Man, You're a Thrifty Bunch
These resourceful homeowners prove that cast-aways can have more than one lease on life
Emily Hutchinson
17 October 2015
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra wow-factor to feature. I love hearing all about the design process behind these projects.
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra... More
It’s clear from the many homes we see come through Houzz that someone’s trash can be someone else’s treasure! From op-shopping, pavement picking and salvage yards come some amazing and unique finds to adorn the house with. Here, some of our favourite handy homeowners from all across Australia have given another lease on life to tossed pieces, proving that you don’t have to spend much to make your home look its best.
A retro-inspired sofa from a garage sale
Rachael Valentine and her partner Sebastian Hartog are a young couple in a Queensland rental who share a love of bargain hunting and vintage finds. Their home boasts an assortment of treasures collected throughout the years, including this retro-inspired sofa which Hartog bought at a garage sale for $180, and surprised Valentine with for Christmas.
Rachael Valentine and her partner Sebastian Hartog are a young couple in a Queensland rental who share a love of bargain hunting and vintage finds. Their home boasts an assortment of treasures collected throughout the years, including this retro-inspired sofa which Hartog bought at a garage sale for $180, and surprised Valentine with for Christmas.
A vintage Bonds mannequin
Two neighbours who got married and moved in together combined their quirky collections to decorate their home with. This vintage Bonds mannequin was found in an op-shop in Toowoomba in 1996. It was originally living in the city’s Myer shopping centre and was tossed away after the property underwent a rebuild. The Chesty bust now sits in this home’s hallway as a perfect Aussie memento.
Find out more about this house
Two neighbours who got married and moved in together combined their quirky collections to decorate their home with. This vintage Bonds mannequin was found in an op-shop in Toowoomba in 1996. It was originally living in the city’s Myer shopping centre and was tossed away after the property underwent a rebuild. The Chesty bust now sits in this home’s hallway as a perfect Aussie memento.
Find out more about this house
A farm trough come bathtub
Lisa Russell is no stranger to upcycling and making the most of forgotten goods. One of her favourite features is this antique claw-foot bath, which once belonged to her mum. It was cast aside and used as a trough for many years on her mum’s farm in NSW. Russell then re-enamelled the tub on the inside, but left in its original state on the outside, adding a rustic element to this modern bathroom.
Step inside the rest of Russell’s home
Lisa Russell is no stranger to upcycling and making the most of forgotten goods. One of her favourite features is this antique claw-foot bath, which once belonged to her mum. It was cast aside and used as a trough for many years on her mum’s farm in NSW. Russell then re-enamelled the tub on the inside, but left in its original state on the outside, adding a rustic element to this modern bathroom.
Step inside the rest of Russell’s home
When beer is currency
For expert pavement pickers, there’s nothing more exciting than discovering a piece in mint condition. When the couple living in this weatherboard in Melbourne stumbled across these two green and white armchairs, they couldn’t believe their luck. They were almost thrown away by some friends, but instead, the couple took them home in exchange for a slab of beer.
For expert pavement pickers, there’s nothing more exciting than discovering a piece in mint condition. When the couple living in this weatherboard in Melbourne stumbled across these two green and white armchairs, they couldn’t believe their luck. They were almost thrown away by some friends, but instead, the couple took them home in exchange for a slab of beer.
Pit stop cane chair
This pretty cane chair belongs to artist Georgia White. She found it on the side of the road on the way to a yoga class and gave it a fresh lick of blue paint. It now sits in her entryway and is decorated with handmade cushions.
See more of White’s retreat
This pretty cane chair belongs to artist Georgia White. She found it on the side of the road on the way to a yoga class and gave it a fresh lick of blue paint. It now sits in her entryway and is decorated with handmade cushions.
See more of White’s retreat
Old bottles become decor
Do you throw away your glass bottles after a party? You may have been doing it all wrong. This homeowner has collected champagne bottles from large family celebrations and lined them along the shelf in her dining room. They serve as a fun reminder of good times and always spark interest in visitors.
