Out one day on a drive, we came across a house that was being gutted. A mid-century home with these lovely beveled mirrored cabinets standing right out on the sidewalk. Of course, we gently loaded them into the truck and home they went. Then, coincidentally, I saw them in New York Magazine in an advertisement for an antique auction at a prestigious mid-century auction house! Estimated price: $2,500 apiece. I also have a larger table sized piece that's out in the laundry house. Who throws away mid century jewels?
Habitat for Humanity is a great place to look for new or slightly used appliances that have been tested by Habitat and pretty much guaranteed to work properly. Several years ago I got this brand new electric water heater for $59.95!! I believe they retail for between $250 and $350. Its been running now for about 3 years with no problems. Plus, your purchase price goes directly to Habitat to help people get a new home built by Habitat.
Some of the nicest salvage I have found was in the dump on a small island in the Bahamas. The local people crave new items from the mainland and will often dump beautiful cast iron bed frames with elaborate scrollwork and replace the bed with something bought in Miami. I remember when I packed up my shipping container, the locals were horrified at the "junk" I was taking home with me. Lots of ancient ballast jars from 1800's ships, bed headboards, hand carved wooden doors -- I left most of my modern furniture in the house.
If you dare to venture into the local trash dump on your travels to unusual places, you can find some really beautiful treasures among the trash. You will have to pick side by side with the poorest people on earth and there could be danger, but I guarantee you will find cool stuff.
Also, digging around old abandoned shacks will provide you with bottles from the 1800's and early 1900's that were thrown out the back window into the "dump" behind the house.
