Lara Spencer has been sharing her love of thrifted finds for years. She wrote a book, I Brake for Yard Sales, chronicling her secondhand shopping secrets; she created and hosted HGTV’s Flea Market Flip, which aired from 2012-2019; and she often shows off her incredible vintage finds on her Instagram, @lara.spencer. Now, the Emmy-award winning anchor and host of Good Morning America is back with another treasure-hunting series, this time in her own backyard of Fairfield County. Lara is the executive producer and host of That Thrifting Show, which premieres on Thursday, March 19 at 9 p.m. on Freeform, with the first six episodes available to stream on Hulu the next day. Each of the 12 episodes of the series features two interior-design duos, who hunt for beautiful, unique vintage and thrift store finds to create a magazine-worthy room, with only two days and a $2,000 budget. Style experts Robert Hartwell, Dani Klaric, and Preston Konrad will judge the thrifted designs. We chatted with her about her new show and what it was like to film it in and around her hometown of Greenwich.
Sara Gaynes Levy: Second-hand finds have been a passion of yours for a long time. How did you first develop your love for vintage and thrifting?
Lara Spencer: I’ve been thrifting and going to yard sales since I was very young. My mom had a great eye and loved hunting for vintage furniture to restore. She would bring me everywhere with her, and that’s really where it all began for me.
SGL: What made you want to bring a new series about thrifting to TV?
LS: I love seeing how into thrifting and upcycling my kids and their friends are. There’s a whole new audience that really understands and respects sustainable design. I also knew the fans of Flea Market Flip would be there. That show was so special. My goal was to create a sister show, but with its own identity and brand.
SGL: That Thrifting Show will really show off Greenwich and Fairfield County. What was it like to make a series like this on your home turf?
LS: It was such a joy to bring viewers to some of my favorite places and highlight the wonderful people who run them. We live in an area where people are incredibly generous with donations of furniture, accessories, and art. That makes these places so fun to shop. I think viewers are going to be amazed by what our teams found and how they transformed those pieces into stunning rooms.
SGL: What were some of your favorite moments from filming?
LS: This series was a joy from start to finish. If I had to choose one, it would be when the producers and crew would gather at the warehouse waiting for the teams to return from their shopping trips. Watching them unload vans filled with furniture, art, and rugs they had scored at local consignment shops and thrift stores was so exciting. We were constantly amazed by their choices.
SGL: What are some of your top tips for knowing if a thrifted item is a worthy purchase, especially for a discerning Fairfield County shopper?
LS: My number one tip is: if it makes you happy and you have a spot for it, buy it. I look for things that are pretty, good quality, and useful. One great lesson I learned from the design teams on TTS is don’t be afraid to let the salesperson know what you are hoping to find and ask if they have anything that might work for that specific look.
SGL: Tell us about your booth, Le Tigre, at Fairfield County Antique & Design.
LS: It’s all about finding great pieces that are unique and tell a story. My partner, Lisa Richardson, and I have been friends since nursery school in Garden City, New York, and our moms taught us everything we know about “the hunt” as they were both avid thrifters. We honor them with our booth filled with pieces we know they would love. Come see for yourself!
SGL: I know your sales there support the North Shore Animal League (@animalleague). How did you get involved with them and why is that organization so close to your heart?
LS: Both of our babies are from there, Riva the retriever mix and Betty the corgi. They do such important work as the largest no-kill shelter in the world for both dogs and cats. Any money donated goes toward rescuing these precious animals until they can find their forever home.
SGL: What are some of your favorite local spots?
LS: I can’t drive on Post Road in Westport without stopping by Furniture on Consignment. The owner Jim is so lovely and very knowledgeable. Other hotspots include the Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop. And auctions are a great resource. I love Modern Day Auctions and Black Rock Galleries.
SGL: How has living in Greenwich influenced your personal home decor philosophy?
LS: I would say it’s made me appreciate so many styles and become more open to trying new things. We have beautiful antique homes alongside clean, modern new builds. This is a town filled with people who have exceptional taste, so it’s always inspiring to see the furnishings and art they choose.
My own home is always evolving, at least a little bit. Amy Hirsch did an incredible job with the interior design when we bought in 2018, and we haven’t touched the design foundation, but I have continued to curate the art and accessories over the years. I would describe my home’s style as transitional with modern finishes. It’s luxe and textural and a little unexpected.
By adding my finds to Amy’s exceptional work, it has made it feel fun, homey, and just perfect for us. And I always follow my own advice. When I find a vintage piece that makes me happy and works in our space, I get it.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
“If it makes you happy and you have a spot for it, buy it.”