Today we’re going to walk through my trip to Graceworks, one of the best places to thrift in Franklin, TN. Graceworks is a non-profit that provides a variety of neighbor services in the Franklin area (learn more about their ministry here). Let’s see what we found!
Wait, did you buy all this stuff?
It’s worth noting that I don’t purchase everything I notice or enjoy. Partly because it wouldn’t all fit in my house! I’m not a reseller, so buying everything that I perceive as valuable to someone else doesn’t make sense. Just because something is an awesome find, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an awesome find for me.
Graceworks is a big warehouse divided into two separate stores; clothing and jewelry on the one side, furniture and housewares on the other. As usual, I put together a list of things to look for.
Important reminder: seasonal stock will affect your trip.
I was in the market for only a few items on the clothing side today, and I realized after coming to the store that some of the items wouldn’t be available due to the season. I’d hoped to find a hoodie or fleece to replace my one hoodie that has been loved almost to death. I’d also hoped to find a raincoat for my daughter. Neither of these items would be in the current seasonal rotation. That’s ok; they’ll come around in a few months.
I did, instead of a clutch, find a new purse to replace the one that was falling apart. And it works with the outfit for the wedding I’m attending. Huzzah!
That’s one thing from my list. Now on to furniture and housewares!
Who likes Pixar? These are part of the Limited Edition Lithograph set, one of which is shown here.
Mmmmm. Bacon. I really have no other comment to add.
This is a print by Lindsay Letters, which seems to have been available at Hobby Lobby at some point. You could get a custom version here:
I just think this is a nice canvas print. Is it supposed to be Paris? New York? Not sure. I found something similar, but with a bit more “grit” to it, here.
Controversial style prediction: knotty pine is going to make a comeback. I said it.
But even if it doesn’t, look at the simple, understated form. You could paint it, but I’d leave it as is. I’m one of those weirdos who actually likes unpainted wood. (There’s a similar bed here.)
And now, this desk.
Look at the drawer pulls! The locking center drawer! The pull-out extenders! It’s beautiful.
Dovetail joints. Le swoon.
As much fun as it would be to smoke and drink brandy with my fellow Mad Men in the early afternoon, we must move on.
Remember when our wardrobes were so small they could fit in something like this?
Me neither. I don’t know how they did it. The original “capsule wardrobe” was just “the clothes I own”.
I’m trying to figure out what this would have looked like full. I suspect it would make Marie Kondo grin.
Let’s change gears, and decades, by having a gander at this groovy hifi!
I really like the somewhat Asian vibe on the panel-pulls.
The sign says its player is untested. Would you take the risk? I don’t know if I could.
Kudos to whoever is offering up the same model here.
Alright, let’s roll forward a few decades and have a POOL PARTY!!!!!
I didn’t have this pool growing up, although I do remember the ads for it. One thing I noticed when pulling it down from the shelf is that hard plastic from the 80’s seems noisier than modern plastic toys. Why is that? What changed? Did they add a sound dampening molecule to plastic at some point?
Question for the void: if you find a self-help book at the thrift store, does that mean it did help, or it didn’t?
I had no idea I wanted to punch fear in the face. Fear would probably be really mad at me if I did that.
According to the number of crockpots here, none of us has any reason to buy a new one (ahem, unless it’s through this link, ahem). I counted no less than twelve.
This Melita espresso maker tempted me. I hemmed and hawed. Ultimately I decided to leave it there. We don’t have enough counter space and when we upgrade our coffee maker we’d like to get a 2 in one.
Another tempting item. I decided to leave it too. We already have lots of American history books.
I was just about ready to go when something plastic, beige and unattractive caught my eye. Remember my list?
Aaaand…
A paper shredder! I’d been unimpressed with the prices of new ones, especially since we don’t need to shred anything more than a few times a year. I am more than pleased to have this, giving it new life after having left Chandler Bing’s office. Especially since it was $2.00.
I think the thing I like best about my new shredder (aside from the shredding part) is that it is really looking out for me:
And even more importantly:
There you have it! I had a great time at Graceworks. I hope you enjoyed seeing some of what I found. Until next time,
To the thrift store!
