Hudson Valley influencer decorates 'Little Boho Cottage' with thrifted treasures
NEW HAMPTON — On a bright and sunshine-y Tuesday, with birds chirping in the background, Kate Callahan’s Little Boho Cottage stands peacefully in the woods. Unassuming on the outside, the cabin's interior is alive with vibrant color and vintage decor.
Callahan, who has lived in the cottage for three years, frequents thrifting stores and antique shops almost every week. She enjoys getting to know people in the stores while thrifting pieces to decorate her 500-square-foot cottage nestled in New York's Hudson Valley.
Each piece she used to decorate the space is a cherished treasure, but few cost more than $10.
"There are so many treasures you can find in thrift stores," She said. "It is such a fun thing to just find all these little pieces that when you bring them together, make a home so cozy."
For Callahan, it not only saves money, but feels good to reuse the pre-loved items.
“I always love thrifting. Every time I move I usually re-thrift everything and hunt for pieces for the new space,” Callahan said. “It’s just so much easier to find things that are good for your space and try to make your existing stuff fit.” Some signature items in her home— a red antique lamp and a painting of a young girl— were passed down from her grandparents, holding memories of her family and a "lovely" childhood.
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Callahan is not just your typical thrifter. She's also a photographer and an up-and-coming social media influencer.
With just under 2,000 followers on Instagram (find her @littlebohocottage), her posts have a wide appeal — garnering hundreds of reactions from likeminded would-be thrifters looking for inspiration. She's more well-known on YouTube, where she has just over 30,000 followers, and more than 2.8 million views overall on her channel.
A recent video takes her audience with her on a thrifting trip to drop off a clothing donation, find a new piece of vintage art for her cottage and other snippets of bucolic life in the Hudson Valley.
Callahan is also a fan of sustainable fashion — she used to thrift all of her clothes. Lately, she's turned to supporting eco-friendly clothing brands as its gotten harder to find what she's looking for on the second-hand market. She's spending more money on her wardrobe, but its worth it to support the environment.
For now, her focus is on her Little Boho Cottage.
The next piece she is hunting for is “perfect” large table on where she can work and paint, which is likely to be an evolution to the entire cottage because every piece in the room is just the right size.
“I’m at capacity now." She said, noting that whenever something new comes in "I have to love it, and I’ll get rid of something else (to make room)."
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Get better at thrifting by shopping often, exploring other states
Callahan said what she has learned over the years is to thrift often and explore thrifting stores in other states to find fresh pieces with a good deal.
If you find a store you like, "pop in as often as possible." She said. "Sometimes you go in, and there's nothing, and sometimes there's just this treasure waiting to be found."
Her best piece of advice: "Thrift as often as you can."
As a photographer, she said she includes thrift store visits in her itinerary for almost every work trip, and even when she goes on vacation. Her favorite stores include Hyde Park Consignments (4291 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park) and Kingston Consignment (66 N Front Street in Kingston).
Read on for some more great thrifting spots for home decor and architectural salvage in, and around, New York.
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Shop architectural salvage and second-hand furniture in NY, NJ, CT and PA
New York Salvage: An architectural salvage warehouse that specializes in pre-1950s finds such as reclaimed wood, windows, lighting and more. Located at 35 Otesgo Street, Oneonta, New York. For more info, call 607-433-9890 or head online to newyorksalvage.net.
Remix Market NYC: With multiple locations, you're sure to find something at Remix Market (you can even shop online or over the phone). Vintage furniture and rare art abound. Located at 5-38 46th Ave. in Queens and 67 35th Street Suite B128 in Brooklyn. For more info, call 929-302-3954, 929-565-7758 or go to remixmarketnyc.com.
Goodwill Clearance Center Rochester: National consignment chain that offers a huge selection of second-hand housewares, furniture and more at great prices. Located at 1555 Jefferson Rd. in Rochester. Head online to goodwillfingerlakes.org or call 800-466-3945 to learn more.
Southern Adirondack ReStore & Habitat For Humanity: Social services organization that offers shoppers the chance to give used and vintage goods a new life. Located at 1373 US-9, Fort Edward, NY. Call 518-793-7484 to learn more or head online to glensfallshabitat.org.
Tiny French Flea: Reminiscent of flea markets in France, you'll find plenty of antiques, chandeliers, garden furniture and more. Located at 430 Nepperham Avenue in Yonkers. Learn more at thetinyfrenchflea.com or call 718- 801-1002.
Salvage Angel By The Sea: Architectural salvage featuring vintage doors, farmhouse sinks and plenty more. Located at 1325 Washington Avenue at, Ridge Ave. in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Salvage Style: An antique furniture store with lots to offer when it comes to mid-century modern detail. Located at 145 Dunnell Rd, Maplewood, NJ. Call 201-921-5112 to learn more.
Olde Good Things: The king of salvage warehouses, they've got pieces of the Waldorf Astoria, the Plaza Hotel, and even JFK Airport's Terminal 8. With locations in NYC (2420 Broadway and 333 W 52nd St.) and Los Angeles (1800 South Grand Ave.), there's plenty to pick through. The company's national warehouses are located in Scranton, Pa. at 400 Gilligan Street and 300 Brook Street, and both are worth the trip. Learn more at ogtstore.com
Mongers Market: Shop for vintage, industrial salvage and antiques in a 75,000-square foot refurbished factory. Pay $3 entry fee, or wait until after 3 p.m. to get in for free. Either way, its worth it. Located at 1155 Railroad Ave. Bridgeport, CT. Call 203-583-5899 to learn more or head to mongers-market.com.
Helu Wang covers development and real estate for The Journal News/lohud and USA Today Network. Reach her at hwang@gannett.com.
Poughkeepsie Journal Photojournalist Patrick Oehler and The Journal NewsEmerging Audiences Editor Ashley Fontones both contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY influencer 'Little Boho Cottage' shares secrets to thrifting
