Goodwill and Estate Sale

You, my friends, have been waiting a long, long time for this moment - when I started thrifting again (or maybe not? I won't judge you!) It's garbage sale season and I have a reason to shop! What more could a blogger ask for? (ugh, did I just call myself a blogger, ick!)

I hit up Goodwill this morning and carried home a brass coffee table base for Janice. It is the same coffee table she missed out on from Craigslist, so I knew she would flip (she flipped!)...The glass top is still at the store, but it will get picked up tomorrow. Only $30!!!

Then I went to an estate sale and bought a leather ottoman, a wicker garbage basket, wooden condiment set (or something? that white stuff is from the price tag, the set didn't look used), tiny rug, and brass (copper?) dish (for plants or something).

Tomorrow we are hitting two rummage sales in the morning...we have sitters arranged so we can submerge ourselves, up to our eyeballs, in used goods.

Ahhh let the good times roll! Let the gooood tiiiimes rooooll.

ps. you know, I should TOTALLY do this as a job someday...because I never ever ever want to stop thrifting! Is there a thrift store consultant job? Personal vintage shopper? Is there something you need? I'm on a roll!!
pps. follow me on instagram to see items I love but don't need, well, that is, when my phone is charged! There was a brass console today that I wanted to show you, but the phone died! My IG ID: shannon8foot6  
ppps. I wont post photos from instagram on the blog, so I don't want you to miss out, but it's not about boosting my numbers or likes or anything - just so we get that straight...
 

From Kijiji

 

Yesterday, my husband drove to Grimsby (about 1hr 20 mins to get there) for this light fixture.

It's AMAZING! (He's amazing too!!)  It's glass and brass (not acrylic), heavy, and so so beautiful.

We paid C$175.

There is a similar 1960's light, made from Mazzega Murano glass, obviously even classier (and larger) than this one, for $10,500. Can you believe that? 1st dibs kills me. Ours is definitely a clunker, but still so so so pretty...

I think it will look great in the new master over the bed, hanging from the vaulted ceiling.

ps. it feels good to be trolling Clist again! I missed it! And I didn't realize Kijiji is getting big in GTA now too!
pps. here's a photo from the kijiji ad. the light is too heavy to fully assemble just to show n' tell.

ppps. I know I already had a light for the master, but new shit has come to light man....

New chair, $15

Here's chair, at Sally Ann

Here's chair, waiting for the subway train

Here's chair, on the train

Here's chair, home at last

Searched Leslieville vintage furniture stores during this afternoon's rain storm, then dropped into the Salvation army on Parliament...that's where I found a single matching chair! It's rickety and falling apart, but all the important parts are intact (no broken spokes or anything)...I will try new screws in the legs to tighten everything up! They were asking $19.99 and I tried to get it for $10, but she would only come down to $15 (with two hotwheels cars for free)...

Next week, I will sand them, prime them, and get ready to paint!  Is there a special type of paint that should be used on furniture? A high gloss maybe? Something formulated for heavy use? Or just anything oil based? How long should they cure? In the garage at this time of year ok?  Let me know what has worked for you!

ps. we were considering buying salt chairs from DWR. They are almost affordable, at $109usd, and DWR is having a dining room sale, 15% off, in September/October. We haven't seen the salt chairs in person, and the shipping to Canada is pretty stiff, so I am happy I found a vintage chair instead. I will hold out hope of finding a fourth!   

Butterfly chair from Craigslist

I fell in love with a chair on Craigslist. A brindle cowhide butterfly chair.

The other night, my husband went to pick it up, and when he brought it through the door, my heart sank. This is not what I expected. It's so low to the ground. There's packing tape holding the rods together! It wobbles!  What.the.HELL!

I need to pay more attention when I buy off Craigslist.  I get emotionally attached to the item, I stop thinking. I don't question it. I just want it! I don't want to lose out! I WANT IT NOW!

In this case, I thought I was getting a Circa 50 chair. We could have bought two new Circa 50's for $540usd plus $30 shipping to Buffalo. Then drive down and pick them up, paying additional duty and tax. This chair was $325 - about the same price as a new one - but it had packing tape on its legs.

I am pretty sure the Circa 50 base is two continuous metal rods, not 4 rods connected by 4 base rods. Tremendous buyer's remorse overcame me.

"Oh well", my husband said, "we can always pick up a new base, the cowhide is in perfect condition."

But, I felt like a total failure. I took it HARD. I contacted the seller, she sent me a link to where they bought it from:

http://naturemadehides.eurofull.com/shop/detalle.asp?oynprodid=389

I felt a bit better. 

Then I took the chair apart, figured out how to stop the wobble, re-assembled it (boy was that a ridiculous challenge), and removed the tape.

I have gone from in total love, to tummy ache, back to love...I sit in the chair every time I am downstairs.



ps. watching clist for a lower round coffee table now!
pss. Here's what my basement looked like when I went down to take a few photos:

Salvaged

Last night we rolled this home*.  A store had tossed it out...

It's huge! It's in great condition. I like the slanty shelves, but easy enough to change. It could be painted...

I was thinking at the time 'maybe we can get it into the basement and put trucks on it'...

Now I am thinking 'what was I thinking?'

If I passed it by, I would forever wish that I at least tried it!  Over time, in my imagination, this rack would have morphed into perfect proportions and I would forever regret it.

So...anyone want to help me move it down the stairs?




* my three year old helped push it, I was wearing the baby


ps. It was free! And the rain was finally coming, so we HAD TO rescue it!

Score!

I found a wardrobe for the guest room!  I LOVE IT!  Those circles...ohhhh my.....

I was originally thinking about painting it...so I had the delivery guys put it into the garage...HOWEVER, I am kinda into the wood!

