Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. You cover all 3 R's when you shop at most thrift stores: 1) reducing the amount of packaging and energy that goes into production, 2) reusing old items, 3) recycling someone else's unwanted waste. Dishes are always in supply at thrift stores, but the trick is to make them seem like a purposeful collection rather than leftovers from your dorm days.
Tips for shopping for thrift store dishware:
• You don't have to match, but try to stick to a unifying theme.
• Buy one or two colors in different shapes and sizes.
• Build a larger collection from small matching sets.
• Simple designs stay in style, so they're not hard to find.
• Don't buy just because it's cheap.
• Buy what you love, or it'll end up back in the donation box.
• Clean secondhand dishes well with hot water and soap before using.
A few Chicago area thrift stores:
• The Brown Elephant
• The Salvation Army
• Goodwill
• The ARK Thrift Shop
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© 2009 Apartment Therapy
aw... my mother had those dishes while I was growing up. Yay for Correl!
http://www.bobbyberkhome.com
view OrangePatty's profile
How are you covering both reuse and recycle at the same time?
view Anne in Chicago's profile
i like to buy in pairs when possible so i can always set up for 2 :)
view k in ditmas's profile
I have a corelle collection pieced together from family cast-off and purchases from Salvation Army and the Brown Elephant. The Brown Elephant pisses me off because their prices have gotten so, so high. Buying there is the same price as purchasing new pieces from the Corelle/pyrex outlet stores.
view ChicagoNicole's profile
Corelle designs are always available and usually economical on Ebay. I've rounded out my discontinued style that way.
view Aldyth's profile
Thrift stores always have a huge supply of saucers, ever notice? They're great for candles, under plant pots, as spoon rests, soap dishes, etc. I have a pretty one under my jar of honey....keeps the cabinet from getting sticky :-)
view ohjodi's profile