Categories
Interiors Addict

10 secrets to striking gold when op shopping for your home

By Claudia Stephenson

Previously on Interiors Addict, I shared my top op shop finds. People often ask me what my secret is, so I thought it could be useful to give you my top 10 tips:

1. Don’t limit yourself to one area. Of course I have my favourite stores that usually deliver some kind of delight each visit, but when I have time, I travel all over Sydney, to the Blue Mountains and up to the Central Coast. Just because it’s in a nice area doesn’t mean there will be better stuff: cast your net wide!

2. Keep going back. The reason I tend to find great stuff is because I keep going back. Don’t be put off if you go somewhere and find nothing the first go, chances are you will if you are persistent. I tend to visit at least one store per week, even if it’s on my way home from work, I always find time to pop in.

3. Take your time. I took a girlfriend once and she scanned the room once and gave up, whereas I always scour every shelf and corner. I once found (and bought) an Hermes ashtray tucked up at the back of a bottom shelf amongst some cheap white plates. I paid $3…

Categories
Furniture

Peep My Style’s best op shop furniture finds

By Claudia Stephenson

Firstly, thank you for having me on Interiors Addict, Jen! For those of you who have visited me at Peep My Style, you’ll know I’ve been an avid op shopper for about 10 years. In that time, I have come across the most incredible finds, like this dining set complete with 6 Chippendale chairs (they were selling the whole lot for $160), but unfortunately I got there one minute too late! 

1

But that same day I found my pride and joy: this gold dining table base. It originally came with a big hexagonal smoked glass top (you will be glad to know I left it at the shop) and I eventually found a large slab of marble to top it off, which works perfectly with it. 

2

Categories
Expert Tips Furniture

What to look for when buying secondhand furniture to do up

By Jessica Hunter

In my job as an interior stylist, I get lots of different briefs and budgets. Sometimes a client’s budget may not stretch to buying lots of new furniture so I like to mix it up a bit by going ‘hunting’. Hunting for me is going to Vinnies or the Salvos, furniture markets, auctions and garage sales and searching for great pieces of furniture that need some love and attention. It’s amazing what you can find when you know what to look for. In this post I am going to give you a few rules of thumb when it comes to searching for preloved furniture.

before and after chairs

The first thing to look for is the shape of the piece. Look at the line and the overall shape to see if it is going to work in your room and with your scheme. If it has cushions that can be removed then take them off so you can see its bones.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Grab a vintage homewares bargain online with the new Salvos Stores on eBay

I’m delighted to be a brand ambassador, alongside The Living Room’s Barry du Bois, for the new My Salvos Stores eBay shop.

Barry Du Bois
The Living Room’s Barry du Bois

Do you love furnishing your home with unique, affordable items but don’t always have the time to go out and rummage through op shops and speciality stores to find them? My Salvos Stores has the perfect solution. Access recycled homewares and furniture at your fingertips by shopping online at My Salvos Stores’ new eBay shop, with all proceeds going to The Salvation Army. Now you can shop online for great quality recycled goods whilst also helping a good cause.