Explore the rest of this property
Do you throw away your glass bottles after a party? You may have been doing it all wrong. This homeowner has collected champagne bottles from large family celebrations and lined them along the shelf in her dining room. They serve as a fun reminder of good times and always spark interest in visitors.
Explore the rest of this property
Recycled frames for an add-on studio
Celeste Twikler is a jeweller living in this breezy abode in Byron Bay. With a knack for DIY, she has used her talents to transform this space into an at-home studio. The windows and doors in here are all recycled, and the frame seen here was a side-of-the-road find. With some new glass and putty, it was fitted into the wall and lets in beautiful streams of sunlight.
Celeste Twikler is a jeweller living in this breezy abode in Byron Bay. With a knack for DIY, she has used her talents to transform this space into an at-home studio. The windows and doors in here are all recycled, and the frame seen here was a side-of-the-road find. With some new glass and putty, it was fitted into the wall and lets in beautiful streams of sunlight.
A salvaged sign in the Gold Coast
This ‘No Vacancy’ sign belongs to artist Rebecca Ross. It was once hung outside the Tropic Sands Motel in Palm Beach, which was sadly torn down. Ross managed to save this sign and it now has pride of place in her bedroom.
Find out more about this summer-loving home
This ‘No Vacancy’ sign belongs to artist Rebecca Ross. It was once hung outside the Tropic Sands Motel in Palm Beach, which was sadly torn down. Ross managed to save this sign and it now has pride of place in her bedroom.
Find out more about this summer-loving home
A winning bid gets a broken piano
This baby grand piano is just one of Debra Cronin’s winning bids at auction. She regularly scours auction houses in the country and international eBay sites for trash she can turn into treasure. “I bought the baby grand for $50, which I thought was a steal, but it ended up costing me $300 to get home! I love it, though, and it’s in the perfect spot in the front room,” she says.
Explore more of this quirky residence
This baby grand piano is just one of Debra Cronin’s winning bids at auction. She regularly scours auction houses in the country and international eBay sites for trash she can turn into treasure. “I bought the baby grand for $50, which I thought was a steal, but it ended up costing me $300 to get home! I love it, though, and it’s in the perfect spot in the front room,” she says.
Explore more of this quirky residence
Windows become an eye-catching bedhead
Kara Rosenlund gave these beautiful old arched windows she found in a salvage shop a new lease on life as a bedhead in her bedroom.
Step inside Rosenlund’s oasis
Kara Rosenlund gave these beautiful old arched windows she found in a salvage shop a new lease on life as a bedhead in her bedroom.
Step inside Rosenlund’s oasis
Repurposing old pipes
Many of us may only see the functional side of down pipes and wind up casting away any leftovers during a building project. However, this clever homeowner has repurposed pipes into planter boxes that decorate her courtyard wall – a very resourceful use for rubbish!
See more of this Melbourne abode
TELL US
Have you decorated with someone else’s trash? Let us know in the Comments section.
10 Upcycling Projects to Turn Your Trash Into Treasure
How to Build Recycled and Discarded Material Into Your Home
9 Ways to Recycle Wine Bottles
Many of us may only see the functional side of down pipes and wind up casting away any leftovers during a building project. However, this clever homeowner has repurposed pipes into planter boxes that decorate her courtyard wall – a very resourceful use for rubbish!
See more of this Melbourne abode
TELL US
Have you decorated with someone else’s trash? Let us know in the Comments section.
10 Upcycling Projects to Turn Your Trash Into Treasure
How to Build Recycled and Discarded Material Into Your Home
9 Ways to Recycle Wine Bottles
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I can not see the point of having a broken piano taking up so much space. And whilst I love the claw-foot bath, I would hate to have it as it is.
Love the idea of repurposing old pipes - would be great for herbs.
Yep all kinds of treasures and finds that people have put away or passed on. And as a committed salvage hunter I have also collected trash that I have been able to pass on to others 'treasure' pile. Thank you too for this article which led to a cup of tea and a pleasant hour enjoying this and linked articles to all the homes featured. Very interesting and inspiring.