I set my sights instead on my basement. Practicing minimalism hasn't quite prevented me from collecting some treasures down there. The trouble with treasure is, if you aren't able to use it, it has no value.
Two years ago I bought this old gun box. I have a thing for boxes. I especially love big chests (get your mind out of the gutter).
This old gun box had been turned into a shelving unit by the person who had it before me, and painted a dark brown.
Also in the basement: table legs and two perfectly good, but out of fashion, stools that I picked up from the curb.
A bit of sanding to remove the paint and suddenly the hand carved celtic cross stood out beautifully.
The cross being on the door meant that when the door was open I wouldn't be able to see the cross. I took the door off, and flipped it.
After adding the legs and a bracket for stability, I had a pretty cool bar! I moved onto painting the bar stools and five hours later, voila!
A breakfast nook from salvaged materials.