Human Lifestyle: thrift store finds

Showing posts with label thrift store finds. Show all posts

The Dresser I'm Dying Over

This one definitely ranks in my top 10! I'm dying over my newest find, this vintage Baker dresser that's the perfect combination of Modern & Asian.

I fell in love with this dresser for 2 reasons: (1) those lines & fabulous feet and, (2) the original (heavy) brass hardware. I don't think it would even come close to looking the same without this hardware--there's really not much to it, but in its classically chic shape, it's just enough. The dresser reminds me a bit of what this Jonathan Adler dresser...

and this 1st Dibs find...

would look like if they had a baby. The dresser looks like it's wrapped or embossed with some sort of finish, but I'm not quite sure what to call it. If any of you know what it is, please drop me a line because I've never before run across anything like it! I did a bit of research and found this coffee table from Pieces that looks like it's from the same line because of that rare (embossed??) finish.

I'm desperately in need of dresser for my bedroom so the plan, at least for now, is to use this piece for storage and as a console for my tv. My goal is to design it using 90% vintage/secondhand finds and slowly but surely, my plan is coming together. So excited about this score.

Room Service Atlanta: Using Thrifted Furniture

As promised, here's a peek at 3 pieces of furniture I'm refinishing for my RSA room at Nicholas House. As with most of the bedrooms, my room is super short on storage, so I searched for a solid & sturdy 9 drawer dresser to replace the tiny 5 drawer one they previously had. I found this on Craigslist for $40...

Aren't the lines amazing?? Very modern and very solid. The only downside is that it's very heavy, even without the drawers in, so getting it up the 2 flights of stairs is going to be quite the challenge. I also found these great faux bamboo (which you know I love!) headboards for only $16 at Goodwill this weekend, one of which will be attached to the adult bed (which is a twin) in the room. Total steal. I actually got 2 headboards (and no footboard) but at only $8 a piece, I'm not complaining!

Last is this desk that I've had in my garage forever. I love it & wanted to use it for something really special, but I've had it for over 2 years now and haven't done a thing to it. I know that the families that use my room will really make good use of it, so I'm donating it to the cause. The desk is also a Goodwill find that only set me back $22! Even though I'd already removed the hardware for prep when I took this photo, I love it's vintage style and will be keeping it (in it's original state) to reuse.

I was initially a bit concerned that the styles of furniture don't all go together, but after a coat of glossy white paint, I expect that everything will look great once it's in place in the room. Next week I'll be back to give you a full before & after and share some of my refinishing tips.

Wish us luck for Day 2!

Thrift Store Art

This piece of art is the centerpiece of my yet to be finished living room. It's huge and interesting in a way that's almost ugly, but still beautiful at the same time. I love the colors and the fact that the frame is kind of knocked around along the edges. The beauty of thrift store art is that it's almost always a delicate balance of ugly & beautiful, something that's unique but gives you pause as to whether you can really pull it off or not. My 40"x60.5" piece was only $10--now that's what I call some pretty fly unique & original art!

art, thrift store finds |

Found:Vintage 70's Dining Set

Alright, I actually need your help here. I found this great set in January and I fell in love with it because of its modern base & large tabletop. Even though the table itself isn't that high, I think it'll be perfectly suited to outdoor entertaining after a coat or two of automotive paint. I want to say it's based on a well-known design, but I'm not quite sure... any thoughts??

found, furniture, tables, thrift store finds |

Too Much Of A Good Thing?

Last weekend Erika stopped by my house for a last minute Room Service planning session. At the end of the grand tour (and after seeing my garage which is packed to the brim), she turned to me and said--"You have no excuse. You have so much stuff, your house should be finished by now."

Kelly Wearstler's 10,00 sq. ft furniture warehouse via So Haute

And that's probably true. But like I told her, as someone who is always scouting thrift stores and flea markets for buried treasure, it's hard to commit to something when you know your next great find is only days away. As I've said times over, I only buy things that I really love, so every piece is special and waiting for the perfect place to shine in its full glory. My goal is to have a home that's at least 80% filled with secondhand items, since reusing is something I firmly believe in. I'm not against buying retail (especially for special accent pieces), but there's nothing like finding an old vintage throwaway with great bones and making it my own. Case in point? Lamps. I am quickly becoming a vintage lamp hoarder. I'm always buying lamps (even though I already have a solid stash) because there's something about a vintage lamp I just can't turn away from. Check my latest finds:

I got a pair of each, purchased for 50% off. The 60s lamps with the wooden necks are in great condition, and the white and silver lamps are super sleek and modern. I'm already using some ceramic egg lamps in my bedroom, but I'm now debating about switching those out for these white ones. See what I mean? It's hard to commit! And then there's the bamboo chairs I bought on Craigslist last year (for a ridiculous price):

When I found them, I swore the search for my dining room chairs was over. I bought the paint to refinish them and ordered the bolt of fabric to recover them, but I've since seen others I love and am now wondering if I should really commit to these. How can I ever finish anything with this anxiety on my mind?? This, of course, got me to thinking--can you really have too much of a good thing? And before you jump on the bandwagon, let me just say that I know I can't be the only one with this problem. My garage is FULL of fabulous finds but I can't bring myself to seal the deal, because I know something even more amazing is right on my horizon.
Anyhow, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Weigh in below and tell me if I'm just passionate or plain ol' crazy....

