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Sunday, March 7, 2010

FROM THRIFTY TO FANCY SMANCY

Bill at Affordable Accoutrements described his reaction to estate sales in a recent comment on my blog. He didn’t realize that he was perfectly describing this estate sale addict, when he wrote about the quickening of the heart and the removal of the seatbelt before the car comes to a stop if I see an estate sale sign (especially if I see people coming out with treasures in their hands).  That happened to me this weekend (as it does WAY TOO OFTEN).  I know you’ll be surprised to learn that I found a couple of thrifty treasures to share.


baskt mos


Yes, it’s another silver purchase by the blogger who doesn’t like to polish silver, but I kind of like the patina on this little nut/mint basket, so I’m probably not going to polish it for awhile (if ever). As you can see, I bought it for $5.00.


vase mos


I also purchased this little vase for $4.00. I love my thrifty purchases, and everyone in Blogville knows how much I need some more stuff in my house!


Now, on to the fancy smancy party of this post. After I cleaned up a little (following the sweat I broke into after finding an estate sale), we attended a party. I’m sharing a few pictures of the mansion we were fortunate enough to be invited to (glad I cleaned up before I went)!  (Y’all probably attend parties at these types of homes all of the time, but we don’t, so I’m easily impressed.) I was trying to be discreet when I took photos, and I attempted to not post photos of any of the other guests, so there are several photos of the ceilings (not only to prevent guests from being in the photos, but because there were some gorgeous ceilings in this place).


exterior



FORMAL LVG RM BAY WNDW


055




l r ceiling


more paneling WOOD PANELING



FORYER


L R MANTLE


CHINA




CEILING


BREAKFRONT


organ


CUT GLASS MOS


Their treasures kind of put mine to shame, but I’m pretty sure that their treasures cost a little more than $5.00!

Speaking of parties, don’t forget the Saint Patty Blog Crawl, hosted by Cuisine Kathleen on March 16th!  Thanks so much to each of you who came to visit me today, and a special thanks to each of you who take the time to leave me a comment. You have no idea how much your comments mean to me. laurie

23 comments:

GardenOfDaisies said...

Wow Laurie! The wood paneling and the ceilings in the mansion are gorgeous! I don't think I have ever been to a party in a place like that.
You found some really nice treasures! I really like your little Meakin vase. I want to come down and go treasure hunting with you. You always know where to find the good stuff!!

Treasia Stepp said...

Beautiful estate sales finds Laurie. That house is gorgeous. Such details on the wood and the ceilings. Beautiful decor as well.

Pat@BPM said...

Gotta love those sales.

Beautiful home, Laurie. I'm glad you got ceiling shots. Isn't it amazing, the workmanship in older homes like this.

Mellodee said...

Oh my word! I've never known anyone who actually lived in a home like that! You must travel in more exalted circles than I do! :) It was a delight seeing the craftmanship and detail. It's one thing to tour a home that is a "museum" or the home of a once famous person, but it is quite another thing, to see a house of that sort that is still a "home" today. I think I took a seriously wrong turn somewhere in my life!! :)

I realized when I saw your post, that you must be a night person like me! I love night people. There's a kind of built in quirkiness I just adore!

artis1111 said...

Great finds. I am going out to thrift shopos today myself. I need a few things. The ceilings are lovely. Kathy

Maggie said...

Once again you found some bargains, love the Meakin ironstone vase. The mansion looks kinda special, the china in the cabinet looks like Aynsley's Cottage Garden but of ourse you couldn't take a photo of the mark! LOL.
~Maggie~

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Good Morning Laurie,
Oh girl, I want to go to a party like that!! What neat pics and your treasure's are wonderful! I so love estate sales too, but I am in withdrawal's since we don't get many around here until Spring has arrived. Have a great week my friend, Hugs, Cindy

santamaker said...

