Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

Yesterday, I decided to take a day for me and I went to an estate sale. And not just any estate sale, but Helen Ballard’s estate sale. Yes, that Helen Ballard. Apparently she was cleaning out her antique collection. It was ah. ma. zing. Seriously amazing. Here are some of my estate sale finds…and some that I wish I could have taken home!

This was my favorite thing at the sale: a mail sorter from a French hotel.  Gorgeous. It was $925, so out of my price range, for sure. But man, so pretty!

This bakers rack was also my kind of find.

Wood + metal + vintage = swoon. But also out of my budget (it was $1025).

Here’s what I did buy:

I think my favorite thing was this metal basket.

Its original color was a light green and now it has a lovely metal and green patina. The rope didn’t come with it, but one of the guys working at the sale gave me the rope. He said he was thinking it’d make a great light fixture. I have to agree…a new project!

I also found this industrial wheel. I have no idea what it is, so if you do, please tell me! I loved it. I have another gear like it in our shed, so I’m going to bring it out and create a little collection.

The galvanized pails will make great planters. They even have holes in the sides where I could hang them. I’m thinking about hanging that large basket on our family room wall. It has such great texture.

I found this bag and asked what it was. Apparently they are parts to a broken chandelier. I bought the whole bag for $15, and have lots of project ideas for the wood parts inside.

Did I find other lovely things there? Absolutely! But I stuck with smaller things more within my budget. Bonus: 25% off yesterday because it was the second day of the sale!

Stay tuned to see how I incorporate these pieces into our home! I’m off to the store now to find some plants for the pails!