When thrift shopping, you always have to keep your eyes trained to note the unexpected. I witnessed a highly skilled eye at work a few years back when I walked into a Housing Works shop with decorator Mark Ciolli, principal of Carl & Co. At the back of the store was an unremarkable, table -- at least to me -- that for some reason Mark had set his sight on. It was only $45, but the glass was of poor quality, and I knew he didn't have room in his own apartment for another large glass table. He then started rattling off instructions to his moving guys about coming ASAP to pick up this piece, and to leave the glass top.
I was thoroughly confused. Why in the world would he buy a table and leave the top in the store? What I hadn't realized was that underneath that hideous surface sat two Maison Jansen gueridon's, each worth more than $1,000 apiece. Once Mark got the pieces home, he cut marble rounds and turned them into end tables. The photo of the table (left) by Jim Franco, is from The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating With Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details.
As you know, my philosophy is to buy only what you love, regardless of its brand or provenance. But a keen eye and an open mind can most often result in all kinds of rewards.
For more of Mark Ciolli's creations pick up a copy of The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon or Powell's.
The Elegant Thrifter
Always Frugal, Always Fabulous!
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