After years of apartment living, I finally settled down this summer and purchased a townhouse with Harold, my boyfriend of almost six years. Unfortunately, most of our furniture pieces were holdouts from the College Era -- think rickety futons and TV trays.

Always ready for an excuse to shop, I decided our home decor needed to grow up, and planned a trip to Sarasota's antique district with my good friend Dustin.

With limited budget ($200 for this trip) and finicky aesthetic (mid-century modern styles are my favorite), I hit the road in search of bargains.

A quick cruise down I-75 brought Dustin and I to the Fruitville Road exit. We headed west, on the lookout for thrift stores.

Our first stop, which will go unnamed, offered up a disappointing selection of overpriced objet d'art. But it was not entirely fruitless, for there we met a kind lady (later nicknamed "The Prophet") who pointed us toward Sarasota Architectural Salvage on Central Avenue.

Jackpot!

The view from the S.A.S. parking lot revealed a courtyard full of huge wrought-iron gates, concrete pedestals and fountains, oversized pottery vases, stone pineapples, old metal signs and every other item you'd imagine could be stripped from a doomed building, including the casing from an old phone booth and the proverbial kitchen sink. Several sinks, in fact.

The Prophet had guided us well.

Moving inside the warehouse area, our pulses raced as we struggled to take in the sights. Stained glass windows, decorative tiles, giant wooden wine racks, endless rows of doors (and furniture made out of doors), giant letters salvaged from old signs ... nearly endless decorative possibilities.

Bound by my budget to avoid some of the large furniture and stained glass, I finally settled on an 18-inch white metal star with removable red plastic face, formerly part of a neon-lit sign.

(Once home, a little elbow grease, spray paint and rope lighting transformed my $30 treasure into an awesome, one-of-a-kind, freestanding patio light.)

If you’re looking for funky furnishings or truly unique design elements, a visit to this salvage yard is downright mandatory. The employees are extremely helpful and friendly, and their selection is mind-blowing. Check them out at 1093 Central Ave. in Sarasota. 

For more information, visit www.sarasotasalvage.com or call (941) 362-0803.