Using a dresser as console table
July 12, 2010
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Last week I showed you my new perfectly-perfect-I-love-it buffet I found on Craigslist. Well, I had originally purchased a dresser to go in that spot. When I asked the length of the dresser, and the seller’s response was “53 inches -- but it was measured by my 15-year-old so I wouldn’t quite trust it.”
Hmmm. OK. I trusted the 15-year-old. (Note to self: Teach the Bub how to use a tape measure before he’s 15.)
When the dresser was too long to fit into the back of my SUV, I started questioning the skills of the teenager. We finally got it in, and when I got home I did a quick measurement – uhhhh, 63 inches…not 53. Which made it way too large for the foyer.
Drats! I would just have to put it somewhere else. :) And I knew just the spot:
I changed up this space a bit a few months ago – it started out as a very dark spot and with a little spray paint, it got a quick and easy transformation. (YES, you regular Squeezes. I SEE the cord. That is a very rare occurrence around here!)
But pretty much everything was still bugging me – the sconces on the wall just weren’t working anymore. I loved the lamp, but it seemed out of scale for that space. And I was always trying to add more light and it never seemed like enough. (By the way, that lamp is the one on my IKEA sofa table in the kitchen, and I got it from HomeGoods.)
Sooooo…I dragged the massively long dresser into that spot in our family room and oooh baby. I was in luuurve.
When I went to pick up the dresser, I could tell the seller was a bit hesitant to let go of it. It was her grandmother’s for something like 40 years. She showed me the wear on the top:
Then she mentioned the brand name and I didn’t hear much more after that because the birds were singing too loudly in my ears:
It is in really good shape, other than the top. With some conditioning oil, it really started to shine:
And the longer it sat in our house, the more I fell in love with it. Even the knobs (that still need to be cleaned) make my heart go pitter pat:
And soon, the top didn’t even bother me. It didn’t look worn, it looked loved. Like it had been in our house for 40 years.
When I tried out just about every lamp we own on the dresser, it was dwarfed. I checked out a couple of Goodwill’s and didn’t find anything – so it was off to HomeGoods I merrily skipped drove:
Um. If it is possible to want to flirt with, then date, then introduce a lamp to my parents and then marry it, this lamp would be the one. It is chunky. It is green. It has character. It has a drum shade.
I ask you, what more could you want out of a lamp?
Nothing I say! NOTHING:
The lamps were tall and substantial enough that I didn’t even need the sconces anymore – funny how I never considered just not having anything next the art!
Can we talk about how the lovely lady lamps perfectly pull out the smidges of the green on the Ballard discount print?:
My symmetrical-ness won out on this one. I love how simple and classic it is:
And shall I even mention all of the fantastical storage?:
Once I get liners in here, I have some great ideas to free up a bit of space in the kitchen. Can’t wait!
This time I was a smart cookie and kept the tag to the lamps – I know some of you will love them too:
I just got them last week and our HomeGoods had a bunch left, but if you can’t find them there, you maybe you can email the company to find out where to buy?
The cost for the Drexel dresser? One hundred buckaroos. And it’s HEAVY. They don’t make them like that anymore. Well, they do -- but not for $100. ;)
The lamps were $40 each, and I wanted the second one so bad, I returned a lamp from another project just so I could get it. I heart them.
I think the transformation in this spot, which never seemed right:
Was well worth the price for an I now LOVE it spot:
And you know what? At least for now, I’m not going to paint this beauty. Even with the bit of damage on top, I think it’s perfect as is. It’s warm and lovely and I can’t bear to paint over it. :)
What’s your greatest Craigslist score? Or are you still too sceered to try it out? I don’t blame you – but the first time you try it, you may find yourself hooked too. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. ;)
That looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite craigslist find was my daughters twin bed. It's beautiful and I didn't even have to paint it.
You're so funny! Your wall looks awesome with your new dresser! It's warm & rich & yummy just like it is : ) - & those lamps... divine!
ReplyDeleteThat dresser is gorgeous! I don't think it needs any paint and the knobs are so unique.
ReplyDeleteI found a sofa table for $30 bucks and an elliptical for $50 (not that it get's used often enough)
Hannah
Brand new blog...
http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/
Wow! It look so much better that way. Isn't Craigslist the best!!! I have scored a lot from Craigslist. If it wasn't for Craig we wouldn't have a bed, lighting, tables. On really bad days I have thought of selling my children...well I wouldn't sell then cuz that would be wrong I would give them away.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! I haven't actually bought anything off Craigslist yet. I look all the time though. I just never have any extra money. I wouldn't paint it either although I bet it'd be gorgeous painted a creamy white. The space is perfect now especially with the lamps.
ReplyDeleteI have posted on craigslist but never purchased. I like to look on the free stuff. Great score for one hundred dollars.
ReplyDeleteIt looks fabulous! I'm going to be putting sconces in in a tiny nook in our basement, it'll look great! Can I have yours!? ;)
ReplyDeleteThat space now looks professionally done - nice job!!! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWe scored a nice dirtbike for my daughter on Craigslist, but the best thing is we sold my mom's car in just 5 minutes there - woohoo!
