For those not in the know (like me five years ago), OBX = The Outer Banks. Which is actually where John first took me for our one year anniversary of dating. Cue the collective aw. Anyway, now that we divulged some details of our recent Outer Banks trip this morning, we wanted to share all of the house-related stuff that we found while we were there. One of our favorite things to do when we travel is search for thrift stores, so I just did a quick hunt for “thrift” on my iPhone and it led us to Hotline Thrift (in Kitty Hawk – it’s a big pink store, you can’t miss it).
Which is where we found these two chunky pedestal bases for $40 (for both) along with a big tabletop. Not a bad deal if you grabbed them both and made two pedestal tables out of them (like we did way back when for our old sunroom). Of course you could paint them any color you’d like after adding one of those $40 ready-made 36″ tabletops from Lowe’s (like glossy white, moody gray, happy yellow, chippy turquoise, etc). Each table would probably factor out to around $65 when it’s all said and done (read more on a project like this here).
This cute desk lamp was just $4, and could totally look like something straight out of Pottery Barn if you spray painted it bright red, dark charcoal gray, or even something fun like lime green.
This Paris map was awesome. And we totally would have bought it if it wasn’t $200 (!!!). I guess the folks at this thrift store smartly googled it and learned it was worth a ton of money. It really was amazing.
Then I laid eyes on this relic from the past. Yes it is an Alf tray, and yes it was only $4. How did I ever leave the store without it – even if just as a gag gift for my brother. “Let’s do lunch! How about yours?” Oh Alf, you slay me.
Then there was this furry lamp. It looked like it was all stinky and musty… not that I leaned in to confirm. It’s so funny to realize that there was a moment in time that this was in fact considered stylish. Crazytown.
Then we found our way over to Hotline Thirft Too, which is basically their sister store in Nags Head, where we found this cute $4 fish tin (once again I can picture it spray painted for a fun modern take – maybe in bright turquoise or poppy orange and hung above the window of a kitchen sink). I think I have a spray paint problem. Sort of along the same lines as my pillow problem. Can’t. Stop.
Next we have the piece de resitance. An item so mystifying that you can’t help but scratch your head and giggle simultaneously. Ladies (and gentlemen?) I present to you, the oversized hairy nutcracker bear. He was literally over two feet tall. Have you ever seen anything like it? I just stood there transfixed – trying to make sense of the whole thing. In the end I couldn’t. What could this possibly mean?
While in Nag’s Head we also had some fun at Meme’s Antique Mall. The first thing to catch my eye were these awesome teal and red glasses (I’ve loved that color combo since the days of Domino magazine). They were $16 for the set (there were around 10 in the set) so definitely not bad.
Clara loved this cute $25 kissing giraffe art + frame (two words that she knows are “kiss” and “giraffe” – the latter of which cutely comes out as: “gee!”).
This industrial white stool was $29. Could be fun in a sleek bathroom pulled up to a clean-lined vanity for putting on the ol’ face every morning.
This old troll gal was $25, which made me want to drop to the floor holding my face. Why? I owned approximately 100 of them as a nine year old. And at $25 a pop, my collection would have earned me $2,500 if my mom hadn’t donated them over a decade ago. Who knew those would be worth something someday? Clearly not me.
This whale weathervane was a whopping $295, but it did make me wonder if someone could DIY one with an old piece of wood and a jigsaw (they could then attach it to a cheaper weather vane base).
This next store isn’t exactly a thrift store, but it was next door to one, so I ducked in. It was called Daniel’s Homeport in Kitty Hawk, and although nothing was as cheap as most thrift store finds (except for that $200 map!) there was some cool stuff.
Like this painterly flower guy ($62 with frame):
And this cool geometric picture frame ($40), which I definitely think could be DIYed with a stencil – or even freehanded if you’re fancy.
This honeycomb wine rack totally had me at hello (you know we have a thing for bees). At $40 we didn’t grab it, but I still remember it fondly.
This cool octagonal mirror was also something I thought could be homemade (hardware store wood and trim mitered and secured over a larger round mirror could recreate the look). So rustic and charming.
I know I’m weird, but I thought this octopus pillow ($37) was the bomb diggety. And yes, I’m cool enough to use that term, circa 1995.
I was also in love with these hook & loop pillows ($50 each) thanks to their bold designs and fun subjects. A little too spendy for a cheap girl like me though. Even with my pillow problem. But I could see them in someone’s hip LA crash pad- like, I dunno… Selena Gomez?
