Remember we mentioned on Monday that we were taking it easy and enjoying some family time? Well we were actually at the beach! We snuck away to John’s parents’ beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware for a nice long weekend of R&R (while the guest bedroom took care of itself- just kidding it was just as messy when we returned, darn). We had lots of fun going on long walks, eating seafood, getting our thrift on, and bringing Clara down to the beach on a particularly warm day (it was 65+ degrees on Monday!). So we thought we’d share some of our adventures with you guys. First, we hit up our favorite secondhand shop in Bethany, Beach Plum Antiques (also seen in this post of yore).
A few things that caught my eye were these $10 woven lamps (I think I would have spray painted them bright canary yellow or emerald green to take them from beachy and rustic to bright and ca-razy).
I also loved this huge woven ottoman.
Oh and this cute $20 bench reminded us of our $7 thrift store bench makeover a while back.
This side table was just $5. I would have grabbed it and tossed a fiver at the owner had there been another one to match for our bedroom (or even one that looked mildly similar). But alas. There was just one.
Here’s what I did grab after tossing a fiver at the owner. Yup, this geometric eight sided mirror was just five beans. Mine. I was so enamored I didn’t even remember to haggle him down to $4. Hah. Can’t wait to paint it something glossy and fun (lime? plum? I guess time will tell).
We also did a bit of non-thrift shopping along the boardwalk in Rehoboth.
At first glance this extra large calendar full of vintage map prints still seemed pricey at $20, but after flipping through it and adoring every page, we realized it was just $1.60 per print. And we can’t wait to frame them all and display them en masse. Seriously, there was a happy dance associated with this find. And it went on for hours.
We I also skipped to the cash register with one of these adorable $18 paper lantern pendants for the playroom. We knew I probably could have picked up a white paper lantern for around $5 and attempted to DIY my own painted hearts, but we reasoned that eighteen bones wasn’t too bad for such a smile inducing lantern that would probably surpass anything crafty that I could attempt. Especially since Ikea sells light kits for $5, so we’ll end up with an entirely new playroom light fixture for just $24 total.
Then it was back to the thrift stores & antique shops that abound. We stopped at this cute place called Millsboro Basaar Antiques…
… where I found these two crazy ceramic horse book ends for $2.50 a pop. No doubt the price break was thanks to their zany orange and black glaze, but I’m thinking I might just spray paint these babies for a whole new look. Maybe white. Maybe something bolder like navy or yellow.
This frog butler was just insane so I had to snap a pic. It reminded us of that funny Modern Family episode where Jay gets the life-sized dog butler and Gloria hates it.
This $15 guy was kinda fun, but I passed. Let’s just say John wasn’t as enamored as I was.
Oh and this $22 stuffed bear head was wall-mountable. So funny! We briefly considered it for the playroom but decided it was better left behind for someone with a woodland themed nursery (like Clara’s boyfriend Will– although word on the street is that his nursery might have a new inspiration when he moves).
Oh and this little $12 luggage rack was kinda perfect for the guest room makeover. So I snatched it up (and haggled them down to ten bones). We’re definitely planning to replace the ribbon that stretches across it, and the jury’s still out about the color, but it’s fun for now.
We slipped through Goodwill, just for kicks, but didn’t leave with anything. We did see some cute things stuff though, like this $2 bowl, which would be sweet for storing jewelry (I picture stacks of bracelets) on a dresser.
The funny thing about this $1 find is that it’s the exact same glass container that we bought a while back and used to create our T-giving “Thanks” jar.
Here’s another $2 bowl that could look charming holding anything from keys to jewelry or even all those extra buttons you get with shirts and coats. You save them out of fear like I do, don’t you? What if you need them someday? I never seem to, but you never know…
And here we are having some good old fashioned beach fun. First there’s beanarina and daddy looking pretty darn happy.
Next we have Clara showing off her two adorable front teeth. What an accomplishment! So proud.
Oh and here she is playing in the sand. Trepidatiously. But still sort of playing none the less.
