This TikToker and Goodwill Employee Thrifted Almost Everything in Her ’90s-Inspired Condo
While some might view ‘90s-inspired decor as dated, others are all about embracing the decade’s neon hues and endless supply of kitsch. Carolyn Becker, a Maryland resident and communication manager at Goodwill, lands in the latter camp, recently sharing photos of her “Saved by the Bell”-inspired condo with Washingtonian.
As a Goodwill employee, nearly everything in her one-bedroom, one-bathroom Rockville pad is thrifted, gifted, or found, including her vibrant red living room couch, vintage ice cream parlor table and chairs, and colorful knick knacks lining just about every square inch. And the throwback-inspiredcondo would definitely be Zack Morris-approved, especially with the “wiggly, squiggly lines, geometric shapes, and retro nostalgia” that Becker told the magazine fuel her “creativity and soul.”
“I’m stuck between the ’80s and ’90s, and my home’s aesthetic reflects my obsession with these decades,” she shared. “Life’s too short not to explore your childlike sense of wonder and whimsy. Shows like ‘Saved by the Bell’ and movies like ‘Ruthless People’ were on my home inspiration mood board.”
And while pretty much everything in her space is decidedly fun (including an oversized M&M figurine she scored at Goodwill and a vintage slot machine she found for free), Becker is committed to shopping secondhand wherever possible. “Everything else I have is $200 or less,” she said. “I get such a thrill out of getting the best deal possible on rad decor. Working in the secondhand industry has also shown me the sheer amount of items wasted and how that negatively affects the environment. If I can be as planet-friendly with my home choices as possible, I’m all in.”
She continued, “Everywhere I look, I see a deal. For example, my couch was free. Other highlights include my Hollywood Regency-meets-Art Deco pink glass flower lamp, which was $15 at Goodwill. When you look around, you’d also never know that some of my vintage statues were rescued from the trash.”
The first-time homebuyer seemingly isn’t afraid to get hands-on in the name of sprucing up her space. Along with enlisting the help of some family members for the brightly hued wall colors, she said, “I am so proud of my walls. I painted all of the vibrant colors myself shortly after I moved in.”
Having a home with so much personality also seems to fit Becker’s overall ethos. As she put it: “What adds warmth to my space is when I have friends over for arts and crafts, tea, or a meal. The aura of love, friendship, and good memories makes my place truly feel like home.”