This dresser is fantastic as is! Please don't paint it Sarah. It is a stunning piece. I adore the two new lamps as I am all about balance. GORGEOUS, classic and simple. Nice job!
ReplyDeletePS Animal House Ha! :)
I think you should leave the dresser as it is, too. It is just gorgeous with the lamps and is SO perfect for the space. It looks so timeless there.
ReplyDeleteOn another note- we LOVE craigslist. Where to start with our best purchase? Our dining table? Our couches? End table painted blue? Desk painted pink? Playroom furniture? I am a total craigslist junkie!
Looks really good. The problem before was that the piece you had wasn't substantial enough for the art, I think.
ReplyDeleteCraigslist in a rural area...not such good finds. :(
Looks really good. The problem before was that the piece you had wasn't substantial enough for the art, I think.
ReplyDeleteCraigslist in a rural area...not such good finds. :(
I think it looks great as is and this is coming from someone who paints almost everything. I have a Craigslist dresser that I thought I wanted to paint but can't bear the thought.
ReplyDeleteThe space looks anchored now, like it won't float away. Does that make sense?
My husband went to pick up a bed I found on CL last night and the woman let him into her house with her 3 children!!!!! Um...personal safety, anyone??? :) He actually had to take the bed apart!!
ReplyDeleteYou can see my cutie new bed at 4monkeymadness.blogspot.com.
Christe
That dresser makes me want to shout "SO.MUCH.BETTER!!!!"
ReplyDeletePlease, whatever you do, don't paint it!
Love that new piece of furniture! Beautiful! And get this...I have those SAME lamps from home goods in a beige color in my bedroom! My jaw dropped when I saw yours. I endured many months with old ugly silver lamps in our bedroom until I walked into HG one day and those lamps were screaming at me "TAKE ME HOME!" You should do a Craigslist linky party one day. I JUST bought something today that really lights my fire. Can't wait to pick it up tomorrow
ReplyDeleteI have a the same design drexel furniture in buffet form! I bought it from a thrift store a couple months back... I am thinking about changing the knobs or painting some color as I mine isn't as warm.
ReplyDeleteEverything in the space really came together. The larger dresser allowed you to get more substantial lamps, whose lovely color brings out the green in the painting- each piece just complements the others.
ReplyDeleteNot only do I love Craigslist- my house would be empty without it! I've been married a year and we've purchased dressers, chairs, lamps...but the best deal was our couch. It was from a college student who was moving to a smaller apartment. She had only had the modern, designer couch for a year, but we got it for at least 75% off the original price ($250).
Oh my goodness Sarah... you did good!!! This is a piece to leave in all it's glory. It's definitely not asking to be painted. Really fits that bigger wall.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love Craigslist!!! I am an AVID craigslister for both selling and buying...or should I say getting for free as I rarely buy anything. Our craigslist has great stuff all the time in the free section. Seriously most of the furniture in our house came from the free section. That dresser is FAB by the way and I love it in its au naturel state! I wouldn't paint it either! Love the space so much more now...it definitely looks perfect with that print above it and those sexay lamps on either side! My fave craigslist find was probably my GINORMOUS pine armoire that I got for free (and did I mention it was 1400.00 new?) Its huge and i love it!
ReplyDeleteThat dresser is awesome! My best Craigslist score was probably our couch. It was only 3 years old and in really good condition. I got it for $50 and was hooked! I bought about 5 large pieces of furniture in a month's time and my hubby had to tell me to stop because we didn't have any more room in our rental house. I now of plenty of room and plans to buy more furniture since we bought our house!
ReplyDeleteI actually wouldn't mind if you did paint the dresser- I would love a tutorial on how to do it!!! there is, perhaps a tutorial like that somewhere on your blog- I am a new reader (love it), so I have a bit of searching to do. It is beautiful how it is, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a little mint green, chipped to perfection, small dresser from the 40's. I'm going to make it a changing table for our little one arriving in January. I fell in love with it and had to have it!
ReplyDeleteI bought a great armoire for $300 for my office...I DID do the meausurements and guaranteed it would fit...It was awesome, but then it was too big to go down the hall and thru the door....dang, didn't factor THAT in.....so now it's in my bedroom with the tv in it. I do LOVE that!
ReplyDeleteLove your dresser! I can totally believe you are picturing Christmas stuff on there! :D
Suzanne
I've been eyeing a Drexel desk on Craigslist for $45 that is very similar in design to that dresser. I want it, I just don't want to drive the two hours!
ReplyDeletei <3 CL for sure! i just scored a stainless/black side by side fridge that supposedly needed a new compressor but. it. didn't! bought it for $50, add $80 for relay & labor and woo hoo $130 later we have a newer fridge. listed our old one a few days later, it sold the next day for $125. So i think that means that the new fridge cost $5? i <3 CL!
