Thrifted Finds for Vintage Home Decor

Thrifted Finds and How I Styled Them in Our Home

If you love thrifted home decor as much as I do, you know there’s nothing better than stumbling upon that one-of-a-kind treasure that makes your heart skip a beat. On my latest thrifting adventure, I discovered some unique vintage finds—from porcelain casters to a Victorian clock pendulum—that I couldn’t resist bringing home. Today, I’m sharing my favorite thrifted finds, how I styled them in our cozy cottage, and budget-friendly decorating ideas for giving secondhand treasures a fresh new life.

I thought we would venture into a little something different today. I have something to confess… I broke my no purchase year.

I know. I said I wasn’t going to do it. I even said it with confidence. But, you see, I had a case of cabin fever. A gal can only be cooped up in the house for so long before she—okay, fine, I—start feeling the need to get out and about. And you know what happens when I get out and about? Yes, sometimes it leads to spending a little money.

It wasn’t anything extravagant. I didn’t come home with an antique wardrobe or a 200-piece china set (although, believe me, that temptation could be real). I only picked up a few small pieces that were just too unique to pass by.

So, hubs and I went for a drive last Saturday, and we ended up at one of my favorite places. Off the beaten path, tucked away where only the best treasure hunts happen, sits a coupling of barn shops. Every time I go, I find something special—whether it’s an unexpected antique, a quirky piece of decor, or just inspiration for a future project. I thought I’d share my finds with you today, along with how I styled them in our home.

Now, before you say it—yes, you’re absolutely right. I do not need another thing in this cozy cottage of ours. But… when something speaks to you, you just have to listen, right? I already feel a little guilty about breaking my promise, but I made it much further into the year than some folks thought I would. So let’s call it a minor slip and move on to the good part—my loot!

The Treasures I Found

1. A Basket of Porcelain Casters
Oh my goodness, I swooned when I stumbled upon a small wicker basket filled to the brim with porcelain casters. Each one had that perfect combination of age, wear, and charm. I knew they had to come home with me, even if I didn’t leave them in the basket. Although they could have been displayed just as they were, my brain immediately started brewing up other ideas.

2. A Brass Plate With the Perfect Patina
Nestled in a pile of discarded odds and ends was a small brass plate. The aged patina was spot-on—warm, golden, and just a little bit mottled with time. When I couldn’t find a price tag, I took it to the register and asked. “One dollar,” she said. Sold.

3. A Victorian Clock Pendulum
The next piece was one of those finds where you have to look twice. For $1.69, I picked up what turned out to be a brass clock pendulum from the Victorian era—likely dating back to the late 1800s. I’m a sucker for detail, and the ornate embossing on this little piece had me instantly hooked.

4. A Ceramic Bird
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I have a thing for birds. This little ceramic fellow caught my eye right away. I’d bought a ceramic bunny last year that looks like it could be part of the same set, so naturally, Mr. Bunny needed a friend.

5. Bone Dishes by Johnson Brothers
Last but not least, I found a small stack of crescent-shaped bone dishes by Johnson Brothers, made in England. Historically, these dishes were used alongside a dinner plate to hold bones, condiments, or small appetizers. Around here, I doubt they’ll see formal dinner service, but they do compliment a set of dishes that belonged to my husband’s mother, so they felt like a perfect fit.

How I Styled My Thrifted Finds

Now for the fun part—turning these little treasures into decor that feels personal and intentional in our home.

The Clock Pendulum as Floral Art

When I first looked at the pendulum, I immediately saw it tucked into a flower arrangement. Why? Honestly, I can’t explain it—it’s just how my mind works when I look at random objects. I picture them in a completely different context.

The first step was cleaning it. If you’ve never polished brass before, here’s a tip: mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with ½ teaspoon of lemon juice. It will bubble a little—don’t panic, that’s normal. Stir it into a paste, apply it to the brass, and let it sit for about 10 minutes before wiping clean. For larger items, you can scale up the recipe.

The Brass Plate as a Cloche Base

A while back, I repurposed the marble base from an old cheese plate for a different project, which left me with a lonely glass dome. I’d been keeping an eye out for a base, and when I spotted that brass plate, it clicked immediately—it would make the perfect cloche base. And it did.

Displaying the Porcelain Casters

Rather than hiding my new casters away in a drawer, I decided they deserved the cloche treatment. Arranged under the glass, they instantly felt like a curated collection rather than a pile of spare parts. I even reused the ribbon from the original basket to tie around the top for a little extra charm.

Stacked Bone Dishes with a Bird on Top

For now, I’ve stacked the bone dishes in a small vignette with the ceramic bird perched on top. It looks like a little nest and makes me smile every time I walk by. These might eventually get worked into a larger tablescape, but for now, they’re staying right where they are.

Why I Love Thrifting for Home Decor

You probably know by now that I’m a big believer in shopping your own home first before buying new decor. This little trip was my first purchase all year—pretty good considering we’re in August—and it reminded me why I love thrifting so much.

Secondhand shopping has so many benefits:

• It saves money. Even my most “expensive” find that day cost $12.

• It’s better for the planet. Every item you rescue is one less thing headed for the landfill.

• It’s unique. No one else is going to have the exact same collection of porcelain casters under a brass-and-glass cloche.

Plus, there’s the adventure of it. You never know what you’ll find. Sometimes you come home empty-handed, and sometimes you find a Victorian clock part that’s destined to live in a flower arrangement.

A Little Reminder

While I do love a good treasure hunt, I also think it’s important to be content with what you have. That was the whole point of my no-purchase year. Sometimes, all it takes to refresh your home is moving things around, reimagining pieces in new ways, or digging through storage to find forgotten treasures.

But if you do feel the need to make a purchase, I’d encourage you to at least consider buying secondhand. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also get the satisfaction of giving something old a new story. And to me, that’s the best part.

If you’ve made it this far, I’d love to know—what’s your favorite thrifted find from this haul and perhaps your favorite find you ever brought home? Was it something practical, or something completely unexpected that made you smile?

Ciao,

Cara