Archive for the ‘thrifting’ Category

Thrifty!

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Whilst out thrifting with Summer, I spotted a wee bit of color poking out from behind some crappy motel style prints in the art racks. In all honesty, at first, I thought it would be some stupid motel art since the ugly crappy frame was lacking any sort of glass.

Once released from the stacks of pure suck, the piece was immediately recognizable as an Alexander Calder lithograph. Those long college years studying art is finally paying off, check me out – I can distinguish Calder from motel art.

I was shocked at the perfect condition of the litho, especially considering it had been passed along through all kinds of thrift store sorters and handlers and then wedged behind a bunch of schlock. It’s in amazing shape, only the mat is a little scratched and banged up.

The back still has the original tags and I used the DLM 141-1 NOV 63 to figure out that this was Derriere le Miroir #141 by Alexander Calder from you guessed it – 1963. Hey now!

FILED UNDER: art, thrifting, thrifty

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Thrifty + Bedroom Plans

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

I picked up a pair of these wacky ceramic Quartite Creative Corp. lamps at the local Goodwill, and have to admit I was sort of hesitant from the get go. Part of me really liked the shape and the muted colors and strange lava glaze texture and couldn’t just let them waste away at the thrift store. The other part of me, was like gggguuuuurrrrllllll – you are crazy. Those look like floppy condoms hanging from the lamp neck and these things are way too retro for the subtle shapes and clean lines of your ENTIRE HOUSE.

Even Bowie doesn’t know what to think.

Graphic chevron and cool? Way to kitsch? Pottery fun?

Apologies for Bowie overload, but unlike Iggy, he hasn’t learned how to ignore photo shoots. That big black clicking mystery box makes him angry. HULK angry. Devil dog mean wrinkle face – ACTIVATE.

So yeah.

I’m not loving it, but then sort of waffle back and forth since I do kind of love the lamps. They are in awesome condition, are very graphic and have a super sexy shape. Maybe they’re just not right in my bedroom…or house. Just like the bedding is a hot mess and not right for the room. The lamps might just have to be one of those functional things for now.

What really needs to happen is a headboard. Then lighting. Then bedding.

All of which I know precisely what I want, but are sadly waaayyy out of budget.

I want to go slabby, and obviously not like this giant awesome beast from Urban Hardwoods (since I don’t have $10K to throw down on a headboard). I do like the idea of this simple canvas bedding, although it looks like it could be very scratchy and impractical.

This knock off of the insanely expensive Potence lamp by Jean Prouvé is “the one” piece of lighting that I desperately want to install. The Potence Lamp from Atelier, at about $400 and a foot and a half too short, doesn’t look like it will be a realistic possibility.

DIY maybe? I’m not really sure where to start, but it could be a project…

FILED UNDER: bedroom, inspiration, lighting, thrifting, thrifty

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Oh, Snap.

Monday, January 10th, 2011

I’ve been fiddling with Instagram as a way to document the mundane day to day minutiae of working and thrifting for the past month or so. I spend a lot of time out and about (typically as a lone wolf) and am constantly trying to remember what happened, things I saw or stuff that might work for a current project.

Being a rambling storyteller and terrible texter/twitterer,  these quick snap shots have made things a bit easier to quickly communicate or recall all that bizarreness. My old iPhone’s camera is not very nice (but so convenient), so some faux-vignetting and Polaroid style action makes those washed out, overly green and grainy photos seem a tad more intentional.

Some recent snaps over the past week or so…

We visited the most interesting and rigorous remodel around blogland to pick up an eco-pooper (and other bathroom treats) from Justin, AKA the best guy around. Can’t wait to kick off our bathroom remodel and see what he comes up with next. Thank you, again!

New to us Pho restaurant delivers the salted lemonade business. Still dreaming about it…need to make this at home.

Most the week was spent in and out of the vet’s office tending to Bowies clubfoot. I ran into future me and ogled a whale vertebrae. Trying to figure out how to smuggle it home.

Bowie got a tiny cone of shame and officially lost his mind at the vet. After a week of poking and prodding, shots and antibiotics, casts and thermometers in his bum bum – this naughty little dog bit the vet. Apologies animal hospital folks, we must be raising a little demon dog.

Estate sales and vintage shopping were a bit sparse. Still love these 1960’s church fans, not so sure about the lamps.

Ocean. I love you. I miss you.

Obsessed with campaign furniture and snuggling with Iggy. Fight for my love, puppies!

Chilling at the Humane Society getting vaccines. This appears to have been dog torture week.

Palm Springs with the lovely fire cracker Summer and a missed connection with a tasty thrift treat. Yo, 1970’s crazy mirrored credenza? I desperately wanted you and you went to another. My heart is broken.

The über talented Laure posted about this incredibly insane RV fire we saw on our way out to Joshua Tree and super stylist and super person Emily slummed it in the Inland Empire with her giant truck and handsome assistant to pick up a few pieces of furniture. Thanks peeps!

Been busy and fun. But thrift stores? Step up your game. I need some stuff.

FILED UNDER: Iggy, puppy, review, thrifting, travel

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