ReplyDeletejudi ;)
CL and I go way back - I love it! I've bought and sold and even given away on CL w/o anything bad or weird happening to me...yet ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy best score was 5 black wrought iron ice-cream parlor type chairs from Pier I with coverable seats for $15 each!! I wanted all 6 but couldn't fit the 6th in my car so the seller kept it for her desk chair, and now I have an extra office chair, too. The other 4 are gathered around my kitchen table. I absolutely adore them -- they were the score of the century!
Just bought us a vintage Wedgewood double oven! It's 60 years old and got it for $450! It's beautiful, however I will be cleaning this for many days before it goes in the house! It will be posting on my blog soon....
ReplyDeleteI love Craigslist. On Saturday, my husband was working all day and our garage needed some major cleaning out. We just finished up some major remodeling in our house (three bathrooms gutted and half our loft turned into a bedroom.) I decided I couldn't wait for hubby to get the garage cleaned out so I braved the 110 temps for two hours and drug all the big stuff that we needed to get rid of and pulled and pushed it all to the curb. I took a picture and posted it all for free on Craigslist. By the time my husband got home it was almost gone. He couldn't believe it and I was so happy I did it all on my own. I totally LOVE Craigslist.
ReplyDeleteooooh it's delovely! I bought my son a bew-tay-ful solid wood armoire from craig for $200, it is great! I'm always looking for something new!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your CL finds! I'm totally in love with CL too. My best purchases have been my master bedroom set all from Ashley we got the bed (head and foot board), armoire, and long dresser with miror for $700 and the lady only had it for 3 months. It didn't fit in her new home. Then I came across a woman who was selling a new in the box laz-y-boy crib and 6 drawer changing table for $600 you just can't beat that! Again I'm so in LOVE with CL happy you've finally discovered the amazing deals out there!!
ReplyDeleteMT Jen
oh my goodness that is so breathtaking! great find!!! <3
ReplyDeleteThe next step for you is scouring the Craigslist "free" section! I've found some treasures there!
ReplyDeleteI ♥ Craigslist! I search there before a project and especially after getting inspiration from a store or a catalog. I am glad you like your dresser so much! I love it when people truly appreciate older, well-loved things!
ReplyDeleteWow - just beautiful! I love those knobs! Great find!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jen
Your husband will hate me, but wouldn't that gorgeous new piece be perfect with a marble top on it? AND it would hide the wear marke...BONUS!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE the lamps!
I'm definitely a Craigslist fan. Purchased both of my little boys' dressers through CL- both are solid wood and beautiful. I had to refinish one of them but it was completely worth the effort and it looks awesome. The other is a newer Ethan Allen in excellent condition! I love spending less money on better quality furniture just because it's previously loved!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy husband makes fun of me and says I always have to paint anything wood. So, like you, my first instinct would've been to slap a few coats on there and update the hardware. However, I do like it as is. It looks lovely how you have it set up now, and I wouldn't change a thing!
ReplyDeleteI made a very happy craigslist purchase this weekend too. My second ever. I think hearing you talk about it so much lately is getting to me. I may just have to get that app you were talking about...
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you want to fiddle with the worn spot anymore. I use the darker colored Old English oil on anything wood that is scratched or worn. It hasn't failed me yet. Covers the lighter wood right up.
ReplyDeleteCan you believe I have never scored anything from Craigslist! I need to though!
ReplyDeleteLove the dresser! I have never gotten anything from Craigslist, but I'm all over Goodwill. It is a bad addiction of mine. BAD!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Love the lamps too!
Lisa
Looks amazing!! Those lamps are gorgeous! Love craigslist!
ReplyDeleteCraig's List and I go WAY back! It's one of the best ways right now to find the perfect previously-loved stuff that we can't live without. Just this weekend, we drove an hour to buy the perfect deal of a truck cap to cover the bed of my CL-purchased truck, so I can haul more CL stuff under cover. Craig's List is like a keyword-searchable flea market/antique shop ... all from the comfort of one's own home!!
ReplyDeleteHopefully, I'll finish my greenhouse later this summer. It's a perfect testament to CL and salvage. I can't wait!
Connie
www.hartwoodroses.blogspot.com
Fantastic dresser. It looks sooo good!
ReplyDeleteI laughed when you said to the seller you were going to paint it. I've had some odd looks after mentioning that to sellers before.
Those lamps are so perfect. They look like they're out of an OKA catalogue.
Angex
Love the before and after of the wall. Your new piece looks more substantial in the space. Great find.
ReplyDeleteI'm too chicken to try CL. (though I have been a lurker on the site).
Love the "weightiness" of the dresser, really fills the space nicely!
ReplyDeleteMy husband bought a truck on Craigslist a few months ago!
I have enjoyed my time looking on it for furniture, but have yet to purchase anything!
Sarah, it's wonderful and so perfect for that space. I love the size it is with the large painting above...seems a better "fit" than the piece you had there originally. Not that you asked, but I vote "don't paint." :-)
ReplyDeleteAwesome find...great price!
