Tuesday 3 August 2010

Thrifty Tuesday

Much to the horror of a small (very small...) number of friends I picked this discarded, once loved chair up by the roadside. Yes this week's thrifty post was totally free!

Someone was throwing it out and no longer had a use for it but there I go walking past thinking 'great shape, white paint!' so guess what I was doing for a good hour this weekend! This project I'm proud to say got done in a jiffy! I will show you the finished results later in the week.

A few of my friends (none of whom I might add blog but always like to pass comment on mine :-)) have asked why I thrift so much, it's not like times are tough and we're still in the middle of 'the recession we had to have' - well, not in Australia thankfully. Well, I know I could spend a large part of my salary on beautiful things - not to mention clothes - but I've done that in the past and I've come to realise the smart way to consume is to take a step back and realise that it is possible to achieve a customised look that is beneficial not only to my long term savings plan of 'ever being able to afford a house' but also the environment (by salvaging/recycling/upcycling) and where possible buying fair trade.

That's not to say I don't like buying the odd name but as I approach my later twenties I think being a responsible shopper is the way to go.

I hope you all have a lovely Tuesday! We have gale force winds in Sydney at the moment, seriously so loud last night I hardly got any sleep!

xx

19 comments:

  1. Everything can become beautiful with a little love... good for you... some people just don't get it! Stay safe from those winds! xo

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  2. I so agree with Debby.....You just need a little love and care and it can look amazing:) Love that post,darling:)

    Kisses and hugs:)

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  3. Good on you Anna, I love giving things a new lease on life. So much better than buying something brand new that has come from a sweat shop and shipped from the other side of the world. The wind is freaky isn't it! It's a spooky morning :)
    Jxx

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  4. i love that chair, so charming. looking forward to seeing the "after" shots.
    my partner is the type of guy that subscribes by the mantra if its not broke, why fix it (or replace it in my case). it has resulted in me moving in with him to a whole house of ugly, hand-me-down and mismatched furniture. thrifting is the only way that i am going to change that. big fan of thrifting right here!

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  5. Well I think what you are doing is great - it sounds like you have your head screwed on very well. I can't imagine having to buy a house in SYdney - it's bad enough in Hobart!!
    Every time I go to the tip I feel awful about how much our society consumes and throws away - it's terrible.
    Hope you are keeping safe away from all those trees that I have seen blown down on tv this morning :)

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  6. I agree with you - of coarse we could all spend our money on 'consumer' items - but why when we can recycle and upcycle. I also think it makes a home way more interesting than everything being bought from the same store and matching. Don't worry your other friends will catch up one day. Can't wait to see the final result with the chair. Michelle

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  7. This chair will look so beautiful once your finished and when some of those people get to see the final outcome then they might get it. It is however hard to explain the gratification of doing something yourself and making it look so good in your home.
    Thats why we blog because we know there are people out there who really appreciate the start the middle and the end of decorating.
    Look forward to seeing the finished chair.

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  8. Words of wisdom Anna and as everyone else has said, your friends will catch up! I think it makes your home a bit more special when there is a story behind and piece of furniture. Looking forward to seeing the end result. Stay warm!

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  9. Love your chair and even better that it was for free. I totally agree we could all go nuts and spend money like it was going out of fashion but for me its the thrill of a cheap find and turning it into something beautiful. Sandy

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  10. Great chair - I'm looking forward to seeing it in its new painted state. Clever you. Never pass up something good on the roadside.
    I'm exhausted today - I agree, the wind was crazy last night. I'm hoping tonight will be a bit quieter.
    Have a lovely week.
    Carmel

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  11. I totally love what you do and agree whole-heartedly! Can't wait to see the chair transformed. Jane :)P.S Am about to go outside and get blown away!!

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  12. Oh Anna, I love that you found this on the roadside! It is exactly like our dining chairs and I bet it looks amazing now that you have given it your magic touch!~ xx

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  13. So charming that chair, Anna!! I enjoy Thrifty Tuesday, dear Anna!!!
    Kisses all the way from Brazil!!!
    Bela.

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  14. This chair is ADORABLE, Anna. So fun you found it on the roadside!!
    Wishing you a lovely Tuesday, or better yet, Wednesday xxx

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  15. I feel as though I am the exact same page! I just watched a rerun of Oprah where Lisa Ling interviews "Freegans," now they are a bit of extreme but it just makes you think about how much people waste.

    I can't wait to see the chair done!

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  16. I totally agree with you! Plus, I like the challenge of buying something second hand and making it more "me"

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  17. How can you beat free? There are so many cute things you can do with this chair! I can't wait to see.

    xo Marcie

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  18. That chair would look great with a little white paint, you are so right. When I was a kid, we had a white-painted one just like it :)

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  19. I am always amazed at the number of people who can't get their heads around upcycling and thrifting. Almost as if it is beneath them. I think I can honestly say that most of my favorite things have a past life, and that's probably why I am attracted to them!

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It's so wonderful to read all your comments, thanks for stopping by Cornflakes & Honey! x :-)