Beach Weekend and Thrift Store Finds in Rehoboth
Remember when we mentioned earlier this week that we were slowing down to spend time with family? We actually escaped to John’s parents’ beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware for a long weekend of rest and low-key fun. The guest bedroom stayed much the same while we were away, but we stocked up on fresh air, long walks, seafood, and a little thrift-store treasure hunting. One especially warm day we even took Clara down to the beach (it hit the mid-60s on Monday), so we thought we’d share some of the highlights from our trip.
Our first stop was one of our favorite secondhand shops in Bethany, Beach Plum Antiques. The shop is full of interesting vintage pieces and budget-friendly finds that are perfect for small makeovers or accent upgrades.
A few items immediately caught my eye: these woven lamps priced at $10 each. I imagined spray-painting one in a bright canary yellow or emerald green to shift it from rustic beach style to something bold and cheerful.
I also loved a large woven ottoman that would make an excellent casual coffee-table substitute or extra seating for a relaxed living room.
There was a charming bench priced at $20 that reminded us of a previous thrift-store bench makeover we tackled—simple pieces with the right finish can feel brand new.
A side table marked just $5 was another standout. I would have taken two if a matching pair had been available for the bedroom, but there was only one, so I passed this time.
What I did buy was a geometric eight-sided mirror for $5. It was an impulse purchase—so good I didn’t haggle the owner down further. I’m excited to paint it a glossy, vibrant color—lime or plum are top contenders—and use it as an accent piece.
We also wandered the Rehoboth boardwalk and popped into several shops. One surprising find was an extra-large calendar full of vintage map prints. At first it looked like a $20 purchase, but when we flipped through it, we realized each print would cost around $1.60—an incredible deal for framing and creating a cohesive gallery wall.
I also grabbed a paper lantern pendant for the playroom. It was $18, which felt reasonable compared with the effort of DIY-ing a painted lantern from a plain white one. With a $5 light kit, the pendant gives us a new, smile-inducing fixture for about $24 total—a worthwhile, time-saving buy.
We hit more thrift and antique stores, including Millsboro Bazaar Antiques, where quirky finds abound.
I found two ceramic horse bookends for $2.50 each. Their orange-and-black glaze is a little wild, but a fresh coat of spray paint—white, navy, or yellow—could give them a new life on a shelf.
We spotted some novelty pieces too, like a frog-shaped butler figurine that was delightfully over-the-top and a fun reminder of offbeat decor moments from TV shows. There was also a whimsical statue priced around $15 that I liked, but John wasn’t as sold on it.
Another playful item was a $22 stuffed bear head designed to hang on the wall. It was tempting for a themed nursery or playroom, but we left it for someone who wants a woodland vibe.
I did grab a $12 luggage rack that seemed perfect for the guest room refresh. After a little negotiation I paid $10. We plan to replace the ribbon across it and decide on the final color, but it’s already a useful addition.
We popped into Goodwill for fun but didn’t come away with anything. That said, there were some inexpensive, practical pieces like a $2 decorative bowl that would be perfect for holding jewelry or other small items on a dresser.
We also found a glass container for $1—the exact same style we used previously to make a Thanksgiving “Thanks” jar. Little repeats like that are oddly satisfying and useful for future projects.
Another two-dollar bowl would be handy for keys, jewelry, or even that small collection of spare buttons you keep just in case. It’s one of those thrifty purchases that ends up being surprisingly functional.
Of course, the best part of the trip was beach time with Clara. We captured a few moments of simple family joy: beanarina and daddy smiling together, Clara proudly showing off her two new front teeth, and her tentative but delighted first digs in the sand.
All in all, it was a restorative weekend filled with sunshine, family moments, and plenty of secondhand inspiration. We kept a $100 budget for thrifting and shopping and came home with a dozen items—more if you break one purchase into multiple pieces like the calendar prints we plan to frame individually. We’ll share a full rundown of everything we bought and how we plan to use it soon.