If you’ve ever seen anything in my home, then you know that I love old finds. Junkin’, antiquing and scoping out yard sales and thrift stores has long been a favorite pastime of mine. Finding old treasures is a way that I can connect me and my family to memories of yesteryear.

Like this armoire I found not too long ago. I just love it. I was lucky enough to find it in one of my favorite antique stores in Savannah, Peridot Antiques. It’s believed to be an early 19th century piece, and all four of its sections sit at just over 10 feet tall.

But antique shopping can be a little tricky if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Here are some simple rules that I follow.

Think Outside the Box
This armoire was originally probably used to keep pieces of clothing, or personal objects of the original owner. When I bought it, it had been restored some years ago to be used as an entertainment center for a TV and other electronics. I didn’t like either of those ideas though. I thought it was such a unique and wonderful piece, that I wanted to show it off in my living room and keep some personal treasures in it, like my collection of seashell soup tureens.

Look for Quality
Sometimes it’s hard to find a quality deal when you’re going through old antiques. If you stick to sturdy and solid woods, you’ll have a better chance of finding furniture pieces that will last you for the long haul.

Small Fixes Make a Big Difference
Because I knew that I didn’t want to leave this piece closed very often, I didn’t want to have to stare at the back of it if we left it plain. I silver leafed the back to make it more interesting, but if you don’t have silver leaf, a metallic spray paint or interesting fabric will work just as well. A lamp inside really sets off the shine. I also removed some of the wooden shelves and replaced them with glass ones. If you have a similar piece in your home and don’t want to work with glass, you could try painting or covering the wooden shelves.

The next time you find yourselves at a flea market, estate sale, or thrift shop, I encourage y’all to think about ways that these special finds can warm and enrich your own homes. Don’t be afraid to mix things up, and do something unexpected!