I love a good bargain, and I spend a lot of time on Finn.no or at other second-hand/thrift stores to see if I can find something I have on my wishlist for a better price.
When buying designer furniture, lamps etc. it´s important to make sure it´s not a replica, so do some research before you buy, so you know what to look for ( labels, serial numbers, quality etc. )

Over the last two years I have done quite a few second-hand finds and with a new house that needed renovation + more furniture because of its size, it was nice to save some money.

Let me share my 10 best second-hand finds with you, so you can see that it´s possible to actually save some money on design furniture/lamps etc.

MY 10 BEST SECOND-HAND BUYS

1. Let´s start with the 4 Ant chair´s from Fritz Hansen, designed by Arne Jacobsen that we in the kitchen (first photo). These chairs where quite old (from 1985) and needed some sanding and paint to look good again. But with the 300 NOK I paid for each chair I think I did a pretty good deal!

2. A few weeks before we moved into our new house, I found this black AJ floor lamp, designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Louis Poulsen. It was in perfect condition, and I couldn´t be happier saving a few thousand Norwegian kroner on a lamp that I´ve had on my wishlist for a very long time.

3. One of my latest finds is this lovely handmade ceramic vase that I found on Fretex for 75 NOK

4. My very first Arne Jacobsen bargain were our two AJ table lamps in white. I bought two for 5000 NOK when we lived in our previous home, and I´m still very happy with my 50% off deal ( that is very rare on these lamps, at least here in Norway ). I know that it´s still much money for a lamp, but these beauties lasts forever  ; )

5. Another great find is the little crystal vase that I found at Maritastiftelsen a while back. It´s so cute, and perfect for my small nightstand. I think I paid 30 NOK for it!

6. As this house is much bigger and a bit darker than or previous house, we needed more lamps. So when I saw the Flos 265 lamp at a good price at Finn.no I could´t resist, as I think this lamp is such a beauty. I saved a little over 2000 NOK on it, which I think is good on a popular design lamp like this one.

7. Books! I have also bought a lot of my books in second-hand stores ( mostly Fretex and Finn.no ).

8. It´s not long ago that I wrote about my new second-hand desk. Buying something with this quality and handicraft today would cost a lot of money. I paid 1000 NOK for this one on Finn.no.

9. The leather Series 7 chairs is my best bargain ever, and I almost feel sorry for the man that sold them to me. I bought two chairs for 4000 NOK (!) , and these chairs costs a fortune new as many of you might know. ( And yes, they are authentic )

10. I´ve also bought a lot of second-hand marble items the last few years. Here you see my salt & pepper and tray. But I have also bought a cute bowl and some napkins rings in marble.

Images: Nina Holst