Cache rewards

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 3, 2005 | by CAROL McGRAW THE GAZETTE

You've spent hours at the store, searching for that one special item to give your home decor a unique touch.

And then you notice that everyone in the checkout has one, too. Even worse, when you get it in your living room, your neighbors and friends join in a rousing chorus of "oh, yeah, I have one just like it at home."

Maybe it's time to shop off the beaten path, a tactic that can be creatively exhilarating -- and even save you money.

We've scouted the territory and come up with some out-of-the-way places to inspire you. Our searches turned up green clawfoot tubs, almost new purple sinks and trendy kitchen counter tops at four bucks a foot.

Use them for their intended purpose or, even better, invent something new out of others' discarded junk. Used window casings as picture frames. Old doors for desk tops. Wrought iron for wall hangings. Army missile cones for planters. Let your imagination be your guide.

And happy hunting.

DECORATING ON A DIME

701 County Line Road

Palmer Lake

559-1220

This 4-year-old business is the place to come for designer- quality furniture and accessories at below-retail price.

Owner Karen Jones, who decorates model homes and has won numerous awards for her work with the Parade of Homes, says she can offer low prices because the rent on the warehouselike space is so cheap. She started the shop in her basement for her own customers and eventually opened this version for the public.

Customer Suzanne Drumm was there recently, "poking around to see what's new." She and a friend have been here at least a dozen times and have bought a leather sofa, chair and custom drapes. "I've found the merchandise wonderful and prices cheaper than the Springs," Drumm said.

At least she found it. The question would-be customers ask Jones most often via telephone is: "Where the heck are you?" Even MapQuest has the store pinpointed on the wrong side of I-25, Jones says.

The easiest route is to take exit 163 off I-25 and go west 2.2 miles to the big green 701 County Line Road sign. Turn left into the parking lot. If you cross the railroads tracks, you've gone too far.

Park in the dirt lot, then pick up a clipboard and a card at the door to write down your selections.

The warehouse is set up like a showroom, filled with luscious Tuscany and French country furniture, and unusual knickknacks.

We spied an ornate Asianstyle lamp for $80, a stunning sunflower print for $524 ($75 less than the price advertised in a trendy catalog); wrought iron grates converted to wall hangings for $60; a 6-foot-tall by 6-foot-long oak display case for $718; a side table with a checkerboard printed on top for $70; and rustic candle holders for $8.

ReSTORE

411 S. Wahsatch Ave.

Colorado Springs

667-0840

You might not be as lucky as the guy who purchased a huge, heart- shaped spa and trucked it to his home in Mexico, but there is always something fun or useful to be had here.

The store, which opened a year ago, is run by Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit group that uses donated goods and volunteers to build homes for the needy.

The store raises funds for Habitat projects by selling donated and overstocked items for the home. On any day you can find homeowners and contractors shopping for nails, paint or light fixtures.

On a recent day, customer Don Schmalz was looking for tin to fix up a horse trailer. "I come here a lot. I like the prices and the odds and ends."

That day, the 12,000-square-foot warehouse had shelves stocked with Olympic paint for $5 a gallon, doorknobs for $2.50, 8-foot pieces of molding for 50 cents, wallpaper for $3 a roll, electric light plates for 15 cents and antiquelike glass tulip light fly- strikes for 50 cents.

Manager John Veteto is often amazed at the items that are donated. His favorite is four complete, packaged solar hot water heating systems.

USE AGAIN BUILDING MATERIALS

506 W. Cucharras St.

Colorado Springs

473-2150

In an office cozily heated by a wood stove, you'll find manager Rick -- who uses only his first name, even on his business cards. He'll help if you are looking for something special.

But actually, you won't need much direction. For a salvage yard, this one has the flotsam nicely organized.

"If you can't find it, I can't sell it," Rick says.

Rows and rows of toilets are lined up like works of art, and there's a designated lumber yard were used wood in good condition can sell for less than half of retail. There were sliding glass windows for $5; old pedestal sinks, $125; a green clawfoot bathtub, $300; countertops, $4 a foot; toilet tank tops, $10; and the proverbial kitchen sink, $75.

The easiest way to find the place is to take Colorado Avenue west from downtown, turn left on Walnut Street and make a right on Cucharras. The salvage yard is on the right.

One word of advice: Be careful not to trip over the appropriately scruffy junkyard dogs and cats lazing around.

HILLSIDE ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE

1006 S. Institute

Colorado Springs

209-1366 or 520-9463

There's an amazing array of salable salvage scattered across the four acres of this demonstration garden center. But the military missiles fashioned into tiki torches and the rocket nozzles that serve as planters really stand out.