Hi friends, welcome to the third blog post in the monthly series Thrifting with the Gals. Spring thrifting and antiquing with the gals was in full force this past month. If you are joining me from Rachel over at The Ponds Farmhouse, welcome! Rachel and I have very similar tastes when it comes to our decor and thrifting, and both enjoy it so much!
Spring arrived early in New England this year, and I’m not complaining one bit! The shops are loaded with inventory, and the prices are great this time of the year! Hitting up the shops and flea markets in the spring is such a great time to go thrifting with the gals before all the summer tourists arrive here in New England.
Meet the Thrifting Gals!
Wood & Sons 1784 Blue and White Dishes
I passed on these beautiful blue and white dishes twice. A collection of 18 for $58. On my third trip back to the Stone House Antique Center in Chester, Vermont, I could no longer resist them. I brought them with me to Maine and “Set the Table in Blue.”
Chippy Apothecary Drawer
While in Maine, I dropped by the Americana Workshop in Kennebunk, Maine, to pick up a dummy drawer to match the chippy green apothecary piece I picked up from them last month. It matched perfectly. I added the hardware that they also provided and glued it into the missing drawer space.
You may also enjoy the Thrift and Antique With Me Right into Mud Season post.
Spring Thrifting and Antiquing with the Gals!
A few things that caught my eye…
A Vermont Antique Mall
This week, for “Thrifting with the Gals,” I headed to beautiful Woodstock and Quechee, Vermont, in hopes of sharing an Antique Collaborative with you that I love. However, upon arrival, I found the collaborative closed for a “mud season” break! Even though their website advertised, they were open daily. Lesson learned: always call ahead, especially when it’s a 3-hour round-trip drive!
However, I pressed on and found the wonderful Vermont Antique Mall in Quechee, Vermont, that has been featured in both Cottages and Bungalows and American Farmhouse Style magazines!
Let’s go inside and check out some of the favorite things I found here!
There was a large assortment of beautiful dishes everywhere you looked, and I will consider this shop a go-to for dishes in the future. However, in all honesty, I found this antique mall a bit on the high-priced side of things. For instance, I recently found a full 8 piece pink depression glass set for $100. Here, I saw one glass selling for $36…
This was definitely a lesson-learned kind of day. From now on, I will always call ahead to be sure a special place I want to visit is open. I left this day finding one vintage blue bottle for $10 with a 3-hour round-trip car ride. I will return, though!
Vermont to New York State
It is mud season here in Vermont in early April when many businesses close down for vacation before the spring and summer tourist seasons begin. Meaning it can be challenging to find open antique and thrift shops, too. So this one morning, I set out for Bennington, Vermont, to check out two antique shops that I knew were open and that I had not yet visited before. The first one I found to be very overpriced and quickly left. The second shop was cute, and I found a set of six blue cobalt glasses for only $13!
Eagle Bridge Antiques | White Creek, NY
After a morning thrifting in Bennington, Vermont, I was still craving for more, and the shop dealer I was at recommended the 20-minute drive over to New York to check out Eagle Bridge Antique Center. He was certain I would enjoy it. And boy, did I ever! Eagle Bridge Antique Center has room after room filled with all the vintage items one would ever need. There are two upstairs, along with a garden shop! The shop owner explained to me that it was customary to visit for two hours with girlfriends, go across the street for lunch, and then return for more thrifting and antiquing with the gals. My kind of place!
Honestly, I was rather overwhelmed and brought only a few items home with me. However, I will be back with an organized list of things I will be looking for. There was just so much to see here.
This copper bucket was the most expensive item I brought home at $49. But it’s a beauty, and I adore the patina on it! The blue cobalt glasses immediately became our favorite go-to morning coffee mugs, too. Check out how I decorated the copper bucket with spring tulips and terracotta pots in our dining room.
A Braided Rug
A beautiful small antique braided rug, priced at only $45, was waiting for me here, too. I originally thought of it for the Maine home, but after getting it home, it fits perfectly in our blue and white sunroom. The shop owner told me that if the woman who braided this rug were alive today, she would be 120 years old, as she had known her personally.
It was so much fun thrifting and antiquing with the gals this spring.
A Vintage Affair
If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.
Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com
And next up on the tour is my friend Kristin from White Arrows Home located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Kristin lives on a lake in the most amazing log cabin. And she has a Bernese Mountain Dog just like Ella!
I’m so glad you bought the blue and white dishes, Ann. I have to tell you, I have never seen anyone that finds better thrifted finds than you. I only wish we lived closer so I could go shopping with you.
Aw thanks so much, Kim. I love thrifting!
I love watching your stores each week and then seeing it in your home. That copper bucket is so amazing. I love the rug too and all your finds.
Thanks so much, Kristin!!
You always find some great pieces, love your videos, thanks Ann and enjoy.
Thank you so much, Marlene!
That is simply AMAZING that you got a match for your cabinet, which the cabinet is OMG amazing!!!
Thank you so much for asking me to join you for Thrifting with the Gals! I REALLY appreciate it!
Thank you so much, Brooke!
Ann,
I’m so glad you got those blue dishes. They are fabulous. I found some similar and the set was over $200.00. Needless to say, I didn’t buy them. Still looking for a deal like you found. I love doing these with you. Thanks for putting us together.
Thanks so much, Rachel, it’s my favorite day of the week! I have so much fun with you gals!
I love all your thrifted finds Ann! It’s so fun to go thrrifting with you. I can’t wait to get up to VT and shop…its so much better in New England!
I can’t wait either Stacy, this summer for sure!