P.S....and I'll hush. I love the worn spots...that just says: "another family once loved me and made lots of memories...now it's your turn." It really did say that, I heard it and everything. ;)
ReplyDeleteI just love it so much better there and those lamps are to die for!! I am constantly stalking craigslist. I too, am looking for a dresser to use as a sofa table. I already bought the 2 lamps off CL to put on it!!
ReplyDeleteLove that tranformation!!! You did good!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Craigslist finds (so far) are...our awesomely nice Pool Table ($50), my beautiful dining table w/ 8 chairs and lighted hutch ($450) and a 5 piece...40 yr. old Thomasville bedroom set ($250). :)
Great job! I've never tried Craigslist but you've inspired me!
ReplyDeleteYou have created a "classic" look. Much better than the other.
ReplyDeleteMy only craig's list purchase is an antique Lane cedar chest (60 yrs old) with decorative details not found today. I waited and looked for 2 years for this chest.
It's been so long since I CL shopped! Darn the budget.
ReplyDeleteIt seriously looks GREAT. I love it as it is too. And the lamps are gorgeous.
How gorgeous is that dresser?! I love it, it does look very warm, I wouldn't paint it for a awhile either & I LOVE those lamps too!
ReplyDeleteAwwww. I LOVE that dresser. It gives me hope for Craigslist. Alas, around here I keep an eye on Craigslist, and I have yet to find anything that was worth the price people want for things. No scores.
ReplyDeleteLove it! And, I don't think it needs a paint job. I haven't personally bought anything on Craigslist, but I know my girlfriend has and she usually makes arrangements to meet the seller/buyer in a neutral location if the items can be transported easy enough.
ReplyDeleteSo far my best score is the desk I still haven't done anything with. I love it. We had to carry it down 4 flights of stairs and it is HEAVY, but it was so worth the $40 I spent on it.
ReplyDeleteWOW! $100? Way to go. No wonder you heard birds singing. I just picked up the anti-dresser from Kijiji (like Craigslist) for $10. We'll see if I can do anything with it, shall we?
ReplyDeleteLOL
http://dharmainthefalls.blogspot.com/2010/07/ugliest-dresserever.html
My favorite Craig's List find, so far is our dog. He is curled up behind me on the computer chair right now. He is a cute, black, minature dauchshund mix and needed a new home desperately, seeing as the previous owners had not ever taken him to the vet. He is a wonderful dog. Love Craig's List!!!
ReplyDeleteHaven't made my way up to Craig's List yet; I still consider myself a Good Will newbie. : ) I have sold a couple of things on Craig's List for the first time last year. It was wonderful to get rid of something AND get a bit of money for them!
ReplyDeleteI think your new dresser looks fantastic in its new location. Love the lamps you found also. The solid heft to the base and the lampshade make me wish I needed new lamps ~ somewhere.
I got the most beautiful leather chair off craigslist for $50. I actually wrote a post called "Why I Love Craigslist" about it :)
ReplyDeletehttp://livelovedecorate.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/why-i-love-craigslist/
Love your new space!!! All those drawers.... :) Love Craig's List as well. Our best "find" so far is our summer nanny! She's the greatest.
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge Craigslist fan - if you're patient, you can always find it. I love the symmetry that you put together, I know it's not as popular as "odd numbers" but symmetry always makes my heart sing.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, Sarah, and just perfect for that spot! Congratulations on a great find.
ReplyDeleteNow you have me wishing for a pair of lamps somewhere. I love symmetry, but I'm not sure I've got twin lamps anywhere around here. Hmmm.
As for Craigslist, I haven't used it much. . . but I need to find some bedroom furniture, so you've inspired me to look there! My oldest son would say that his favorite Craigslist find was great seats at a Peter Frampton concert. :)
Illumination Station is in my hometown! I absolutely LIVE for their twice a year warehouse sales! Talk about some GREAT buys!
ReplyDeleteI got a fab shade for $3!!
LOVE the dresser there and I love that you may not paint it...it's such a warm and cozy wood- just cuddle up to it and enjoy. =)
ReplyDeleteOur BEST EVER CL find was just this weekend! I think. It's a GORGEOUS OLD dry sink that we're going to re-purpose for a 1/2 bath vanity. pictures on CL were dark and shady, but when we got there....VOILA!!! The item was from a high end wood company, most likely built in the 1930's...and the best part...the whole inside of the 'dry sink' part is lined in BEAUTIFUL COPPER!!!!!!! totally tarnished now..but not for long! The lady had it sitting in her basement for 20 years and had no idea. We'll put a vessel sink in there and for only $80...LOVE IT! From online research it looks to be worth $400+. yay for Craigslist. I ALWAYS have hubby go with me if we're going to someone's house or we meet at neutral place for smaller items. -Erica in VA
Very nice find...It looks perfect in the space! We use "Howard's Restor-A-Finish" on scratched wood furniture. It's a quick way to restore the color and finish and it works great! Recently, we bought a beautiful 7' antique Louis XVI french country buffet for $350 on CL. I found one on Ebay for $2500!;)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the dresser and the lamps! I'd keep the dresser as it is. My first CL purchase was 2 weeks ago. Got a huge square coffee table, 2 end tables and a sofa table, all in great shape for $50. Of course I want to paint them, but have several other projects going now. They look so nice, everyone that sees them wants to buy them from me!
