Archive for the ‘thrifty’ Category

Craigslist

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

I picked up a vintage Danish dresser off a lady out in the desert. It was weird. Craigslist is weird sometimes.

I drove a good two hours after work in about 120 degree heat to get to her place in Indio. When I got out to her dismal place the piece was WAY MORE damaged than her posting or pictures alluded to. Chips, missing veneer, scratches, water damaged – pretty much the gamut of shit that can go wrong with furniture. Originally I had talked her down to $100 via email when it was clear that the listing had been languishing on CL for some time, but when I arrived and saw what kind of shape the dresser was in I was like I will give you forty bucks and you should thank me.

We argued. She gave me a sob story about her divorce after 30 years and her ten kids. I sweated in the UNBEARABLE heat. She talked me up, I talked her down and finally we arrived at  a price under a $100 but over $40. Pretty much I didn’t want to have wasted my time driving all the way out there.

I’m going to fix it up as much as I can and have it live in the master bedroom. Since we got rid of almost everything in there at the big sale this is one of the first steps for the big redecoration of the master bedroom – yet again.

Hopefully by the end of summer we can pull it together. I’ve got some projects brewing…

FILED UNDER: craigslist, thrifty, vintage

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Thrifty!

Monday, May 24th, 2010

I don’t know if anyone has noticed but I have gone a whole month without thrifting – which must be some sort of crazy miracle. We’ve been so consumed with prepping and painting the exterior that all that fun weekend free time evaporated into sunburns, sore backs and clumps of paint stuck in various body hair.

This Sunday there was a freak thunderstorm that rolled into Hemet that destroyed our plans to finish up painting the front of the house. I took the opportunity to break my thrifting dry spell and hit up a 50% off estate sale and a couple of thrift stores including the brand new Goodwill (Hemet’s one and only).

The estate sale was pretty much a depressing bust but I went enticed by and ended up buying this vintage spider leg table. I’m kind of clueless about where to put it in the house but was sold on the low price and elegant curves. When I pulled up to the house with my loot the Boy sarcastically stated, “Oh, another table? Yeah, we totally need some more of those.”

The new Goodwill doesn’t have a huge furniture or home wear section but I did spy this credenza for $50. It was in pretty rough shape and wasn’t super design exciting, so I passed on it even though I’ve been on the hunt for a credenza for the master bedroom.

I did pick up some ceramic pieces…of course…

I loved the graphic black etched pattern on this little pitcher. I wish it was larger – I’d totally use it too water my thirsty house plants.

I also grabbed this vintage Heath serving bowl and platter set. It’s pretty large and in fairly decent shape. Great for chips…or stew…or soup? Good for something…

FILED UNDER: ceramic, estate, furniture, hemet, thrifting, thrifty

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Mod Swap

Monday, April 26th, 2010

The Boy and I headed out to San Diego on Sunday to check out Mod Swap (which he called “Mop Swap” during the entire hour and a half ride there). I’ve been rocking a super nasty cold and have since decided it was a terrible idea to venture out even though *at the time* I convinced myself I’d be fine. Now it’s a million times worse. Stupid failing body.

I know a certain someone got this round Eames Aluminum Group coffee table I had my eye on for a little bit, and a certain someone else (with those fancy leather boots) took home a nice black Bertoia diamond chair.

I loved this brass multi-tiered thing and from a distance thought it was a chandelier and couldn’t be more delighted. Unfortunately it was just a stand (plant maybe?) so the event turned out to be a bit of a bust for me. I did bring home two Eames bases for $20 for a couple of side shell chairs I’ve been working on. I still need to test them and fix them up a bit to see if they will fly for the kitchen bar area.

These were the standout Kings of Chairs at the event. The one with the ottoman was about $700 (so therefore unattainable) and the other was sold. Poop.

FILED UNDER: flea market, thrifting, thrifty, travel

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