This past weekend I went to the St. Peter's Barn Sale in St. Charles, IL at the Kane County Fairgrounds. The prices are fair, the selection is amazing, and I usually walk away with a car full of furniture packed in like Tetris pieces. 🙂
Here's a few of the finds I bought this weekend, as well as what I'm thinking about doing with them!
Dresser, $10
Our master bedroom is on the first floor and attached to it is a small bedroom. The previous owners listed it as an office, but we are using it as a shared office and nursery for our littlest, Kate. The dresser is small yet fits a lot, which is perfect for this space.
I started with a blank slate in here: beige carpet, all white walls, all white or wood furniture. I'm working on adding a little bit of color and personality in here. I'm planning on using a rainbow color scheme leaning towards pinks, turquoises, and greens. So kinda baby girl colors mixed with my favorite colors. 🙂
I can't wait to show you the rest of the room, but here's what it looked like to start. The floor to ceiling windows are AMAZING!
Black Leather MCM Desk Chair, $10
This chair is comfy, swivels, and makes me look #likeaboss. And it was only $10!!! It's also in the office/nursery and I'm sitting in it as I type this. 🙂
World's Ugliest Chairs, $24 for 6 chairs
I'm fairly certain any bystanders and the lady ringing me up thought I was nuts for buying these. They're old, stained, and upholstering that fabric will be a beast. But at $4 a chair, you can't beat the price. Other chairs I was looking at were $8-10 each!
I'm planning on painting the wood and either reupholstering or painting (yes, painting) the fabric part. They'll go in our "formal dining room", which will be more like a homework, crafts, play room off of the family room. See the layout of those rooms here.
Office Supplies, $30
I bought 8 vintage clipboards for $2 and will use those around the house to hold artwork, similar to our clipboard wall.
I also bought a huge bulletin board, huge chalkboard, waste basket can, two industrial paper trays, and the large metal paper sorter you see up there. A few readers on Instagram said they have the same one, one said hers is from Pottery Barn! #score
Miscellaneous Religious Goods
You know you're Catholic when you get excited about religious items, haha. It's hard to find these secondhand and they can be expensive at religious stores! I look for these when I am shopping at church sales, so if you're looking too, start there. Not sure if we'll use all of these or pass some onto friends or family, but at $1-2 each, I had couldn't say no to Jesus.
Dresser, $20
I was planning on using this in the boys' walk-in closet, but when we got it in the house, I didn't love it like I thought I would. I sold it yesterday for $25 on a local facebook garage sale group because ain't nobody got time for furniture you don't love! 🙂
Other Things:
I bought a leaf blower for $6, peg hook hangers for the kids' rooms, some silk flowers and plants, and some artwork to frame.
Things I didn't buy? This sweet rug.
I was this close to getting it, it was a little too nice for our house.
I like second hand shopping for the same reasons as other people: the thrill of the hunt, the prices, and the eclectic selection. But I also do it because in a home with kids, something's bound to get a bit of imperfection on it. I want to enjoy our home! Not be afraid to live a little in it. If I'm afraid to bring a pretty rug home, then I'm happy to let it go bring someone else joy.
Pamela Petrus
I love seeing the treasures you find! Makes me want to head right out and find something awesome.
Also, have you ever thought of signing your blog up for Bloglovin'? That's where I keep up with most of my favorite blogs these days and would love to follow yours there too!
Eva
What an amazing haul of Catholic stuff! I'm always on the lookout on my thrifting expeditions but it almost never pans out.
Nikki
I love how decrotive crosses can be !! And I am not a religious person at all, weird I know.
chelsea jacobs
Can't wait to see the finished products!
Lenora
The Midwest (or any place that isn't where I live) has the thrifting game on lock. These huge church sales, the pottery barn garage sale I've seen you and your family members score at over the years...oh, the jealousy!!! The office chair has so much character- I can only imagine how much Crate & Barrel would charge for that. Pieces like that give your home such a curated look and feel! Oh and I could write a novel on how much I love that you use your formal dining space not just for formal dining. If I had a blog, I would write a post about that!
Miss Merry
I am so in love with your chalkboard! What a terrific price, too!