We also ducked into Kellogg Supply Company (right near our rental house) and spied this hilarious version of Monopoly. Burger was chuffed.
Amazingly enough, we left empty handed (well, we did grab a post card to send to ourselves, per our tradition). And my ten year old niece Olivia and I got $2 friendship bracelets. BFFs for life, yo.
Do you like to go house shopping on vacation? Is there ever room for anything in the car anyway (ours was pretty packed)? Did you also have dozens of troll dolls as a tween? Did you name them all and line them up in the window so their hair got faded on one side? Yeah, me neither.
maribel says
Too funny…I just went thru all the comments, I didn’t want to be the only one. For a split second the Troll doll looked like Clara. LOL.
Jaya says
Sherry- You look so svelte!! I’d love to read your post-Clara diet fitness and the rest take!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! I’m back into my old clothes but I’m not completely the same. Haha. Totally worth it for the bean, though. My secret is breastfeeding (still doing it!) and being active in general (we try to go on 2-3 mile walks 4-5 times a week) and chasing Clara around. Haha. I also try to do 25 push ups and hold plank position for 25 seconds every day- just because it takes about a minute so I can usually squeeze that in. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Rabbit says
DROP THE SPRAY PAINT!!!!
Ahem. The fish tin looks like it could be copper. (or it’s the lighting and I’m wrong) In any event, if it is copper, it is worth mucho dinero.
Even if it’s a heavy metal vs. something flimsy, it’s probably worth something, too.
Just throwing this out there since you never know! HTH :)
YoungHouseLove says
I totally have a problem, don’t I? Haha. Thankfully the fish is still there (hopefully) so someone who loves him as-is will hopefully take him home (and not douse him with stick paint). Poor guy.
xo,
s
Joy says
Happy Anniversary!
I’ve been lurking for a few months, inhaling all of your awesome decor/remodelling posts, and loving your pics of Clara and Burger. I had to come out of my shell to post for your anniversary, as you went to one of my favourite vacation spots – OBX. We did a family trip out there a few years ago, and while we didn’t do any thrifting (it’s a no-no on my Dad’s list), we did check out the Wright Brother’s Memorial.
I hope that you had a great weekend!
Joy :)
kristy says
I was a big troll collector too. My friends and I would make them furniture out of popsicle sticks. I always preferred the Norfin brand though because they seemed more authentic. I had tons of Russ ones too. The strangest part of this post was that I actually pulled them out of a box TODAY!! I am sorting through some of my old toys for our 15 month old daughter and other nieces and nephews to play with. I didn’t think our daughter is old enough quite yet (she rips the hair out of all those touch and feel books), but I made a “troll bin” in the basement. Now that I know the value, maybe I should reconsider!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I love the idea of a troll bin! Wish I had one for Clara.
xo,
s
Karen says
When I was around 7 I saved my allowance for MONTHS to get a big stuffed troll doll with pink hair and a ballet outfit. I named her Grace and she was my BFF.
Relevant Notes says
Woah, that fuzzy lamp is kind of scary. Not quite as scary as the bear/nutcracker thing though! Haha.
Jennah says
Stop telling people about the OBX! We stay farther south, not on the mainland. I’ve been going every year since I was a baby, and the friend I took as a kid – now her family and my family go together!
So yeah…all you YHL readers, it sucks, please don’t go there and tell your friends the same. Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- you’re right. It’s terrible. Nobody go!
xo,
s
EMMA S says
I didn’t have a ton of troll dolls, but I did have one very special teeny one! I made him a troll house out of shoeboxes, and made him furniture out of cardboard. He had clothes made from scrap fabric too (I thought it indecent that he was always running around naked!). I loved the CRAP out of that doll. I’m pretty sure I used to condition his hair too.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha too funny. I totally sprayed mine with detangling stuff. And mousse. Oh my goodness, just typing that makes me feel so lame.
xo,
s
angel p says
I love that you did a thrift store post today as I was just thinking about the wacky items you always find. We were in the Goodwill today and there was this strange looking coconut monkey head with faux fur and a giant chain coming out of the top of his head. It was the freakiest looking thing I’ve ever seen. Of course, my little one wanted it soooo badly and teared up when I wouldn’t buy it. I took a pic and if I knew how to post it on here I would share. It was truly the oddest thing I’ve seen in a long time. LOL.
