Found - Garage Sale Loot of the Year

Would you believe me if I told you I spent $30 on everything you see here? Would you believe me if I told you I spent $5 (and really maybe only $2) on the vintage Knoll chair on the right? Would you believe me if I told you I passed on so much more because my collections have no room for growth? 

I'm going to credit Roxanne for reaching out to me via Facebook shortly after I shared that we were moving to Colorado Springs with the Army. She's an Army wife with vintage taste and was really sweet to make herself available. I rarely check Facebook so it took me about a month to reply and then a few days later she invited me to check out her garage sale. Her garage sale that would be full of vintage stuff. Like really great stuff that I would've brought home had I still been running Pony Party or had all of our stuff been lost/broken in the move. Great stuff!

So, I left the kids at home with Brett bright and early on Saturday morning and found Roxanne's fantastic garage sale. I knew I'd probably find a few cool vintage pieces but I was so much more excited about meeting a new friend. I left 45 minutes later and planned on going straight home after another coffee stop for Brett but then I saw another garage sale practically spilling out onto the sidewalk and made a quick stop. I picked up the shadow box, floral wallpaper, and dress and got back in my car. I texted Brett that I was on my way home.

I hadn't driven one block before I pulled in to another garage sale. This one was very small but the Mid-Century end table caught my eye. As I was walking up to it I noticed the chair. THE CHAIR. I casually walked all the way around it and sat down to see if it was broken or wonky. I wanted to flip it over but then I thought I might give something away. I half-heartedly asked how much they wanted for the chair and they quoted me $5. I walked away and asked about the end table. Eight bucks. REALLY? You're going to sell me a beat up end table for more than that designer, ahem, brown swivel chair over there? 

I hesitated so they said I could have them both for $10. I gave them my crisp $10 bill and let them carry the chair to my car. I waited until shirtless guy walked away before inspecting the undercarriage of the chair and sure enough there was a Knoll tag. I almost high fived myself.

At this point I knew I needed to get home so Brett wouldn't think I'd been in an accident or something much more terrible than finding a $500 chair for $5 but it seemed I was accidentally driving past every garage sale in Old Colorado Springs that morning because I found another one. This one was just three or four twenty-something creative types sitting in their great vintage chairs waiting for people to come buy their gaming stuff and an old bedroom suite. The orange velvet couch was pretty, along with the green tweed and citron chairs. I asked if I could Instagram their stuff and address because I knew there might be a few locals out hunting. They were really nice. 

Did I mention I stopped in at the Goodwill on the way back from Roxanne's but before the chair? Yeah. I found that yellow album full of thick sketchbook paper. ART JOURNAL! Also, that tulip-shaped wire bowl was there waiting for me. The only non-vintage item was that aqua vase from Roxanne's but it was so gorgeous I had to bring it home. 

All in all I was gone for about two hours but everyone was happy to see me when I got home with coffee and treats. I know how these things work! I spent the rest of my Saturday purging and organizing my studio corner, doing laundry, and clearing out the excess in the kids' room. 

We're having ourselves our own garage sale pretty soon. 

-Rachel

Comments

[Amy]

I LOVE garage sales and Goodwill. I love seeing the steals I can find. Sometimes I spoil myself with the prices though! Can't bring myself to pay full price for something!

-Amy
http://theblankpagesblog.blogspot.com/

[Melodie]

One of the best things about downtown Co. springs is the garage sales! I'm very glad they're back since summer is approaching. And a Knoll chair for $5? You're the queen of this stuff.

[Jodie]

whoah, you got LUCKY!
I wanna give you a high five through internet land for scoring such an awesome chair (and all the other pretties) and also for remaining cool when you were no doubt giddy inside! xx

[Katharine]

That house you hang on the wall = so amazing I can't even stand it. Amazing finds!