Good times! I’ll be back later with a breakdown of everything we actually bought home with us (we gave ourselves an $100 thrifting & shopping budget and we came home with 12 items – well, 23 if you count our calendar as 12 prints, since we’ll be framing ’em individually). Wahoo. More on that in a few hours…
LauraC says
“Trepidatiously” Best part of the post! :-)
Now you made me miss shopping, I’ve been so good because we’re gutting our upstairs bathroom in about six weeks, so I’ve really cut back shopping since we’ll be spending plenty on that.
Kara says
How freaking ADORABLE is that little girl of yours?!?! :)
Amy says
I just love when you post about Rehoboth and Bethany! I stay just a few blocks from Beach Plum and look forward to it every year. What great finds!
Jessica says
I love the horse head book ends, but maybe I am partial due to the fact that I own the exact pair in black! have fun re-purposing your thrifted finds!
Sharon in NYC says
New fan here via ApartentTherapy.com! Question arises from tracing back this post to Sue-the-Napkin post to post from Dec. 1, 2010 titled “I get by with a little help from my scans.” Do you have any idea when House Beautiful published that first photo? The one of the blue-gray couch with aqua painting over it? It’s the perfect inspiration for some changes in the works for my apartment and I’d love to see more pictures of that room. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
I’d guess it was around spring or summer of last year. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jenn L says
You guys always find the coolest cheapo stuff! I love it! I’m envious and happy for you at the same time =) Happy jealousy, even. hehe
Clara is soooo cute!!! great photos! <3
ps: I so want those bookends! I used to have similar ones growing up! clear glass ones though!
xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
Nesting Newbies says
What a great time!
Paula says
What great finds!!
I love Clara’s big 2 tooth grin and little bald head….she so reminds me of my younger daughter, although she didn’t see any teeth until around 13 months(and that was 21 years ago)!!
Jennifer says
Ahhhh I bought that same calendar for half off – $10 – right after the new year. Same intentions – to frame them. They are supa dupa cool! :)
Nuha says
I love it! Thrift store shopping is so much fun, just curious do you ever buy clothes at thrift stores or strictly home items?
YoungHouseLove says
I do sometimes, but I’m not as into clothes shopping in general so I always end up making a beeline for the home stuff. Haha.
xo,
s
samantha owens says
oh my gosh!!!! that episode of modern family made me laughing sooooooo hard! a life-size object in my house would make me jump and probably pee my pants. hahaha!
samantha owens says
made me laughing? haha i sound like gloria :) ‘had me laughing’***
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. Perfect Gloria-ism.
xo,
s
Molly says
I love the maps! My husband and I have a love affair with map prints too… You said Ikea has light kits for $5?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup! With black or white cords. You choice. We always go with white ones so they blend with the ceiling.
xo,
s
Corrie says
They also have some fun colored ones. We got a turqoise one for a white lantern in our play room. So fun! Love the heart lantern:)
Lori @ Richmond, BABY! says
What fun! I love all the pics and Clara is adorable! :)
jodi says
I wish we had thrift and antique stores around here that offered such good deals! Usually items are quite pricey! You found some great finds!
washdc says
So much enthusiasm for that calendar! Can you share the name of the company?
YoungHouseLove says
The back says made by Cavallini & Company in San Francisco. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kate says
Okay…can I just say that this post just made my week! My husband and I are traveling to Rehoboth this weekend and I’ve been googling for thrift store but couldn’t find any. My Monday is now going to be happily spent thrifting thanks to you! Any other shops you’d recommend? PS you guys are my favorite. <3
YoungHouseLove says
We drove from Bethany to Georgetown and then from Georgetown to Rehoboth. We saw about a million antiques and thrift shops – and stopped at nearly all of them! Some were in Millsboro along the way, but many were on the main roads between Bethany, Georgetown, and Rehoboth.
xo,
s
rebecca a. says
that little stool would look great in the opening in your master bathroom vanity…I’m just sayin.
YoungHouseLove says
We have plans for that space! Someday…
xo,
s
rebecca a. says
I figured you might.
Sarah says
I’m intrigued to see what you do with that space.
