Okay, so the series of books I’m going share this week aren’t really bargain books per se, but rather books that show you how to bargain some good design ideas. The first book I want to share is Amy & David Butler’s Found Style, Vintage Ideas for Modern Living.

I think there’s a lot of good inspiration here and a lot of useful suggestions for ‘found stuff’. I quite like this design manifesto – turning something mundane into something unexpected. And I also like the green, recycling aspect of this idea. An old shoe rack turned into sewing kit. A medical table gets a new life as receptacle for bathroom accessories. A vintage dress form serves as a spot to hang and display your favorite bags (I have one of these and love it!).

David and Amy Butler have exquisite (and really fun) taste and a unique approach to creating spaces that are undeniably stylish. They also do a great job of educating us in flea market savvy, and blending vintage and modern with unexpected panache without being too fussy or cluttered. There’s also a sense of humor, or of not taking oneself too seriously here that I like.

Found Style is the perfect guide to creating an eclectic personal style, and with over 200 color photos, there’s something here for every taste. Some of it may look a bit shabby chic, but I think if you put your own spin on found objects it’ll work for you, no matter what your style.

I am a big fan of the found object, as you are probably finding out. Here’s a few of my latest finds: a bolt of vintage fabric from the flea market and a pink throw from a shop going out of business (1/2 off!); an old finial used as mantel decor next to some teak candlesticks; a vintage throw pillow; my faithful deer planter used as a mini book holder; vintage photo of a misbehaving child in an ornate, white frame; and some white Gerber Daisy’s in my new birch bark vase from Small Stump. Now it’s your turn for hunt and seek. Have fun!