Proving yet again that I have an awesome ReStore Habitat for Humanity store in the next town over, Pittsfield, Mass., I went to prowl around and found it chock ablock with interesting stuff. Come shopping with me! 45 photos! Above: Beautiful detail from a big wood wall unit, notice the gilded inside back!
The whole unit. Remember the time I turned the top portion of one of these(ish) into a tiki bar — just $10 ?
Above: Jens Risom desk. A bit chippy. Already sold.
Above: A real hunka hunka industrial sewing machine from the longtime, now defunct Waverly fabric outlet in Adams. I had three sets of basement pinch pleats made there in the mid-00’s. Hey, maybe this was the machine that sewed them!
Nice wall to wall carpeting, bigggg pieces.
I already have two wagon wheel lights.
Longggggg coffee table. Like, 10′ long!
I love these old step-back cupboards!
The styling — 60s Provincial, I guess — of this pair of side tables is not my cup o’ tea, but I took a photo anyway to say: The basic design idea is soooo functional.
Long shot.
Now you see it…
Now you don’t!
Hmm.
One of my favorite spottings of the day — they reminded me of those Dutch lights I featured the other day. These are all Lightolier, and lighting was half off that day. So: $2.50 each.
Colonial hobnail lighting, me likey.
Oooooh, even more! That red toleware shade!
Buhahahaah, this is one of those swag lights from the 70s (I think) that took a WHOLE big lampshade.
Above: This is the only thing I bought. Nautical. For the Mahalo Lounge. I’ll probably just put an electric candle in it and position it somewhere for mood lighting. Oh. Guess what? My wallpaperer finally came up for air. She’s going to finish my ceiling — maybe next week! Woot! The project may get done after all!
Goodness, these are everywhere in old houses in Pittsfield. They are so sweet, and generally suit the architecture perfectly. There were four or six of these sconces. I don’t want to think about what replaced them.
I love mill finish aluminum.
The graphics!
Real copper finials on these andirons, do ya think?
Howdy hudee.
Old (I’m pretty sure) wire shelf. I was really tempted. But I stopped. Do. Not. Need. More. Stuff. To. Hold. My. Stuff.
Hunka hunka bathroom sink.
Blue lowboy.
Windows!
And more windows!
And more windows. Again. Wow. Combo storms and screens on the outside, make sure they were in there insulated and tight. And they would probably have lasted another 70 years.
Vintage exercise machine.
Lots and lots of beds.
Even green painted ones!
Bittersweet orange laminate. So gorgeous.
Orange painted steel or cast iron somethings.
From the black forest. This photo is out of order. How did it get here?
This was $100, that’s a good price for an Anderson window, I think.
Space heaters scare me because I’m always reading about how one just caused a house fire.
But the graphics are rockin’.
Oil can.
These musta come from the house with the windows and the sconces, don’t you think?
Time to pay up! Yes, even the cash register was for sale!
Cheap fun!
Neil says
Well, my dear, you should snatch up that way-funk cash register. When you get around to doing up your post-apocalypt-used-up-diner party room, that’ll come in SO handy.
Imagine it next to your life-size Ahhhh-nold terminator robot….and you in your terminatrix costume, taking short-orders with a sassy mouth full of flavorless chewing gum….
You just Know that’s were all this may evolve into. Just let us know the date.
GlenEllyn says
I’m still sad that our ReStore closed a few months ago. It wasn’t very big, but it was still fun to drop in there.
That wall sconce (just below the lantern) is the same as the ones in my bathroom and two bedrooms (1926 home). Makes me wonder what the vintage is on these.
It’s fun to see all the photos, and I agree with others who have suggested a ReStore find column with reader submissions.
Joe says
Is there an American man over 60 who didn’t learn to mow lawns on a non-powered reel mower? Such memories. I envision having a small yard, and mowing it with one today. No need to waste or pollute.
GlenEllyn says
I’m an American woman over 60 and I learned to mow with a reel mower. ???? Years later, we learned that the neighborhood kids used to laugh at us – we were the only ones in the neighborhood without a power mower.
Laurie says
I used a reel mower for mowing our very first lawn in 1977. It was not fun.
The new reel mowers (yes, they are still made) are much better and easier to use!
Rick G says
Pam, you are sooooo lucky to have that store near you !!!! – great location, with such treasures !!!
Barbara says
Thanks for the walk inside the store. Loved your commentaries.
I’m all over that Singer sewing machine like ticks on a hound dog.
Enjoy your newbe. I would have never thought of a flickering light. Clever idea!
Carolyn says
Oh, Pam, I just h*** when you use those insider technical terms (“Orange painted steel or cast iron somethings”)!
I haven’t been to our ReStore for a loooong time (years) but now that I know approximately where it moved to, will wait for clement weather to see what they’ve got. St Vin’s goes back and forth on what they offer/accept but as in all thrifting, you don’t go there “look”ing for something but to “find” something – big difference!
Went to an estate sale with a bunch of mid-century things like end tables. Two ladies were discussing and it hurt my ears to hear “Oh, wouldn’t those look cool if we could spray them black!” from the original (in really good shape) blonde. Well, better than the landfill, I guess.
Phyllis says
Fantastic. That first hutch took me back to my childhood. My parents loved that 60’s Neo-Traditional look! Also that Singer industrial looks like a buttonhole machine and it’s probably from the 1930’s. Like all industrial machines it’s one function only, it’s not used for anything else other than buttonholes. Those old industrial sewing machines can live forever as long as parts are available
Phyllis says
…Actually a sewing friend thinks its a tacking machine 🙂
Lisa Compo says
I spotted an ironing board like Mom’s.
AND…those orange countertops remind me of the Brady Bunch and Maude’s kitchen. I often admire pieces of countertop, but not quite sure what one could do with them if they don’t fit your kitchen layout. What do people make out of them?
Jane in Tucson says
The L-shaped desk in my home office is made out of two pieces of laminate countertop abutted in the corner of the room. One piece is 90 inches and the other is 70. They are attached to the wall at desk-height with a French cleat and I added adjustable table/desk legs from IKEA at the ends. I think I could dance on it if I wanted to. The laminate is very practical since I’m always drinking coffee or eating there. Tons of room for my desktop and laptop computers, printer, retro telephone, my favorite lamp with an Eiffel Tower base and a shade I made from a map of Paris, plus IKEA Moppe mini-chests to organize small office supplies, and the pencil cups that were on my desk as a child. I have two rolling office chairs and three file cabinets tuck underneath the counter. When friends and co-workers come over there is still space to set up their laptops. I’d be thrilled to have an orange desk.
Lisa Compo says
Do you deliver? 😉
Oooh, those 60s Provincial end tables are just what I need to go with a coffee table I got off CL with a custom made 8ft velvet sofa. Wah…
You really do have a nice ReStore. Ours is smallish, but I usually manage to find something I don’t really need, but can’t pass up because if you wait..it’s gone.
Fun to see the pics, although I’ll obsess about those tables for a couple years. 🙁
Denise says
Ohhhhh that hobnail!