We spent the Labor Day weekend at my parents’ beach house near Bethany Beach, Delaware, just as we did over Memorial Day. It was a short family getaway filled with food, discoveries, and a few great buys. We love sharing what we saw and brought home, and this trip was no different — including two larger items we’d been hunting for a while.
Our little weekend began with a detour in Maryland, at a place we’ve driven past many times:
It’s the Ole Sale Barn in Denton, MD. We’ve always been curious about it, and this trip the timing finally worked out to stop. Right away we were greeted by larger-than-life items, including an oversized metal chicken — and yes, it came with a story that made us laugh out loud.
The oddball finds didn’t stop with the giant chicken. Clara was oddly fascinated by a row of lawn jockeys — maybe because she’s suddenly taller than most of them. It became a Where’s Waldo moment trying to spot her in the photos.
Amid the clutter there were some genuinely interesting pieces. We saw what looked like heavy patio table tops or grate covers that would make striking, industrial-style wall art, if someone wanted to mount them.
I couldn’t get over a set of white-and-gold lit sign letters. They were wired to light up and the seller wanted $20 apiece. If any of the letters had spelled something meaningful to us I would have snapped them up — I later realized an upside-down L could double as a 7, which would’ve been perfect. The owner mentioned they were destined for a Dollar Tree but “never made it to their destination,” which we let hang without prying.
Inside the barn the scene was chaotic but fun to browse. A trio of overlapping mirrors stood out — they’d look great painted charcoal or soft gray. The mirror photo even captured a slightly spooky plastic mermaid bust in the background that we hadn’t noticed at first.
We ended up leaving the Ole Sale Barn without purchases, but added it to our mental list of quirky stops. I still regret not improvising that letter into a lucky 7 — such is the hazard of treasure hunting.
Back in Bethany, one of our must-visit shops is Beach Plum Antiques. Don’t be misled by the name — it’s more like a thrift-meets-beach-boutique, overflowing with coastal treasures and vintage finds. We’ve picked up lots of great pieces there over the years.
They had classic seaside items, like these nautical glass buoys, that fit right into a beach house aesthetic.
We also spotted unique pieces like a ship’s throttle — gorgeous, but priced at $395, which curtailed our daydreams about where it might live in our home. After wandering the aisles we left the shop empty-handed but inspired.
Our weekend also included a visit to friends of my parents who had recently finished a major above-garage addition. The new second story added two bedrooms and a bathroom, and the fresh architecture felt both modern and beach-appropriate.
The homeowners had custom stairs fabricated to create a light, open, slightly industrial look. The thin wire sides and pale, gray-washed wood keep the entry feeling airy while still showing warm grain and texture. It’s a great example of subtle, smart beach-house design.
Because the stairs required a small bump-out at the front door, they ended up short on matching floor tiles. Rather than force a patchwork, they designed a mosaic inset using new tiles for the center and the few leftover larger tiles as a border. The result looks intentional and stylish — a clever solution that feels like an intentional design choice instead of a quick repair.
In the upstairs bathroom, Pam had the builder cut larger bathroom tiles into smaller squares for the shower floor when she couldn’t find a coordinating small tile she liked. It’s a bit more work, but it guaranteed a perfect match and kept the overall look cohesive and understated — exactly what you want in a relaxed beach cottage.
We did come home with a small score, spotted thanks to a yard sale sign Sherry noticed after a trip to the playground. A quick drive-by revealed a pair of solid mid-century nightstands in great condition — dovetailed drawers, solid wood, and the perfect height with storage drawers (a welcome upgrade from our temporary side tables).
They were meant to be. The seller had initially asked $30 for both, but we left with them for $22 — $11 apiece. We squeezed them into the car among a baby seat, pack-and-play, and a dog crate, and felt pretty proud of the bargain.
My sister ended up claiming another piece from the same sale — she has a bigger car and a similar taste — so now each of us owns part of what was clearly a mid-century bedroom set. She paid $30 for a larger piece and hasn’t decided where it will live yet, but we’re both amused that we split the set between us.
Of course, the beach was the main attraction for our little beach diva, Clara. She enjoyed sand, surf, and gull-watching — nightstand safely seat-belted beside her on the drive — and didn’t mind the slightly chilly water or the crowds. The cousins dug in the sand and celebrated the end of summer in full spirit.
Is there anything better than a sunny beach day with family? Maybe not — although scoring $11 nightstands comes close. It was nice to step away from projects at home for a few days; a short break always helps us return refreshed and ready for more DIY projects.
What did you do or find over the holiday weekend? We enjoyed getting out, seeing a few inspiring home upgrades, and coming back with small treasures that will feel right at home in our house. And rumor has it the holidays are closer than we think — so summer may be winding down, but the inspiration is just heating up.
Psst — we announced this week’s giveaway winners. Check the original post to see if you’re one of them.