Instagram Inspiration: Angela from The Painted House

If you're looking for someone seriously fabulous to follow on Instagram, <a href="http://instagram.com/angenigma" target="_blank">Angela from The Painted House</a> is your girl. She has a phenomenal artistic eye. She is in the process of finishing a new house and I am so, so inspired by all of her choices. Angela is an amazing decorator, but it's been so great to see what she decides to do with the bones of her home. I love how she puts an edge on classic design details.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of my recent favorite instagrams:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><center></center></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at90707PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at90707PM.png" /><br /><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at90602PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at90602PM.png" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at85611PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at85611PM.png" /><br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the clean and modern look she did in her kitchen. And what a great color! </div></div><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at85518PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at85518PM.png" style="cursor: move;" /></div></div><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at90437PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at90437PM.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Gah! That stair rail is SO cool!</div><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at90524PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at90524PM.png" /><br /><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at90123PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at90123PM.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This paneling is perfection.</div><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at90000PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at90000PM.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As is the moulding on this ceiling.</div><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at85930PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at85930PM.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">With the perfect light fixture!!</div><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at85537PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at85537PM.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of light fixtures. Look at this giant chandelier!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at85441PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at85441PM.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Angela spray painted it white herself. Such a statement against her dark walls!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at90408PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at90408PM.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And I can't even handle how perfect her fireplace surround is in every single way. I have dreams of that amazing marble.</div><br /><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-17at85642PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-17at85642PM.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So happy to be insta-stalking you, <a href="http://instagram.com/angenigma" target="_blank">Angela</a>. Your house is stunning!</div></div><div></div></div>

Instagram Inspiration: Angela from The Painted House

If you're looking for someone seriously fabulous to follow on Instagram, Angela from The Painted House  is your girl. She has a phenomen...

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Hearts Aren't Just for Valentine's Day

<center></center>My girls are getting a little older now (my oldest is eight) and while I really miss having babies around, I am having so much FUN with my kids! Every holiday is a million times more exciting. We are in full Valentines mode this week (only handmade cards in this house!) and I love seeing their little creative sides come out. <a href="http://instagram.com/p/kI1yiTQW_A/" target="_blank">They made me this bouquet</a> from flowers and plants they clipped in our yard a few days ago and I was so proud of the arrangement! :) These little ladies make my heart burst.<br /><br />Kristen from <a href="http://www.kfddesigns.com/2014/02/thrift-store-frame-revamp.html" target="_blank">KFD Designs</a> emailed me this Valentines-worthy project earlier this week and I thought it was so cute. Reminded me of <a href="http://keep.com/banquet-atelier-and-workshop-fluoro-heart-print-by-jennykomenda/k/nEhL49ABO-/" target="_blank">this heart print</a> we all love.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo PR0026_fluoro_heart_styled04_small.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/PR0026_fluoro_heart_styled04_small.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />Kristen's more detailed tutorial is <a href="http://www.kfddesigns.com/2014/02/thrift-store-frame-revamp.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but the gist is she picked up a pair of really inexpensive thrift store frames, painted them gold and created the peach and neon pink hearts from scratch for the inside.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 19F5F6BF-F959-4113-87C3-128B02C4D0EB_zpsabzcfqep.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/19F5F6BF-F959-4113-87C3-128B02C4D0EB_zpsabzcfqep.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1822_zpsa5809822.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_1822_zpsa5809822.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I love these two colors together and hanging the pink heart upside down was a genius touch and helps keep things in the not-too-sweet zone.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1815_zpse1748653.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_1815_zpse1748653.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Well, done <a href="http://www.kfddesigns.com/2014/02/thrift-store-frame-revamp.html" target="_blank">Kristen</a>! Thanks for sharing.<br /><br /><i>If you have a project you'd like to share on LGN, <a href="mailto:jenny@jennykomenda.com" target="_blank">email me</a> a link or photos.</i>

Hearts Aren't Just for Valentine's Day

My girls are getting a little older now (my oldest is eight) and while I really miss having babies around, I am having so much FUN with my k...

