My Favorite Antique Finds

     I've lived in my apartment for several years now and stuff has accumulated gradually into my place.  I'm picky and lots of times I don't know what I'm really looking for until I find it.  I go to different antique shops and multiple thrift stores and antique and craft fairs searching for the "perfect" items.  I'm not just picky on what the item looks like but also how much it costs, plus if it brings value to me.  So, will I get use out of it?  Here, I would like to share some items throughout my home I love and hope to give you some inspiration when you're shopping out or online.

     These teal lantern string lights I draped along my bay window.  Anita spotted them at RE: Restoration Emporium down at the West Bottoms in Kansas City, MO one weekend years back.  She thought they would go well with my place and I agree.  They are unique and serve as a decoration for my windows instead of hanging curtains up.  They are lit up every night and I have only had to replace the lights once.

     I needed a desk, of course, and so I decided to browse Craigslist one day.  This desk came up for, I believe, less than $50 and made out of real wood!  I went to pick it up at the guy's place and he even helped put it on top of my car.  The desk was a heavy sucker for sure, but my mom and I managed to make it back to my apartment to unload it.  It definitely ties in with the wood throughout my place.

     I searched for a long time to find a lamp for my desk.  I happen to love Tiffany style lamps, so I saw this gem when I went to one of the antique shops in Grain Valley, MO.  The glass is purple, my favorite color, and the lamp is just so ornate.  I actually came back to the store to get it because I couldn't make up my mind on purchasing it the first time, but then there was a sale at the store and so I snagged it for $40!

     This cabinet sits on my bathroom wall above the toilet.  It is the perfect size too!  At first, I purchased a white bathroom cabinet from Craigslist, took it home and found that it was too big for the space.  Next, Anita stumbled upon a bathroom cabinet for free on the side of the road.  Although it fit in the space, it barely did because it was still big and quite heavy.  I also had no way of properly attaching it to the wall, so again failed.  Lastly, I like to go to the Bingham Waggoner Estate antique/craft fair in Independence, MO every year and someone was selling this for only $10!  What a steal!  It fits, is pretty light and I even like the fact it's not white; it's rustic.

     I have quite the collection of tins in my home, but these two are my favorite.  They're great for storing my makeup brushes, while everyone else uses glass/crystal or empty candle jars.  The orange juice tin was purchased at the Vaile Mansion Strawberry Festival in Independence one year.  (I don't remember the price but cheap.)  The Planters can came from Brass Armadillo antique store in Grain Valley.

     This is my coffee table and it doubles as storage.  I wouldn't have bought this chest if it weren't for my sis.  Anita just has an eye for home decor.  This time we were at Hickory Dickory in the West Bottoms when she saw it.  I thought it was going to be too big for my small place, but I was wrong.  It's the perfect size.  She also negotiated the price down for me to $55.  The inside is in great condition; it's only missing a handle on the outside.  It has also served as my dining table and a surface I use to take pictures of items on.  Useful and affordable!

     Anita pinned a picture on Pinterest of crates used as a bookshelf, so that inspired me to create this in my livingroom.  I bought the two wood crates from Brass Armadillo and the metal crate came from Nook & Cranny down in the West Bottoms.  All three totaled less than $50.  I could stack more crates on if I want to, but I think this is enough.

     I've had this postcard of old Kansas City downtown for a while now.  I even used a mediocre picture frame for it but wanted something better.  I know the postcard was pretty inexpensive, like $1 or $2, found at some random antique shop.  Anita and I were recently at Urban Mining in Kansas City, MO and I found this vintage frame among a pile of others.  It's brass and the size is something odd, not 8x10 or 5x7, but I love it.  It was only $6 and even cheaper because all items are 10% off on Sundays when they are open (just the first weekend every month).  I bought a cheap matte at Hobby Lobby, cut it to size myself and put this together.  Not too shabby!

     You just never know what can be found, what you stumble upon.  Again, I hope this inspires you.  Let us know what gems you discover and comment below!


Rosie