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Thursday, January 17, 2013

SECONDHAND SHOPPING, A TIP, AND A SNEAK PEAK



Have I told you how much I love getting great furniture for next to nothing?  I am almost exclusively a Craigslist/Thrift Store/Garage Sale furniture shopper now.  I've found so many quality, solid, unique pieces that are so much more well made than most of the new things sold today.  They're not always perfect, but that's ok with me.  It adds character, right?  Usually with some inspiration and elbow grease, they can be made into something beautiful once again.


I do draw the line on some things.  If there is damage where the integrity of the piece is in question, walk away.  If it takes more than you are able to do, walk away (unless you have a handy dad or hubby).  Mattresses, buy new.  

A while back I found this table at a thrift store.  It was still the regular price of $6.99...I didn't even wait for markdowns on this one!  The top was in pretty bad shape-there were some slight bubbles in the veneer and the finish was worn.  But it was solid, and in case you didn't know, the bamboo look is hot right now!


I hoped a good sanding would even out the top, and the body was in such good shape that I considered restaining the top and leaving it a wood finish.  But, I had to fill some places and the top just didn't cut it. Trying to avoid painting another piece of furniture black, I turned to Pinterest for color inspiration.  I found something similar to my table that looked dry-brushed and distressed, gray, and they left the caning the original color.  Sold!



                                                                                            Source: laylagrayce.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

 
I had plenty of paint left from my sample quart of Urbane Bronze that I used on the bookshelves, so I thought I'd give it a try on the table.  


I'm happy with the results.  I kept the paint solid rather than using the dry brush method.  


The top is still slightly bubbled in a spot or two, but hey-$7!, and it's not really noticeable with the accessories on top.  You won't tell, right?
  




I'm so excited about this other piece that I just bought from Craig's List-my Instagram friends have already seen it, so bear with me again.  I hadn't been on CL for a while after I found the china cabinet, so I was quickly scrolling through the furniture and looked at a listing for a coffee table.  It was very similar to the one I already have, but I noticed the corner of a pretty brass box in the background of the picture.  The seller mentioned that they were listing several things, so I e-mailed them and asked if the brass piece (I couldn't see it all and didn't know exactly what it was) was for sale.  Yes, it was, they sent me a photo of the entire piece, and I went that evening and brought it home!



I love it!  It's just the size I've been looking for to put between 2 chairs in my bedroom. It's a great landing spot for books and coffee, and the top is hinged for storage inside.  I still haven't done one more bit of work on my bedroom other than painting, but it's coming!  I'm collecting pieces for it and am really getting exciting about pulling it all together. 


 
When I saw the trunk it reminded me of Carmel's beautiful coffee table and the awesome vintage brass trunk that Kristen just won(!).

Two more random things to tell you today...

Did you know that there's really not a limit on when you can return merchandise at TJ Maxx (and I assume Marshall's and HomeGoods since they're the same company)?  I'm the worst at loading up on accessories that I think I'll use for a future project, and then when I actually get to that project I've changed my mind.  I bought 3 of these mirrors for my new bedroom back in APRIL.  


I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask, so I took them back with the receipt yesterday and she said, "No problem, as long as you have the receipt!" and proceeded to tell me that someone else had just brought something back from December 2011.  Well, that made me feel better-at least I'm not the only one.  Now, you will just get a credit and not a cash refund, but I don't think many of us would have a problem with that.  I thought those of you who are frequent re-decorators might be interested to know that.

Lastly, (sorry, didn't plan to be so wordy today!) I'll leave you with one more sneak peak at the china cabinet.  I'm still working on getting all of the hinges and doors and parts and pieces put back together.  I'm so excited about the hardware!  Hint-I'm using big chunky hardware on the doors.  


The backplate isn't really a backplate.  Any guesses?  I'll tell you all about it on Tuesday when you see it all finished!

Linking up with





Would you like to comment?

  1. So many beautiful pieces! I also love getting furniture from the same places too. I feel like I am able to get more significant pieces made of better materials. :) Megan

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  2. Wow, you are good! Seriously. You should tell some of those thrift stores you like for the people who live there. I never really knew where to go.

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  3. What a great makeover you gave that pretty table!! Can't wait to see your china cabinet's transformation!

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  4. OH THE SNEAK PEEK!!!!!
    and love the table- and the trunk! awesome finds, friend! and i am exclusively thrift store, too! i even get much of my kids clothes now there and some of mine. but yes, draw the line when i am unsure if i cam make the repair and definitely with mattresses!