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Some Living Room Updates

<center></center>It's been a while since I shared some photos of the decorating progress in our house! I'm still trying to figure out what I want and where, but this set up has been working pretty well in our living room for about a month now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1961.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_1961.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><a name="more"></a></div><br />Michael bought me a giclee print of my favorite painting by <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=minerva+teichert&oq=minerva+teichert&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i61.4636j0j4&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">Minerva Teichert</a> (an LDS artist who painted a lot in the early and mid 1900s) for my birthday back in October. I really need to get it mounted and framed, but in the meantime it's just tacked up on the wall (ha!) where I think I want it to be. I hope it goes without saying that I know religious art can be a divisive and sensitive subject on design blogs, but I so appreciate how respectful all of you have been in the past when I've shared projects and art in my home that are based on my religion. It's so great that we can all support each other in our different life choices and paths, and find beauty in the differences. This print and Minerva Teichert's work in general has a lot of meaning for me and I love having it hanging in our home. And hopefully sometime soon it will be hanging in a legit frame!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9497.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9497.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />The Serge Mouille style sconces were <a href="http://www.infurn.com/us/msc-r1c-rotating-sconce-inspired-by-serge-mouille&affiliate=google-us?gclid=CKeO4oeCorkCFZFFMgodAGEAlA" target="_blank">bought here</a>. The site has really mixed reviews online. Lots of people claim they have never received their orders. It took about two months for these sconces to come (and then a couple more months for me to get around to hanging them), but they came and they were SO affordable at about $160 each. The quality is top notch, too. The brass fittings are absolutely beautiful and the whole thing is easy to install on the wall. So I guess if you have a couple months to sit around and wait, you can really get a great deal at Infurn.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2016.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_2016.jpg" /></div><br />The sofa was a recent Craigslist find from a local seller. Her name is Kirsten and she is opening up an <a href="http://luxeartifacts.com/" target="_blank">online shop</a> of really beautiful and well-curated finds. The silky blue velvet is in really great vintage condition. And I <i>love</i> that there are four seat cushions. This is where we watch TV so it's nice for all of us to have a seat and plenty of space to stretch out!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9404.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9404.jpg" /></div><br />I threw the pink lumbar pillows (old, from Target) on the sofa just for the photos for a little color. I am working on an ottoman project that will bring in some color too, so I can leave the sofa bare then. I like it better without extra pillows.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1961.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_1961.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo photo21.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/photo21.jpg" /></div><br />The Eames style Plycraft chair was my Christmas present to Michael. He'd been asking for an Eames lounger for a while (ever since I got rid of his beloved-but-incredibly-bulky leather club chair - <i>whoops</i>) but I wanted a lounger in an interesting color and for a good deal, of course. I ended up finding this one on eBay for a really great price and it was shipped from Florida to Arizona on a Greyhound bus! That was the first time I'd tried that shipping method and I was happy with how fast and inexpensive it was. Have you ever used the Greyhound method? I had to go pick up the huge box at the local bus depot since they don't deliver, but it wasn't an issue at all.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9497h.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9497h.jpg" /></div><br />The rug was from Rugs USA (<a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-adileh/natural/200VBVI2A-P.html" target="_blank">still selling them here</a>) and the side tables are all vintage. The motel sign artwork and the LDS temple photo were hanging in our bedroom, but I decided to put up my Chinese panels in our bedroom instead and the scale of these two photos was perfect between the sconces.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9394.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9394.jpg" /></div><br />Like I said, lots to figure out here, but we're making some slow and steady progress on getting this home decorated. I'm really excited to get that ottoman finished now!

Some Living Room Updates

It's been a while since I shared some photos of the decorating progress in our house! I'm still trying to figure out what I want and...

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Why Don't You: Make a Fancy Credenza

I've been working on the design of our <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/06/valley-house-tour-soon-to-be-library.html" target="_blank">library wall bookshelves</a> the past week or two. We're wanting to do a credenza-type storage piece all along the bottom of the shelving units so I've been digging up photos of vintage credenzas I've taken at antique stores over the years, and I've been doing lots of research on Pinterest and in my pre-Pinterest file folders. I don't think it's the right fit for our library space, but I really love this antique credenza from the 30s.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3811.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_3811.jpg" /></div><br />I found it at Horseman Antiques on Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn, which was not too far from the school my girls used to go to. The store is huge and most of the pieces are not especially affordable, but it does feel like a treasure trove. I loved to pop in often after school drop off to get inspired and every now and then I'd buy something for myself or for a client.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3814.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_3814.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3815.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_3815.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I didn't buy this mirrored glass piece, but I think it would be such an easy IKEA hack! Just a Besta unit and some mirror custom cut to fit and some glass and mirror glue and you'd be good to go! This is basically what I did for the doors of <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-first-domino-article.html" target="_blank">my IKEA Pax units</a> and the mirror wasn't all that expensive and could not have been easier to install.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8055.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_8055.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8058.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_8058.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The concept sort of reminds me of this IKEA hack from the Aestate.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-09at113932PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/ScreenShot2014-02-09at113932PM.png" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I LOVE the chunky, edgy texture the layered pieces of wood on the doors give the whole look. So easy and inexpensive for such a huge visual impact! Her concept post is <a href="http://www.theaestate.com/2013/08/ikea-besta-hack-tv-styling.html#.UvhzXmRDt2k" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/kK2GEaOyvj/" target="_blank">here's</a> the project reveal photo.

