This is our home in 2018. It hasn’t changed much as you can see in the photo I just took that shows at the top of the article. We did add a fireplace insert (alas, not 2nd hand). The knitting project is different, and a couple of treasures shifted on the mantel. The rest is pretty much the same. I guess that’s how we like it.
A Second Hand Home
We live in a second hand home; and we're glad about it. Another family cooked in the kitchen, stocked the bookshelves, let their dog in and out, set dirty dishes on the counter, slammed doors, listened to the radio, celebrated birthdays, and did all the good (and, let's face it, sometimes not so good stuff) that happens in a house.
And although we do have some new things, we're pretty happy to furnish our home with hand-me-downs. (Like the folding camping stools of my childhood that serve as our side tables. Like the kitchen table that was a sister's-best friend's-uncle's table. Like the stuffed chairs, dressers, and china cabinets from the homes of grandparents).
We enjoy cast-offs, thrift store finds, and heirlooms. There's WAY too much stuff out there in general, so reusing is practical way to combat the overwhelming tide of waste, but it can also be less expense (and better quality) than new, and it's more exciting to find the right thing, the thing that speaks to you when you know there's not ten thousand more of them in the stockroom of whatever warehouse it just came from. And (if you want another "and") buying second hand from a place like the Habitat Store or Hope Furnishings also does good for the community. Now you're dying to know more.
Still think about these seashell tiles we spotted at Second Use a few years back. Wonder what they’re doing these days.
Local Re-Use/Thrift Spots We recommend
Habitat for Humanity Stores - South Tacoma (also Lakewood, Spanaway, Puyallup)
We’re featuring Habitat today, so you can read all about it below. But these are a few other great local resources to visit!
Bored by boards? Never!
Hope Furnishings - Dome District of Tacoma (also Vancouver) - Purchases at Hope Furnishings support the work of NW Furniture Bank allowing the furniture bank to procure high-demand items for their clients
Second Use Building Materials & Salvage - Downtown/Brewery District of Tacoma (also Seattle)
Earthwise Architectural Salvage - Eastside Tacoma (also Seattle, Aberdeen, Kenmore)
Vessel Vintage Collective - Antique Row Tacoma (once you’re there explore Broadway’s many antique and vintage shops)
Annual Fieldhouse Flea Market - Save a Saturday in March for this annual market organized by the UPS Women’s League and held in the Fieldhouse at University of Puget Sound - It’s on 3/22/25, from 10 am-4 pm this year - check-in on Instagram to keep track of when it’s coming
Tacoma Tool Library - Downtown Tacoma in the Main Brach of the Tacoma Public Library - This is worth exploring if you’re in “project mode” and want to reduce waste and save funds by borrowing tools!
Antiques in Poulsbo - This is further away, but fun for dishware, barware, and collectibles - 19365 Jensen Way NE, Poulsbo - currently open Friday & Saturday
Ballard Reuse - We’ve heard good things about inventory and prices for folks restoring old homes - Ballard
When he clips the tape measure to his jeans you know it’s serious.
This little patio couch—sold as a set complete with cushions and a coffee table—has changed our summer afternoons.
South Tacoma Habitat for Humanity Store
4824 S Tacoma Way
Mon - Sat, 9 am - 6 pm
What Can You Find? Go Look!
Though you can shop at Habitat Stores in Lakewood, Spanaway, and Puyallup too, the STW location is our main squeeze. It’s right across the street from South Park not at all far from Howdy Bagel, Radnor’s, Bluebeard Coffee, The Mule, and The Church Cantina, so you should probably head over there right now and then follow up your thrift exploration excursion with a snack.
We've found everything from a deluxe KitchenAid vent for our gas stove, to beautiful light fixtures that looked like big full moons, to a custom coffee table with drawers that was just so perfect. More recently we brought home a wicker patio couch with an outdoor coffee table to go with it.
We’ve seen: tools, sinks, cabinets, couches, appliances, rugs, dining sets, kitchen stools, framed art, paint, a vintage Schwinn bicycle, a pool table, even a delightful old tea set. What we’re saying is, go browse.
You can also shop online and check their OfferUp page for featured items to get ideas before heading to the store. Follow them on Instagram @habitat_stores where you might see a wicker patio couch just in time to drive over and claim it.
Donations - Here's What You Can Give!
Proceeds from your donated items go into building good, affordable housing for families in the community we share (and they're tax deductible, so that's nice too). Habitat also wants you to consider "by donating items, you are providing our community with a source of low-cost goods while also reducing the quantity of material going into landfills."
Drop donations off in South Tacoma, Lakewood, or Puyallup. Or schedule a free pick-up if that works better for you.
I will always be glad we stopped by the day this odd, slightly nautical coffee table (that reminds me of my dear neighbor from growing up) was for sale.
Habitat is always accepting donations, such as:
furniture (no rips)
tools (working condition)
cabinets
sinks & vanities
doors & windows
lighting
appliances (working condition, all parts - please call)
household items (dishes, art, and decor)
antiques & collectibles
Also take a look at what not to donate.
Good luck on your search, or in your sorting!
Interested in helping out? You can work on a build site or volunteer at one of the stores. It’s been too long for us! Must be time to get back out there.
What is Habitat for Humanity?
If you're motivated by that bit about your purchase doing good for the community, you'll want to know what Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity does to begin with. Habitat for Humanity believes everyone deserves a decent place to live. A big part of what Habitat does is build houses. What's unusual is that these homes are built by volunteers working alongside the family who will occupy and own the home. Families apply for a Habitat home and are accepted based on need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner (this means 200+ hours of sweat equity into the building of their home and community).
What else is good about these houses? Habitat builds with a focus on environmental sustainability. They go above and beyond many energy efficiency standards, and 98% of building material and waste created by clearing land debris is recycled. Talk about a holistic approach.
Each Habitat Home is built with and for a specific homeowner/family who puts in time helping with the build and developing skills and confidence through the process.
Learn more about Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat:
Along with building houses, Habitat focuses on helping keep people in homes with housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, and renovations to support people who want to age in place. Take a look at where our local Habitat communities are and read more about the vision.
Local Habitat Neighborhoods
The Vision
How Can you Help? Volunteer:
work on a new build (where you help raise a brand new home from the ground up)
lend a hand in a Habitat home renovation (these especially focus on allowing elders to age in place)
join a Women Build day
do a furniture build with a group - together you’ll assemble brand new furniture to sell in the store
KEEP IN TOUCH ABOUT TACOMA LIFE, COMMUNITY, EVENTS, HOMES, AND A BIT ABOUT US.