ReplyDeleteThe new dresser and lamps look sooo much better. The scale fits the space perfectly. I can imagine Christmas decor there too :-).
ReplyDeleteI have found many things on Craigslist and am addicted to looking at the furniture ads to make sure I don't miss something great. My greatest find was a china cabinet for $25 that I turned into an entertainment center. I love it. Just waiting on the new flat screen to put in it. Check it out here http://gloriasbudgetdecosolutions.blogspot.com/
I love the dresser! I would have swooned. :)
ReplyDeleteI got a really lovely dresser for $10.00 off craigslist! It isn't Drexel, but it is solid wood, has bun feet, and is getting a makeover right now!
My favorite thrift find is a Henredon armoire I found at a flea market. They charged me $75.00 for it! They had no idea what Henredon was! I felt like I was stealing from them! I loaded that armoire into my Excursion and drove off as fast as I could!
Your dresser is beautiful! Love the knobs. Usually I like darker wood pieces but it looks great as is. I hope you don't paint it either. :)
ReplyDeleteWe bought an armoire on Craigslist a few months ago. Probably paid a tad more that we should have but I don't like negotiating. It was cheaper than what we would have paid for new anyway so I was happy. I looks great in our bedroom and now I don't have a great, big TV sticking out at all times.
Awesome dresser. I scored a FREE one, that was left in the garage of a friends newly purchased home. I am now ready to re-paint it. It works great as a buffet.
ReplyDeleteBest Craigslist purchase... my husband found a full size older chevy truck for his handyman business. Until then, he was driving a beat up little mini truck. The owner saw his truck and wanted it, so gave my husband an even better deal on the BIG truck. Now I have my man in a BIG truck- which was always my DREAM guy!
2nd best purchase, very silly, I know, but a comfy skimpy nighty. I never looked before or after for clothes, but bored one day, looked and saw a brand I love. The seller (girl) and I met in a very public place, in front of the post office. Which was also happened to be across from the police station. We were both nervous, so I am sure we looked like we were doing a drug deal right out there in public. She handed me the bag, I looked in, felt the material, handed her the money and we parted. It was pretty funny. But it is now my favorite summer nighty, for $5. SCORE!
- Mindy Lu
I've bought quite a bit from craigslist! My most recent purchase is an awesome, sturdy twin trundle bed for my son's room made by Cargo Kids ($185). We have three bedrooms and my daughter always had to sleep on the floor when my parents visited. Now the kids can bunk together in my sons room. They say they're having a camp out..so cute.
ReplyDeleteHuge...huge improvement.
ReplyDeleteI have a 'thing' about cords...actually, about the outlet too. I really like your new dresser, and I, too, am thinking about the fabuous storage.
Have a terrific Tuesday. ~Natalie
Harrison, Arkansas? My word! That is literally an hour from my house!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful piece and I love where you placed it. It really makes the space look complete.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your find! I think the larger scale and weight of this peice definitely works better!
ReplyDeleteCheck out the $75 china cabinet I bought on Craigslist and transformed!
http://ericaharless.blogspot.com/2010/04/after-switch-roo.html
-Erica
I just love your little wall. Let's see, I've gotten oh so much from Craigslist: I also scored a fabulous dresser (for only $35, but not as fab as yours!) I've purchased bed frames, a cooler, picked up some free paint, and lots more. Most importantly, I got my job on Craigslist!
ReplyDeleteThought about you when I read this
ReplyDeleteabout putting away the laundry.
Dear FlyLady,
Yesterday, I found myself dreading putting away two of my husband's bathing suits from the laundry. I caught myself wanting to put it off and remembered you have told us that if you hate to put the laundry away it is because your drawers are too full.
After checking with my husband I decluttered his drawers with shorts and jeans yesterday and found shorts with a waistband that crackled when you stretched it and rain pants (?!) he will never wear. The rain pants are going to someone who can use them.
Today I decluttered his t-shirts and found one of his old t-shirts I use as a cleaning rag neatly folded near the bottom of the drawer! LOL!
Thanks again for all of your help and a few good laughs!
FlyBaby in NJ
FlyLady here: Once you declutter your dresser drawers and closets you will find you have plenty of room to put away the clean clothes.
I am always amazed at the kind of things that get shoved into the dresser drawers. No wonder there is no room for our clean clothes!!
Too often you put off doing this because you don't know what to do with stuff. We have a good tool for decluttering.
The FlyLady Declutter Kit has three nylon/mesh bags that stand up, have handles,are labeled, brightly colored, collapse flat into their own bag when not in use and therefore easy to store. You can choose to put away, give away or throw away!!
http://flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_declutter.asp
Much, Much Better. Looks very polished. love it
ReplyDeleteOH, what a difference! Love it and glad you didn't paint it! :-) We are addicted to usednanaimo.com, a website for locals to sell their stuff. Now I must check out craigslist!
