Following an Instagram Trend: What I Thrifted & How I Styled It
Great ideas are all around us, so this week’s DIY blog follows a recent trend found on Instagram. I was inspired by a bunch of posts where people pick up an item from a Goodwill shelf for the viewer to see, then next show how they styled in their home.
Have you seen such posts? Well, keep an eye out for them because they’ll have you looking at Goodwill-found/thrifted items from a whole new perspective. It’s really amazing how an item looks so different in a setting outside a store and positioned with other attractive items.
Here’s my first attempt at showing thrifted items BEFORE (at Goodwill) and styling them AFTER (in my home).
1. What I Thrifted: Elegant Eiffel Tower Shelves
Like many of you, Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world. When I saw this Eiffel Tower shelving unit welcoming shoppers by the entrance at Goodwill, it was a must-have to go home “avec moi.”
How I Styled It: Colorful, hardback books were positioned on two of the shelves. For visual interest, several were placed on their sides, while others were positioned vertically. Blue and teal round glass paperweights helped to hold the books in place, and matching glass accent pieces were added, too. The tower’s top was made to bloom by adding a silk plant with vibrant yellow blooms placed in a matching blue mug. Each time I see this, I say, “Merci beaucoup, Goodwill!”
These shelves would look charming in your kitchen, holding cookbooks, a teapot, and a potted herb plant. Place it in your bathroom as a station to hold towels, a basket of toiletries, and a scented candle.
2. What I Thrifted: Funky Original Art Piece
For just a few dollars, you often find original art for your walls at Goodwill. There is something joyful about finding and displaying someone else’s creations in your home. The eye in the center caught my attention; this original collage and the painted piece were certainly unique, with funky flair.
How I Styled It: A narrow wall space, often overlooked, now is super whimsical when the art piece is placed above a wooden shelf. A piece of my own bird art with blue matches the mug holding a yellow blooming silk plant and a round, hand-blown paperweight. The quirky icing on the cake was placing a fern in a pot with a face on it on top of a tall plant stand to complete the vignette.
3. What I Thrifted: Shiny Mercury Glass Bowl
Goodwill’s collection of glassware for sale is truly amazing—both because of the lower-than-low prices and for its robust options. This glass bowl had a handsome, timeless shape, and its painted “mercury glass” finish in gold and silver was stunning. Into my cart, it went!
How I Styled It: The shimmery bowl was placed on top of a stack of books positioned on a tufted footstool also used as a coffee table. An Eiffel Tower statue covered in glitter was positioned next to it to play up the bowl’s reflective quality. A hand-painted, large dish with a small globe set on it completed the world traveler motif. Even on a dark day, it catches the light and adds a welcome vibrancy to the space.
This mercury glass bowl could easily find a home on your kitchen or dining room table to hold lemons or oranges. Place it in a bookcase as a decorative accent piece among framed family photos, favorite books, and small figurines.
4. What I Thrifted: Rustic Birdcage
A piece of art all by itself, this wooden birdcage was lovely with its hand-made feel and appeal. Its “check my glasses” low price made taking it home a no-brainer. Only a bird brain (no offense) would have left it at the store.
How I Styled It: It was placed on a suitcase-turned-side table with a bluebird statue on top. There is something inspiring about a bird being outside of its cage, a great metaphor for life. Inside, a plant now adds life and vibrancy in a matching blue pot.
Centered on the wall above it is a pair of attractive, framed prints that pick up the color scheme. A globe with silver accents and a tall female figurine stand together below to complete this interesting setting.
5. What I Thrifted: Friendly Cloth-Covered Framed Mirror
A collage of interesting fabrics covers a wide-framed mirror which even has its original tags on it. Artsy and fun, its look provides DIY inspiration to use leftover fabric scraps to dress up a mirror.
How I Styled It: The mirror was set on top of a credenza to give depth to a flat space. Its earth tones picked up the warmth of the paneling behind it and those of the surface below it. A small lamp with a reflective base added more light. Stacked books hold up a small globe whose silver base connects to the lamp’s silver base, too.
The look and size of this mirror make it very versatile; every room benefits from an eye-catching mirror. Hang it in your entryway above a narrow table so you have a place to check your smile as you leave and a spot to hold your keys and mail when you return.
6. What I Thrifted: Handblown Art Glass Bowl
A handblown glass bowl with a flowing shape was just as lovely as could be. Created in colors I love—blues and greens—it, too, was included in my treasures found at Goodwill.
How I Styled It: Since it matched the fabric-framed mirror’s colors, it was given a new home next to it and under a lamp to catch and reflect light. Its tones also picked up colors in the globe and books placed nearby. It was the perfect addition to the overall elegant and eclectic look I wanted.
What items captured your attention at Goodwill, so you took them home with you? We love to see what you thrifted (before) and how you styled it (after), so please share your pictures and videos to inspire Finding Your Good fans and followers—as well as to inspire us, too!
Similar Reads:
- DIY: Give Your Living & Dining Rooms a Spring Refresh in 6 Steps
- How to Repurpose Goodwill Finds & Make Festive Outdoor Decor
- DIY: Mercury Glass Table Decor
- DIY: Give Your Home Office an Update by Upcycling
Tim Kime
Artist, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach
