ago. For a little girl's room, I'd paint it a beautiful shade of pink, line the drawers in pretty paper, hang a white mirror behind it, then add beautiful vintage crystal candlestick lamps and a  French ivory dressing tray. How sweet is that?

Shopping the Salvation Army isn't complete without a spin through the linen section, where I found this great plaid linen tablecloth. I think i might even make pillows out of it.

And just before I left, I found this old, homemade monogrammed crib blanket. How perfect would it be as a little curtain on the window of a side door?

Off I go, treasures in hand, with money well spent. And what about you? Have you found something at the Salvation Army that you love or need a little help reinventing? Feel free to leave me a comment! I'd love to hear about it.

Comments

[Sakinah]

I also love thrifting! In one trip I found a full length gold baroque mirror heavy and in mint condition. It is being painted hot pink to go on my teens black and white striped wall in her dressing room. I found a large oval gold antique mirror for my entry way that POPS of my black wall. Also, on this same trip I scored a mid century antique 5 foot sideboard for 69.00!!!! I was on cloud 9 that day as I drove my purchases home!!!!!

[Sarah]

The yellow ware bowls are fantastic, but the look on your face in that photo is priceless!

[Sue]

I found my favourite thing in my aprtment at the Salvation Army. It's a large piece of antique Chinese embroidery that comes framed with many birds congregating around a phoenix in brilliant colours of teal, ruby, cerulean, topaz, fuchsia and more. It cost about $50 and gives my ikea-furnished blandness such a lift.

But actually, the purpose of this comment is not antiquing. I simply love your outfit, the tweed combined with shots of colour. You're just brilliant. Such an eye.

[Elizabeth Groven]

Love your site! I also love the way you browse the Salvation Army! I found a Hunting McGinnis tartan lightweight wool blanket, 80x90" perfect for a double/queen sized bed. I washed it in cold water, put it in the dryer for about 5 minutes and then line dried it. Did I say it was $6--a made in New Zealand treasure. I love it and feel so lucky to have found it. I will keep visiting your site! Betty

[Louie Malloy]

That leaf etched bowl you found - my mom has champagne glasses from the 60's with the same design...i love them. wanna give me the bowl to go with my glasses?

i'm enjoying your site. thanks

[Morgan]

I LOVE thrift stores, and frequent the SA on a regular basis. Almost everything I use to decorate with is either thrifted, from a flea market, or craigslist.

http://trickmybrick.blogspot.com/search/label/thrifting

I love you on Top Design and love your vintage flair - very inspiring! I might have to ditch the vintage kitsch for something a little more refined.

BTW - how did you wind up in design? Did you study it?

[Pam]

I forgot to add that I'm adding you to my favorites list :)
Pam

[Pam]

I visited a Goodwill Store near our home in Northern Wi and found a beautiful Howard Miller Mantle clock with a handwritten note, "As is" taped to it. I lovingly cradled it to the electronics person and asked what it meant- what was wrong with it? She simply said, "It doesn't have a key." So, we paid our 5.99 then stopped at the Clock Shop for a 4.00 key. So thrilled to own this beautiful clock that plays a part of Westminster Chimes every 15 min. Then the full song with chimes each hour. So soothing to the soul as it ticks quietly in my kitchen. Would love to shop with you in NYC :)
Blessings,
Pam

[Angela Nucifora]

I'd love to visit this thrift store, but can't seem to find it on 52nd St. I love the white dresser for our nursery! Any chance it might still be there? Thanks for the hunt.

[style court]

Yes, like Mrs. Blandings I'm now inspired to check out my local SA thrift shop. Yours seems to have stellar stuff. For anyone who is interested, in Atlanta the Junior League thrift shop and the Cathedral of St. Philip store are worth a look. As Eddie said, all good causes too.

[Anne]

I wish you had told us how much you spent for all your treasures. Would we have been amazed?

[Kim]

I love this post. My husband and I love Salvation Army and digging through the home items for "diamonds in the rough." Our best find was our lovely solid wood dresser. We refinished it in black and changed the hardware and it is the perfect piece for our bedroom. Simple and inexpensive.

Keep the great posts coming!

[Mrs. Blandings]

It's the hunt as much as the find. I have not tried our Salvation Army, but will put it on my list. Who knew?

[Rowena]

Oh my gosh, that white dresser is the EXACT one I NEED for my bedroom, and I already have a matching lingerie chest for it, that I found at a thrift store in L.A. about 6 years ago. And since I am in L.A., there is nothing to do but agonize over it! (Aaaargggh)

[DecorPad]

Amazing Finds! Leave it to NY to have the most stylish Salvation Army!

[Paloma of La Dolce Vita]

You have inspired me to check out the Salvation Army in Houston. Although I always hear about other people's fabulous finds, I never seem to find anything great myself.

[pigtown-design]

I collect copper pots and pans and moulds, too. I have found more than 100 pieces and used to have them lining my kitchen walls. Then I moved to the UK and sold them all for $100s!

Sometimes, I hear the "voices" calling me and I head to our local thrift shop, which is a Value Village. I have gotten incredible things there.

My best find was a Cartier watch at the Junior League store. It was missing its crystal and was priced at $.50. I asked to see it, then wound it up. I put it back and then came back five minutes later and it was keeping perfect time. Snapped it up and kept it until my house was robbed. :-(

[Brian]

Just found out about you via Martha show. Like you, I find it a lot of fun to collect various things throughout the country. Just a note, the turquoise green vase is Abingdon (I have one in blue). Also interesting to note that the same vase is in Martha's 1991 Gardening book, page 113.

[Jen r sanctuary arts at home]

Your Salvation Army has much better stuff than ours does.. our Goodwill is pretty good though. Good finds!