Sonya says
I think you really meant to write: “… the oversized hairy nutcracker bear dressed for a luau.”
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahahaha. True.
xo,
s
Nevin says
Love the pedestals! I saw on craigslist today a round table top that needed some tlc – just 20 beans! (I too live in Richmond).
YoungHouseLove says
Amazing price!
xo,
s
kelly says
Great vacay! My friend has that giraffe painting in her nursery!
Erin says
My husband & I stayed in the same area as you did (years ago, but I swear your pictures look creepily familiar; could be the same house, though the shingled staircase is a new touch)> Kellogg was at the end of our road. How great are the house names out there?! My fave was Duck L’Orange.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! And Cluster Duck!
xo,
s
Carrie says
You just put my two favorite words in the whole world in your title: OBX and thrifting. We stay in Avon, south of where you guys were, and the thrifting is pretty bad but the non-thrift shopping is like a treasure hunt. I wrote a post on OBX a few weeks ago, if you ever go south of Kitty Hawk (to see the Hatteras Lighthouse or go to Ocracoke) then it might be helpful!
http://makinglemonadeblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/10-must-do-activities-on-your-outer.html
Cindy says
I have that kissing giraffe poster… it’s going in our nursery. =)
Heather W. says
Just wanted to say JEFF LEWIS IS BACK ON BRAVO!!!! doing my vicky gunvalson whoo hoo! I couldn’t believe no one had commented on it from last night yet! Love him. I would love to see him interact with the Million Dollar Decorators OMG! Haaalarious.
YoungHouseLove says
So excited!!!! Best part: Zoya saying “Keep it gangster.”
Amazing.
xo,
s
Heather W. says
I know right!!!!! I literally laughed out loud when she said that. Also, loved her saying no where to hide in the smaller house and her getting Jeff to give her eighty dollars to touch the “shock” pen. She’s not just doing it for twenty huh huh no but for eighty give it here! lol!
YoungHouseLove says
She’s high-larious. Best tv character ever. And the fact that she’s a real-live person (and not a scripted actor) is fantabulous.
xo,
s
Jessica says
OMG! The troll doll thing makes me want to cry! Whenever I see the same childhood toys and trinkets that I donated, lost, or destroyed up for sale on ebay for 10x their original price, I kick myself!
Heather says
I would like to add my voice to the “put the spray paint down” chorus. If that fish mold is vintage or antique copper, $4 dollars is a bargain at least and a steal at best… and spray painting would seriously hurt the value!
My husband’s grandmother has collected them for decades and the best of her collection rings her kitchen… I love the way it looks!
YoungHouseLove says
I know, I totally have a problem! I need Spray Painter’s Anonymous! Thank goodness Mr. Fish is still in that shop living out his blissful unpainted existence. Maybe the person who brings him home will spare him the spray!
xo,
s
Jesse Rader says
I had a troll doll when I was a freshman in college. He was about 1.5 ft tall and wore white pajamas with a pajama hat. My dorm tower had 22 floors and one day he went missing. We made missing posters. One of my artist floormates made a sketch of him and we posted signs all over the dorm. Sure enough he was never to be found again
:(
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh. A troll-napping! So sorry those missing posters and artist renderings didn’t help you crack the case!
xo,
s
Christel says
LOVE the family photo on the beach. Amaze-balls! ;)
Thought of you guys! http://www.katespaperie.com/store/category/giftwrap__ribbons/giftwrap_paper/item/0005852/gift_wrap_sheet_busy_bumble_bees/
It’s ready to throw in a frame!
YoungHouseLove says
Adorable!
xo,
s
Kelly says
I think I need to call the store that has the nutcracker and see if they’d sell it over the phone and ship it. My college friends and I have a Shuvunda (shove under the bed) gift exchange and that would be beyond perfect!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- do it! I’d bet $5,000 he’s still there. Haha.
xo,
s
Christel says
Gotta love instant art! I’m thinking about buying this: http://www.katespaperie.com/store/category/decorative_paper/patterns/item/0008326/whimzy_deco_paper_white/
To put in a black frame for some contrast on a color-saturated bedroom wall. Maybe cut and in a series of 3? I love the white and the texture.
Thanks for all your awesome ideas and inspiration for me to be creative in my home!
