Enhance your garden's vitality with these eight thrift finds, injecting an engaging spirit into your outdoor haven:
Thrifting has become a popular lifestyle, especially for interior enthusiasts, and it's no surprise why. With a keen sense for what's worth snagging and the right spots to search, you can leave a store empty-handed and come out with a garden gem that leaves you feeling victorious. Here's a guide on how to become a thrifting pro, focusing on items perfect for modern gardens. Let's hear from some vintage and antique experts who know a thing or two about finding style in unexpected places.
1. Vintage Sculptures
As I sauntered through the Chelsea Flower Show this year, I was drawn to a trend that I couldn't shake – garden sculptures. However, the hefty price tag attached to most of these artistic pieces could make justifying a retail purchase tough. But worry not, fellow thrifters, as vintage and antique expert Virginia Chamlee tells us that garden statues are among the best things to thrift.
"I have a quirky Matisse-inspired sculpture of a man I found at Goodwill, and he's perfect for the garden because he ages beautifully," Virginia shared. "Ivy can even grow on and around him, adding to his charm."
Virginia is an accomplished writer, artist, antiques dealer, and the best-selling author of Big Thrift Energy. For over a decade, she's been honing her craft in the realm of vintage furniture and home decor, with her home gracing the pages of numerous interiors publications. In her spare time, she also publishes a regular Substack newsletter all about thrifting and incorporating vintage pieces into your home, called What's Left.*
2. Antique Biot Jars
When hunting for garden items, Susannah Cameron, co-founder of Chez Pluie, emphasizes that antique biot jars are an underrated treasure trove if you're fans of Mediterranean gardens. With a quick search of their distinct texture and pattern, you'll discover these sunbaked terracotta amphorae hailing from Provence.
"Biot jars have a sculptural weight and variety of scale, with 18th-century examples being more upright like an olive silhouette, while 19th-century jars take on a rounder, luscious appearance," Susannah remarks. "Perched on a plinth or tucked among greenery, they make a striking focal point and glow mysteriously when lit from beneath at night."
Susannah Cameron is the co-founder of Chez Pluie, a trusted destination for French antiques. With a passion for antique pottery and a deep knowledge of European decorative arts, she sifts through brocantes and flea markets in France to unearth soulful, weather-worn pieces. Susannah holds degrees in architecture, design, and property and construction from the University of Melbourne. She brings a discerning eye for form, patina, and history to her work.
3. Iron Benches
Another item worth trawling through thrift stores for is iron benches, according to Virginia. "These make wonderful daybeds for the outdoors," she asserts. "Give them a modern update with vibrant, weather-resistant upholstery or keep it classic with a stripe."
Antique iron furniture is also top-pick for Susannah, who claims they're easy to source and add a touch of French flair to any garden or courtyard. "These pieces mix seamlessly – gathered around a summer kitchen table, nestled on gravel beneath an old tree, or paired with a marble table for quiet relaxation," she explains.
4. Outdoor Bistro Sets
Adding a simple outdoor table with seating gives your backyard extra hosting potential. For a charming twist over the manicured aesthetic, opt for vintage bistro sets as your thrift targets. "Vintage bistro sets are easy to find," Virginia shared. "You can even use the table and chairs separately, like a side table for an entryway in a larger garden."
5. Wrought Iron Decor
Given the durability of wrought iron, it's worth making the hunt for vintage wrought iron decor a priority. To increase your chances of finding beautiful, antique pieces, Virginia suggests searching for "rod iron" on Facebook Marketplace instead of "wrought iron."
6. Salvaged Finds
Finally, Susannah encourages the inclusion of salvaged finds in your garden design. "These objects bring a sense of story and whimsy to the garden," she says. "Think old weathervanes, enamel signs, or antique clock faces – the key is in their unique arrangement."
Revamping your garden through the lens of thrifting is not only budget-friendly, but it also affords you a space filled with character and history that tells its own story.
*You can find Virginia's Substack newsletter at whatsleft.substack.com
Colors:
- Garden Statues: Colors vary widely based on style and taste. Some may opt for vibrant, weather-resistant upholstery for iron benches or a rich, burnished copper finish for a set of watering cans.
- Biot Jars: Sunbaked and terracotta in appearance, biot jars can be warm, earthy hues.
- Planters: Vintage terracotta planters may have a faded, weathered look, or they may be painted with bold, vintage patterns. Newer planters come in an array of colors, from classic terracotta to sleek black or contemporary pastels.
Enrichment Data:
Every garden deserves a touch of charm and character. Incorporating vintage and antique items can breathe new life into any outdoor space. Here are some popular options to consider:
Popular Items for Thrifted Gardens
1. Vintage Planters and Pots
- Rustic Pots and Urns: Great for adding a timeless elegance to your garden. Material choice may include durable options like clay or terracotta, which can be easily repainted if desired.
2. Wrought Iron and Metal Decor
- Iron Garden Decor: This encompasses iron benches and furniture, wrought iron decor like lanterns or trellises, and similar items. Weather-resistant paint can help ensure durability over time.
3. Lighting and Decorative Items
- Outdoor Lighting: Finding vintage lighting pieces like pendant lights, chandeliers, or hanging lanterns can serve as a functional and stylish addition to your garden.
- Salvaged Finds: This includes various pieces such as old sculptures, sundials, or ornate garden ornaments. These can be repurposed for unique decorative accents, adding a sense of history and whimsy to the garden.
4. Outdoor Furniture
- Outdoor Dining Sets: Thrifted dining sets can be found at bargain prices compared to new options, often having a characterful, aged look. They can be easily restored with a fresh coat of paint or staining to create a cohesive, personalized style for your garden.
5. Water Features
- Fountains: A vintage or repurposed fountain can serve both as a decorative and functional element of your garden.
- The quirky Matisse-inspired sculpture Virginia Chamlee discovered at Goodwill could be painted in a vibrant, weather-resistant color, adding an artful pop to the garden.
- Susannah Cameron suggests hunting for antique biot jars, terracotta amphorae with a distinctive texture and pattern, to bring a sculptural weight and variety of scale to Mediterranean gardens.
- Iron benches, which Virginia Chamlee believes make perfect daybeds for the outdoors, can be updated with a contemporary pastel color to create a stylish contrast.
- Vintage bistro sets, easy to find in thrift stores, can be painted in bold, vintage patterns, or repurposed as a side table for an entryway in a larger garden.
- Wrought iron decor, like wrought iron lanterns or trellises, can be found when searching for "rod iron" on Facebook Marketplace, and they can be given a weather-resistant paint for durability.
- Incorporating salvaged finds like old weathervanes, enamel signs, or antique clock faces can bring a sense of story and whimsy to the garden, with their unique arrangement adding character and charm.
- When revamping a garden through thrifting, consider incorporating rustic pots and urns, vintage terracotta planters with faded colors, wrought iron decor like lanterns or trellises, outdoor lighting pieces, salvaged finds for unique decorative accents, vintage dining sets, and repurposed fountains to create a cohesive, personalized style with a blend of character and history.
