We have a fabulous guest who’s back to share some more glimpses into her home with all of us.  You remember Janna, don’t you?  Back in February, she shared some favorite corners of her Portland, Oregon house along with some fabulous tips on living a simpler life without excess stuff.  (Go check out her first guest feature right here if you haven’t seen!)

Today Janna is back (wild cheers!), and I’ve asked her to share a few tips on how we can create beauty in our homes without buying more stuff.  I love what she has to say and show us, and I think you will, too.

Everyone ready?  Take it away, Janna:

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Thank you for featuring my home!

We try to get most of our furniture and home decor from second hand stores and garage sales or as hand-me-downs. We do this for three reasons:

1. to save money
2. to avoid buying new while old stuff goes into a landfill
3. because we like the look of vintage things

Our dining room table was a hand-me-down from my sister and her husband. We just painted the table and chairs black to match our stuff. The hutch is full of pitchers and mason jars that we found at thrift stores and used at our wedding. We also bring them out as glasses and vases when we entertain.

Our centerpiece is a mustard yellow pitcher filled with flowers I just cut off our lilac bush in the front yard.

I was going to buy tulips from the store this weekend, but put them back when I realized that I have these beautiful lilacs for free in the front yard! (The babies are in the first shot, because this was the only way to contain them while I took pictures :)

The next photo is our “plant loft”.

We wanted a lot of plants in our house but we also wanted to keep them away from babies’ hands and mouths, so during the basement / staircase remodel, my husband built this loft that we use as a greenhouse of sorts. It is the perfect place for plants. I just water them through the bathroom window (upper right).

The last two pictures are our guest room.

The nightstand and black chair-being-used-as-a-nightstand, the white lamp, silver cooler, white shelf, old books and candle holder all came from thrift stores and garage sales.  The white quilt was a hand-me-down that my husband laundered tirelessly to remove age stains so we could use it. And the beautiful black and white pictures on the wall were taken by my father-in-law.

Tips for buying from thrift stores and garage sales:

Don’t expect to find something every time. It’s not like going to a box store. They aren’t necessarily going to have what you need, but keep trying, because eventually you will find something. And buying one thing used is better than nothing. I go to a few different thrift stores, instead of just the one closest to my house so there is a better selection.

Also, when I have items to give away, I take them to a specific thrift store in town that gives me a 30% off coupon for every bag of stuff I donate.

Don’t buy something just because it’s a good deal. If you don’t have any use or room for it, it’s just not worth buying, even if it is used. But don’t disregard buying it if it’s not exactly what you want. Some things can be painted or modified slightly to fit your home.

Basically the best tip for shopping at thrift stores and garage sales is just to get out there and do it. You can’t buy used, if you never go to a second hand store or garage sale (or resale website).

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Are there any other dropped jaws out there besides my own?  I am beyond impressed with what Janna and her family have done with their 1,200 square foot (110 square meter) home.  Yes – it’s only 1,200 feet!  I love hearing the wisdom of others who strive to live with a little less.  So thank you, thank you, Janna!

Now’s the part where we can all chip in.  Any thoughts on Janna’s awesome home or her philosophy?  Are you a thrift store shopper yourself?  I still can’t get over how her husband managed to salvage that quilt.  It’s stunning!

And don’t forget – we’re always on the lookout for a peek inside of readers’ homes like all of these.  So if you’ve got a favorite corner or a philosophy on simplicity, I’d love love love to share it.  It can really help to see people around the world striving for a little less, don’t you think?  (So here’s the part where you sent me a note…)