Treasure Hunting: My Estate Sale Adventure

Soup Tureen purchased at the estate sale. It’s filled with homemade tomato and basil soup.

Welcome to the Blog today, Friends!

This morning, we’re off on a little adventure—to a local estate sale that promises some interesting treasures! It’s actually the second day of the sale, but yesterday’s stormy weather kept me cozy inside with a cup of tea and a good book. (Honestly, who wants to battle wind and rain when you could be snuggled up instead?)

Today, though, the skies are still wearing their soft gray sweater, but the rain has stopped, and I’m ready to venture out. Estate sales always hold the promise of something unexpected—a pretty piece of china, a vintage frame, or perhaps a little forgotten treasure just waiting to come home with me.

So, jacket on, boots laced, and a little excitement in my heart… let’s see what the day brings!

These pretty dishes were originally priced at $250.00, but they were definitely open to making some deals. On the second day of a sale, you can usually count on about 20% off—and sometimes a friendly offer will sweeten the deal even more! They really would make a lovely set for someone, but this morning, they just weren’t calling my name. Sometimes you have to trust your thrifting instincts and know when to walk away… leaving the treasure for someone else to discover.

There was definitely some interesting and colorful artwork scattered throughout the sale. A few pieces really caught the eye, like this striking one that even had a companion piece! Still, as pretty as they were, nothing quite tugged at my heartstrings. And, truth be told, the price tag was just a little too rich for me this time around. Sometimes it’s best to admire from afar and let someone else find their perfect piece of art.

This little coffee set was such a charming find! It was in really good condition, with just the right amount of vintage character. You could almost picture it set out for a cozy afternoon gathering, with friends lingering over steaming cups and sweet conversation.

There were two sets of these pretty red glasses available, each in two different sizes—five for $25. They really were lovely, with that vibrant pop of color that’s perfect for a festive table. But they were just a bit light in weight for my liking, and you know how I love a glass that feels substantial in the hand. In the end, I decided to leave them behind for someone else to discover and fall in love with.Two sets of these red glasses were available in two sizes…5 for $25. Quite pretty but a bit light on weight. I decided to leave them for someone else.

The garden room was such a fun space to explore, filled with all sorts of interesting pieces. You can see a few of them above—lots of charming baskets and whimsical garden art scattered throughout. I was definitely tempted (it’s hard to resist a good basket or a bit of garden whimsy!), but in the end, I decided to just enjoy the browsing and left empty-handed… this time!

Here’s a few other pieces that were on display. The bird nests were quite interesting but couldn’t figure out where I would put them.

Another room held a few lovely collections, including this charming display of pretty shells. Estate sales are wonderful for finding little treasures like these—tiny pieces of nature’s art, just waiting for someone to give them a new home. You never quite know what you’ll stumble upon, and that’s half the fun!

If you’re a collector of a specific china pattern—like the classic Christmas Tree pattern you see above—estate sales can be a real treasure trove. It’s not unusual to find just the piece you’ve been hunting for, and often at a very reasonable price. There’s something so satisfying about adding that perfect plate or serving piece to your collection, especially when it comes with a little bit of history attached.

Of course, estate sales aren’t just for the small treasures—you can also find some really beautiful furniture pieces in excellent condition. This lovely chair, for example, looked like it was brand new and was made by Henredon, a very well-respected furniture maker. It even had a matching sofa! The chair was priced at $200, which is quite reasonable for such a comfortable, quality piece. If you’re patient and a little lucky, estate sales can be a wonderful place to find high-end furniture at a fraction of the original cost.

I did come across a real gem—a set of eight soup bowls with matching plates and a beautiful soup tureen from a Villeroy & Boch acquisition. I just loved the elegant white-on-white patterning, and the size of the soup bowls was absolutely perfect—generous enough for a hearty stew or a cozy winter chowder. Best of all, I ended up purchasing the set! Even better, I received a very significant discount off the original $40 price, making the find even sweeter. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of bringing home something you truly love at a bargain!

I also found three quite nice knives by Zwilling. the handles were faded but I was pretty sure they could be brought back with some mineral oil.

The handles are already looking much better. A few more applications and they will be ready to use. I think this lady put the knives in the dishwasher…something you should never do.

After purchasing the soup bowls and bringing them home I decided to use them for dinner. So I set the table with our regular china and added the soup bowls and plates to the setting.

The soup tureen was filled to the brim with a cozy homemade tomato and basil soup—just the thing for a cool evening. I couldn’t resist tossing in a handful of fresh kale from the garden for a bit of hearty goodness. The covered tureen, warm and inviting, made its way to the table where it kept everything perfectly toasty. Once we were seated, I ladled the soup into bowls and added a few fresh basil leaves and a little sprinkle of parmesan to top it all off. Alongside the soup, we enjoyed a crisp garden salad dressed in homemade vinaigrette and garnished with snips of herbs. It was simple, fresh, and just right for a light dinner shared in good company.

Estate sales are such a joy to explore, don’t you think? There’s always a sense of discovery in the air—you never quite know what you’ll stumble upon. Sometimes it’s a real treasure, other times it’s just the delight of seeing beautiful old things and imagining the stories they could tell. I’m so glad you came along with me today for a little peek inside this one. Wishing each of you a lovely week ahead, filled with sweet moments and perhaps a little thrifting adventure of your own.