Thrifted Finds

Welcome, friends. I’m so delighted you’ve joined me here today. There’s a certain joy in gathering together, and I must say, I’m positively brimming with excitement to share a couple of recent discoveries. Yesterday, while out on a bit of a ramble, we stumbled upon a charming little thrift shop we hadn’t seen before. It was the sort of place that invited us in us in, encouraging us to wander through its nooks and crannies in search of hidden treasures.

The table runner has a simple, timeless appeal, with its off-white background and finely drawn leaves along the border. Some of the leaves have soft touches of autumn colors, but the overall look is subtle and serene. It feels like a piece that was just waiting to be found, ready to add a touch of the season’s charm to the table.

The second treasure I found is this wonderful old apple box, which I’m fairly certain is an original “working” crate. There’s something about the graphic on the side that truly draws me in—it’s worn just enough to tell a story, with a bit of age that only adds to its charm. One can easily imagine it once filled with apples, carefully loaded up for the journey to a local grocer or wholesaler, carrying the season’s bounty from orchard to market. The box itself is quite rough-hewn, but that only lends it a rugged, rustic appeal, making it the perfect addition to my little tableau.

To breathe some life into it, I placed a pottery pitcher inside, brimming with simple garden flowers, the kind that nod gently with the breeze. The pitcher rests atop a napkin that echoes the colors and feel of the table runner, tying the look together with a soft touch. I added a small stack of my favorite autumn cookbooks to one side, their spines adding a splash of warmth and interest to the scene. Altogether, it creates a vignette that feels delightfully layered, with textures, colors, and shapes coming together to tell a story of the season.

On the opposite end of the hall table, I’ve placed another pottery jug, this one filled with a simple yet charming bouquet of fresh garden flowers. Next to the flowers rests a well-loved leather box, a treasured piece from Italy that I love. It’s an old one, beautifully carved, with intricate details that depict a scene from Dante’s Inferno—a true work of art, worn with age but still brimming with character.

Behind the box, I’ve nestled a hand-thrown vase filled with neutral dried flowers and grasses, their soft tones perfectly complementing the subtle background of the table runner. Together, these pieces create a balanced, harmonious look, with just the right blend of old-world charm and natural beauty. Each element adds its own story, lending warmth and quiet elegance to the setting.

Displayed on the mirror is one of my favorite thrifted finds—a lovely graphic of a mother cat and her kitten, sitting contentedly amidst the grasses, gazing out at the world beyond. There’s a quiet beauty to the scene; the mother’s watchful eyes seem to speak of love and protection, as she offers a warm, safe haven for her little one. The colors in the print echo the gentle hues of the table runner, creating a sense of harmony that ties everything together.

It’s the kind of picture that draws you in, inviting you to linger for a moment, sharing in the tenderness of the scene. It adds a touch of whimsy and affection to the display, reminding me of the quiet joys and simple comforts of home.

Despite the variety of elements in this vignette, they come together nicely to create a pleasing autumn display. There’s a sense of openness that allows each item to stand out, while still contributing to the overall scene. The muted tones give it a calm feel, with a few brighter touches that hint at the change of seasons as winter approaches.

Putting together a display with newly thrifted finds is always a bit of a challenge, but it’s a rewarding process. Thank you for joining me today—it’s always a pleasure to have you stop by. I look forward to sharing more with you next time.