I love a good trash to treasure story.
So when I look for things to hang on the wall…..
….I don’t usually go to Marshall’s or TJ Maxx or Home Goods or Target.
Don’t get me wrong…..I love to go shopping there.
I could spend hours just at Target alone….wandering blissfully down the aisles….pushing one of those red carts with a diet coke from the concession stand….sifting through all the clearance bins at the end of the aisle.
But….you see…..we don’t really have those stores around here.
Where I live…..in the country……we have something way better.
It’s called “The Side of the Road” store.
Have you ever shopped there?
If you haven’t…..you totally should.
They are known for their really good prices and quality selection.
Nothing but the finest in merchandise.
That’s where I got these one-of-a-kind molding pieces. They were just laying there….like they fell off of someone’s house…..waiting to be picked up and hung on the wall.
Aren’t they amazing?
Can you believe that some people actually consider merchandise like this…..trash?
I think it should be called architectural salvage.
Or vintage americana.
Or repurposed treasure.
Or…..at the very least….environmentally friendly decorating.
I’ve been shopping there for a long time.
Before that store got really popular and everyone started talking about it.
I shopped at “The Side of The Road Store” before there were magazine articles about it or e-books or blog posts or people standing in line to shop there.
Back then….there was a much better selection.
So next time you’re in the neighborhood and you have a little spare time on your hands.
Meet me at the car wash and we can carpool to “The Side of the Road” store.
We would have so much fun.
It’s a wonderful place.
Everything is one-of-a-kind.
There’s always plenty of bargains……
…..and I hear next week…..they are having a great sidewalk sale 🙂
I LOVE those pieces! So interesting. I made my first side of the road "purchase" recently. It was very satisfying.
don't know that store Trash no way KA you have a great eye. Have a great week-end, K :)
Ha! I'm from the South too (Florida on the Alabama border) but currently live in Australia with my husband where things are super expensive (I'm talking a 20 oz diet coke is $4.20...I stopped drinking them for a while in shock but got over it because diet coke is worth it, I can see you understand). Anyway, my husband's a student and only works part-time so I shop at the side of the road all the time. The other day my mom said "you're lucky that DIY/trash out of treasure is in now, makes it easier on your budget." I sorta got offended and was like "I shopped on the side of the road and at yard sales before it was cool, I do it now, and I'll do it long after it stops being cool because I'm not fair weather fan." Here in Australia, though, they are pretty snobby about it all. But it gives me that much more pleasure when friends who buy expensive things just for the label come over and appreciate something that I got for dirt cheap. You can't buy style.
Hi Kathy, Not all Aussies are snobby - you must hang with the wrong crowd. Lots of my friends fill their homes with curbside castoffs :)
I've shopped at the side of the road so long that people probably think of me as the curb lady. The pickings aren't so good here in Lexington. I need to get out in the country more :)
I have always adored those beautiful "side of the road" pieces on your wall....As "Mike and Frank" have said, Kentucky is a great place to find things on the side of the road!!....Here?.....the only thing on the side of the road are the wildflowers...so cannot complain...I will meet you at the carwash with a diet coke in hand!!
As always, gorgeous shots of your home that is uniquely you! I don't buy artwork at Tj Maxx/Marshalls/HomeGoods for myself either, just clients:)
Love those pieces on the wall...love that whole little area! I can not tell a lie..I'm jealous...I admit it...My side of the road shopping is scarce; I live in a smaller town in Florida and a lot of people haul their "junk" to dump along with their real garbage! Sad but true!
You have the best store ever!
That sounds like my kind of shopping : o ) Love it all!