ReplyDeleteOk, I can't believe I'm saying this, but don't paint her. Ever. She has the prettiest color.
ReplyDeleteI immediately thought, STORAGE! Lots of lots of glorious STORAGE! :)
Try Old English Scratch cover. It works well to make a piece shine wothout refinishing. Beautiful dresser & the corner looks great!
ReplyDeleteI'm a total Craigslist junkie! My latest purchase was 4 very sturdy dark wood bar stools for $5 each for a whopping $20!!! It takes a while to get exactly what I want but I get it for a fraction of the price. Love it!
ReplyDeleteCraigslist is the best! My husband and I buy and sell things on Craigslist all the time. I've found so many great things over the years. My latest find will be getting a makeover in the VERY near future.
ReplyDeleteI agree, no need to paint that dresser. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
Love it!
That is a beautiful dresser and the lamps look amazing on it!
ReplyDeleteIt looks super-duper-duper-amazing! I love the lamps, so fab!
ReplyDeleteI am not allowed to paint anything made out of wood, my husband loves wood and cannot believe that I actually want to cover it! Oh, well. I am trying to find a style that I like that does not involve painting wood...
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I'm saying this, but don't paint it! I love it so much. And people pay lots of money for that wear on the top!
ReplyDeleteI've never bought anything off CL b/c I'm scared of being murdered. I look all the time. Some deals are just worth the risk, but I haven't found one yet.
I'm actually a freshman math teacher, I wouldn't trust the 15 year old either =) The dresser looks AMAZING! What a great find! You inspired me to post about our dining room find that we got about a month ago. I heart Craigslist, well also when it doesn't involve coming to my house and we did a drive by first too!
ReplyDeleteoh, and I was so tickled while reading how you described the lamps, my husband now thinks I've lost it!
ReplyDeleteJ'adore Craig's List. It's my all-time favorite shopping place. Almost all my vintage furniture (think Mad Men) was found for pennies on Craig's List. I'm so glad you've discovered it. Its addictive.
ReplyDeleteKat
BlackKatsDesign.blogspot.com
Oh. My. Garsh! You've instantly added SOOO much rich character to this spot. Yes yes YES!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I love it! That space looks soooo much better now. I am amazed at the difference! And I heart those lamps too. :)
ReplyDeleteDid you seriously mention Christmas decor? You are a naughty, naughty girl!
Congrats on the great deal!
Traci
p.s. I like dresser the way it is too.
Love that dresser! The space looks absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite craigslist find was a hutch for our dining room for only$100. I like it as is, but have been contemplating painting it after seeing some lovely transformations of furniture on several blogs that I follow.
Oliver!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou know what would be totally awesome if you took the last picture and mailed it to the person you bought it from and were like 'just so you know your grandmothers dresser is in warmth of a new loving home'....
id love to see a craigslist item i sold go to better use and not be re-sold:) especially since you kept the color!
D
1. I don't like it . . I LOVE IT! Don't paint the dresser - it's BEE-U-TIFUL!!! And yes - I've been lurking for quite awhile - and am very happy for your new space :)
ReplyDelete2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Craigslist . . my best find was a maple desk - that I always thought I'd paint . .but can't bring myself to. I've turned it into my sewing table in my craft room! (and yeah - my cousin came with me - my brother had the phone number, name, and address of the seller before I left) :)
:) Ok - I'm off to the Thrift Store! 25% off Tuesdays!!!
:) Carrie
Oh my gosh, I love that dresser. AND what I love even more is that my husband is from Harrison, Arkansas WHERE those pretty lamps where made.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think anything lovely came from that place (other than Hubby of course!) and now I can show him how proud I am that I've been there.
Thanks!!
I bought the same lamp from my Home Goods a few months back. My only regret is that I just bought one instead of two. Love the CL dresser, definately wouldn't paint it, brings a warmth to the space. CL is the bomb! My hubby would disagree b/c I send him to pick up all my purchases but I'm a safety girl!
ReplyDeleteThe space looks so much better now. I know that feeling when you finally get it right...AWESOME! I think it would look so great painted heirloom white and have edges sanded down to show the warm wood tone. It would even look FAB painted black. Be sure to show us what you decide to do.
ReplyDeleteDo.Not.Paint. It's so beautiful the way it is. And I'm not even one of those 'Never paint over nice wood' people. I just got a giant box of batting and fabric FREE on craigslist. It's my fave place to shop.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite CL score was the entertainment center. Paid 300 and it's well worth over 2500. It's all real wood and I love it!
ReplyDeleteCan hardly wait to have a decor budget again, you have inspired me to start searching out the good old C'sL and my local flea market and I am very much over due for a visit to HG's!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful space, lucky finds!
Do you ever get tired of constantly changing your house? (This is honest, not snarky).