What do you think? Should I paint it white? Or go with it?  The wood is in AMAZING condition...

...its kinda old smelling...just sayin'!
and its super heavy...it is actually two separate pieces...not sure what to make of that...they aren't even bolted together, and the bottom set of two drawers has a finished top...





stinky

Score!

I saw these babies on Craigslist a few weeks ago and my brother-in-law picked them up for me (THANKS K)...they have been at his house until he was able to deliver them.  Now they have finally arrived! Yippy Skippy - they are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Better than expected!!!!!!!

I find it much easier to pounce on Craigslist items I don't NEED and I am not looking for, than trying to select something I DO need.  Why is that?

Score!

We bought this light from Craigslist about two months ago; it was just installed on Friday.  Its the Artemide Logico Single ceiling mount.  We paid less than 50% of retail,which is amazing since the light had never been used (still in original packaging).  

(We replaced a large white ceiling fan)

Tablescape Lonny-styles

If you haven't already visited Janice at "Life begins at Thirty" ...pop over and weigh in on her girly dressing room vanity tablescape.....you will notice the lamp I picked up off of Craigslist perched on the corner.

I thought you might be surprised where it ended up!

Won!

Just won this light fixture on ebay.  Its local pickup so no shipping.  We will hang it in the bar area...should be hung high enough that it peeks through the open transom.

I dont feel like spending a small fortune on a light.  The price was right...it will work! Its retro and fun! Done...and done!

Score!

I just sent my DH out to get this lamp, for $20 (down from $25)

I didn't ask what its made of
I didn't ask the size
I did ask where she got it and she replied "honestly i dont know where my parents got it from"

I don't know where I will put it (actually I do know just the place...but it isn't even at my house)
 
I was pulled in by the shiny....

I think I have a problem...

Would I have bought this today from Homesense? Probably not....but its gorgeous!

LOST IT!

it was 39" x 79"
only $100
teak
suuuuuuxxxxx
 

Come home to momma!

I just saw the table of my dreams on Craigslist.  Ok, I might be exaggerating a teensy bit...I don't think I have ever actually seen this table in my dreams (I don't often dream about tables), but finding it is the best thing that ever happened to me.  Ummm...ok another slight exaggeration.  How about we go with: This table will definitely turn our house into a destination for beautiful urban hipsters looking to frolic outdoors by candlelight over some delicious wine, great toasts and an "easy prep charcuterie menu"1.  Luckily I already have some tea light holders... 

My heart is racing!!!2

I was doing my regular craigslist search, less enthusiatic than normal because its been a dry spell....when I saw this beauty. (I am intentionally not showing the photo or the link because I am paranoid it could jeopardize my chances!)  Ok so as soon as I saw it, I fired off an email and asked "do the leg come off the top? do you deliver?" ...Yah I said: "leg", "not legs"  and I added "nice photos" (dork)...then I jumped out of my dark sage green parsons chair (its not a bad colour, and comfy for computer work) and raced downstairs into the kitchen where my DH was eating the vietamese food we ordered earlier for dinner (the baby likes the vermicelli noodles inside the cold rolls, I suppose I could make him some vermicelli, but I like the cold rolls too!) ...Once downstairs, with measuring tape in hand (I grabbed it off the shelf en route), I demonstrated to my DH how great the table was...and asked: "how the hell can we get it home????".  DH had a solution (He's THE BEST).  So after some jumpy happy claps I fired off a second email to the seller (from the kitchen computer this time) and said "I am very interested.  I will arrange transportation."

I am now waiting for the seller's response.

It was listed at 8:01....I responded at 8:15...the follow up was sent at 8:18...I will click send on this blog at 9:00...

1. What is an easy-prep charcuterie menu?  I read that in the last issue of C H&H....yes this is the ONLY magazine I read...well, I do occasionally pick up Life & Style if there is something about how celebrities lost their baby weight...I wonder if they do it on a diet of wine and easy prep charcuterie? 
2. By the time I have finished typing this post my heart is no longer racing. booo

Score!

Another Craigslist score! 4/$60...you will recall how badly I wanted them...and now they are here!  They need to be painted, badly scuffed (they have a bad paint job at the moment).  They are from the seller's father-in-law's office, for what its worth.  Can't say if they are actual Thonet chairs (did you see in this month's Cdn H&H how much the real deal costs? pg 28?, hubba hubba), anyways there is no sticker or mark.  Who cares I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!

Let's all do a little Craigslist dance!

Score!

My latest craigslist purchase.  Only $60!!!  1920's, embroidered faded fabric, heavy, wood is a bit scuffed - in other words GORGEOUS PATINA!!!  I immediately feel in love!  The chair was listed yesterday (when I had no power, no internet) making me one lucky lady! 

Score!

I couldn't help myself when I saw these chairs I HAD TO HAVE THEM....and I was lucky this time...there were three people who emailed the seller and she sent her cell number to all of us.  I was the first to call back (I called instantaneously!)  The seller dropped them off at the house (bonus!).  They bought them in New York a few years ago. 

They are more cream than white. Pretty sturdy...pretty old

They remind me (in a way) of these chairs from the design fair in Milan:

("Corvo" by Noe Duchaufour-Lawrence, Source: Apartment Therapy)

I wont lie, this purchase definitely gave me an adrenaline rush.  These babies will go in the new and improved basement.

Score!

Lookee what we got off Craigslist!  GORGEOUS! It was in the seller's family for 50-60 years.  We bought it from a fiesty older lady who wasn't sure where her father had originally picked it up.

Score!

Look at what I found on Craiglist!! I can't believe they are sitting in my kitchen!!!!!...I will definitely get them re-upholstered in something fun!   I think they are smiling at me ....