One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

One of my favorite past times is going to estate sales. It's like going on a treasure hunt, you never know what wonderful objects you might find. I'm particularly drawn to mid-century furniture, lamps, and objects with a clean and classical structure . I love the uncomplicated lines and the organic simplicity of these pieces.

Most estate sales are usually held when someone has passed away and the family that has inherited the property are trying to get rid of all possessions. Sometimes you see possessions that give you a glimpse into the recent life of the owner-- an adjustable bed, a walker, maybe some medical equipment.

The sight of these makes a part of me feel like I'm some sort of a vulture, hovering over to get a good bargain. But the other practical part reminds me that, I will cherish and value those pieces just like their owners did and it won't end up, forlorn and lost, in a dumpster.

The pieces may not be in the best condition, but with a little bit of elbow grease, they can be restored and treasured for generations. Be aware that very old furniture may have been painted with lead-based paint and refinishing these will require extensive safety precautions.

I believe, estate sales are the ultimate in recycling. With so much emphasis being placed on going green and reducing our carbon footprint, shopping at estate sales is an ecologically sound way to recycle old treasures and breathe new life into them with the added benefit of designing a living space that is unique and created with one-of-a-kind pieces.

The pictures, above, are some of the the neat finds that I acquired over several years of being an estate sale junkie.