Why Don't You: Make a Fancy Credenza

I've been working on the design of our library wall bookshelves the past week or two. We're wanting to do a credenza-type storage p...

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Vintage Furniture Shopping Tips and Tricks

<center></center>Phoenix is just about the best place to live between the months of November and April. The weather here right now is <i>gorgeous</i>. But beside the perfect winters, the vintage furniture shopping is pretty great and affordable.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8635.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_8635.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9652.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9652.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><a href="http://instagram.com/p/jzNxWYQW3i/" target="_blank">This pair of vintage Henredon sofas</a> was my most recent purchase. $80 for the pair! The coral Brunschwig and Fils fabric is in almost perfect condition too. I've got just the right spot for these after they get a good deep cleaning with <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/05/dear-jenny-cleaning-upholstery.html" target="_blank">my favorite upholstery cleaner</a> and my steamer (and after I pull off the skirts!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1662.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_1662.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1612.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_1612.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Here are a few other recents finds and some of my tips for scoring the good stuff:<br /><a name="more"></a><br />Being a successful vintage shopper has a lot to do with frequency - if I have two free minutes when I'm passing a thrift store, I'll always pop in and make a beeline for the furniture section.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9630.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9630.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5880.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_5880.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9737.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9737.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />After a couple of years of hardcore thrifting I can usually speed read a store and I'll only need a few seconds to see if there's anything good. And really, is there anything better than spotting something really, really great from the front of the store? I've been known to break into a full sprint on occasion. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8987.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_8987.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_86662.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_86662.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9375.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9375.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />This one is no secret, but if you know a part of your city where a lot of senior citizens live, you'll probably find some of the best vintage shopping around.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1679.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_1679.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(a good sign I was shopping in the right neighborhood!) :)</i></div><i><br /></i>If you're lucky enough to live in Florida (as any search for anything vintage on eBay will quickly tell you), you're going to be swimming in midcentury beauties.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5900.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_5900.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7617.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_7617.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8974.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_8974.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Arizona has a great retirement-age population, so the vintage shopping here is not lacking, but I've been able to find these pockets of older-generation communities in every city we've lived in over the past ten years. There are so many great deals to be had everywhere!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5888.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_5888.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9742.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9742.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7726.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_7726.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8615.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_8615.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Some of my very best vintage furniture deals were found in rural Delaware and Pennsylvania. As it turns out, people lived and furnished their homes in the 50s, 60s and 70s there too! ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8973.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_8973.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8531.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_8531.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />The BEST trick I have up my sleeve though is to search for "used furniture stores" or "furniture consignment" plus your zip code on Google or Bing maps.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6571.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_6571.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6575x.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_6575x.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Thrift stores are great, but the vast majority of the stuff you'll find there now will be from the 90s and early 2000s. Antique stores can be amazing, but you'll pay for the dealer's eye which usually means a big mark up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0034.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0034.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I love eBay and Chairish and Craigslist for the times that I'm looking for something very specific that's in great condition. Estate sales are also really awesome, but they can be a lot of work and sort of time consuming. I don't do yard sales at all any more because they waste too much time and gas.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7722.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_7722.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Used furniture and consignment stores are where it's at, friends. Don't get me wrong. You'll still see all sorts of junk at these places, but there will almost always be vintage treasures to be had at ridiculously low prices!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1667.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_1667.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1676.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_1676.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1671.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_1671.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />One of my friends, who bought this great iron chair on a recent shopping trip together, is so smart and likes to say hello to whomever is working near the front or at the register of the store and then just sort of shoots the breeze for a minute with them. And then she asks in the nicest way if there are any special sales happening that day. She's not being fake, she's just being friendly. And friendly people get treated, well, like friends! I've been using her approach since then and, I kid you not, nine times out of ten the salesperson will give me a little price break when I'm checking out without me even asking for it, just to be nice. It's <i>amazing. </i>Especially when you do as much thrifting and vintage shopping as I do - every 5 or 10% off really adds up! :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9634.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9634.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />What are your tips and tricks for finding the best vintage furniture? Have you found any amazing deals lately?

Vintage Furniture Shopping Tips and Tricks

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