YoungHouseLove says
Beautiful! And totally frame worthy! Love the idea of a series of three! Yummy.
xo,
s
Aimee says
LOVE all of those stores…been travelling to OBX every summer of my life, and was married here as well. This is the first summer in my ENTIRE life that we’re not going there for vacay. *Sigh*
Heidi says
Oh my word…I LOVE that green geometric pattern picture frame!!!!! I so wish I was in your shoes and could buy that!!! Any ideas how I could DIY that??? I love how it’s not perfectly outlined and accents two or more shades of green! LOVE!!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
I would try hunting down a stencil and painting the background one color and then stenciling on the geometric shape. Then you could roughly go over it with another slightly lighter or darker tone for that painterly quality if you want it to look extra rough. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lee Lauren says
HEY! I am in shock! We were just in Corolla last week ourselves! Aren’t the Outer Banks just beautiful! Ironically, we too spent some time at Hotline Thrift! (Yes, we are kicking ourselves that we didn’t somehow run into you?!? We would have been star-struck!) I picked up a set of great pineapple lamps…and we for sure saw that ugly lamp you mentioned above…in the exact same place! We even mentioned the lamps in our blog!
Hope you all had just as great as a trip as we did!
p.s. for those of you who don’t know, all funds raised at Hotline go straight to a local domestic violence shelter in Kitty Hawk! Being an event planner for our local domestic violence shelter here in Dayton Ohio I thought this was a fantastic idea!
YoungHouseLove says
We noticed that too- such a great cause! Too funny that you got cozy with the ugly lamp. So sad we didn’t bump into you.
xo,
s
Donna Huebsch says
Well, that furry lamp gave me the heebie jeebies! And the nutcracker bear was a little disturbing.
My favorites were the map of Paris and the blue octopus pillow. I had lots of those troll dolls, too :o) Around the same time, rat fink rings were extremely popular – any else remember those?
YoungHouseLove says
John and I don’t remember those at all. But they sound intriguing. Anyone else remember them?
xo,
s
Katie says
oh Alf-I just loved the Tanners…
Brenda says
Would just like to say, I STILL have all my trolls, and I actually fancied myself a “collector” LOL as a kid. I had tons, though now I only have the cute ones, aka, the not naked ones. I have to say, I’m pretty sure they’re not usually worth that much. I just checked on ebay, and some people had them listed high, but NONE of them had bids. Maybe in another 20 years?
Also, I would just like to clarify, though I still have trolls, I no longer collect them, I’m not that weird. Just thought my children might like to play with them when they’re older : )
stacey says
My great grandma had that fish tin thing in her kitchen!! Not spray painted though… just plain. It always weirded me out as a kid. She also had a fish themed bathroom.
Kris says
I also a) just celebrated my four year anniversary last week b) have spent a vacation in a big rental house in the outer banks with my ginormous family c) just finally took a family picture and my son just turned 8 months old
heather says
You guys missed the best home store, The French Door. Put it on your list for next time. I grew up on the OBX, so this is local advice :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man- we’ll have to go there next time!
xo,
s
Julia says
That giraffe photo was taken right here at Perth Zoo (Australia).It was a couple of years ago when the giraffe had her baby and a very talented local photographer managed to snap that pic. We’ve been to see that giraffe and her baby a lot. Totally gorgeous! And what a spin out to see its gone all over the world!!
I kept a mini troll from my 80’s childhood and my kids think its hilarious! Bright pink hair!
Larissa says
Sherry, this has nothing to do with curly headed bear nutcrackers. Or does it? My husband and I saw a billboard for Richard Marx who’s performing at a casino in OK. I squealed with delight and said to my husband “remember that song from 7th grade? That was my jam!” He got the biggest kick out of me calling it my jam. Thanks for bringing that back!
Tara G. says
My second child, a boy, was born needing a hair cut. The tips of it even looked frosted- so interesting that I had a parade of nurses the entire time coming in to pull his hat off just to take a peek. By the time he was 3 months old, his hair looked exactly like one of those trolls- my brother kindly did a side-by-side pictorial comparison. :)
Jessica Campbell says
Those lamps look exactly like the lamps at my grandparents house, which was decorated in full-on 80’s burnt orange carpet & flocked wallpaper, with hideous dark paneling…ha ha ha! It’s awful! I am going to my parents next week to get my trolls out!! Crazy! Thanks for your blog, I love reading it, especially about tackling big projects, it motivates my husband & me to get creative & keep on with our home demo/ remodel!! I’m not the decorator that you guys are, but I’m trying! :-) Have a great weekend!
