
Editor’s Note: Pamela Spanier Gibson, is an interior decorator living in Ashland, OR. In this post, she shares how she shopped at SO Goodwill stores to help transform the historic Voorhies Mansion (Medford) into a Victorian holiday wonderland. To see the mansion in person, visit Edenvale Winery, 2310 Voorhies Rd, Medford, on Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29 for the annual Thanksgiving Holiday Open House from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. In addition to the holiday foods and wine tasting event (tickets sold onsite), there is a free holiday bazaar of home and gift items staged and on display in the private rooms of the Mansion. Come see the Goodwill booth! For more information, call (541) 512-2955
I have to be honest, I never really had shopped at Goodwill stores before this past year. The stores that I preferred were the big name brand department stores. I would get a thrill if I got some discount on a purchase at the store but, more often than not, paid full price on everything. It was at the urgings of my son that I begrudgingly went into the Goodwill store in Medford. In fact, to my utter surprise, I found some great household items including some clothes for myself.
By the time October came around, I was ready to find some great deals and so, Goodwill was my “go-to” spot to shop. I found so many incredible deals for Halloween decorating that I was truly amazed. It was at this time that I became a die-hard Goodwill shopper!
My love of Goodwill shopping came in handy when I was asked to help decorate the Voorhies Mansion in a Victorian theme for the Holidays. The mansion had quite an assortment of decorations but, there were many accents and additional items that were needed to complete the task.
I was pleasantly surprised to find so many perfect accent pieces and additional items such as wreaths, swags and ribbons to help fill-in the needs for the Voorhies interior. Many of the items I purchased from Goodwill were so perfect that I think they found me!
So, the moral of this tale is that Goodwill has changed my views of shopping. I have learned that there are so many fabulous finds at the Goodwill stores that I now prefer to shop there instead of the higher end retail stores. The items I purchase at Goodwill are typically unique and cost me a fraction of what I might have paid at retail.

I had been looking for angels to add to the Voorhies Mansion interior as I believe that they were used often in the Victorian decorating theme. These two matching angels were a true find at the Ashland Goodwill store with each angel priced at 79 cents. They are light weight, flawless and perfect for the space I had envisioned to use them in. I placed each angel on a matching wall sconce with a ribbon to adorn them and viola!

This is one of my favorite “finds” from the Ashland Goodwill store. He is a precious porcelain Russian Soldier with gold inlay that stands about 9″ tall for $6.99. Once I grabbed him and had him in my cart, there were many “admirers” who wished they had snatched him before I did. In fact, he was a topic of much conversation while I was in line to purchase him. I thought he was a perfect fit for the library bookshelf at the mansion as he adds an element of festivity and color to the space. I also picked up the two horns which complement him for $1.99 each.

I bought this Victorian themed Christmas wreath from the Ashland Goodwill for $5.99. It was a perfect fit for the mirror in the Voorhies Mansion Living Room. The only thing I changed on the wreath was to switch the Christmas tree bulbs from the original pinkish colored ones to silver bulbs so that they were coordinated with the Living Room color scheme.

This little “Victorian” box found me at the Ashland Goodwill Store. It was a perfect addition to the mansion. I had some bedazzled fruits that from the mansion itself that needed to be displayed. I was looking for something elegant that would bring in the colors of the living room. As it turns out, the fruits look absolutely perfect in their new home. The cost of the box was $5.99.

This little antique scooter made a cute and festive display for our local historic wine from Edenvale vineyards. The piece is a replica of a scooter from times long ago. This precious accent piece is made of real wood and metal and has a copyright stamp on the underside. I love this unique piece that can be used all year long as an accent piece. I found this gem at the Ashland Goodwill store for $7.99 as the original price tag indicates it was $72.00.

This Vignette is comprised of mostly Goodwill items. The small Christmas tree in the back was purchased for $3.99 and had its own stand however, I placed it inside of the large silver vase to add more elegance to the item. The bowl of silver Christmas ornaments is set in a silver plated bowl that I also purchased from Goodwill for $1.99. This simple yet elegant area totally affordable to everyone’s budget. The white runner was another Goodwill “find” that helps finish the accents and coordinate the silver and white themed space. The runner cost me $.99.