Callmesnakke

[Alice Barton]

what a lucky girl!! this post has been really fun to read! xx
Alice Barton ♥ TheMowWay

[Beck]

Best. Score. Ever! Makes me happy to read about the successful thrifting of others! I love random pricing, opens your eyes to the fact that different people value different things. xo Beck

[Brooke M]

I'm so jealous, Rachel! I am definitely missing the Springs' garage sales this spring season! (I'm an Air Force wife and the hubby and I call the Springs "home", but he's currently deployed so I'm away till he gets back.) ANYWAY, great finds and I love the Knoll! Have you been to Domino yet by chance? I used to work there and it was full of fab, decently-priced mid century goodies. It's under new ownership now so I'm not sure if it's still as great as it once was, but if you find yourself on the Ave you oughtta check it out on 25th Street! :)

[Dee]

this is an especially nice haul. i saw the instagram of the first garage sale and i don't know how you even could decide what to keep and what to leave...it looked amazing!
~d.

[Kristin]

You always find the motherload of vintage. Great stuff!

[casey]

everything is awesome, i would LOVE to come to your garage sale! :)

[Afreezeframe.blogspot.com]

This is one of the many reasons I want to move in the US!! I just love the blue vase and the table ♥
xo

[louise]

there's so much awesome stuff here! unbelievable! i do love going to secondhand fairs and carboot sales and seeing what treasures i can find - i love pieces which have stories behind them rather than just being something you bought in a store.

[Danielle]

I seriously almost fainted on your behalf after reading this post! So so excited for you & the items your scored! That was a great great thrifting day.

[Megan Anderson]

I'd almost drive from Kansas City to Colorado to go to a garage sale hosted by you :)

[jodi]

Seriously, how amazing are those finds?! My friend and I saw your IG picture of them and we both almost died. haha! You have the greatest luck. :)

[trisha]

holy mother load! and that chair! that chair! oh my goodness!! there haven't been any garage sales around here yet. it's funny my husband calls them "tag sales" or "yard sales" - he's from Boston. and has a great debate with me on me calling them garage sales - he said if they don't have a garage it can't be called a "garage sale" he's such a snot sometimes! this is coming from a guy that calls a water fountain, a "bubbler" - yeah now THAT makes sense!

anyway - amazing fins i am super envious!

[ruthie]

Oh my goodness, score! You have such a great eye for treasure. The chair, the book, the house shelf... but I LOVE that tulip bowl!

[mel]

I hate having to pass up great items that I just don't need or have room for. I was going to ask you, but I think you already answered. How do you keep thrifting without getting rid of some items yourself? : )

[Rachel]

I love scoring good items especially ones of value. You have made us all realize that it's good to be educated on vintage to you can know what your looking at and play it cool even thou we are screaming inside. Congrats!

Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

[sarah jane]

lucky, lucky girl! i'm so jealous and i can't believe i'll miss YOUR garage sale cause i'm sure it will be amazing!

[Kristy]

I think you have a great eye for great vintage :) We live in the same town and I hardly ever find such cool vintage stuff.

[Lisa]

Score!!!! Awesome.

[simplemittens]

awww man! yay for you!!!

[robyn]

I have had my eyes peeled for years for a house shaped shadowbox. YEARS! It kills me lately, every time I turn around I feel like someone is posting about finding one of these houses at a garage sale, estate sale or salvation army. gaaaaah!!

[Mandi]

Pollock office chairs can go for much more than $500 in the right market and in the right shape. CONGRATS! What an awesome find!

[ElisabethSpace]

Oh, those fabrics are tres beautiful and the house shaped knick knack thingamajig is downright precious. Good job, woman. Score to the max. :)

[Amanda Rose]

What wonderful finds! I love "garage-sailing" or like we call it- yard-sailing! I can't wait to go myself.

Amanda Rose
http://sewmuchtosay.blogspot.com

[Portia]

Great scores! Seriously great scores. But more importantly, glad you've made a pal! It can be lonely moving to a new area. (We moved to our current property over 2 years ago, away from family and friends and I've found it a bit of "closed shop" socially, which can feel very isolating at times). That Knoll chair was a serious steal though, WELL DONE!!
Px

[Hazel]

Very cool finds! We don't have garage sales or thrift stores like Goodwill where I live, so I find myself very envious of posts like this :( The little thimble house is super cute though!

[Nicolette Lafonseca-Hargreaves]

Hey Rachel

Have a great big WWW high five from me that is such a great load of stuff and the fabrics are lovely. The chair hads to be a vintage find story to be told for years to come and it is in such great condition too.

I would love to come to your garage sale darn and blast living in the UK I think the flights over would make the bargains I may find void.

I hope you are finding your feet in colorado.

Take Care
Nicolette