Things I Found While Thrifting Around

I thought I'd try something new for the blog and introduce a series which may or may not become a regular thing, we'll see how it goes.  If you know me, you'll know that I am a consummate shopper.  And there's nothing more that I like than finding great treasures at unbelievable prices.  I live in an area of Salt Lake that has at least 10 thrift and consignment stores all within a two mile radius.  I try and hit them up as often as I can because you never know what you're going to find.  And so I introduce to you: Things I Found While Thrifting Around.

Now I know that the majority of my readers do not live anywhere remotely near these stores, but I will be posting finds that may spark your imagination such as great chairs that can be reupholstered.  Who hasn't come across a ratty old chair and dismissed it as grubby and ugly?  With a little bit of elbow grease and some imagination, these finds can sometimes turn into gold mines.

These chairs were gorgeous as is.  The fabric was a lovely buttery yellow velvet with minimal wear and tear.  They were a lovely shape and petite size which you don't find these days.  And look!  They even have nail heads.  I'm going to make a guess and say that they're from the 50's or early 60's.  They really knew how to make furniture then.

Look, remind you of something?

How much do you think they cost?

An incredible price of $10 a chair, and there were 5 of them, which is kind of awkward, but you can't pass that up.  Unfortunately I wasn't the only person to think so because someone had already purchased them!

Here's another petite upholstery piece, again in excellent condition.  But I would reupholster in a fun geometric or floral fabric and probably paint the wood either black or white, or keep as is, depending on the fabric I chose.  The label said it was from ZCMI (Utah's original department store) and was dated 1956.  I can just imagine it coming from some lovely grandma's house who took excellent care of it.

There was no price, but the rest of the sofas were priced between $30 and $40.  If only I had somewhere to store all these treasures.  I really could have fun with a staple gun and some cool fabrics. And these shapes aren't too challenging.  Umm, now I'm thinking.

You know how brass is totally in right now.  Well maybe some types of brass, not your shiny 1980's type.  Anyway, take a look at these chandeliers.

Both huge, both really solid looking. And both under $100!

Look at the detail on those arms.  This much brass might be still a little too dated and I know some bloggers that would run for the spray can, but how could you cover up that lovely sheen.  I think it would take a certain style of house to be able to get away with these fixtures.  Don't think they would look right hanging from an 8 foot ceiling.  But just imagine the large one with black shades.  It might make it look more edgy and sophisticated.

Seriously, I just found this one on the internet for $3000.  Looks very similar wouldn't you say?

Source

Since having been hired to help decorate an MCM style house (that ironically was built in the 70's), I've been noticing MCM furniture everywhere.  I really love it's simple, unadorned style.

Looks just like the reproduction chairs that they sell in Urban Outfitters but obviously much better made.  Only $59.99 and in excellent condition too.

This table was only $15.  But it was in pretty bad condition.  The legs were amazing though.

And finally, this made me laugh.  I was tempted for a split second.  I think the boys would have hours of fun playing on it.  Alas, no room in my humble abode.

And that concludes: things I found while thrifting around.  Hope you had as much fun as I did.  And if you want me to find you some special treasures like this for your home, send me an email.  I'll be taking on new clients starting September.

Silver Chandelier - Yay or nay?

I have a new client, yipee! Well actually I have 2 new ones, and I'll tell you about them in good time. But all these new clients are giving me a serious excuse to stalk all of my favourite vintage resale stores. And I am finding some absolute treasures. Roman thinks I'm going all grannyfied in my interiors, huh, what does he know, he's only 10! But I really do love the classic lines of some pieces that I've come across recently.

Case in point. Look at this amazing chandelier. It looks like solid silver. It even has that silver tarnish look. I tried looking for a silver mark but couldn't find one (it may be silver plated though). It weighs an absolute ton. And it's only $100. But sadly I have no need for it yet. I'm thinking I might have to rent a storage unit.

