Thrifting in Chicago: Berry Hill Furniture and Millionaire Rejects

This weekend I was on a mad hunt for new nightstands. The budget for my lady's boudoir makeover is stretched thin as it is, so an affordable vintage/Craigslist makeover sounded just right when recalling that the total cost of my dresser makeover was around $55, my dining chairs were $90, and the chair in my living room was $35. So Saturday afternoon I hit up a couple of my go-to thrift stores in Lakeview and Lincoln Park. First stop was my beloved junk shop, The Brown Elephant on Halsted. But I left there empty-handed and ventured to two other resale shops, both of which are brilliantly curated and offer fantastic (although not always cheap) goods. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, I had zero luck in the nightstand department, but I wanted to share some other great pieces these stores were offering.

First stop...

BERRY HILL FURNITURE

2517 North Halsted Street
Chicago, Illinois 60614

This braided gilded mirror was only $100 and would easily work in a bedroom, dining room, entryway, bathroom... pretty much anywhere.

The unique designs of these orange velvety nailheaded delights reminded me something I'd see in Elle Decor. Truth be told, I think they were priced accordingly.  The set of four was over $1000.

Oh, how I loved these stools! Would like to see them opposite my couch in the living room. Lacquer up the base and reupholster the tufted seat - perfection. And the set was just $150.

And English roll arm sofa for $900? Originally from Room and Board. Would definitely need to be reupholstered (I'm thinking yellow - a la Jenna Lyons'), but it was still a great price for such a large couch.

Next stop...

MILLIONAIRE REJECTS

1131 W Armitage Ave

Chicago, IL 60614

Loved the tufting and shape of this lil' chair. I can picture it recovered in a blush pink! You'll notice it's only $150; I'm guessing you could have gotten it down to $100. Not bad at all.

Loved these cowhide pillows. And there were a gagillion mirrors lining the wall and stacked on furniture around the store. Perty.

This minty green and gold collection of Noritake China - we're talking 11 full place settings plus a whole lot of serving pieces - was $250. Considering a five-piece Noritake place setting sells for a little less than that at Macy's, this was an unbelievable steal. And the color! I LOVE minty green.

I probably would have purchased the set of China had I not given my heart away elsewhere. I saw this striped velvety bag in a glass case, and I got all starry-eyed with little birds and butterflies fluttering around my head. Turns out it's vintage Roberta Di Camerino, an Italian designer, and similar styles go for $500+ on eBay. This was $250, which was still a lot more than I was planning on spending that day. Of course, it's two days later and I'm still thinking about it.

Lucky me did find and purchase this vintage YSL evening bag. Loved the tassel, the gold tips on the strap, and the funky shape. It holds all the bare essentials: iPhone, credit cards, lipstick, keys. I already wore it out Saturday and love the fact it can be draped cross-body to free my hands for dancing and sipping cocktails. Best part? It was $30! I know. Amazing.

In other exciting news...

...this pink geometric rug arrived and is laying cool in a top-secret location in my home. All part of my colorfied 2012 home makeover goal.

How was your weekend?!