Love the post, and love your treasures! Debbie :)
Great trash..... I love those wild flowers and what's in your basket. Cute vignette. Here's to side of the road shopping... Linda
You're so lucky to have a side of the road store in your area. All of the side of the roads near my house closed and they put up strip malls and subdivisions. There are still a couple of good ones about an hour from my house and I especially love shopping there this time of year! I love your beautiful foyer! xo
LOVE the "Side of the Road Store"...wish ours had a better selection, like yours :) Looks great!! Laurel
Love a good side of the road sidewalk sale! Ah, many is the time I've come to a screeching halt when I spot the perfect find. The heavens part and a stream of sunlight shines down upon it - beckoning me to shove it into my car and speed away before anyone else gets to it! Who am I to question this higher authority?! Kelly
I would love to shop at that store, but someone always gets there before me and there's nothing left. Boo.
I can see I need to study at the feet of the Master. I recently ( first time , really) made a side of the road purchase. But it's no where as cute as your stuff :-/ I got a wee side table. That's it.... No fun architectural salvage... no piece of americana.... Found some in an Antique Mall a few weeks ago. I was excited.. until I saw the price. I put them down like they were hot molten lead. I am def going to learn at the feet of the Pro. High lighting hair (done) , red lipstick ( done) , coke in hand... ( can't do the diet thing , sorry). Ready!!!! Have a wonderful Friday KariAnne. Cheers, Gee
I've bought similar pieces in stores almost identical to this and paid big bucks for them. Lucky you. I am going to start looking on the side of the road.
Looks beautiful!! I would love to meet you at the car wash and take a little shopping trip along the Side of the Road Shoppe!! Have a wonderful day Kari!! ~ Lori {Vintage Charm Restored}
I like your taste in pillows. I'm thinking of stenciling on mine. Think I'll write "I'm a Twin". ~Bliss~
I LOVE the "Side Of The Road" shopping! I remember early one morning getting a call from a friend of mine, "Get up here quick! There are two cool doors in a dumpster!" Off I went and they WERE the coolest doors EVER. Wood with rounded top, not your typical doors. It's SO much more interesting to decorate with things that have had a past. Plus, you are giving it life again. There's no better way to decorate!
favorite finds are at the side of the road...depending on the day and the road ;)
This is such a fun post--that's one of our favorite places to shop! At that store so far we've found a desk that got turned into a wonderful makeup vanity for moi, as well as a dining room table that we are in the process of redoing, and some chairs to go around the table.
As one of your commenters said, "you can't buy style". And she is so right! You have it karianne and you scored big time with your bulls eye buys from the Side of the Road Store". I live in the country too. Tomorrow is my yard sale/ barn hopping day. I get giddy with excitement. Can't wait! xoxo
you know it's my favorite store ... with the best deals always falling on garbage day!!
I found a great antique buffet on the side of the road before, painted her up and sold her for $250! Love that store :)
I love that store, but it seems to keep moving on me, and I have a hard time finding it. I need to carpool with you sometime.
Those pieces are beautiful! I love the store on the side of the road, although here in NJ I get funny looks from people. Oh well. *shrugs* more for me! :)
Love those molding pieces, Karianne! They suit that wall perfectly and I love how you hung them.
Lovely roadside finds! They look like they were meant to be on that wall! You have such a way of putting things together! Have a food one! Traci
Good One oops! That is why I should wear my glasses! LOL
Geeze Kari, could I love your house any more than I already do? just beautiful!!
Yep....I remember about 35 years ago doing this with my Grandma, we had the best times. She taught me everything I now know...I remember getting cool old tables that were called just that...before it had a name like "Shabby Chic", "Primitive" , of Farmhouse"just good ol old stuff that was loved. we would find velvet parlor settees in the trash and cool old frames and the sweetest dressers on the side of the road/street etc... I lived in the city :) so no country roads but we still found some wonderful treasures. We also used these wonderful treasures and did not sell them for hundreds of dollars either nope we used them and just loved them after we fixed them up oh so nicely. thank so much for sharing and have a great day!!! Smiles, Sheila
love it....we're fans of "side of the road" shopping, too. :)
Kari Anne! Gorgeous! I am soooooo jealous! I want some of those for my wall! You make me want to go walk down the side of the road and snoop around in the weeds. I live in the country too, but the only I find on the side of the road is beer cans. LOL! So beautiful! What a wonderful way to display architectural salvage!