Kristen says
someone may already mentioned this, but that turquoise piece is a tiny replica of a temple guard dog! the ones placed outside of Buddhist (& maybe Shinto I can’t remember) shrines in Asia! After living near Tokyo for a while, my love of temple dogs has really grown : )
Kristen says
someone may have already mentioned this, but that turquoise piece is a tiny replica of a temple guard dog! the ones placed outside of Buddhist (& maybe Shinto I can’t remember) shrines in Asia! After living near Tokyo for a while, my love of temple dogs has really grown : )
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cool! I bet someone snatched him up that day. So bright and fun.
xo,
s
Mellissa says
I love this post! I like to see the thrift/antique stores through your creative and bargaining lenses. It’s inspiring and clearly demonstrates how items I might normally pass over can be used. I can’t wait to see the transformation of your buys!
Holli C says
You guys amaze me at how you can see something in items that normally people would just pass up, and you make these things look GREAT! I told my husband that I wanted to go flea marketing (not sure if that’s a word?), I figured I would start there and hopefully reading your blog has rubbed off on me :) Keep doing what you love to do.
Holli
P.S. I think it’s great you took a day to yourselves… everyone deserves days like that! :)
Erica @ Erica's Inspirations says
That luggage rack is to die for!!! I’m SO jealous :)
Michelle says
Wow, love all the great finds! The orange horse bookends have to be my favorite. Oh and Clara is getting so big! her cute two front teeth…..
http://www.innovativeinterior.blogspot.com
Steph at Modern Parents Messy Kids says
I’m so jealous you went to the beach! I’m going to the mountains for our first family vacation since we became 4 this Friday and I’m sooo excited!
Love that green luggage rack – how nice to find a treasure you don’t even have to make over :)
BethanyB says
So I’m assuming you guys are planning on putting the finish framed photos it the hall way around the desk right? and the mirror in the … living room? You mentioned plum and lime so I figured that’s what it would go. no? It looks like you all had a wonderful time and found a lot of great stuff, I hope you didn’t freeze your little toes off in the water.
YoungHouseLove says
We’re not really sure yet at all. More details in our next post though…
xo,
s
suki says
there’s also that modern family episode where mitchell breaks cam’s frog statue to upset him over having to lie about not going to a party!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. Love that show.
xo,
s
Emily says
I have friends with a beach house in Bethany. What a precious little town, although I was there in the off season and am hoping to get back in the summer to experience the whole boardwalk-ish lifestyle that the summer folk live.
Giulia says
Hey, you are going for the luggage rack in the guest room. I’m sure it will look great and it will be a treat not to have the suitcase on the floor.
I wish I was close to anywhere that was 65+, our warm spell right now is just at freezing :)
Erin @ The Impatient Gardener says
Great finds all around. Sounds like a fantastic day. Clara is going to be a class-A shopper by the time she’s speaking!
So I’m intrigued by the bedside table remark. I never would have guessed you guys as being the types to need two matching or very similar bedside tables. Huh … just when you think you know somebody! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah I have this thing for balance when it comes to bedside lamps and tables. So I can’t stand if ones a lot taller or one is round and one is square. They wouldn’t have to match though, just be similar enough to “go” together.
xo,
s
emily @ the happy home says
great finds! and i hope you drank some dogfish head beer!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s too funny! We ate there one night but alas, we’re not beer drinkers. The calimari was amazing though!
xo,
s
Kristin says
ONE THOUSAND POINTS to Sherry for using “Wahoo” and the ever-fabulous “trepidatiously” in the same post!
(Loved the post itself, by the way – just had to comment on some spectacular word choice.)
GRACE HAPPENS says
hi sherry and john! loved every bit of this post. totally wish i knew about these places when i lived in VA though;) my in-laws have a beach place in bethanny beach, and i love rehoboth! we would always go get crepes there. hope you are getting some R&R! xoxo, grace
julie says
Love Rehoboth Beach… we head there every summer.
Ashley says
I just stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago and love it. Imagine my suprise when I saw your post today was about my hometown! All the places you mentioned are a few of my fave thrifting hot spots. You should check out the Dagsboro Antique Center (in Dagsboro,go figure?) the next time you’re in town. They’ve got some great finds as well.
YoungHouseLove says
We went there too!!! So funny. Loved it!!!
xo,
s
Holly says
That teal dragon like thing you passed up -yeah, we have something almost just like him. He has a taller base, his head is bigger, and he’s shiny teal instead of matte.
