By now it is probably pretty clear to you that I am seriously attracted to things other people are getting rid of. Be it at flea markets, garage sales or when passing a skip, I always have an eye out for objects with potential.
Some of my favourite finds are pieces I picked up when I wasn’t looking for anything in particular. They are special to me because I don’t know their past, as I do with all the furniture and ornaments I have bought new over the years.
Last week I wrote about achieving a rustic look in your garden. Today my focus is giving your home a unique look through the use of flea market finds, salvaged pieces and upcycled items.
My first ever flea market purchase was made at the age of 17 on a holiday to Canada. On my return to Ireland I was going to be moving out of home for the first time and I wanted something for my flat. I fell in love with this pasta tin, bought it for a few dollars and have had it ever since. It was then that my love affair with other people’s junk began.
Throughout my college years and my twenties, I was attracted to objects that were a bit different to what was available in the high street stores. Since buying our own home six years ago, I have found myself kitting out much of our home with salvaged furniture and knick knacks from flea markets. Lately I have even had a go at some simple upcycles like this crate shelf and this metal-framed mirror.
The Ikea-ness of our home is balanced out by the addition of various elements. Take the kitchen, above, as an example. The shelf unit on the left, kitchen cupboards on the right and the children’s high chairs are the same ones you can find in millions of other homes.
The armed, leather-seated chair in the centre of the photo, however, is not what you’ll find in every kitchen. This second-hand purchase used to live in an eldery lady’s study. The black chair on the right (also shown below) was salvaged from the bin collection last winter. The blackboard on the end wall is an wooden sign painted with blackboard paint, simply upcycled to suit our needs. The collection of bowls, saucers, frames and miniature mirrors on the end wall are a combination of gifts, holiday souvenirs and flea market buys.
Adding a personal touch to your home is simple, especially if you follow these tips.
- Keep your eyes open for objects with potential. Whether you are at a flea market, in a second-hand shop or passing a skip, try to imagine what the items you are looking at would be like wiped off, scrubbed up or given a lick of paint.
An upcycled metal-framed mirror - Don’t be afraid to re-purpose second-hand or found items. A jug can be a vase, a glass can become a tea light holder, a selection of mis-matched plates can become a feature on a wall.
Fine gold-edged china plates, €1 each at a flea market 
Delicate glassware from a flea market - If you find an item you like, be it a piece of furniture, a frame, a lamp or a tin, go with it. Snap it up and take it home. If you haven’t a particular place in mind for it, move it from room to room for a while. Let it settle in. If you like it, it will make itself at home in your home.
A coffeepot with no lid, rescued from the bin collection, is now one of my favourite vases.
How lovely that you’ve had the pasta tin all that time. I love all your finds, and good tips. It’s so nice isn’t it to give something once loved by someone else a new lease of life and new home.
Thanks Molly. I have many more too. I really like having a bit of history in the house as well as creating a unique look.
I love thrifting and finidng hidden gems – we did so much of that when I was growing up!
It is great, isn’t it Claire? You can find such treasures.
I love how you use items that are not ‘meant’ to be used for that purpose, the jug vase is great!
Thanks Steph. With a bit of imagination you can make use of so many things, even if they are not intact.
I love vintage stuff, the idea of someone else using and loving something before it came to me makes me happy. Your home is lovely, am always very envious when you post pictures of it.
Thanks Emma! Isn’t vintage great? So easy to mix and match with modern elements too.
I love picking up second-hand stuff. I always find it fascinating and wonder stories they hold and what there previous owners must have been like. I love your pasta tin. Just lovely 🙂 #HomeEtc
Me too. I’d really like to know the background of some of my finds. Thanks for popping by.
Aaah THOSE tins!!!!! AND the gilt edged plates as well — I love things like that!!! I know I’ve said it before but I’m so envious of all the fab flea markets you have over there!!! I wish we had similar!! Thanks so much for linking up pet, Caro #HomeEtc
Yes, it is great having such good flea markets here. If it is any consolation Caro, there are hardly any second hand shops and the ones we have are useless 🙂
It all looks so great, I love finding something old and loved and making it a loved family piece again it makes me smile x
Thanks Christie! Same here. I love adopting what other people have tired of.
I love sourcing pieces like this. We’ve been doing well on Gumtree recently with our finds. #HomeEtc
Great Helena. I love hearing how other people get on and where they find their pieces.
I Love that pasta tin. I am useless at picking things out, I need to look around a few more places I think. x
Thanks. Keep looking and I bet you’ll pick up a few lovely things.
Great tips – and I think if it’s the right price even if you’re unsure you should go for it, because it might not be there when you decide it’s right and go back for it #homeetc
That’s it exactly Stephanie!
Love the mix of old versus new – it works so well 🙂 I adore getting a bargain too!! Great feeling. Jess xx
#HomeEtc
Thanks Jess. Yes, who doesn’t love a bargain, eh?