It sounds like a great store and I love the bargain you got...what a deal!
You have the most perfect eye for design! You really should be hanging up a shingle as an interior designer (if you haven't already). Wow, what a gorgeous vignette. I am in awe, as I always am when I visit your page. (and horribly envious of your talent!!!)
That is my favorite store!!!! :) I absolutely LOVE THEM!!! And when people tell me there is nothing good on the side of the road by them I just don't believe it... they just don't look at the right times or see things with potential! Your moldings look fantastic in that little set up.
You are so lucky to have your "Side of the Road" store. I just recently moved from Chicago, and they have 2 stores there called "Salvage One" and "Architectural Artifacts". You would pay big money for cool stuff like this!
the side of the road store...boy I needed a good laugh this morning! your home is so homey...I would love to come visit:) maybe someday? happy friday friend:) xo
I love what you can find by the side of the road.... or sidewalks... or on peoples lawns... or salvage stores... or dumpsters (but I have never dumpster dived before). Love your style, dear KariAnne!
You are my new "best friend". I have invested many hours over the last few days browsing your blog. Love It! Thank you for sharing. We do a lot of shopping at "The Side of the Road". My daughter's fiance has just recently been introduced to this store and is very excited about it. The other day he came to our house showing us what he found at "The Side of the Road". It was a like-new duffel bag. He was so.very.excited. The first thing he had found. As he was showing it to me, I noticed a DAV donation tag taped to it. OOPS! He now knows which day is trash day in our neighborhood.
I love this post and your creative writing. So true-I have been doing this for awhile as well. It is a great place to shop-wouldn't you say?? Meegan
This sounds like my kind of store...LUCKY YOU:) Blessings, Linda
Beautiful! I have a bunch of these and never thought of hanging them up "as is"...it looks like pure art to me!
Oh, how I love that store!! I am there all the time and have found some great deals!! Isn't it the most fun? Love your little front hallway area. I have just painted a chair white and have been trying to figure out how I wanted to cover the seat. I have some white burlap and after seeing your chair, I think I just might have to use it, with a couple of pillows of course ;) Fall Blessings to you! Robin ~ Southern Bella
you are beyond creative.. I LOVE your taste. I decorate similarly, I am SO inspired. I will be on the look out for this wonderful roadside "shop" you are speaking of. (and your humour adds such sprinkles to the top of the cupcake. (: )
I too like shoping the side of the road you never know what you'll find until you start digging. Those are great finds.They look great on your wall. Love that idea!! thanks for sharing.
Not much selection at our side of the road store. You've got the designer discards, I can see. Great idea.
Boy, do I wish I lived close enough to meet you at the car wash, diet coke and all!! We're in the country south but I don't have much luck finding treasures such as yours at my "Side of the Road" store ~ maybe I just need you to help me shop. Beautiful as always--some day I want to visit in person and take a real home tour.
I dont think we have a "Side of teh Road Store" here. People actually hold on to their stuff or give it to Goodwill (i mean really, what's that all about???) I NEVER drive down the road and see something great (and really I dont think i see crap either).
A few years ago, when it was 100 degrees in the middle of summer, I drove by a brush pile at that Side of the Road store, and some branches that were really beautiful grabbed my attention. Long and wavy, they begged me to call my husband for him to get out in the hot, humid weather and drag them from the bottom of the pile. Hee hee. But he did, and now I have the most beautiful branches to decorate with. I love that store. :)
I love it. I much prefer the solitude of the construction dumpster. Just call me an introvert.
YES!
I'm the type that will shop at The Side Of The Road, go grab some lunch, then stop by Pottery Barn. I'm an all-inclusive kind of gal. No discrimination here. :) My decor all gets along quite well regardless of status. LOL. Maybe someday we can hit that sidewalk sale together. You with your sweet tea, and me with the Starbucks (afterall, I am a Pacific Northwest gal.) Have a great weekend!
