Reply
Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,954
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

My walk in closet has two windows...one overlooks my back garden. I decided to turn the area in front of the window into a mini-office with a small desk, chair & lamp. The shelves behind me will hold my printer and supplies.

I looked for a long time for a small desk and chair. I checked out al the usual sources - local stores and Ikea and Pottery barn and some other catalogues. On Thursday I went to a local estate sale. On the third floor, up in the back attic, the owner had placed all the feminine things - his wife's hair dryer, complete with plastic bonnet and other stuff. Over in a corner, covered with cobwebs, was a small vanity table. It had cubbies on top like a desk and gatelegs that held an extension. It was painted pale green with cream trim, with a basket and flowers on the apron. They wanted $90.

I waited and went back on Saturday when everything was half price. It was still there! I got a small cream wooden chair, the desk/vanity and a metal lamp with a green tole shade - all for $65!!!! The people conducting the sale said they wondered who would spot the vanity - they said it was from the 30s-40s. As I was leaving, shoppers asked me where I got it from. There was a stampede to the attic!

I went on to another estate sale in a very large, old home. Once again, I headed to the attic - this time on the 4th floor, up a very narrow staircase. I spotted a turned leg console table with a doily and books on top. When I removed the books, I found out why they were asking $10 for it - the table top veneer was half off. I got them down to $6 and took that home too.

Everything needed a thorough cleaning. I scraped the chipped veneer off the top of the console and spray painted it black. It's now in my back hall. The vanity was perfect, same with the chair & the lamp. They had obviously been in the attic a LONG time w/o being used...just waiting for someone to find a new home for them!

I'm typing at the small desk, looking out at the trees and the garden.

For $71, I completed furnished my new small study area and got a great console - I already had the spray paint!

Plus, no products from China or Vietnam...no waste, everything will continue to be loved and cared for.

Anyone else have some great tag sale finds????

Honored Contributor
Posts: 26,549
Registered: ‎12-17-2012

Re: A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

Sounds beautiful! What fun finding such goodies. Enjoy your little sliced out piece of heaven.

Fate whispers to her, "You cannot withstand the storm." She whispers back, "I am the storm."

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,954
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

On 6/23/2014 Preds said:

Sounds beautiful! What fun finding such goodies. Enjoy your little sliced out piece of heaven. {#emotions_dlg.biggrin}

Thanks!

With everyone complaining about China products, I thought this was a great way to keep things local.

Plus, I love bringing furniture back to usefulness. I imagine where and how these things were previously used. It reminds me of the post on Depression era people and how they recycled and made do with what they already had. The gentleman in this home passed away at 82 years of age....a Depression baby for sure! I tend to find the best estate sale items up in attics...if people thought they wanted to save these things for the future - they often were the oldest and sturdiest things in the household.

Does anyone else re-cycle this way?

Super Contributor
Posts: 445
Registered: ‎04-21-2014

Re: A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

I thought you said you didn't have time to blog?

(lol.....sorry....just kidding with you. I love estate sales....and it sounds like you had a fun weekend)

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,954
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

On 6/23/2014 Emma bunting said:

I thought you said you didn't have time to blog?

(lol.....sorry....just kidding with you. I love estate sales....and it sounds like you had a fun weekend)

Haha!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,806
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

On 6/23/2014 terrier3 said:
On 6/23/2014 Emma bunting said:

I thought you said you didn't have time to blog?

(lol.....sorry....just kidding with you. I love estate sales....and it sounds like you had a fun weekend)

Haha!

Super Contributor
Posts: 445
Registered: ‎04-21-2014

Re: A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

On 6/23/2014 terrier3 said:
On 6/23/2014 Emma bunting said:

I thought you said you didn't have time to blog?

(lol.....sorry....just kidding with you. I love estate sales....and it sounds like you had a fun weekend)

Haha!

{#emotions_dlg.thumbup}.....I admire someone who can take a joke, terrier....{#emotions_dlg.biggrin}

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,806
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

Me, too. Smile

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,954
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

On 6/23/2014 Emma bunting said:
On 6/23/2014 terrier3 said:
On 6/23/2014 Emma bunting said:

I thought you said you didn't have time to blog?

(lol.....sorry....just kidding with you. I love estate sales....and it sounds like you had a fun weekend)

Haha!

{#emotions_dlg.thumbup}.....I admire someone who can take a joke, terrier....{#emotions_dlg.biggrin}

Thanks...life is short!

We all post under nics...no harm done!

Super Contributor
Posts: 445
Registered: ‎04-21-2014

Re: A Fun Recycling and Restoring Weekend...

On 6/23/2014 terrier3 said:
On 6/23/2014 Emma bunting said:
On 6/23/2014 terrier3 said:
On 6/23/2014 Emma bunting said:

I thought you said you didn't have time to blog?

(lol.....sorry....just kidding with you. I love estate sales....and it sounds like you had a fun weekend)

Haha!

{#emotions_dlg.thumbup}.....I admire someone who can take a joke, terrier....{#emotions_dlg.biggrin}

Thanks...life is short!

We all post under nics...no harm done!

nics?......you mean.......we didn't need to give our real names?{#emotions_dlg.crying}

TOP