Pip says
The giraffe image was taken at Perth Zoo (Australia) in 1995 – our local paper ran a front page story about Makulu’s birth and you could buy a print of “first kiss” for $2 + a coupon through newsagents. I had it blu-tacked to my wall for years.
Carly says
That’s such a unique map of Paris. It’s rotated — east is on top!
D'vine Living says
I really love that Paris map. I have been looking for an old school Paris map for so long. Both times that we visited Paris I couldn’t find one, just the newer version of it. But for $200, that’s R1400, I would’ve also put it down.
eileen marie says
I was eager to read this post (and sad to have missed the Bloomingdale’s giveaway. Happy Anniversary!), but no photos show up as I am writing from Arusha, Tanzania! We just returned from summiting Mount Kilimanjaro! After letting our family know we are alive & well, we still had a few mins left on the Interwebs, and so I told my husband we just had to see what Sherry & John (& Clara!) are up to. Off on safari -will have to wait till we return to check out your post photos.
Kwaheri!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that’s awesome! Enjoy your trip Eileen! What an amazing experience.
xo,
s
Katie says
OMG ! My family had that exact Alf tray growing up! If we were feeling under the weather, my mom would bring it up to our rooms with a snack or meal. Scrambled eggs made with love and served on the alf tray always seemed to speed the healing process when we were sick! (plus an antibiotic haha). And love the OBX too– I’ve been going every summer for as long as I can remember. It’s so beautiful down there! Love your blog, keep doing what you’re doing :o)
Jennifer says
My grandparents had that exact same fuzzy lamp!!! Hahaa Alf was the bomb and i also had some troll dolls but they creeped me out so I got rid of them..who knew maybe we can save our childrens stuff fo ryears so they can cash in when they are older,lol
Sharon says
Love the Giraffe picture! I have the poster to frame and put in a nursery when the time comes :)
Karin K says
What do you know! We are leaving for a rental place in Kitty Hawk on Sunday, and I had decided that since this is the very first trip we are making without my lovely in-laws, I was going to finally get to checkout the Hotline Thrift Stores. I’ll also get to eat dinner whenever I freaking feel like it, and I can have more than one drink a day, too, without having to camouflage refills in a green tea bottle. Did I mention that they’re lovely? Anyway…the Homeport had also intrigued me on previous trips, but now I’m terrified that I won’t have your willpower and will be coming home with the awsome hot pink octopus pillow. Thanks for the preview! For some reason I thought Hotline would be full of used surfboards and old WRV t-shirts.
Kristi says
Living in Perth, Australia, I just had to fill you in – the picture of the mother giraffe kissing her baby was taken right here at our Perth Zoo (quite a few years ago now). What a precious moment. It’s always been one of my favourite photos. Love your blog guys, check it every day without fail.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cute! You lucky Aussie’s have such a picturesque life – even in regard to the giraffes!
xo,
s
Shunta says
speaking of family trips, my husband and I are planning a trip to Williamsburg, VA for next month to go to Busch Gardens. We want to take a one day excursion out to Richmond and I’m so excited!! You guys have made Richmond seem like such a fun city to visit and I can’t wait!! And of course we (me moreso than the hub) hope to visit at least one or two thrift stores while we’re in Richmond!! I’m so excited!!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! You’ve probably seen it already, but this post encapsulates our favorite Richmond things to do: https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/02/five-richmond-top-fives/
Have so much fun!
xo,
s
Natalie @ Queen of Whirled says
OH YES! I had hoards of treasure trolls. I have no idea where they are now. But at $25 a pop…I see an expedition into my parents attic in my near future.
Niki says
We don’t buy home decor when on vacation but I do always buy an ornament for our Christmas tree. It’s always fun to relive our trips. I think it will be neat putting the tree up 25-50 years from now…
Jill says
Oh my gosh I have tons of trolls still packed up in my parents attic!!!
I named all of them (first middle last), actually typed up birth certificates on my dad’s typewriter…. they all had families and were some how related. I had an amazing imagination. I betcha I could remember some of their names if I went through those boxes.
I, too, had the larger than life plush Troll. It was dressed in a pink and yellow clown suit.
Man, I loved those things. Even back then I was partial to a certain brand. I only purchased Russ trolls… not any of those other ugly ones.
Now I need to see if I can get some kizash (cash in fizz gang speak) for them!
Liz says
What’s that yellow TV behind the lamp? Is it decorated with Sponge Bob?!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes and yes.
xo,
s