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Hi, I’m Kathy from My Interior Life, a blog about my passion for interior design. I love finding affordable vintage treasures and using them in my own home or those of others (I’ve recently started a decorating business) to create unique and personal spaces. I’m often asked where I find some of these pieces in and around Nashville, and while some of my haunts aren’t so secret, some may surprise you.
Of course, finding bargains also involves patience, persistence, and, let’s face it, a lot of luck. Here are some of my suggestions on how and where to shop for thrifty finds around town.
Estate sales can often be a treasure trove. Since most sales are advertised online with photos, it’s easy to peruse items and decide if a sale is right for you or worth your time. Sales typically start on a Thursday or Friday and run through the weekend. Often, the second day of a sale will offer half off or deeply discounted prices. Websites including www.estatesales.net and www.pattersonestatesales.com list local estate sales and will email you when new sales are planned for your area. Below are just a sampling of the goodies I’ve found at local estate sales . . .
McLemore Auction Company is like a local version of eBay and holds online auctions that feature everything from estate pieces to retail liquidations. All items are in town, so you can view them before bidding online. I’ve purchased chairs and my favorite pagoda mirror from McLemore Auction. It’s a great local resource.
The Nashville Flea Market showcases unique pieces at nice price points. Some of the best bargains can be found from the vendors outside and in the sheds. The Flea Market is held the fourth Saturday weekend of every month (except in December when it’s the third weekend) at the fairgrounds. April and October are rumored to be great months to go because that’s when some of the best vendors attend in force.
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| I found this Asian-style cabinet at the Flea Market for $30. |
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I also scored this faux bamboo Greek Key mirror at the Flea Market for $40.
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This Milo Baughman-style mid-century chair had great lines, but I wasn’t in love with the dated fabric. |
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So I had it reupholstered in a vivid herringbone fabric.
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Once again, loved the shape of this Parson’s console, and at $20 the price was right, but didn’t love the textured laminate finish.
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I transformed it by recovering it with grasscloth wallpaper I got off eBay. Those mid-century benches underneath came from Music City Thrift (see below). I had them reupholstered, and now they look like this . . . |
Consignment stores are another fun place to shop for unique items. Clearing House Consignment in Belle Meade is one of the oldest and most well-known consignment shops in town. Another shop also in Belle Meade is Stock Market Consignment. A newer favorite of mine is Remix Consignment on 8th Avenue. Their prices are great AND they have a website with photos of their inventory – once again, so convenient.
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I love this brass serpentine lamp I purchased at Clearing House Consignment.
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I found these black lamps at Goodwill for $4.99 each. They were made by famous lamp maker Paul Hanson and sell on antiques sites like 1st Dibs for hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars.
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And last, but not least is a little junk shop attached to a motorcycle store (I kid you not) called Pug’s Corner that sits at the corner of Old Hickory Blvd. and Charlotte Ave. While certainly not glamorous, it can be a treasure hunter’s dream. I found this mid-century Mastercraft lacquered credenza there for $80. There is talk that Pug is trying to sell his property, however, so I’m not sure how much longer he’ll be around (at least at that location).
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| Here sits my credenza in our basement media room, which is almost complete. |
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16 Responses to “Affordable Vintage Treasures”
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Congrats, my friend!!! Love seeing you featured this morning!! M.
So great to see Kathy on SB. I love her blog and it has inspired me to pump up the color and add some brass!
So great to see Kathy on SB. I love her blog and it has inspired me to pump up the color and add some brass.
It is nice to find someone with the same obsession!
Thanks Julie and Mandi for your sweet comments! And once again, thanks SO much to Liza and Elizabeth for having me at SB today!
This is a fantastic list of places to check out. Thanks much for sharing!
What fun tips….interiors are not my thing really so it’s nice to have the info on where to go. Do you have some names to look for on your blog? I’ll check. I love finding gems too, only clothing! Thanks, Melinda
I love “my interior life” — just discovered recently. So fun to see you here on SB, Kathy!
Incredible finds! It makes me want to get out there and hunt!
Great round up of treasure hunting spots Kathy!!!
Really, you have to rub it in, don’t you. Sigh. I never, ever tire of drooling over Kathy’s amazing finds and her beautiful home. She truly has an incredible ability for finding that diamond in the rough and bringing it back to all its glory.
A girl after my own heart! so fun to hunt! I am into old trunks right now (have 3 I picked up that i’m waiting for inspiration for ) to transform. Mallory consignment in Cool Springs and Brentwood is also a good place to check out.
Yay, so fun to see Kathy’s guest blog on Style Blueprint today! She always finds the most amazing stuff…I really should just hire her to come in and completely transform my house.
Da queen of finding treasures is Kathy.
Great post Kathy. You’re giving all your secrets away :)
Kathy is seriously the best at finding vintage treasures! If I ever make it to the Nashville area I’ll definitely be checking out some of her spots!