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[Oznell]

I've started-- very sparingly--  hitting a few places:  my local antiques co-op, nearby Marshall's, and Big Lots.  Glad to say they're observing decent social distancing, and everybody masked, etc.

Big Lots, interestingly enough, is my go-to for either modern or "organic", global-looking pottery, at a low price.  Got that nice blue Tuscan pitcher there last year.

I have my unchanging, tiny (3 pieces) vintage "art pottery" collection.  But I love to spike in the occasional "modern" ceramic item.  To me, if you have a mostly traditional but eclectic interior, there's nothing like contemporary ceramics to freshen the mix and keep things from going too stale or "fussy".  Not sure why that works so well, but it just does.

So when I find something that really looks good for the price, I grab!  They call this the ombre blue, green and white vase, but the "green" part in mine is really more of a robin's egg blue.  Such a lot of look for $10!  

Have grouped it with the slightly larger, 11 inch version, (a whopping $12) into which I've stuck some bamboo:

Of course, at Big Lots, you have to examine carefully-- you'll find unacceptable flaws and anomalies in some items, so I check mine really carefully before selecting.

But it's worth it-- most modern tri-color vases I've priced at other venues are at LEAST twice the price, and some are much more.

They are surprisingly dramatic, and as a bonus, work really well with my two lone pieces of modern white art glass.

And back to ceramics, I noticed that Big Lots also had some clean-lined, contemporary textured white vases as well, both large and "bud vase" size.

Bonus tip:  Marshall's had some cool, flat basket trays from the Phillippines, that are fun to layer under various things and lend some 'soul' and texture.  

Don't worry, I'm still purging and decluttering-- for every new thing that comes in, at least one old thing goes out, sigh...

Anybody else want to share some good scores lately?

[lolakimono]

@Oznell 

In March, I picked up this vintage apothecary jar from Etsy.

[traveler]

Pier 1 has very good sales online but all sales are final.

[spiderw]

I don't go to Big Lots often but when I do I always find some interesting decor.  That goes for Marshall's and Home Goods.  The vases you pictured, Oznell, are very pretty and they would catch my eye also if I saw them.  I might have to take a ride to Big Lots and check out the decor area!

[ScrapHappy]

I've purchased two comforter sets from Big Lots and I'm very pleased with both, especially my daughters.  Not only are they reasonably priced but usually come with extras like decorative pillows, blankets, sheets, etc.  

[wilma]

@Oznell 

I like the first blue vase best. 

I rarely go to Big Lots. I have one very close to me, but the few times I’ve gone, the one & only checkout line is very long.

My favorite place to go look and browse for home furnishings is At Home. Their store & selection is huge! I’ve also found nice things at Home Goods and Tuesday Morning.

Due to the pandemic & my risk factors I haven’t been going into many stores lately. I really miss shopping in person! 

[Oznell]

Thanks for posting a picture of your luscious, strawberry-colored apothecary jar, @lolakimono --- pretty!

[Oznell]

Oh, boy-- I thought I was done with modern ceramics for now.  But no, I was magically drawn back today, this time to the Big Lots a couple of towns over, which has a bigger selection.

There's a very classic looking Broyhill vessel, in a speckled glaze in three different shades of cream.   The top of the vase is in a glossy finish, while the bottom third is in a rougher, rustic finish.  My favorite-- "mixed media" ceramics!   Had to get it for the texture. 

I had ignored it online because it doesn't photograph accurately.  But in person it pops!   Sadly, in their photo you can't really see the different gradations, and you definitely can't see the texture, but here's the vase.  It looks SO much better in person, but at least you can see the shape:

  Thought that this will be great to switch out the blue ones with at Christmas.  The cream color won't compete with red poinsettias or some other red flowers...

Oh, boy, I must 'purge and declutter' extra hard in the near future....

[Oznell]

And, at first I couldn't find an image online of the round vase I got on sale to go with the tall cream one above.  But found it in the "out of stock" category of Big Lots.  There was just one in the store, and it was marked down to $8, so I was pretty sure it must have been a holdover from last year.  But in cream with sort of muted, greige colored stripes, it looks really good with the tall 'mixed media' one!

[sceniccoast]

@Oznell 

I like the first 2 vase colors & design.