The Lakehouse That Thrift Built

A collected home, built one treasure at a time.

Welcome to The Lakehouse That Thrift Built — our future lake house on Lake Bridgeport and one of the most personal projects I’ve ever taken on.

The funny thing is, the house isn’t built yet. It is designed and ready to break ground but won’t start until fall 2026.

But I’m already collecting for it and have inspiration for each room.

I’ve been collecting vintage art, furniture with good bones that I can reupholster, beautiful textiles, baskets, pottery and those one-of-a-kind pieces that make me stop in my tracks and think, I have no idea where I’m going to put this, but I’m not leaving without it.

As an interior designer and lifelong treasure hunter, I’ve always believed the most interesting homes aren’t decorated all at once. They’re collected over time.

And that’s exactly what I want for this house.

I want our lake house to feel relaxed, layered and personal—a mix of old and new, high and low, thrifted and carefully chosen. A home filled with pieces that have a story rather than rooms filled with things bought all at once.

So I’ve given myself a challenge:

How much of our lake house can I furnish and decorate with thrifted/consignment items, vintage and repurposed finds?

The house is coming, but the treasure hunting has already begun.

And I’m taking you along for all of it.

Follow the journey on Instagram

I’ll be sharing the build, the design decisions, my thrifting adventures, the treasures I find, the pieces I transform and, eventually, where everything ends up in the finished lake house.

Follow @ruthiedesigner
#TheLakehouseThatThriftBuilt