Oh my goodness it's only my favorite store in the whole world. I' ve been shopping there since I was a little girl.I did some shopping there the other day as a matter of fact. Great fun! I just love the pieces on your wall. I'm always looking for some unique. Have a super weekend! Hugs.
Love this post :) There is another place I frequent and it's called " my alley". The small access road behind the row of houses here in the suburbs, where the trash collectors come each Monday. Amazing what people throw out. Love to repurpose!
Oh yes...I have had my "frequent shopper card" for this store for MANY years!! It started as a child while garage saleing with my Mom...evolved into Thrift Store addiction in my 20's...and continues to this day. I ask you "Is it wrong to cruise my neighborhood streets on large trash day, looking for good stuff that others feel the need to throw away?" I think I know what your answer will be. Although, here in the "burbs" we dont always get the cool stuff that you can find out in the country...lucky you!
I love your vintage finds, I too shop at "Side Of The Road Finds", a great store where nothing has a price.I have many stores to go where I live but I frequent Side Of The Road Finds. I should put a sign on my vehical Frequent Stops. My teens find me some what embarrising but they sure enjoy our beautifully vintage decorated home. Many don't have that vision to per see that they turn these finds into beautiful decore. Recenty I found a beautiful old china cabinet at that one store so I quickly pulled over I had my teenage son with me so he helped me stuff it in the vehical (there was no way I was leaving with out it). There ended up being no room for him to fit so I made him wait until I went back to pick him up, not really a big deal my mom lived close by but he was mad. Like I said I don't let anything in my way lol I'm a serious customer at the SOTRF I'll call it that for short. Happy shopping!
I'm there, Karianne! Should I bring my little red cart.....? lolol! xoxo
loved this posting....can I bring my wagon...I need to pay more attention, but these Central Texas Roads, they get those crazy get out of bed like Black Friday to shop. I just got back from a visit to see my Mom and Sis....I was looking for views and contentment....that is what I found along the roads I traveled....again love this posting I am still giggling
Trash vs Treasure..I guess it all depends on your viewpoint...Those molding pieces are great..You did it again!!!
Too funny! I love the way you write!!! And I'm always blown away by what you create - those molding pieces are amazing! Side-of-the-Road Store? Wish I could meet you at the car wash!
Before there was the side of the road there was what is now called the landfill. Some towns even have designated areas /sheds that have cute names on them. When I was a kid, my Dad brought home things from that most exclusive of all shoppes, Le Dumpe. He would crawl around on things that could have carried dread diseases, and come home with treasures. Some of those treasures were well diguised, and a great amount of it went right back to the "store" after Dad pulled off the part he could use. My Dad's father died in 1935. My Dad was about to turn 10. He was the middle child of seven. :)
Gosh, I want to go shopping where you live then! I never see anything worth taking around here. In fact, I don't usually see much at all on the side of the road except old fashioned litter. Yuck! I love those architectural pieces you found and hung on your wall. They are perfect there! I love how you filled that white urn too.
Ahhaaaaaa...... another one of your "haiku" blog pieces. Very poetic, and inspirational....appropriate for this time of year, when we all would love to go driving down a country road lined with crimson and gold leafed trees.... looking for pieces of the original old America. You go girl.....
What is the name of the paint color on the wall. I love it and your treasures.
Absolutely love the pieces of molding! And I've never shopped there, but due to my recent obsession with thrifting I'm thinking about doing some drive-bys on trash pickup day. Yes, I am serious.
My hubbuy (pun intended) LOVES The Side of the Road Store! He shops there ALL THE TIME. Plus, he finds their sales all the time, too! I never seem to get their "flyer." Love those molding pieces. You shop well!