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  5. Oh my!! The green is lovely!! And the hardware - stunning. Can't wait to see this piece all done. Your new side tables are fabulous too…..I love the grey paint on that piece (and I think I'm shopping in the wrong thrift stores….I've never seen any furniture for that low of a price!) You could seriously have a business finding great items for people on CL and thrifting. You have such a great eye.

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  6. Awesome finds!!! I too shop almost exclusively thrift and CL and love finding the unexpected at great prices. Love the trunk! I found one at the thrift store a few months ago (not in as nice condition) and it is now my coffee table.

    Have a great day!
    Angela

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  7. So glad to see this post. I bought a side table with caning about a year ago and have been sitting on it for a while trying to decide on the paint color. Never thought of leaving the caning it's original color. You may have just helped me out a lot! Also, I'm just a bit jealous of that brass trunk. Holy moly, I cannot believe you stumbled upon that gem! wow! have a great weekend!

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  8. Such great finds! Can't wait to see that piece all finished!

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  9. So funny...I got up this morning with a mental list: Dishes, Laundry, Pay Bills, and finish my homework for my Beth Moore Bible study which is TOMORROW.....and somehow I found myself in the family room painting the coffee table gray instead. Well, I came across a gallon of the perfect shade of gray paint (with primer already mixed in) on the OOOPS shelf at Lowes for $5, and it just couldn't sit on my shelf any longer--it called my name this morning. So then I got on the computer to take a break between coats, and came across your post----this must be "Paint A Table Gray" Day.

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  10. I'm in love with everything you showed here today! The grey against natural cane looks amazing, that brass trunk is GORGEOUS (totally reminds me of Carmel's and Kristen's pieces too!) and that sneak peek of stunning green is fab!!

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  11. I love that table painted grey! I can have a little bit of a struggle sometime seeing what a piece will look like painted. But for $7 I'd have bought that one too!

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  12. Well, I see bling and that always makes me happy! Can't wait to see the china cabinet reveal. Do you mind sharing about the green paint? LOVE the brass trunk! You really lucked out in getting it. The table looks gorgeous. The paint looked darker in the book cases but hey, computer monitors are not perfect are they? :) I love the color!

    Ok, now when the china cabinet is finished, I think you should come to Texas and help me!

    xo
    Pat

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  13. No way! That brass trunk is amazing ~ who in their right mind would get rid of that? I'm a Craigslist/Thrift store shopper all the way! Love your gray makeover, and that you left the caning, it's such a pretty detail! Your hardware is killer - can't wait!!

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  14. JEALOUS of that brass box! Oh my, oh my, I want, I want!!! I am searching Craigslist tonight!

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  15. Wow, you scored some great items! I always scout CL for stuff, but for some reason, they really do price the items high here in DFW area...I have checked out my mother in-law's area (Tulsa) and I find much better pieces, for much better price. And that brass piece....love it...I was actually going to do a post about brass accessories coming back, and you my friend, just proves my point, that brass never really went completely out of style.

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  16. That brass cube is amazing! I'm really more interested in your white vase set on the cube. My dad gave my mom something similar when my sister was born (30 years ago) and I just found one like it at a local thrift shop. So funny that I just noticed you owned one. I would love love LOVE to hear more about where and when you got it and I blogged about finding mine just recently @ http://www.schoolhouserehab.com/articles/thrift-morning-you

    This coincidence is too crazy!

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  17. LOVE your blog!! You have an innate sense of style and color. Love what you did with the table. And that trunk!! Its gorgeous!!

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  18. That bamboo end table is awesome. I totally agree with you on buying used and vintage furniture...and I love Home Goods...posted about it recently...what a great return policy.
    Following you :)

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  19. I found you through Miss Mustard Seed. LOVE the table, great job!!!

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  20. Love the table! I've been looking for a nice charcoal gray for my library walls-your color might fit the bill!

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  21. Shiza! I love that green with the chunky hardware. I bet the whole piece looks fantastic. Awesome find on the trunk...I'd love to find a brass trunk like that but around here they are usually crazy expensive.

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  22. Love the table makeover! Great job! And that's good to know about Home Goods return policy...I have a little towel holder that didn't work for me that I've been meaning to return for months now.

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  23. I want to steal that grey table from you! It is so chic and perfect!

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  24. wow that brass storage box!!! what a score . . . gorgeous piece

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