ReplyDeleteYou know that every one of us went straight from your site to craigslist to look for our next find :)
ReplyDeleteGreat deal and it looks BEAUTIFUL! I just scored a pretty cherry buffet from Craigslist for $180...not as good as your $100 deal but I was still happy because the seller started out asking a whopping $300 for it.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are frequent Craigslist shoppers. I wish I had a place for all the great stuff I see advertised for sale! Besides numerous furniture pieces I have picked up on there, we bought a 30 acre horse farm our daughter originally saw on Craiglist! We also bought a 12 stall barn we found on Craigslist. The owner (a contractor) took it down from his property and rebuilt it on our property. Seriously! Add to that a tractor, a storage shed, a flat bed trailer... The list goes on and on!
I got a pair of lovely wing back chairs for $85. I am going to recover them with a funky animal print and use them for host chairs in my dining room. Love!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this space. You really have warmed it up and it DOES look much more complete. I agree. Nice find!
ReplyDeleteOh please don't ever paint it! It is beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a fellow CL junkie. Scored a pair of vintage four-poster beds for our beach house for $50, '40s rattan end-tables and coffee table, brand-new beach bike for $50, wrought-iron glass-topped coffee table for patio, ect. My decorator friend scored enough marble from a torn-down bank to do the floors of his kitchen and two bathrooms.
ReplyDeleteLove it, what a great transformation! I have the exact same dresser, also a Craigslist find! It's in our master, painted black and still hanging with his brother & sister (nightstands). I've been really lucky with "The List" over the years but scoring this set for a song (like crazy cheap) was one time I was really proud of my frugalness. =)
ReplyDeleteI love Craigslist and I LOVE THAT piece! I'm heading to Paris today and WISH with every inch of my body that I could send a crate home full of flea market finds. Instead I'll be blogging about all I find!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love my spray paint, there are some things that are just best left original---this is an heirloom piece. Maybe your Bub will have it in his house some day.
ReplyDeleteCraiglist is the greatest thing invented for a cheapskate, such as myself. Picked up two dressers just yesterday. super excited to work some magic on them.
Lord...just came across your blog!! Right up my alley, I gotta say. Nothing speaks to my heart like re-purpose, re-use, recycle! You go girl!
ReplyDeleteI've recently become addicted to craigslist list as well..as in..I use my lunch break and probably and hour or so each night just perusing. I always have something in mind that I want or want to replace which is dangerous when you live in a small space. And being that I have lost out on some great items recently I'm more obsessed than ever to keep on top of the listings. My greatest find was a 3 piece entertainment unit for our flat screen. My husband and I are newlyweds and our "entertainment" set up in the living room was so college'ish. I found a great unit that was only a few years old for 1/3 the cost of the ones I was looking at in the stores. It finally makes our place look grown up.
ReplyDeleteReally a perfect spot and LOVE the lamps (and hey, that movie was filmed at my alma mater so we pretty much quote it as gospel). I live in the San Francisco bay area so there are some pretty awesome craigslist finds. My favorite is still the free dining table I got for my daughter's apartment - a little scrubbing and lemon oil and that baby was good to go.
ReplyDeleteTwo thumbs up for Craig's List and your decorating abilities!!
ReplyDeleteThe buffet was a great buy for that price. It looks like a well made piece of furniture and I think it was a happy accident that it didn't fit where you wanted it to go, because it looks great where it ended up. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the Drexel dresser and the new lamps. They look great with the Ballard print. (There's something about Ballard art - it just has that "certain something." I have their Warmth abstract print, and I love it.)
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't mind my saying so, but I'm not loving the little white rocker with the new stuff. Sorry. I'm seeing a basket of greenery in its place, or a vase of twigs, or a tall statue. Something. Things look different in photos, so it may look fine "in person," but to me, the scale looks off, and the style. You've got a good contemporary look going on with your new pieces. I'm sorry. I don't mean to be one of those rude posters. I just can't help but give my opinion. Sigh.
Oh...I know it's a sin but I'm soo jealous! I wouldn't paint her some things are perfect as they are. It really looks perfect. I just bought a rug and a small cabinet to put in my kitchen off cl, it's addictive!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so awesome!!! The color of this dresser is so warm and beautiful, it looks absolutely perfect in that spot with the art and lamps!!! Awesome Craigslist find!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh take me to Craigslist any day while I was pregs. I foudn a crap load of baby stuff and I sold a brand new blackberry on there for 400 dollars. SURE sometimes you feel like a drug dealer meeting someone in an Old Navy parking lot but hey! who cares GOOD STUFF CHEAP!
ReplyDelete(just ignore the solicits for hookers...eek!)
This is just some gorgeous eye candy to me. I love home decor and before and after pics. You have done such a great job on that little spot. Home Goods.. ummmnnn I skip off to that place whenever I am slightly down.
ReplyDeleteI've given you the Sugar Doll award on my blog. Grab it if you like.
http://freshcutfabrics.blogspot.com/p/cottage-finds.html
In the bloggy fun links section
gorgeous just as it is -- after all, don't we ALL have some damage on top somewhere? it looks lived in.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what my BEST Craigslist score is -- because luckily I have so many of them.
Craigslist is great --if you are careful of course. We actually ARE selling, too -- and have someone coming tomorrow to look at a dining set. If we are never heard from again ... call the cops, OK?