Ahhh yes, I love 'Side of the Road' shop... along with 'Garage Sale' shop.... and even better 'The Tip Shop'. Yep, our local tip has a big old shed out the front filled to the ceiling with other peoples garbage that the tip guys figure is too good to go in the land fill. Us 'thrifting' ladies go there and are heard to exclaim 'seriously, who would throw this out'. Love your 'Side of the Road' find KariAnne. Definitely designer art!
I love how you can change trash into awesom looking stuff..............
So beautiful! What color is your foyer painted??
I'm so jealous. We don't have great stores like that so close to the city -- we have to pay big buck for those things at architectural salvage stores and barn sales!
I want to go sidewalk shopping with you :) Love your foyer, gorgeous! XO Kristin
I love what you "got" at that store...I like the store, too, but, it's been awhile since I've been shopping there. Must go next week. :)
It's very creative...looks like it would be much more money at any store and not close to that original feel. I really want to know the name of The yellow on your wall. Please tell me the color. Thanks.
Obviously, I need directions to your fabulous store because we just don't have that here! Love your beautiful vignette ... the Bingo card is such a fun addition, too. Happy Fall!
no good "side of the road" stores here in houston.....y'all are so lucky!!! love your "wall hangings"!!!!
I love EVERYTHING about that corner! Those little pieces of molding are fabulous and look terrific on your wall! Now I want them LOL!
How I love me some good trash :)
I do approve of your favorite shopping site, and I would love to go shopping with you. Maybe one of these days. It is all gorgeous, KariAnne.♥
Anybody can buy something at Target, or Pottery Barn, or Crate & Barrel, but it takes a real talented eye to see the potential of roadside trash, and you have that eye. Very nice work!
I wish I could shop there!!! People just don't seem to do that where I live... too bad for me! But so lucky for you!! Keep pickin'. :)
That is the best store!!! I once found a beautiful crystal chandy that way.And it was.....FREE :-) LOVE your finds too! xx Anne
You are an expert at taking rustic to refined. I love road side finds when I can get to them first! If not, I resort to Hobby Lobby and Lowes and try to craft "old" things but it is never the same. I love your style because it's elegant but livable if that makes sense! Anyway, Ms. Country Elegance, someone on Pinterest was asking what your wall color is. I am going to say Rice Grain by SW?? I think you said your kitchen was that color as well??
I love side of the road stores!!!! And every one in a while they will have the items diplayed in wonderful vingettes~~~~taking ALL the guess work out of picking up your choices. My daughter is now at the age where she is apalled with my stopping at this 'store', but I have hopes she will come back around!
Love this post! I find myself leaving early for work and taking a different route whenever possible, just so I can peruse the "aisles" at the "Side of the Road" store. Love the white and yellow, with dark wood. Gloria
Love this. Wish we had one of those stores :(
Hello, could you please tell me the wall color?...I love it!
I too am a firm believer in the old theory that one person's trash is another's treasure. I have also noticed that this has recently become a more popular concept. Trying to convince my husband that it's worth stopping for is a whole nother matter, however! :-) Love your home! This is my first visit here and I'm impressed with the eye candy provided in your photos and your witty commentary. I'll be back!
I love your home! I've seen it before but just saw it again at Hooked on Houses and had to come over for another look. What color do you have on the walls of the entry way? Is it the same as your kitchen? Blessings, Tammy
Great find!
Your home is lovely. I would like to know what the colors are in your foyer if you will share them. TYA
Hi! Trying to track down your yellow paint color. I'm not seeing it in the threads here. Can you share? Thank you! Emily
I would love to know the foyer color as well. It is gorgeous!
Don't you always see the best stuff when you can't stop - like when you are late picking up your kids from school!
you've been so kind to answer my questions... i'm wondering, is the yellow hued paint in the above pictures is ivorie or ramie or something completely different? would you share the name and brand? many thanks!
So pretty... I also love the paint color on the walls... Would you tell me what it is?
Another fun shopping trip..."Dumpster Diving"...especially in large apartment complexes. Paint and a bit of antiquing can change almost everything!