I got him about 6 months ago at a home consignment store. I saw him and loved him but he was $20 so I left him. I couldn’t stop thinking about him and I told my husband so he said go back and get it. When I did the owner told me the guy who brought him in got him in Vietnam while he was in the war. He is supposed to ward off bad luck! I thought the story was really neat.
We call him our dragon dog. LOL
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a cool story! Love it.
xo,
s
Crystal @Beautifulhaven says
Love the post, but now I want to go to the beach!
Sarah A says
I LOVE Bella Luna! Have you gone down Penny Lane (across the street) Great little shops in there. I have to say, I went to Beach Plum and found NOTHING – you guys have the best luck! That bench matches the Queen Anne style of our dining room set – would be a perfect addition. Maybe it’ll still be there in July……
YoungHouseLove says
It definitely could be! Fingers crossed for you. And yes, we love Penny Lane. So sweet.
xo,
s
jan says
This is great! We go to Lewes in the summer but had not found that great shop in Bethany. I am so there!
Maggie @ Cheneyhome says
I too, save all buttons…however it seems on the rare occasion I need to replace one, I can’t find the one that I’ve lost. Go figure!
Sara says
I love Bella Luna! And Rehoboth. Nice post.
Anna says
Just a note to say that I really love it when you post photos of Clara and your little family together. It’s a nice break from all the house stuff. :)
Annie Davis says
I have to say how jealous I am of all of your Antique and thrift store venturing :) I check the blog everyday while on a break at work and just WISH i could be doing what you guys are doing!
I would love to have the thrift stores and antique shops you guys have up there…down here :) Happy Hunting!
rachel says
Oh i LOVE that teal chinese dog! I’ve been looking for something like that for a while… bummer im all the way down in texas and wouldn’t make much sense to go all the way to Delaware to pick him up…
Jodi says
I’m so jealous! That looks like my favorite type of vacation…beach and thrift/antique shopping! You found some amazing things. My favorites are the horse bookends and the horse head for hanging a towel…love them!! Cant wait to see where they end up living in your house!
Andrea says
65 degrees – that’s just sooooo unfair! 41 here in the old UK brrrrr. You guys look like you had heaps of fun – roll on springtime!
Kathy says
I loved the fun things you found while thrifting, but those pictures of you guys with Clara “stole the show” of this post! OMW. She. is. SO. cute. Makes me want to have a 3rd daughter…well, almost! ha!
maggie says
this maybe a stupid question but what does “yore” mean? i have never heard it before and i know you have used it many times. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
I dunno what yore specifically means (although I imagine it being similar to “yesteryear”) but the whole term “days of yore” loosely translates to “the good ol’ days” or “back in the day.” At least that’s what we mean when we use it.
xo,
s
Traci says
Well, apparently Beach Plum Antiques doesn’t give a hoot if they get free advertising from a blog with thousands of readers. Called to inquire about those wicker lamps, even offered to pay a handling fee to ship, but the owner turned me down, saying that they’ll sell over Presidents Day weekend, anyway, so he’s not motivated.
I think would be beside myself if my store got blogged about by a customer with a large following! But, I suppose the money from Delaware is greener than it is, here. :-( He was surprised I even wanted them, even making me feel a little foolish for wanting them (wicker anything isn’t exactly a common find here in the Ozarks). I suppose I’ll find something else, but they would have gone great with the slipcovered bedroom furniture I just built.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw so sorry! The shop has a few different people who man the desk (one is particularly nice but it doesn’t sound like you got him on the horn). So sorry those lamps won’t be making their way to your home! You’ll find something perfect and the whole thing will all make sense in hindsight. At least that’s what I tell myself when things don’t seem to work out in my favor.
xo,
s
Camille @ the vintique object says
I can’t get over that $5 table! Such an amazing price. Don’t think I could get that price over on my coast.
So, you guys are dead-set on painting the brass chain, huh? (Just giving you a hard time!)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yup that baby’s getting a new “coat.” But we do love oil-rubbed bronze so that’s a strong possibility!
xo,
s
Ana Silva says
Looks like you guys had so much fun! My husband and I love Modern Family too! It’s hilarious…I thought of the same thing you did before I read it.