Faux Bamboo

Meet the newest additions to my love list! Needless to say, I'm super excited about these chairs I picked up yesterday. No refinishing plans yet, but the possibilities are endless!

Vintage Bamboo

I have to say, I'm super excited about the newest addition to my growing collection of great pieces! This vintage mid-century bamboo dresser is just the type of piece to make a so-so space sing, and because I don't have an immediate need for it, I'm storing it until the right occasion (and idea!) comes along. I'm excited about the endless possibilities of my new find and I'm wondering . . .

Have you found anything worth screaming about lately??

Thrift Store Finds!

Can you believe it??

I found this amazing faux bamboo mirror at a thrift store I NEVER go to, because they NEVER have anything . . . but I guess I won't be able to say that anymore! The faux bamboo mirror I found a few months back was nowhere near as fabulous as this one, 'cause this one's famous. You may even remember it from LA designer Vanessa De Vargas' spread in Lonny Magazine a few months back.

Yup, it's the same one (well, not the same one, but you know what I mean). For now I'll be keeping it for my home, but there's a possibility it may be up for sale in the future. If so, I'll definitely post it here.
Finding this mirror led me to search the internet for others like it, and I found a treasure trove! Here are a few looks at some of the great faux bamboo mirrors floating around the web . . .

via Google images

I like to think that faux bamboo makes everything better . . . don't you agree??

Thrift Store Finds . . .

I found these lamps at a random thrift store for $6.50 which I think was a total steal! I actually left them the first time around because they were a bit heavy and I wasn't 100% sold, but one night without them made me change my mind. These will be refinished (maybe painting the shade??) and sold to a friend who has already made their intentions known!

I also saw this a few days ago, and know I would've taken it with me if only I had a small storage unit!!

I highly doubt it's an authentic Duncan Phyfe, but it certainly appears to be well-made, and a trip to the upholsterer would really set this OFF! This is definitely the type of sofa I'd use in my office if I had a brick & mortar shop (or even a separate dwelling next to my house)--love!

lamps, thrift store finds |

Gold Lamps!

I found these the other day. For $5.

They were supposed to be for the Etsy store (like most things), but I decided this weekend that they'll be staying with me. They're tall and fabulous and I love them. They'll be going in my bedroom. In gold. I'm excited.

I've also finished a few projects but have been slow to post anything because I'm trying to be more thoughtful about how I photograph my finished work. In the meantime, I'll tell you that I've transformed this,

into this

and I'm quite happy with the way it turned out. As soon as I can figure out what to do with my monstrosity of a boxspring, I can finally get a new one and get my bed moved around. It's like, 400 pounds (seriously) and I cry every time I think about having to move it down the stairs again. It does, however, levitate, wave, and vibrate, and if someone could fix the short, it'd be a great boxspring for someone who needs something like it. Hopefully I can find someone around here who's willing to take it and also bring plenty of help to get it moved from my room. Wishful thinking??

thrift store finds |

Weekend Wrap Up

Are you scared by this photo? Don't be. I love it because it represents progress but more importantly, what I believe is my purpose.

I've been putting off getting one of these things for awhile, but I finally went ahead and took the plunge this weekend. I love it, and it makes spraying and polishing and urethaning (made it up) SO much better. It's absolutely worth the investment. I love what I do, but I don't want to die for it. I really needed it since things have been picking up around here, hence the reason why my cuticles look like that (and my eyebrows)--I've been busy working. Good things are happening.

So I picked this little baby up this weekend. Doesn't it look contemplative staring out into the neighborhood like that?

I was super excited to pick it up, and although it wasn't quite what I thought it was going be when I picked it up, it's going to be hot. It might be ugly now, but you know I'm all about giving life to the things people throw away. It's tall too, like 2 feet. I started on it yesterday, but it's not quite finished so I can only show you a peak.

Aren't these feet freaky???

I also picked this up this weekend, and as much as I love it, I already know it won't be staying with me. I'm still contemplating the color, but I'm thinking it will be something fabulous.

Found this stamp inside the drawer, but I couldn't find any information on the company. I thought for a minute that it might be a style name (like a knock-off of campaign, so "campaigner"), but that's silly. If you know anything about this, please leave me a comment.

Hope you love the bigger photos . . . I finally updated the editor.

**i made the photos smaller and hopefully that works. I don't know why they were cut off . . . .

Who Would Do Such A Thing??????

Like give something like this away.

WHO?????? This find made my day, week, and month. It's heavy and beautiful, and will be my favorite find until I come across something else even more fabulous. I have GREAT plans for it, too!

thrift store finds |

FOR SALE!

Remember this?

Well a couple of beautiful warm weather days here in Atlanta gave me the ability to turn it into this:

I love this table. I mean LOVE. It's taking everything in me not to keep it, but I keep reminding myself that if I keep everything I find, there won't be a business! So it must go to someone who will give it the life it deserves.

If you're in the Atlanta area and in the market for a fabulous coffee table, email me for dimensions and details. Act fast before this one's going, going, GONE!!!

Blog Archive