news-record.com

GREENSBORO — If you’re cash-strapped in this lousy economy but still need home furnishings, Eric Woodard is here to help.

In his new book, “Thrifty Chic,” Woodard describes how he bought quality furnishings for his 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment in Greensboro for less than $1,000.

He shared some tips during a recent tour of his apartment.

Step one. Figure out what type of style you want. Woodard, for example, was looking for mid-century modern.

Step two. Take advantage of local thrift stores, bazaars, discount department stores, dollar stores, friends and family, flea markets and store closing sales for best buys.

“With the way the economy is now, a lot of folks still want to live in style, to live well, and this is one way of doing that,” said Woodard, a Wilson native.

As one example, Woodard points to square-shape coffee table, which has graceful curves and simple lines, that he bought for $15 at a Salvation Army in Greensboro.

In the living room, Heywood Wakefield dining chairs surround a Viko Baumritter dining table.

He bought the chairs for $3 each and the table for $25 at Value Village thrift store in Greensboro.

Something to keep in mind: Finding the right furnishings takes some work. And patience.

“It’s not something where you can just walk in the store and plunk your money down and walk out with it,” he said. “You do have to search around a little bit. It takes patience, some perseverance.”

Besides saving a good chunk of change, there’s something else that appeals to Woodard: the thrill of the bargain hunt.

He glances around his bedroom, pointing to a dresser, headboard and other furnishings.

“One hundred and fifty for all of this,” he said, smiling.

“Wow,” I said.

“Yeah. I know!”

You can order the book, which is $33.95, here.

Chakras, Mechelles celebrate anniversary

Chakras (229 S. Elm St.; 272-0862), which offers spa and salon services including massages, is celebrating 10 years at its current location downtown.

Services and products, excluding specials, will be 10 percent off Monday through Saturday.

Mechelles, a boutique next door, is helping Chakras celebrate by offering 10 percent off items Monday through Saturday.

Tuesday Morning opens

Tuesday Morning recently opened its fourth store in the Triad area.

The store is in the Wendover Square shopping center at 4835 W. Wendover Ave. in Jamestown (855-0423).

Boutique celebrates

Just the Thing (108-110 E. Kivett Drive, 884-4214), a seasonal boutique open during the biannual furniture market, is celebrating its 20th year of business in High Point.

The boutique, which sells women’s accessories including clothes, jewelry and handbags, will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a week beginning Wednesday.

Visit shopjustthe thing.com for more information.

Five Below opens store

The discount store chain Five Below recently opened a store in Burlington.

The store sells nothing above — you guessed it — $5.

Five Below is in Alamance West, the second phase of the Alamance Crossing shopping center.

Sales at Furnitureland South in October

Save up to 80 percent on Fridays and Saturdays in October at Furnitureland South (5635 Riverdale Drive, Jamestown; 866-436-8056).

The store is selling thousands of overstocked items including bedroom and dining room furniture and artwork.

Artist studio opens

An artist studio and gallery recently opened in Greensboro.

Uptown Artworks (1007 Arnold St.) near N.C. A&T is for photographers, sculptors, painters and jewelry makers.

Visit uptownartworks.org for more information.

Shop furniture online

Furniture Connection, which closed its store last year, recently updated its website with its remaining inventory.

The business continues to operate through furnitureconnection.com while looking for a new store location, according to owner Tony Wilkins.

You also can get updates at www.facebook.com/furnitureconnection.

Designer Home Warehouse opens store

Designer Home Warehouse has opened a store in Holly Hill Mall in Burlington (584-3944).

Its other store at Burlington Outlet Village remains open.

Designer Home Warehouse sells home decor including bedding, bath and window treatments.

Become Web savvy

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BargainBlog. You also can follow me at www.facebook.com/bargainblog.

Got a tip to share? Let me know by Monday before the Sunday publication date.

Contact Mike Fuchs at 484-1175 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com