Book Review – Flea Market Fabulous: Designing Gorgeous Rooms with Vintage Treasures

Oh boy, where do I even begin with this one? Flea Market Fabulous: Designing Gorgeous Rooms with Vintage Treasures by Lara Spencer is the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to turn their home into a boho chic paradise, but doesn’t quite know where to start.

I was already a huge fan of Lara Spencer from her time on HGTV’s Flea Market Flip, but this book just took it to the next level. The nine different rooms she showcases are all unique, but they all have one thing in common: they are all breathtakingly gorgeous. I mean, she’s basically the Queen of flea market finds and the way she brings everything together is just magic.

I was especially impressed with the step-by-step process she walks us through. She starts with identifying the design dilemma, then comes up with a decorating plan, makes a mood board for inspiration, compiles a shopping list, and finally scours flea markets for furniture and accessories that fit the bill. And let me tell you, this woman knows how to shop!

She even takes the time to restore and repurpose the pieces she finds, giving them new life. This is one of the things I love most about flea market finds – not only are you giving your home a unique touch, but you’re also being environmentally friendly by giving a second life to old items.

And the before, during, and after photos of the DIY projects and room installations? Pure gold. Lara demystifies the decorating process and allows you to see just how easy it can be to create a beautiful space with secondhand finds.

So, if you’re looking to add some vintage flair to your home and want to see just how gorgeous flea market finds can be, then Flea Market Fabulous is a must-read. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

P.S. I’ve already started planning my mood board for my next flea market haul. I’ve got my eye on a vintage bar cart and a mid-century modern lamp that would look perfect in my living room. I can’t wait to see what kind of magic I can create!

Okay, this might be one of the coolest recycled craft ideas I’ve seen in a long time. If you’re into vintage typewriters and also love tinkering with tech, this USB Typewriter project is a brilliant mash-up of both worlds.

Basically, the idea is to take an old manual typewriter—you know, the clunky, charming kind with the click-clack keys—and turn it into a working USB keyboard. Yes, it actually connects to your laptop or tablet, and yes, it totally works. Talk about breathing new life into a piece of the past!

The project involves a special kit that includes a sensor board (to pick up your key presses), a USB interface board (to connect it all to your computer), and some reed switches (those help with the Shift, Space, and Return keys). There’s even a version of the kit that doesn’t require any soldering, so you don’t need to be an electronics wizard to pull it off.

I’d say this falls into that sweet spot of “advanced beginner” when it comes to skill level. If you’re comfortable using basic tools and following clear instructions, you could absolutely tackle this over a weekend. It’s a bit of a commitment, but honestly? The final result is SO worth it.

What I love most is how this blends sustainability with creativity—you’re upcycling a piece of history and turning it into something totally functional for modern life. Whether you use it for writing, coding, or just showing off at your local café, it’s a fun and eco-friendly DIY electronics project that’ll definitely turn heads.

If you’re passionate about recycled crafts or you’ve got an old typewriter gathering dust, this project might just be your next favorite weekend hobby. I’m already on the hunt for my next vintage find to transform! See the full tutorial here.

Have you read?