Find your own piece of treasure for just the right price

(NC) Everyone loves a great find to accent rooms in the home. Locating just the right piece, or discovering something fascinating you had never thought of when decorating, brings a sense of pride and accomplishment.

And great finds keep us coming back for more.

In 2012, an American named Leroy learned a painting he'd bought for just $3 at a thrift store was actually a circa 1650 Flemish piece, worth $190,000.

Many of us are captivated with television shows like American Pickers, Storage Wars, and Antiques Roadshow, based on the idea that hidden treasures are out there waiting for us to discover. But how do we find them?

Here are some tips to create your own treasure trove:

• Do your research and plan ahead when visiting yard or estate sales. Go first thing in the morning to nab great items – or end of day when sellers are motivated to clear any leftovers.

• Look for treasure, ditch the trash. Make a list of items you need and know your décor style so you can purchase pieces which fit with your home. Keep an open mind and don't be afraid to mix and match different designs or styles in your home. Examine furniture to see if it could be upcycled.

• Shop often to take advantage of new deliveries at thrift stores. For home décor, all of the ReStores of home-building organization, Habitat for Humanity, stock unique pieces you can't necessarily find anywhere else – and the proceeds of what you buy go to charity. You can find a ReStore in your community at www.habitat.ca/restore.

• When it comes to items such as cameras, electronics or lamps, try before you buy to ensure the items are in good working order.

• Bring a set amount of cash to spend and leave your cards at home. Shopping with cash means you'll be more selective with your purchases. When the cash has gone, that's your cue to leave.

• When hunting for antiques, determining their authenticity can be a challenge. Bring your smart phone to search up an item, as well as compare an image to the original. Examine whether your vintage item looks like it was handcrafted or assembled in a factory. Does it have a stamp from the maker, or is the amount of wear and tear consistent with its age?

While our finds might not be as valuable as Leroy's, just knowing that the next great find for our home is out there somewhere, really does keep us searching. You, too, can find the intersection where price and desire perfectly collide.

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