A home coffee bar

Why not create a coffee bar in your home? You could have all of your favorite coffee indulgences in one cozy corner. We have a few ideas we found around the web, and then we thought it would be fun to take a one stop photo hunt at our Goodwill Store to see what could be found to create a coffee bar - thrift store style!

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Visit Noplacelykehome.com and see how she created her "cafe corner"! We love it! 

noplacelykehome.com

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We are sweet on The Scrappy Cottage.blogspot.com coffee bar. Love the red coffee maker!

TheScrappyCottage.blogspot.com

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We appreciate Beccachristensen.wordpress.com desire to repurpose used furniture. This coffee bar has a vintage retro vibe. Sweet!

BeccaChristensen.wordpress.com

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XOXO to the The Long Awaited Home! A farmhouse style coffee bar, with purple!

The Long Awaited Home

We pinned these ideas plus more on our Goodwill Style  Pinterest Board.
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Now for some more fun! We headed down to our Alcott Retail Outlet in Kalamazoo to see what could be found for setting up a coffee bar in one shopping trip.

First we found three pieces of furniture that could be our "bar".

A Baker's Rack. This item needed a little cover up of some scratches, maybe a dark stain to match the metal patina?

A Secretary. You could leave the top folded out all the time with your coffee items arranged, or keep them tucked away. If you repainted this piece, what color would you choose?  

                   
A dresser with a fold down top. Again a piece like this has the option to stay left open or not. The drawers could be filled with extra mugs, linens, plates etc. Or keep your Christmas cups and such tucked away in one of the drawers.

We found a couple of shelves to hang your mugs, hold sugars, flavored syrups, and display knickknacks.

And of course the coffee makers;

A carafe, thermal coffee holders or a vintage thermos?

And Goodwill always has lots of mugs. These mugs would be great with a rustic coffee bar or art house style. What do you think?

And how about a free coffee art to print? Download this at Whatelsemichelle.com (and be sure to look around her site, it is full of inspiring ideas!)

HAPPY TREASURE HUNTING! 

Christmas Gift Projects from Thrift store finds

It is dark now around six o'clock here in Michigan, but that doesn't mean going to bed early! We've put together a collection of gift ideas you can make from thrift store finds that you can work on during these long, dark evenings.  You will find something for everyone on your list!

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MOTHER

Succulents are the "it" plant this year. Find a beautiful container at the thrift store to hold a collection of succulents for mom. Visit drought-smart-plants.com to learn more about succulents and a few more container ideas.

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GIRLFRIEND

Does your girl friend love glitter? Make this pillow from a glittery thrift store dress! Go to sisterssuitcaseblog.com for instructions.

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TEENAGE BOY

Find a working thrift boombox and hand paint it in cool, funky colors. Be sure to add to this gift a couple of cassette from bands you liked and couple blank cassette tapes so he can make his own mix tape. Retro is cool!

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BOYFRIEND

Psst! Men love candles too! Here is an easy idea for a "manly" candle. Paint a thrift store candle holder with black matte paint. Wrap a pillar candle with a black and white checkered or paisley ribbon. Look for these candle scents for men: Bacon, Whiskey, Pine, Coffee or Campfire.

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CAT or DOG

Check out Hometalk.com for the directions to make this cat home from a thrift store dresser. This is a labor of love, but a great payoff! Also visit a previous Treasure Chest post for more ideas for your pets. Cat and dog beds fit for royalty!  

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TEENAGE GIRL

Give her a nail polish organizer. Scoop up an old spice rack from the thrift store and paint it a fresh color, or find out which color would match her room. Purchase her a few nail polish colors to get her started. Sweet!

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GRANDPA

How about this simple and stylish eyeglasses case for Grandpa? It all starts with a thrift store tie.

Source

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GRANDMA 

Bet grandma doesn't have a potholder rug! This idea is super cute and funky! Visit makezine.com for directions.

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DAD

This clock is made from cd's and a thrift store desk clock. Check out instructables.com  for complete details to make this unique gift for Dad.

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LITTLE GIRL

What little girl wouldn't love to play house with a handmade play kitchen? This DIY started as an old nightstand. Another labor of love, but so worth it! 

Source

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LITTLE BOY

This Pinner on Pinterest shared this idea. She used wonder-under to attach fabric character cut-outs and thrift store ties.  

Enjoy and Happy Treasure Hunting!

Let's Dish! Fresh ideas for decorating with thrifted plates.

Have you seen the latest ideas in decorating with plates? We have gathered some fresh new ways to bring your thrifted, vintage or collectible plates into view. 

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Let's start of with something very unique:

These plates are arranged to mimic a grandfather clock! 

Upcycled pallets are everywhere these days. 
This pallet idea would be perfect for a country kitchen or cabin.

This plate display is made from a recycled dresser drawer. 

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Off the wall display ideas.

Plant your plates in the garden.

Source

Create this pretty vignette with another repurposed drawer to display thrifted plates and silverware.

                                                                       Display different plates as the seasons change.

__________________________          You will find ever changing merchandise at your local Goodwill Store.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    You will also find collectible plates on Shopgoodwill.com.                         Search key word "plate".


These plates are currently up for bid.
Copenhagen porcelain plate

Albion College Observatory, 1st edition wedge wood collectible plate.

"Motif #1" by Prescott W. Baston. 

HAPPY TREASURE HUNTING!

Fresh Ideas for Baskets

I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth? ~Edward Giobbi

Spring is finally here to stay in West Michigan! Whether you plant a large garden or a few pots on your patio or balcony, we have gathered some fresh ideas to decorate with plants and baskets.

Baskets filled with edibles



 

Baskets of flowers

Baskets with a little something extra

http://tinyurl.com/cvcu3u9          http://gardentherapy.ca/easter-basket-fairy-garden/

 

Baskets can be found at all Goodwill Southwestern Michigan Retail Outlets.

This is a photo from our Paw Paw Retail Outlet from this week!

 

 

 Shopgoodwill.com is a great place to discover collectable baskets.  Here are three collectable Longaberger baskets that are currently up for bid.  

 

 

 
• Go to goodwillswmi.org
• Click on the shopping tab
• Click on Treasure Chest

 

You can search key words like "basket" to see the current items available.

We also welcome you to visit our website for complete store information such as hours and locations.

goodwillswmi.org

 

Also take a look at our Goodwill Pinterest board called BASKETS at

http://pinterest.com/vtgtc/ 

for more ideas and a pin to a how-to video for successful basket gardening.

 

HAPPY GARDENING

            &

HAPPY TREASURE HUNTING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



new life for old jewelry boxes

Old jewelry boxes are a common find around the house, at garage sales
and at thrift stores.
How about breathing new life into these boxes with a little paint, maybe
some fabric and found things?

Here are two before and after examples of jewelry boxes that have been upcycled.

 

 

( http://predictionspast.blogspot.com/2012/08/before-and-after-jewelry-box.html )

 

( http://www.pkglitzblog.com/2012/09/stepping-out-of-jewelry-box.html )

 

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These are pins from our Treasure Chest Pinterest Board "Altered"

 

 

 

http://pinterest.com/vtgtc/altered/

 

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Inspired? Refresh a found piece for yourself or as a handmade gift for a friend.

Here are pictures of a few "diamonds in the rough" that were recently donated to Goodwill Retail Outlets in Southwestern Michigan.

 





 

 

 

 

Happy Treasure Hunting and thank you for supporting

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan!

 

 

Vintage Brooches