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[Oznell]

Sometimes people ask,  what's your favorite decorating show, or design site, and there are so many to choose from, it's bewildering.

I long ago pretty much abandoned HGTV.

A terrific online site for those who love this stuff, especially thrifting, vintage, and do-it-yourself, is "Lost and Found Decor".   She used to have a brick and mortar business, then went online with her ideas, projects and goods.  

I don't "collect" any more, in any real sense, so it's fun to see others hit the thrift market.  Melanie has an interesting eye, and she paints furniture too, like nobody's business.

Darling buffet:

She's not aiming for pinterest-worthy perfection in her house, as you can see in this photo with her 'lounging' son.  Just a cozy atmosphere with things she loves.

And, she loves "flow blue"!   (Me too.)

And vintage oil paintings.  (Me too)

She's even crazy about vintage maps, like this old schoolhouse map.  (Me too, 3, and 4!).   Old maps tell the best stories... 

She has a vintage child's aqua piano on display.  Love quirky.

She's got her own style, "thrift-y", charming, sentimental.  One of the things that appealed to me is, out of the blue, she came across a picture of her uncle visiting Santa.  Her grandmother cherished that son, who never had family of his own, and that photo turned up in her effects.  Melanie loved it and it is now one of her most treasured Christmas decorations.  Look at that face:

Well, you either enjoy this stuff or not, but I love it--  it's my favorite design "show".   For googling, it's  "Lost and Found Decor"  

[shoptilyadropagain]

I stumbled across one on Facebook after the first of the year.  Julie's Designs and Signs.  She posts her thrifting trips to Goodwill (Goodwill Bins) and other thrift stores.  She also posts DIYs and decorating videos.  Julie is on Facebook, Youtube and IG.  What's funny is that this is not a style I particularly like but I enjoy watching her thrifting trips and her decorating tips.  She has a sale on most things she thrifts on the first Wednesday of each month.  I even purchased something in February's sale.  

[Desert Lily]

I used to go to an auction of estate goods monthly that was in a renovated barn on a farm outside our large city. I liked picking up a few pieces that had history in our area and that fit into my decor. I like pieces that I own that have family history, too. They blend & add character to my new items.

I'm not sure that "thrifting" is a design style. Thrifting to save $ or to find real wood furniture, etc. isn't a "style" to me. I also think there needs to be some kind of cohesion.

Finding pieces, whether new or thrifted, that reflect the individuals adds to their style...whatever it is.

I think that most pieces we've found and adopted have some meaning to us; those items in my home have meaning to me. They were special in some way; it wasn't about a bargain or thrift. Decorating on a very small budget can be a different story.

I like watching some of the HGTV shows now & then to see what's new in home options & decor. Online magazines are good resources for me also. I don't think of anyone online as an "expert" these days, but if they present something fresh & appealing I pay attention. No agenda here; I'm open to creative & aesthetically appealing ideas.

[Snowpuppy]

What never gets a mention here is Habitat Restore. All profits aid Habitat for Humanity.

I'n not one for much kitsch or what passes for decor but if you need building supplies, hardware or good used furniture or lighting, they can be a great resource.

Not everything is used. Contractors will donate new/unused items. Windows, bath fixtures, vanities, etc.

My closest Restore just got a truck so they now offer pickups. While they accept gently used furniture they don't take used bedding even in great shape.

[ECBG]

Very interesting items!  I love the picture of her uncle and Santa!  It's just a very beatufil and rare photo, with a relative or not!

She has some interesting items!  Thanks!

[GingerHead]

I used to love HGTV!  Back in the day the shows were more instructional in nature. I loved the Cristopher Lowel show and some others that I can't remember. Now every show is about flipping houses or selling and buying properties. How boring and all too similar.

Thanks for the online site suggestion! I love that kinda stuff and have painted MANY of my own pieces. I love a carefully, lovingly curated home. 

I love the buffet she painted and that picture of her uncle and Santa is beautiful

and looks like a vintage piece of art. 

[stevieb]

Very much like painted furniture, including her piece pictured here and adore flow blue. Otherwise, not much here for me but then I'm a notorious NON-DIY'er, though I did used to enjoy painting furniture.

[Oznell]

I think I was too narrow in my description of Melanie's background.  She actually has a history as a dealer in antiques, and currently advises people who do the popular "antique booth" in larger antique venues.  I tend to call any sort of "gathered",  vintage-y, eclectic look that is economically sourced, as "thrifted", but that's probably not a good description on my part.  "French flea market-y"  is closer to what I mean, and that represents some, but not all, of her aesthetic too.

My own favorite looks being French flea market, mixed with stodgy tradtional and a dash of midcentury and Art Deco....