We Have Two Houses to Furnish and Here's the Vintage Furniture, Art, and Decor I'm Looking For Right Now

THE POPLAR COTTAGE

With two houses to furnish - Poplar Cottage and the Hill House - I’m deep in the world of vintage and secondhand treasures. There’s just something about mixing old and new that gives a home its soul, not to mention it’s easier on the budget and the planet. And honestly, the thrill of the hunt never gets old. Today I’m sharing how and where I’m sourcing vintage furniture, art, and decor, the pieces I’m on the lookout for, and a few tips for anyone hoping to score those one-of-a-kind finds for themselves. Let’s dive in…

I recently scored this large, signed oil painting for $35 at a local estate sale!

I’ve been collecting vintage pieces for 15+ years now, but you may remember that most of it was sold with the Farmhouse so we’re almost starting from scratch. That means I need just about everything: furniture, art, curtains, rugs, and all the little details that make a house feel like home. It's a big task, but also SO FUN! I’m taking this opportunity to build up our coffers with pieces I really love.

Why I Love Vintage

If you’ve been with us for long, you know that vintage and secondhand pieces play a big role how I design a home, but they’ve become especially essential as I furnish two homes at once. It comes down to character, budget, quality, and sustainability. Let me explain…

Vintage pieces add instant character to a home. That 100+ year-old pine desk I recently found? It has more charm and patina than anything I could buy new. If you want a home to feel layered, thoughtful, and collected, vintage is the ticket.

Another benefit: you just can’t beat the price of secondhand. Like the $35 original oil painting signed by Edwin Cole that I found at an estate sale last month and the Pottery barn curtains I found on FBMP in perfect condition but half the cost of new. And when it comes to furniture, the quality of old pieces usually trumps new. Solid wood, dovetail joints, old-growth pine - these materials and techniques are hard to find today without spending a fortune. And of course, reusing and repurposing furniture, art, and decor keeps things out of the landfill and cuts down on new production. A win, win, win!

My New Approach to Buying

Because I’m furnishing two homes right now - the Poplar Cottage will be an Airbnb and we’re renovating the Hill House to be our family home - and starting with a pretty clean slate, I’ve shifted how I shop. I used to only buy pieces I had an immediate place for, but these days, I’m giving myself more flexibility. Now, I ask two simple questions before I make a purchase:

Does this feel like me / my home?
Do I love it?

If the answer to both is yes - and it fits within our budget - it comes home with me.

This small mindset shift has helped me collect meaningful, lasting pieces rather than just filling rooms. I want everything I bring into Poplar Cottage and Hill House to feel like us - not rushed or trendy, but layered and personal. And that can take time. So even though we won’t be living in the Hill House for some months into the future, I’m beginning the process now.

What I’m Looking For Right Now

Here are the vintage and secondhand pieces I’m searching for:

Wood Furniture
Pieces with age, patina, and craftsmanship. Think old pine, oak, or walnut. Dressers, desks, hutches, and tables that tell a story.
Unique, Original Art
I’m always hunting for pieces that feel unique and collected over time. I recently scored a large original oil painting signed by E. Cole for just $35.
Affordable Staples
Not everything has to be antique. I found a set of Pottery Barn blackout curtains - the same ones we used in the Farmhouse boys bedroom - secondhand and in perfect condition for a fraction of the price of new.
Decor with Soul
Woven baskets, vintage rugs, old mirrors, ceramic lamps - anything that adds warmth, texture, and soul.

a few things I’ve bought lately off of FBMP

Where I Shop for Vintage and Secondhand Decor

Here are my favorite places to source vintage furniture and décor, both locally and online:

Local Sources

Estate and Yard Sales – Great for finding furniture, rugs, and original art at good prices. I like to go early for the best selection (and late for the best deals).
Thrift Stores – Always a gamble, but worth checking often. I’ve found everything from baskets to brass candlesticks and glassware this way. Especially when outfitting an Airbnb, I find thrift stores a great resource!
Antique stores – Higher prices than thrift stores but usually better curated. I like to pop into our local shop every few months to see what’s new.
Architectural Salvage Stores — Wonderful sources for period materials, finishes, fixtures and anything else you might need that was made decades ago (think hardwood floors, wall-mount sinks, old door hardware, …)

Online Sources

eBay – Great for art and small decor. This was our main source for the Farmhouse pantry’s vintage art gallery wall! Search “original oil painting,” “vintage landscape,” or even specific artists once you find a style you like.
Etsy – A bit pricier, but helpful if you’re hunting for something specific and want it shipped. I’ve found lots of great art, lighting fixtures, and small decor.
Facebook Marketplace – My go-to for furniture…and everything really (see images above). The more you’re on there, the more the algorithm learns what you like. And you can set alerts for keywords like “pine dresser,” “solid wood,” “vintage oil painting,” and “Pottery Barn”. There’s a lot of sifting that needs to happen but you can find really great sellers that have curated collections like the amazing seller I found my desk/table from in Seattle.
Craigslist – Yup, Craigslist is still relevant. There are lots of people out there who don’t like Facebook (looking at you, sis) and Craigslist is the next best option.

And for anyone looking for vintage pieces either online or in person, here are a few tips for getting the best pieces at the best prices.

Tips for Shopping Secondhand

Know your keywords. On Marketplace or Craigslist, search for terms like “primitive,” “solid wood,” “vintage,” “old pine,” “blackout curtains,” “original art”. I’ve had a lot of luck searching for specific brand names, too.
Be patient. Some weeks are gold mines, others not so much. Keep checking.
Act fast. Good deals go quickly, especially when they’re priced well. Since I often shop in Seattle (100 miles away from our home) I like to search FBMP the day before I’m planning a trip over, that way I can offer to pick up an item within 24 hours.
Be flexible. Some of my favorite pieces were impulse buys I didn’t know I needed. Ha! But really, if it feels like you can’t find what you’re looking for, but you’re seeing great pieces and deals on other things you know your home could use, just go with it.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Garrett’s much better at this than me, but sellers often expect some level of negotiation, especially at yard sales and on Marketplace or Craigslist. Just be kind and respectful.

Starting over with two homes at once isn’t a small task per se, but there’s something really refreshing about it. It feels like turning the page on a new chapter - curating pieces that reflect where we are now, not just what we’ve always had. I get to slow down, be thoughtful, and only bring in furniture and decor that make my heart do a little flip. The process is bringing me so much joy. Every find adds another layer of warmth and soul to our spaces, shaping these houses into homes that truly feel like ours.

What about you? Find any great vintage or secondhand pieces lately?