Home Decor

[Ruthie Holiday]

I'm going to start (hopefully) redecorating our home and I've found many a websites with retro/vintage decor but the prices are outrageous. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for some cheaper alternatives? At least on the web... I'm going to hit the thrift stores and antique malls after the holidays.

Thanks a bunch!
Oh! And if you happen to be one of the lucky ones with a gorgeously retro home/room/whatever, post a picture so the rest of us may bask!

[Ruby DeVille]

I suggest going out on foot and finding the items you are looking for. Websites tend to be overpriced and then you have to pay shipping!! Estate sales and garage sales and antique malls.. Even Big trash day in an old neighborhood. Dont pay those overpriced websites! It's so much more satisfying to find it yourself!

[Ellie Retrophilia]

Psst! check out those little out of the way foreign stores like the Oriental markets and all. I've found some great things for relatively cheap that were great retro repros. And if you h ave access to any military bases, hit their thrift stores! I found a 1955 Singer sewing machine that worked perfectly (just needed the cord replaced due to wear and tear) for $5 at a Navy Wives Club thrift store on base. It had all the attachments including a button holer!

And hit yard sales...some folks will sell stuff without ever realizing what it is they are selling so you might just stumble on that priceless piece of furniture that would cost thousands normally at a vintage dealer but would cost you a couple tens at the yard sale.

[MissAtomicBelle]

habitat for humanity~ if you have one in your town check it out, i have seen beautiful couches for less than $50 and lamps for $5-$10!

[Delyssia LaBelle {Madam}]

i love the cuties at 8ball online, but id go vintage thrift shopping

[Filmmonkey]

While our home doesn't have a theme we do have a lot of retro-era things. All of the big furniture pieces came from antique stores. And my wife gets the credit for finding all of it. Except for the one time when we both stumbled across an old childrens shoe store bench. It was sooo cool, we had never seen anything like it...now we don't know what we were thinking when we bought the thing...

Anyway, I digress. Ebay is great for accessories like kitchen type stuff or little wall hangings. Also really work the antique/flea market system. A lot of dealers have more than one space so always just ask. Just let them know that you're looking for some 50's era furnishing, like a formica table or something and let them do the leg work for you. Most will be happy to take your name and number and will call you when stuff comes in. And they also all network with other dealers.

[Ruthie Holiday]

Really? I'll be go to hell. There's one not too far from my work, thanks!!

MissAtomicBelle said:

habitat for humanity~ if you have one in your town check it out, i have seen beautiful couches for less than $50 and lamps for $5-$10!

[Wink Holliday]

I could KICK myself when I think of all of the great furniture deals that I've seen at thrift stores, but have been unable to take advantage of because I don't have a truck and/or didn't have even $100 at the time! I did manage to score a set of 6 leather-and-tubular-steel chairs on craigslist for $10 a piece. Keep your eyes peeled, and never stop looking!

[Cotton Candy Gonsalves]

Surprisingly if you search Target, Walmart and Bed, Bath and Beyonds' websites for "Vintage" or "Retro" they come up with a ton of mind numbingly adorable reproduction pieces, Couches, Art, Kitchenware, Toys, Lamps, Furniture. I was pleasantly surprised to find many things reasonably priced. Also RetroPlanet.com has some really awesome stuff. Good luck with your decor search! ^.^

[Desirée {PL Team}]

Check out our friends at RetroLifestyle.com as well, there's tons of home decor ideas there! And a new group for buying & selling that may yield some great deals!