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Monday, April 13, 2015

BETTER THAN CRAIGSLIST FIND


So you guys know I'm supposed to be working on my bedroom for the One Room Challenge, but things come up, and I get distracted and project hop.

Last week after picking up the kids from school, we turned on a street we don't normally drive down in the neighborhood to drop a friend off at home.  And it was big trash day. And I spied a pretty chest amid a pile of boxes on a curb.

We took our friend home, and I circled back around the block to get a better look.  After hopping out to take a look, I wrangled my daughter into helping me hoist it into the back of the truck (it was HEAVY for these two girls!).  Thus, the better than Craigslist... it was FREE!





I can tell it's old, antique, and a friend from Instagram suggested it might be a German design.  There was a box on top filled with a marble slab all wrapped up that fits across part of the top, but it was broken and only 1/2 of it was there.  The back half of the top has a wood piece across it, and it looks like there was something attached there at one time, but it's missing, too.  Also, the two back wheels were broken, but those are are pretty minor things.  



I originally stopped to look because my parents and sister have booths where they re-sell furniture, but by the time I got it loaded up I knew I'd be keeping it.  The handles and detail on the front are gorgeous.  It just needs a light sanding and re-coat of stain to restore it, and I think I'll pop what's left of the top off and replace it with a piece of marble for the entire top.  The front wheels that were ok are wooden casters, so I'm not sure if I'll replace the back ones or just remove them all.  

So, I've spent the past few days searching town for a marble remnant that won't break the bank.  Not much luck at stone yards, but I think I've come up with a solution.  Stay tuned...

I've had an eye out to replace this small dresser that's been in the living room, 



and I think this is just the piece.  I was ready to put a wood piece back in amidst all of the other painted furniture in the room.   A vision is forming in my head to make this corner really special.  I'm thinking something along these lines...


via

Collins Interiors

via

West Elm

I wish I was as talented as my friends Sarah and Julia at DIYing an abstract painting, but I might have to play around with it anyway and see what I can come up with.  

That's what happening, although I really need to get busy on something for my bedroom for this week.  Haven't done a thing since last week!  What do you think of my curbside find?


**EDITED... click here to see this piece refinished!**

Would you like to comment?

  1. Julia @cuckoo4designApril 13, 2015 at 6:25 AM

    It is gorgeous. Love the handles

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  2. That it such a gorgeous piece...and for FREE! I love it when that happens!

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  3. I think it'll be beautiful in your home! Love mixing painted pieces with wood pieces! What a find.
    I was just out last weekend when my sweet hubby saw a chair on the side of the road. I asked him to go back around the block since it was a one way and I didn't really see the chair sitting there. We rode back by and I saw the beautiful cane back and carved detail. Someone had sat in the cane seat that was too big for the chair. It was totally busted through. I snatched it up and put it in the back seat. In the process of making a solid seat and upholstering it now!! I love it... See it on my ig account.
    Betsy Gordon
    West of the Square Designs

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  4. What a great find!! Can't wait to see your solution for the top! Thanks for the link, you are too sweet!! I've been LOVING Julia's recent paintings!!

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  5. What a pretty find Jennifer...that would have come home with me too! LOVE those pretty handles and love your inspiration photos!

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  6. What a great find! Can't wait to see how you fix it up!

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  7. An awesome free find! I can't believe what people get rid of - but I'm happy they do and that the right people with vision find them. I love dressers with carved handles like this one. It's going to be so pretty redone.

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  8. If you're still interested in using a marble remnant, check with Sarah at WarHall Designs (330.0907). Since I'm still on maternity leave, I don't know what inventory we have right now... but we usually have some marble, and Sarah should know if we have something that could work for you.

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  9. margaret schomakerApril 13, 2015 at 8:10 AM

    Gorgeous! Hubby was here when I opened your blog today, and I showed him your beautiful piece. He said he would have stopped and brought it home, too! I was reading part of your post, and he burst out with " She can get new casters at Rockler.com. " Then he looked it up: Part # 43616, wooden casters for furniture, 4 for $9.99.

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  10. Kristin Strickler CadwalladerApril 13, 2015 at 8:57 AM

    Such a fab find! I can't believe what some people toss! xo

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  11. Gabbi @ Retro Ranch RenoApril 13, 2015 at 9:21 AM

    It doesn't get much better than finding a FREE beautiful dresser like that! I can't wait to see what you do...and I have total faith that you can pull out a beautiful piece of art just like our friends. ;)

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  12. I just am in love with that chest of drawers. What a free find and as you said, the handles are beautiful. Can't wait to see the after pics.

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  13. Oh wow, what a fabulous find. I can't wait to see what you do with the space.

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  14. What a great find! And you can't beat FREE! Can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  15. Beth @ designPOST interiorsApril 13, 2015 at 1:25 PM

    What a score! I am totally side tracked from ORC too!

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  16. I have the exact piece. It was part my Grandmother's childhood bedroom set and I have the whole set in my home now. It was made by Kohlmaier in New Orleans, which is still open. Not sure if yours was made there, but I have thi sexact dresser. The marble is even broken in the same place. It has a mirror too.

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  17. Jennifer,

    Woo Hoo! What a great find! How could someone throw that beauty away?!? So glad you found this treasure!!

    I have the same piece, broken marble and all, and love it. (We bought a replacement piece for about $100 twenty some years ago) One of my handles was also broken and my father-in-law carved a new one - still can't tell which one he carved and which are original.

    Love, love, love a good deal and so happy that you got one, too!

    Barbara

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  18. Nothing is better than free!! Especially a beauty like that. Congrats!!

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  19. Oh, wow, fantastic find! I have a similar piece and you can't beat a well made antique!

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  20. Beautiful piece ~ especially the front. I know it's going to look wonderful when you finish it. I saw a wing back chair near the dumpster the other day. (People leave things when they move.) I brought my dog home and went back to check it out and it was gone. Oh well....

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  21. Pam @ Simple DetailsApril 13, 2015 at 4:57 PM

    Woo hoot for free! :) I love it and all of your inspiration!!

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  22. I have a chest very very similar to the one you found. It has the exact same drawer pulls, and it once had a marble top, which is long gone. My grandfather brought it home before I was born. He had rental property, and a tenant gave it to him in lieu of the rent one month. She had used it to store fatback! It is one of my most prized possessions.

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  23. Wow! Great score and I can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  24. Jennifer@TheChroniclesofHomeApril 14, 2015 at 6:02 AM

    This is the PRETTIEST piece! I can't wait to see how you style it. Maybe you could commission Julia for a painting :)

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  25. Lisa @ Shine Your LightApril 14, 2015 at 8:35 AM

    Jennifer!! What a find!!!!!!! It's gorgeous - can't wait to see it in your space!

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  26. OMG!!!! Love, love your new piece of furniture. I was hoping you won't be painting it!!! A little TLC and it will be perfect!!!! Can't wait to see how you finish the space.

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  27. The piece you found for free is from the Victorian era, also known as Eastlake, with the classic oak leaf and acorn drawer pulls. Depending on condition and age, they generally fetch between $200-$400. I believe the painted piece you already own and want to replace is also Eastlake, just simpler in design.

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