BY MARIS CALLAHAN
I love the idea of purchasing you love recycled or up-cycled home goods that have vintage charm and character, but antiquing takes a lot of time energy — and sometimes money and Craig’s List? Well, let’s be honest with each other here and admit that while there might be an occasional diamond in the rough, most of the listings are probably better suited for a dumpster than your living room.
Enter, bethieb.com, an online shop that provides buyers and sellers with a unique place to discover (and sell) quality items that will help make homes unique. All of the items are carefully curated bethie b. staff to ensure all items fit our style criteria. The sellers of the items set their own prices, with a recommend 20-50% discounted rate based on the quality, uniqueness and length of time of ownership.
“We’ve had multiple clients let us know how helpful the service is to easily find great, unique items in their area without traveling all over the city or sorting through a ton of listings on Craigslist or auction sites,” said founder Meg Goldberg.”It also helps people find new stores in their area that focus on refurbished and interesting interiors so they easily find great items in their own neighborhoods.”
bethie b., which is the namesake of Goldberg’s mother, Beth, offers everything from original and recycled artwork, home décor and contemporary antiques to bigger pieces like armchairs, sofas and office equipment. Most items are from Chicagoland shops, including Casa Couture, Praha and Brimfield.
For a limited time, clients and small businesses can list their items for free, but eventually the site will charge $10 per listing, with a portion of that fee donated a new charity each month. To shop on the site, prices aren’t exactly low (prices run the gamut from ) but competitive with modern antiques. 
Goldberg has been shopping vintage herself, her favorite piece being a garage sale find: an armchair that she purchased for just $5.00.
“It was super sturdy and great quality, but definitely needing reupholstering – it was crushed green velvet when we bought it,” said Goldberg. “I’d been dying for a bold black & white striped statement piece in my living room – so I had it custom reupholstered by none other than bethie b. herself. ”
Goldberg and her mother have always been passionate about finding amazing, unexpected items and repurposing quality goods to make their homes unique
“I’m quite lucky to have been inspired throughout my life by mom’s talents, which include custom slip-covering, reupholstering, refurbishing, decorating, custom pillow-making and gardening,” said Goldberg. “One of the biggest inspirations so far has been her goal to live simply and originally.”
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