Homeowner stunned after spotting valuable item on neighborhood curb: 'That's amazing'

A midcentury modern design fan with a sharp eye spotted a great furniture find in, of all places, their neighbor's garbage.

They shared a photo of the piece, which they identified as a Franco Albini "lobster trap" rattan ottoman, on the r/Mid_Century subreddit. 

"I found this on the curb," they boasted, adding, "I've seen lots of them on midcentury Instagram accounts. Never thought I'd find one in my neighbor's garbage."

Commenters were envious of the unassuming find. 

"I have been on the hunt for an unpainted Albini ottoman for years now! Nice find!" one person enthused.

"That's amazing!" another echoed. "Crazy what people toss."

The items that end up in thrift shops, dumpsters, and curbside piles have been known to include everything from high-end furniture to gaming consoles, designer clothes and accessories, and more. Fellow thrifting enthusiasts on Reddit have shared about finding anything from a coveted full Le Creuset dinner set for $80 to a vintage watch that cost $1 — and ended up being worth over $1,000.

Occasionally, as with this find, a rare item could end up being worth a good amount of money. Some people even find cash in their secondhand goods. But even when it comes to daily essentials, buying secondhand is an excellent way to acquire high-quality items for less.

Even better, choosing to buy pre-owned items is an excellent way to keep your dollars out of the disastrous fast fashion industry. Doing so also keeps those items out of the landfill, where they end up polluting the water, air, and soil over time as they shed microplastics and other chemicals. 

From upcycling old sheets into tablecloths to using a vintage soda crate to display glassware, there are endless ways to repurpose favorite finds. 

One Redditor had an innovative idea for the ottoman: "If you don't use as an ottoman, take to a lighting gallery and have a high foyer or dining room chandelier made," they suggested.

Should it be illegal to throw away old clothes? Heck yes 👍 No way 👎 I'm not sure 🤷 Only if it's free to recycle them 🤌 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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