EMMA NORDSTROM

Thrift FlipWooden Candlestick Upcycle: A Matte Black Gel Stain MakeoverTucked behind vintage books at an antique market, these mismatched pine candlesticks had clashing stains and flaking clear coats. Unifying them with an opaque, ultra-matte black gel stain creates a modern, sculptural gallery look for any dining table. Evaluating the Mismatched Thrift Finds Found in a slightly cluttered antique market booth, these solid turned pine candlesticks featured classic baluster-style pillars with flared bases and cup tops.…

Thrift FlipVanity Tray Thrift Flip: Reverse Gilded Gold Leaf MirrorI spotted this discarded vanity tray in a curbside free pile and knew it had potential. By replacing the broken mirror with reverse-gilded glass and painting the plastic frame matte black, it became a stunning decorative accent. Assessing the Damaged Vanity Tray Finding a low rectangular profile piece with a raised, molded rim in a curbside free pile offers an excellent foundation for upcycling. This particular…

Thrift FlipWooden Tray Before and After: Rich Walnut and Bright BrassTransform a sticky, neglected pine find from an antique market into a refined, campaign-style serving piece. This complete method covers stripping degraded varnish, applying blotch-free gel stain, and restoring vintage brass hardware. Step 1: Assess and Detach Hardware Removing hardware prevents chemical damage to the vintage metal. This solid pine tray featured beautiful mitered edges and heavy D-ring handles, but the surface was completely unusable.…

Thrift FlipWooden Bowl Transformation with a Cerused Limewash FinishTucked behind tarnished plates at an antique market, this faded monkey pod bowl had incredible hidden grain. We stripped the glossy 1970s varnish and applied a traditional liming wax to create a striking, high-contrast cerused centerpiece. Evaluating the Vintage Wooden Bowl Finding this heavy circular vessel in a cluttered indoor antique-market booth revealed a piece with deep, sweeping natural grain patterns. A plain tied price tag marked…

Thrift FlipVintage Wire Basket Before and After: Black Stenciled UpdateFound buried under old linens at an estate sale, this rusty midcentury locker basket had great bones. We restored it with matte black metal paint and crisp white stenciled typography for sleek modern storage. Evaluating the Estate Sale Find Finding authentic industrial storage pieces at an estate sale often requires digging through occupied-looking rooms filled with stacked books and brass lamps. This 1950s galvanized steel locker…

Thrift FlipEntryway Bench Upcycle: Matte Black and Geometric Tile InlayI spotted this scratched 90s oak bench abandoned at a neighborhood swap shelf. Replacing its missing cushion with a geometric tile inlay and matte black paint transformed it into a striking, high-contrast entryway piece. Evaluating the Swap Shelf Find This solid 1990s oak bench had great bones but suffered from a missing seat cushion, leaving a raw plywood recess completely exposed. The front wooden edge featured…

Thrift FlipFolding Chair Transformation: Matte Black and Stenciled CanvasSpotted at a neighborhood garage sale, this 1980s folding chair had severe cosmetic wear but a perfectly functioning mechanism. We recovered the cracked vinyl and painted the frame for a sleek modern look. Step 1: Assess the Garage Sale Find Separating the components prevents accidental overspray during the finishing process. This 1980s tubular steel folding chair was discovered leaning against a folding table at a casual residential…

Thrift FlipLaundry Hamper Secondhand Makeover with Navy and Botanical CanvasSpotted in a curbside free pile, this neglected laundry hamper needed serious help. We transformed its chipping wicker and torn vinyl into a boutique piece using matte navy paint and bold botanical canvas. Assessing the Damage Found sitting beside a handwritten FREE sign on a neighborhood walk, this solid but neglected hamper was let down by its brittle finish. The rectangular wire frame, original metal hinges,…

Thrift FlipKids Picnic Table Before and After with a Custom Mosaic TopTucked in a crowded estate sale, this solid cedar kids’ table was heavily stained with permanent marker. We transformed it by adding a durable, weather-resistant ceramic mosaic top and painting the base a vibrant tangerine. Assessing the Cedar Table’s Condition Finding this classic A-frame profile tucked in the corner of an occupied-looking estate-sale room presented an interesting challenge. The raw cedar wood and galvanized…

Thrift FlipGlass Jar Transformation: Apothecary Stencils & Gold HardwareThree free glass jars sat on a neighborhood swap shelf destined for the recycling bin. This transformation turns dirty glass and rusted wire into pristine apothecary-style storage with crisp botanical stencils and bright gold hardware. Assessing the Swap Shelf Find These three glass jars were sitting next to a stack of books on a covered neighborhood swap shelf, marked with masking tape reading free. The molded glass…