02/10/2026
We are redoing the upstairs bathroom at our humble 1940s bungalow. It’s needed it from the day we bought this place. Pink sink. On a plywood vanity. I’m saying it was ugly and worn. This is a budget redo. We are doing it ourselves. The plumbing all of it. I’m doing the paint and giving it a look, right? After searching online for stuff during the recent cold snap here, with our heat on the fritz, huddled with dogs and hot tea under blankets- I heard my own voice. Buy vintage!!!! Pressboard cabinet- over 200 bucks and needs assembly-nah. New medicine cabinet- you’ve got to be kidding!$$$ I was looking at this pic from my booth this morning. We are giving this bath a very minimalist industrial nautical vibe. I spy that fish, the concrete sea captain, an antique blue wall cabinet with a mirrored door! And that water cooler would make a great waste can. I’ve already shopped other vendors for some of the items on my list. Bamboo wall shelf, soap dish, artwork. I’ll be looking for a small antique rug , peg rack, tp holder and wall scone. Oh and a small architectural salvage piece, there’s a trip to Burning Bridge. That wee bath is going to sing with voices from the past. Support local, buy from your neighbors, get a unique experience and a space you love. Source yourself at thrifts if you want. Or spend some time at your local coop shop where passionate folk like me resell. Curated items abound and at all price points. Resellers aren’t always devils. Retirees looking for purpose, dudes with time and debt, moms making it work, young people following passion and profit. I’ve been on my own since age 15, cleaned houses and doctors offices, then started reselling seriously when I had my first kid. It worked. I could drag him along to auctions . I’d pile the top of the stroller with my haul and struggle to the car. My first real booth space was in a big coop building. I’d hand Alden over to the manager, then run out for the playpen, a stack of books and toys. Tina would then plop my baby in the assembled child minder and hover while I steamrolled my inventory into the shop. I’m telling you, it was a wonder to behold. Worked so hard. I did that.