I don't know if anyone has managed to see The Nate Burkus Show. If you haven't, I can't say that you're missing anything (no offense, Nate Burkus, if you're reading this), but I did like the idea of the episode: Going Vogue at Home on a Budget. In this episode, Nate and guests explored furnishing homes with Craigslist finds as well as cashing in on vintage goods stashed in the attic. Since this was the only Nate Burkus Show I had seen, I wondered if every episode would revolve around home decor given the area of Nate's expertise. Being the librarian that I am (at heart, anyways), I did a little research and ended up on The Nate Burkus Show website.
While I was able to answer my question (yes and no, the show is about "living beautifully" which involves home design and then some), I also stumbled upon Nate's Guide to Flea Market Shopping. It's filled with juicy tips about hitting flea markets, and it reminded me of Emily Henderson's (HGTV Design Star 2010) 10 Shopping Secrets From a Stylist. I can't say I have much flea market experience (although I hope to someday), but I can see how their tips translate to yard sales (and garage sales and rummage sales) and estate sales. Inspired by Nate and Emily's insider secrets, I am here to share a few tips about having success at those weekend bargain sales.
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Make a List: I agree with Emily when she says to identify your needs. Being organized helps when it comes to hitting up yard sales. Before embarking on your adventure (i.e., the night before, at the very latest), identify what you're looking for. This doesn't mean you have to ignore everything that doesn't fall onto your list; it just helps you to stay focused. On your list, remember to include any pertinent details that will help you to purchase the right items. For example, write down the measurements of the nook you hope to fit a TV stand in or include the dimensions of the print you want to find a frame for. I don't know how many times I've told myself that I would remember measurements, but later drew a blank when stared in the face with a potentially good find. Knowing a ballpark figure only helps if you want to end up with multiples of items that are the wrong size.
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Get an Early Start: Every serious thrifter knows this rule, but the casual garage-saler may not. If you start too late, you'll probably be disappointed. Grab a cup of coffee and hit the sales early (read: when the sales open, but not before. You'll probably piss some people off if you show up when they're trying to set up their sale an hour before it's supposed to begin). And if the sale starts on Friday and you can't make it until Saturday morning, don't even bother. You're way too late for whatever it is that you may be looking for. Keep your chin up, though. There are plenty of sales that are Saturday or Saturday and Sunday only.
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Think Outside the Box: Or as Nate puts it, "look for potential." Many things can be changed. If a lamp is the right size, shape, and style, but the wrong color, it does not mean you have to ditch the idea of purchasing it. You may be able to paint it and give it the face lift it needs. Don't be nervous about reinventing or repurposing a find, either. If there is one thing that is true about our society it is that we operate on information overload (thank goodness for librarians). So even though you've never refinished a piece of furniture or reupholstered a chair cushion, there are plenty of DYI tutorials and tips on the Internet and the library. Thinking outside the box also goes for accessories. Maybe you don't have enough room in your kitchen to store a cool, oversized serving bowl, but would that serving bowl look good as a centerpiece on your dining room table? Perhaps you could fill it with pine cones or seashells and use it as an accessory rather than just another serving piece taking space in your kitchen cupboards.
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Don't Let a Good Find Get Away: If you like something and it's $2 more than you would like to spend, but the seller won't come down on the price, buy it anyway. Take it from me. And Nate. He says, "everything at the flea market is one of a kind. You won't see it again anytime soon, but you will regret it for a long time if you let a good find get away." Not buying something because the seller won't come down a couple of bucks is not going to teach him or her a lesson. If it's a cool piece someone else will buy it, and the only person who will have been schooled is you. So if it is exactly what you're looking for, be sure to scoop it up.
Image courtesy of william c hutton jr
Bring Equipment: Remember that list you made? Don't forget it, and don't forget your measuring tape either. Also, if you're in it for the long haul, bring a bottle of water with you. You'll be amazed at how quickly rummaging around in other people's belongings works up a thirst. Yes, you can make a pit stop at the store, but then you're losing precious yard sale time! And last, but not least, bring some hand sanitizer with you, for heaven's sake. Maybe I am just a germ-a-phobe, so you can take or leave the hand sanitizer if you want.
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