On the weekend there was a car boot sale her in Vällingby. About 100 sellers with their cars gathered on one of the parking lots. Anne, Sanna, Sebastian and I met up to check it and the local charity shop out. There wasn’t a whole lot that caught my eye. I did see stuff I liked but I so didn’t need any of it. I do however need another lamp and when Anne decided the one above wasn’t for her I snatched it up. After re-wiring it it’ll probably go on my bedroom nook window sill. With a different shade though.
My best loot of the day were these though. They are the same handles that I have on two of the doors in my house and the same ones I paid a fortune for at Byggfabriken and blogged about here when I installed them at the old house. At Byggfabriken they were 490 SEK (USD 70) per pair and I paid 50 SEK (USD 7) per pair at the car boot sale. Amazing huh?! I think I will probably sand and oil them instead of keeping the varnished though. Such a great find!
I love finding stuff I actually need when thrifting as more often than not I buy cute and fun stuff only to return it as a donation to the same store later on because I didn’t get any use out of it. How about you, are you car booters or flea marketers? Any great recent finds?
that's a tremendous find! i have the same problem with acquiring things that just go back again, i try to be very strict with what i'll take home now. i have yet to locate a sale around where i'm living, but when i do i'll be so pleased. i love the rummage. x
Posted by: elisa | September 21, 2011 at 07:54 AM
Wow - great deal on the door handles!! I'm a huge flea marketer/car booter/garage saler - I have it in my genes from my Mom :). I used to be much more impulsive with what I bought but I decided I didn't want our house looking like a flea market so I've learned to only bring home what I absolutely love. My favorite find of late is a big basket that seems to come from Asia, maybe Vietnam, and looks so different from the baskets we're used to seeing around here. It's a perfect bedside magazine holder.
Posted by: Judith | September 21, 2011 at 08:01 AM
That sounds like a great find!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 21, 2011 at 08:06 AM
just yesterday there was a bulk item collection in front of my house and I found a matching IKEA-Chair to the one we have. It is actually in an even better condition than ours. Nonetheless, I washed it down and washed the covers (twice) and am very happy about the new addition to our furniture.
I love strolling through flea markets and second hand stores, and often take home some porcelaine. But I also put up the rule that - when I find out that I don't need it nor use it - I bring it back to the shop. In that case, the (always low) amount of money I paid for it was rather like a rental fee and I don't accumulate too much clutter at home. - this is partially also owing to your blog, so be proud you taught your disciples so well :-)
Posted by: Julia | September 21, 2011 at 08:23 AM
Åhh vilken fin lampa, ska den vara i glas eller ska du spraymåla den..? jag älskar loppis och vi har några stora här i Kalmar där jag bor..mitt problem är att man ofta köper med hjärtat mer än med hjärnan..så jag har en hel del grejer som jag tycker är underbara men inte har användning för..Men är man en loppis råtta så är man.. ;)
Lampor gillar jag att köpa på loppis, jag har flera som är köpta och omgjorda på ett eller annat sätt!
Posted by: Linda | September 21, 2011 at 08:47 AM
Oh yes - I got a 1935 Singer Sewing machine for £5/$8 50SEK ( The case was locked, so I had to pick it when I got home) - it's a stunner!
Posted by: Hxx | September 21, 2011 at 08:49 AM
Wow! Does it work?
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 21, 2011 at 08:50 AM
Den får vara i glas tror jag nog :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 21, 2011 at 08:51 AM
Great finds. When I lived in Canada I loved going to charity shops and got quite a few useful things there. In Poland, there are a lot of stores with used clothing, but it's not my thing. There are not that many charity shops with household goods. I think it's because in general, Canadian society is very well do to and they buy a lot of stuff that they don't really need and then it ends up in charity shops. Polish population is not that rich and during the communist year there was nothing to buy anyway, so when finally people could get things for their homes (in the past 20 years), they are keeping them and taking good care of them as prices are relatively high in relation to their salaries.
Posted by: Zosia | September 21, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Vilka fynd! Särskilt handtagen! Jag är en loppis/auktionsfantast och har precis flyttat så jag har en byauktion nära mig varje tisdag. Väldigt roligt och jag tror nog att jag kommer att göra lite fynd där framöver! :)
Posted by: Jo | September 21, 2011 at 09:30 AM
Säger detsamma HANDTAGEN ända sen du bytte dina i förra huset så har jag tittat efter liknande på loppis! VILL HA!
Bor i hyreslägenhet från mitten av 60-talet och dörrarna är i "teak"-faner men tyvärr så har dom handtag i plast (gul/vita). Till 7st dörrar ja då vill man hitta ett budget alternativ! Jakten går vidare - har jag tur så kanske jag hittar ett handtag här och ett där till fyndpris.
Bor inte i Stockholm så jag tröstar mig med att "dina handtag" var inget jag missade! Fast då och då är jag i huvdstaden ...
Posted by: Inger | September 21, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Jag är glad att den hamnade hos dig istället. Den hade inte kommit till sin rätt i mitt hem. Men den är en riktigt småländsk glashytte-nostalgitripp för mig. Löööv it.