I just did a google search on antique silver plated chandeliers and this beauty came up.

Wow, that's over $3000!  Still not sure if the one I saw is silver plated, but it certainly looks similar, non?  Should I buy it?

Symmetry at last

The knock-off saarinen tulip side table arrived from Overstock, and overall I'm pleased to have some symmetry back in the bedroom.

What I don't like, however, is the fact that you can see the lamp and radio cords.  I think if I tape them down the table base it will disguise them somewhat, but you'll still see them at the bottom.

Anyhow, it got me to thinking.  How about if I had sconces attached to the walls.  That would solve the  cord dilemma, and create more room on the nightstands for other stuff.

It would also make the room look less whimsical and more sophisticated.

I remember being fascinated by the sconces in the house on the show "American Horror Story".  Now that's a gorgeously designed house.  Here's a picture below.

Maybe I should do something like that with my bedroom.  The sconces would however have to be beside the headboard and not above due to the fact that I have a sloping ceiling.

These beauties are currently on sale at Anthropologie.

Too spidery or alien looking?  Not sure.  But they would bring a touch of masculinity to the place.

Here's some other options that might work.

You can find all of the links here.

It's probably not going to happen, because the current lamps are perfectly fine, but it's fun to dream.

New David Trubridge Coral Light in Music Room

The music room is slowly coming together.  I finally hung the new light fixture that I bought months ago from a flash sale on Fab.com.  I took a huge risk with this one.  It's really hard to judge what something will look like from a tiny picture on the internet.  And I have to admit it was one of those impulse buys.  Fab.com was having one of its designer sales and they were featuring the lighting of David Trubridge.  I had never heard of him before, but something struck a chord with me about how organic and interesting his lights were.  And the fact that it was about to sell out (and it was over half price) may have had something to do with it.  But I love to juxtapose traditional with modern elements to make rooms feel a little bit unexpected, so after calling Damian and getting the OK I put it in my shopping cart.

Fast forward to Sunday morning, having just finished tiling the fireplace, this was the next task on my list.  The light had arrived in a neat, little box, unassembled.  The instructions stated that it should take 40 to 60 minutes to assemble.  OK, believe that.  I had seen this light on another blog, and they said it took them 4 hours!  I was determined to beat that time.  So I set about assembling it.  It took a lot longer than the 40 minutes, and I can only equate it to building the lego death star.  And it kind of resembles it also.  I'm sure that it's not everyones cup of tea, and it is really big (31.5 inches diameter to be exact), but I love it.  It also casts a fabulous pattern on the ceiling and walls when turned on,  might be a bit distracting when you're trying to play the piano, but cool none the less.

It's made out of bamboo and has a lovely, organic and natural look to it.

I bought it in the caramel color.

One down only 12 more to go!

 Three hours, one massive splinter, and incredibly sore thumbs later, et voila, the death star has arrived!

It casts great shadows on the ceiling and walls.  A bit like a disco ball, but more tasteful, I hope.

And I had to include this last shot of the fireplace, because the light was shining so nicely on the brass surround.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who voted for me in the Apartment Therapy Room for Color Contest 2011.  I came 3rd in the Western Division with a lucky 333 votes!

Capiz Shell Chandelier

I've always liked the idea of having a chandelier in the bedroom.  Unfortunately my bedroom is in the attic and there isn't a flat ceiling anywhere.  And to make matters worse, when we built the upstairs, we didn't have a very good plan of where lights should go, and so we ended up with waayyy too many recessed cans.  I did contemplate converting one of the canned lights into a chandelier using one of those can converter kits, but I didn't want to spend too much money.  So instead I've cleverly disguised the can that is directly over the bed with a capiz shell chandelier from Pottery Barn Teen. 

I'm still in two minds about it.  I wish it was more opaque and white.  It reminds me of a jelly fish.  The kids seem to like it, despite the fact that they are now unable to jump on the bed (not that it was ever permitted, of course).

Here's how it looks.