Just as we did over Memorial Day, we used the long Labor Day weekend to squeeze in a few days at my parents’ beach house near Bethany Beach, Delaware. The trip was full of family, food, and fun discoveries. We love sharing vacation recaps—what we saw, what we bought—and this time we actually scored two fairly big items we’d been hunting for.
Our weekend began with a stop in Maryland. Specifically, here:
It’s the Ole Sale Barn in Denton, MD. We’ve driven past it dozens of times on the way to the beach and finally had the right mix of weather, holiday timing, and baby naps to stop. We were greeted by some delightfully bizarre items—starting with an oversized metal chicken that made us laugh out loud. If you’re unfamiliar with the reference, there’s a funny story online that explains why we shouted “Beyoncé.”
The oddities didn’t stop there. Clara was inexplicably fascinated by a row of lawn jockeys. Maybe she liked being taller than them—like a mini Where’s Waldo? moment, except it was Find Clara.
Among the chaos were some cool pieces. We spotted what looked like heavy patio table tops or grate covers that would make striking wall art if you don’t mind the weight.
I was completely obsessed with a set of white-and-gold illuminated sign letters. The seller priced them at $20 a piece and said they were meant for a store but “never made it to their destination.” I considered flipping an L upside down to create a 7 (it would’ve been perfect), and still regret not taking one home.
Inside the barn the jumble intensified, but there were gems to be found. A trio of overlapping mirrors caught our eye; painted a soft gray or charcoal they’d be beautiful. The photo even unintentionally captured a creepy plastic mermaid bust in the reflection—Mer-ghost energy.
We left the Ole Sale Barn empty-handed but amused, and I was still bummed I hadn’t grabbed one of those letters to make our lucky 7.
Back in Bethany, one of our favorite stops is Beach Plum Antiques. Don’t let the name fool you—it’s more thrift store than formal antique shop, and it’s packed with beachy treasures. We’ve shared finds from this place before and always enjoy poking around their overflowing racks.
They had nautical pieces like glass buoys that feel right at home by the shore…
…and unexpected finds, like an amazing ship’s throttle that would’ve been perfect for a nautical vignette—if it weren’t priced at $395. That one stayed behind, and we left without purchases that trip too.
Besides shopping, we visited friends of my parents who had just finished an above-garage addition. The new second story added two bedrooms and a bathroom, including fresh architectural details that felt modern and beach-appropriate. The peak on the left side of their house with the double window was brand new.
They installed custom stairs with an open, industrial look. The thin wire sides and a gray-washed light wood kept the entry feeling airy while still warm. Because the stairs meet the door, they designed them to be visually unobtrusive so your eye travels through the hallway into the living room.
When they bumped the front door out a few feet to accommodate the new stairs, they didn’t have quite enough matching tile to fill the new floor space. Instead, they created a mosaic inset using new tiles, and used the remaining larger tiles as a border. The result looked intentional and elegant—far from the “we ran out” solution it actually was.
For the upstairs bathroom, Pam couldn’t find small tiles she liked for the shower floor. Her builder cut the larger bathroom tiles into smaller squares for the shower, ensuring a perfect match and a clean, cohesive look that suits a relaxed beach house.
The weekend did yield a small treasure thanks to a yard sale sign Sherry spotted on our way back from the playground. We did a quick drive-by and found a pair of vintage nightstands from the 50s or 60s—solid wood with dovetail joints. They were exactly what we needed: taller nightstands with drawers, not the squat side tables we’d been using.
They were meant to be. The seller originally asked $30 for both, but Sherry negotiated and we walked away paying $11 each. We squeezed one into the trunk and one in the back seat among the baby seat, pack-and-play, and dog crate. For $11 apiece you can’t complain.
My sister, who had a bigger car, ended up returning to the sale and buying a matching dresser for $30. Now we each own part of the same mid-century bedroom set. She isn’t sure where it will live yet, so I’m secretly hoping we’ll inherit it someday—happy to pay $30 for it if that’s what it takes.
Of course Clara got her beach time. She’s a true beach diva and didn’t miss out on sand and surf—nightstand buckled into the car next to her for the ride home was a nice touch.
The water was chilly and the beach was a bit crowded after the storm, but Clara and her cousins didn’t care. They partied in the sand, wrapped up summer, and enjoyed plenty of seagull-spotting and enthusiastic “birdieeee!” shouts.
Is there anything better than a sunny day on the beach with family? Maybe the thrill of scoring $11 nightstands. Mostly kidding. Kind of.
What did you do or buy this weekend? It felt great to get away, relax, and come back refreshed—and ready to tackle more DIY projects. With summer winding down, we’re suddenly reminded that the holidays come sooner than you think.
Psst—We announced this week’s giveaway winners. Check your inbox to see if you’re one of them.