Elizabeth Cook’s practical playbook for thrifting: how she finds vintage, antiques, and designer deals in Atlanta

The useful part

Atlanta thrifting expert Elizabeth Cook shares her best advice on secondhand shopping. Get help Create an account Privacy and Cookies Policy Create an account Welcome! Register for an account your email your username A password will be e-mailed to you.

How it works

• You're stepping into someone's home and getting a glimpse into how they lived.
• She recently purchased her first house and is working to transform it into a dream home on a budget, she says, noting that it includes a mix of thrifted finds, online auction purchases, estate sale...
• We also got her best advice on how to shop without overspending.
• For ceramics and glass, check for chips, cracks, and restoration work.

What to take from it

Sample sales are different because the merchandise is typically new. Atlanta is hard to beat because of its size and inventory turnover. Savannah is another favorite because of its and architecture.

Example or evidence

• As for the future, she hopes to continue building resources that make collecting, decorating, and living beautifully more accessible to everyone.
• Estate sales, auctions, and sample sales—do you have a preference?
• The Columbus, Georgia, native first realized she had a flair for thrifting as a child.
• "My grandmother loved museums and design centers and exposed me to beautiful interiors and decorative arts," she says.

Details worth keeping

Physician Profiles 2026 Top Dentists Sponsored: Atlanta Magazine News/Culture Arts & Events Great Reads World Cup 2026 Atlanta 500 Women Making A Mark 2025-2026 Independent School Guide Food & Drink 75 Best Restaurants 57 Best Bars Best Cheap Eats 123 Things to Eat on Buford Highway 50 Best Tacos Restaurant Reviews Health Health & Wellness Top Doctors Sponsored: Looking back, I realize I received two valuable educations—one in design and the other in the thrill of the hunt." Elizabeth attended Southern Methodist University, where she studied sociology, and later the Parsons School of Design, where she studied accessory design.

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