Cass
oh sometimes I think I need to join CL Anon! I am hopelessly addicted. I have worn out my mouse's scrolling button from it. I love Craigslist, and my name is ______. LOL!
ReplyDeleteMy most incredible find was a Saarinen tulip table, circa 1950's or 60's, along with SIX tulip chairs that spin!
FOR ONLY 100 BUCKS!!!!!!!
Oh, the heart palpitations when I saw that photo! I had to wait two agonizing days to go get them. I'm not 100% sure it's the authentic set, but don't care, those things are THOUSANDS of $s new, and I LOVE THEM. Any clue how to find out?
And your dresser is just lovely AS IS :)
OH me oh my I love this dresser. I couldnt help but thinking the round hardware looked vaguely familiar last night when I read this. So jsut now as Im re-visiting I went out to my craft stash and guess what? I have almost identical hardware knobs! They were sent to me by a swap partner when we did a spring swap a few months ago!:) Now Im gonna try them on a hutch Ive had thats really dated. I love the look:)
ReplyDeleteSarah
I love this dresser !! Its worth every penny. :)
ReplyDeleteI am totally LOVING the new corner. Goodness, it's beautiful. Great find too.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Toni
I'm a craiglist junkie. There are so many good deals. My latest one was a dress form that sell for 100.00 and I got it for 15.00. I decorate most of my scrap room from Craiglist purchases and my kids room each one has a craiglist item. I ckeck it a couple of time a day!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to find another craiglist fanatic!!!
best regards,
Wanda
We call it Cracklist around our house. True story.
ReplyDeleteWe have gotten some amazing deals on Craig's list. It has become the first place we look when we need something. Love the scale of your new piece with those lamps...perfect for that spot. Recently redid our bedroom and found the perfect lamps at HG...my other favorite place!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your Craigslist posts. If not for you, I would never have checked CL for the Monet print I just bought for $25--huge, beautifully matted and framed--perfect for the enormous empty wall in our bedroom :)
ReplyDeleteWow, the new piece is PERFECT in that space. And I'm with you - it is gorgeous without painting. I think painting it would actually cheapen it a bit, and the lamps are perfect on top of that warm brown color. I love Craigslist.
ReplyDeleteAbsoulutely Gorgeous! What a find!!
ReplyDeleteThe new dresser looks great there (good choice not to paint it). Love those lamps too! I have an entire blog dedicated to Craigslist finds www.decorscore.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI love your awesome finds. Craigslist rocks! I found so much stuff for my son's nursery through CL - I saved a fortune. And again when we moved into our new house.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely perfect! I love drum lamps and they look great in every color - i've changed my favorite lamp into so many colors!
ReplyDeleteAnd it seems like yesterday when I scored my still-covered-in-wrapping custom herringbone oversized arm chair from crate and barrel off craigslist for $150! It was over a thousand dollars and never been sat in.. I've basically built a shrine around it! Congratulations on your new DREXEL (!!!!) dresser!
i LOVE LOVE LOVE this! It is so warm and inviting and totally my style! Will you do my foyer?!? I have no idea what to do with it... My favorite craigslist find? A heavy duty farm style dining set- yes set (table, six chairs, china hutch and buffet table) for $400. I love craigslist!
ReplyDeleteSeriously gorgeous. Its been a while since your original post; I hope you haven't painted the dresser. It looks great.
ReplyDeleteI love Craig's List; I'm always dragging something home. Just last Friday I bought a fantastic leather slipper chair for $20. All my friends are jealous!!
Love craigs list. Bought two pine captain's beds with dresser and push in desks for $300 (included delivery) and just last week we bought a wood swing set for $200.
ReplyDeleteI'm gaga over craigslist! My husband was initially not into the idea of "buying other people's junk" but I kinda talked him into it. We bought some of our stuff over there and frankly speaking, they were the best stuff we have in our house. Now he regrets buying our couch set and dining set on retail because they're cheap but he knew nothing about quality furniture. Last week we hit the jackpot when we scored a pair of beautiful Baker Furniture wingback chairs for $70/pair. They look fabulous but needed a little cleaning. He couldn't understand my excitement until the upholstery cleaning guy came over and gasped when he saw the chairs. He told my not-so-furniture-savvy husband that it is always an honor finding these treasures. I think he gave my dear husband a lecture about furniture. After the guy left, my husband checked every single furniture we ever bought "This is Ethan Allen! This is Stanley!" and literally called almost everyone in his family and told them how his wife "scored these crazy expensive chairs that's basically like the Rolls Royce of chairs over the internet". He's found a renewed appreciation for our precious craigslist finds, especially our most recent finds and the best yet, the Baker chairs.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! You gotta love Craigslist. I found an Ethan Allen buffet, recently, for $48. It was a little beat up but with a little sanding, a coat of stain on the top and paint on the bottom half, it looks like new.
ReplyDeleteI like how you paired this with matching lamps and it looks grounded by the large picture. I think a perfect fit.