Posted by: Anne | September 21, 2011 at 11:22 AM
I'm so envious of people who find great stuff at thrift shops. I've checked the local ones here several times and there's never anything but stinky junk. Every time. :(
Posted by: devil | September 21, 2011 at 02:15 PM
My husband and I love to go to thrift shops and garage sales. Sometimes we buy stuff that we just like but we mostly buy stuff that we will use. I do need more time to use up all the material and yarn deals I have come across. I do have a weakness for those. Love your finds!!
Posted by: Norma | September 21, 2011 at 04:09 PM
I love thrifting and garage saling. I like to have a "project" piece that I'm on the hunt for. Right now, I am looking for chairs that can be used at the kids' desks, but not office chairs. This past weekend I found some cute tin custard molds that I am going to turn into little mushroom decorations for the garden. Oh, and I am also hunting for a little white rabbit cotton ball dispenser like you found! :)
Posted by: Lisa | September 21, 2011 at 04:35 PM
It's a hand-driven one, which winds so smoothly; has all the bobbins etc, but I haven't had the chance to try it properly, I managed to download the manual though!
Posted by: Hxx | September 21, 2011 at 04:41 PM
1. What a clever idea: A Car Boot Sale
2. Good for you for only buying what you really needed (wish I had that kind of restraint)
3. Great scores
Posted by: homestilo | September 21, 2011 at 05:28 PM
Excellent purchases. Love the raised glass profile on the lamp. Doesn't the shade echo the color of the frame in the living room? Those handles are awesome and will look much better when you're finished. Congratulations on these great finds.
Posted by: Peggy | September 21, 2011 at 05:38 PM
I love finding deals like that.
Now if only I could find handles like that for my apartment - I've been coveting them since your last post!!
Posted by: Alex_inDC | September 21, 2011 at 07:23 PM
I really love thrift shops and car boot sales! I buy mostly books, but I am always on the lookout for nice glasses/crockery and picture frames. It is best to keep an open mind, because sometimes you find stuff you didn't know you wanted, like earrings, bags or nice baskets...
Posted by: Linda27 | September 21, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Hi Benita!
Flea markets are my favorites! This year, a few weeks ago, I went to Lille in France for the braderie! It was so cool! 3 million people in the streets turnning the city into one huge flea market! I posted about it here: http://www.nogamalachi01.blogspot.com/
Sorry about using so little English... the last post is what I bought, and the one before it is about the braderie.
I also love the big flea market in Israel in the old town of Jaffa.
I think that visiting a flea market is the feminnine version of hunting....
Posted by: Noga from Israel | September 22, 2011 at 12:35 AM
Yes, yes! I JUST had a great unexpected find a few days ago at the local Salvation Army thrift store. Saw an industrial blanket that seemed cool to use for picnics. Picked it up for a sweet $6.99 only to google 'Utility Canvas' later and found out it was a $150 schmancy bed blanket. I. LOVE. IT. EVEN. MORE. NOW. I'd have never paid the retail price for it so the find was extra sweet. Just proves I've got expensive taste. ;P And it won't be used for picnics, but on a bed now that I know better. This is what it looks like: http://www.utilitycanvas.com/detail/4,4,1,0/
Posted by: Samarra | September 22, 2011 at 02:29 AM
Benita, great finds! I love it when I score something I need and pay way less than if I bought it new. I went to a thrift shop today and all was 50% off. I ended up walking out with 10 shirts for my grandkids, really nice ones for $8.00. My oldest was with me and he was so happy with what he got. I also got a 100% cashmere sweater at another shop for my self for $14.00. Nice and cozy for the winter. Getting something you need for a little money and recycle at the same time? Nirvana! Karen from CT
PS-Happy to hear your wanderer is home again!
Posted by: Karen | September 22, 2011 at 03:39 AM
I am a huge thrifter! Like you, I sometimes return items, and keep a bag in my closet for donations. Thankfully, my friends and I host regular clothing and "stuff" swaps, so we can cycle through items and often find the perfect item of clothing or gift for free - one man's trash is another man's treasure, for sure! We also have a Dig 'N Save here. Not for the faint of heart, but on Wednesdays clothing is $.50 a pound! I've found J. Crew and LL Bean items there for family members and they never knew. Hooray for thrifting - it's better for the environment, too!
Posted by: Marlena | September 22, 2011 at 04:01 AM
great save there!! sometimes patience gives you savings hehe...
Posted by: Pink | September 22, 2011 at 04:04 AM
It does and that's why I didn't leave it behind and I had intdened to try it on a different base but when I put it on I realized that I'm a white shade girl. I do like the shade yellow with the light turned off but as soon as the light gets turned on I so don't like that yellow glow...
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 22, 2011 at 08:08 AM
What a great find!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 22, 2011 at 08:09 AM
Nirvana indeed!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 22, 2011 at 08:10 AM
Dig 'N Save sounds like a lot of fun!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 22, 2011 at 08:10 AM
I love the Atelier sign :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 22, 2011 at 08:13 AM
I thought you would like this one... :)
Posted by: Noga | September 22, 2011 at 09:53 AM
Oh, I agree! The yellow tends to cast a light that depresses me. Good call on that!
Posted by: Peggy | September 22, 2011 at 10:28 PM
I envy the door handle find !
Posted by: Jared Humphrey | September 23, 2011 at 07:11 PM