Oh Laurie, I know just the feeling! Don't you hate when you see someone leaving with stuff you wanted?!? LOL! Can't wait until garage sale time rolls around!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I don't know where my comment went, just some weird message came up. Oh well. That hous is totally unreal. I would love to tour it and see all the beauty. You did find some neat treasures too. I can't wait to see how you use them. Hugs, Marty

Glenda/MidSouth said...

You found some nice treasures. I really like the silver basket. Beautiful house - thanks for the tour.

Sonny G said...

My neck would be out of whack for a week if I visited that home from looking at those ceilings.. The whole place is totally amazing..
you sure found some beautiful treasures on your thrifting hunt.
I smell spring in the air and yard sales will start soon.. let the bargain hunting begin~!

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie! I love your treasures and love the $5 price on the silver piece.
Shut my mouth! Do folks really live in this place? Oh, my goodness, it's gorgeous! I love those ceilings and weren't you careful not to photograph any tiny faces? :)
What a beautiful place. Your treasures were probably more fun to obtain than the fancy treasure in that house!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Salmagundi said...

You are right - those ceilings are beautiful, along with the other treasures in that house. But, give me a $5 treasure any day. Sally

Lisa said...

That little silver basket was quite the score!! It's perfect for Easter candy.:) And thanks for taking us along on your dinner date. What a fabulous home. You did such great undercover photography.LOL

Tootsie said...

I love the tarnished silver!!! I never polish mine!!! and this place with the photos....is outstanding!

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Hi Laurie!

Oh, I know what you mean about heading into a sale. I make sure I have taken my blood pressure medicine because I know my heart beat is going to go up! LOL It's the "Hunt" I tell ya! I start to sweat, just knowing I will bag the big game! I stalk the perimeter. I see all the people going in for the "big fancy" items, while I stealthly crawl through the underbelly of the hunting area. I am discreet, going undetected and snatch up the hidden treasures!

Okay, so I got a little carried away there! Stealthly? Um, yeah, okay Diann! Well, I am stealth in my mind!

Just thinking about the "hunt" for the little treasure I got all excited!

Anyway, love that little silver basket! I would have snatched that one up too!

Have a wonderful day!

Oh, and I have a new giveaway going on!

Heidi Pocketbook said...

Very cute sale finds. The mansion tour was wonderful!

The Muse said...

how kind of you to share the joy of these architectural beauties!
when you open your blog...we all feel so welcome :)

Diane at Crafty Passions said...

You made my day !
I have a whole set of those dishes the ones with the flowers and butterflies,I never use it but I do have them tucked away... maybe now I will put them out and enjoy them!
Diane

Kathleen said...

Oh yes, THAT feeling! We don't have many estate sales here, but I get that feeling when I pull into the parking lots of my favorite bargain places..
Speaking of feelings...Bill hasn't been around much, and after he gave me a seat at his table! I think he dumped me for another DISH! or set thereof..:)
Great pics, glad you left the Hefty' bag in the car. It might make the hostess nervous!
I like the look of freshly fallen dust on tables don't you? Like the "patina" on tarnished silver, LOL!

KBeau said...

Love your "new" treasures. And I'm sure you were in heaven at that party.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Good morning Laurie...girl I'm having some drooling problems here looking at these pictures WOW!! look at those ceilings...the pipe organ is to die 4...I would have been like one of the fake dogs with the bobble heads trying to take all of this in...This is just awesome girl...Now what did you wear..PLEASE don't tell me an old Red Robe girl I would have wore my new pink one to this affair ha ha!! Love ya sis...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Bill said...

Hi Laurie,

Hmmmm ... I didn't know you'd been talkin' about me, but it's so true about the excitement of driving up to a good estate sale (and the joy of leaving laden with tons of thrifty tresures)! I was honored that you liked my comment.

Actually naughty Cuisine Kathleen gave me a heads-up. You have to watch that one, don't you?

That mansion is magnificent! Thank you for taking us along. I don't think I've ever seen such beautiful paneling in a private home (not even one on a tour of homes). Thanks again for the eye candy and the fun of seeing your estate sale treasures.

Bye for now,
Bill