My Finds : Tales of Craigslist and Beyond

Guys, It has been a while since I showed you any of my SCORES!  If you follow me on Instagram you have seen some, but I thought I would pull them all together here. These have all been acquired while living in our "new" house (how long can you call it a new house anyway?).

Not everything has an official spot yet, but the hoarder in me had to grab now and place later.  Is that how you do it?  Or do you shop for a specific piece knowing exactly where you will put it??

This first score happened right after moving.  Four barstools.  And guess what?  We don't even have a bar in our kitchen. LOL  BUT WE WILL!! So I hoard until that day comes.

This deal doesn't come along too often, so I had to.

4 vintage Milo Baughman BRASS cantilevered bar stools. BRASS!! They are in very great condition, I might add.  (minus the horrible fabric, but that is an easy diy)  These things can be priced quite ridiculously.

For example, here they are on Charish for $1100 for just TWO!

Here they are at CB2.  These are not vintage but the Mack Stool is the exact same style for $299 each! 

Wait, wait, wait....How about paying almost $5k for four on 1st Dibs??  That is just ridiculous!

(1st Dibs is always ridiculous expensive - it is for people who want cool-ass vintage pieces and have no monetary restrictions - or Craiglisting skills for that matter.  Who knows maybe they have never even heard of Craigslist?)

Whenever I find a deal, I go to 1st Dibs to make myself REALLY feel good.

Are you ready to hear how much I paid for mine???
Drumroll please..............

$10 EACH!!! LOLOLOLOLOL  oh the LUCK!

Sorry 1st Dibs, I am going to stick to my search and find methods.

Take a guess how much I paid for a brass chest from Sarreid of Spain.....

This one is $1600 on Charish...

Mine needs some serious polishing but potentially will look like the shinny one above and I scored it for only $200 !!!!!

How about $3200 for a BIG set of embossed brass deer??

Or $50 on Facebook Marketplace - Have you used this resource? There is usually a lot of crap to wade through.....but ....BRASS DEER!! 

Yeah, these babies are perfect flanking a burning fire! 

Annnnd...Since we are talking brass animals, let me tell you a sob story. 

I found a set of HUGE brass giraffes on Craigslist.  Like 4 and 3 foot HUGE.  I was dying.  I had to have them.  The guy was asking a bargain price of $200, which is great, but being the bargainer that I am, he agreed to $180.  He lived 40-50 minutes north of Atlanta, but said he was passing through Atlanta on his way to Florida the next day.  What a deal and almost no hassle!  

Well, the next day, you know what happened?  I was raking my yard and missed his call.  I missed him by 10 minutes and he would not pick up his phone. He left me a voicemail saying "I guess the giraffes are going to FL"  I was frantic.  NOOOOOOOOOOO!!  WAIT!  STOP! 

I MAY have sent him five a couple text messages that portrayed me as a crazy-brass-obsessed girl. 

Also, this is one of those times that you DON'T want to look at 1st Dibs...cry cry cry

$4,000.  FOUR THOUSAND!!!!!!   UGH.

This was hard to get over.  BUT! Just like in a relationship, the best way to forget about someone is to find someone else. Ha!

Enter The. Brass. Herons

I mean who would pay $1,200 for these huge brass Herons....??

...when you could find them on Asheville Craigslist for $40 (bargained down to $30)??

And mine are better.  Look at the big bases!  They need a little shining, but aren't these 1970's Herons going to be AWESOME in front of my 1960's house, positioned just so in our new landscaping??  Can you see it??  CAN YOU??  What. A. Score!!  Possibly one of my best! 

One recent sale (found on estatesales.net) had a cool mcm house JAMMED full of ART from a renowned Atlanta painter. I was able to pick up a few portraits that spoke to me.  Im not sure WHY they spoke to me, but they did.  And now here they are, sitting.  Waiting patiently to be hung.

Sooooooo back in August, my brother texted me from a thrift store in Wooster Ohio.

Him:  "Is this mid century modern?

Me:   OMG! That is gorgeous!  Are the handles brass?

Him:  Yes. 

Me:  How much is it?

Him:  $249 for two night stands, tallboy, credenza with large mirror.  

Me:  WHAT?  I MUST have that.  Im going to buy it right now.

Him:  You're nuts."

And that is what I did.  I called up Friendtique in Wooster Ohio and bought it over the phone.  I had to wait 6 months to get it delivered, but it worked out fine. 

(on a side note:  I'm probably not going to use Paul's Shuttle anymore for furniture.  The service to and from the airport has always been fast, friendly and efficient, but it's somethin' different hauling long distances. Plus he told me he doesn't want my business anymore.)

I split up the set.  Credenza in the living room and tallboy/nightstands in the bedroom.  

I LOVE them so much.  I shined them up with Wax-N-Feed and they are beautiful!! 

Also, in the picture above is a rug I got off Craigslist. It is nice, but Im not in love with it.  I wanted a more tribal design..and maybe a little more black than red.  hmm

The HUGE vintage oil painting was scored in Asheville last year but we had to leave it there with my brother for a while.  Ernesto actually really liked it, too mostly because it is the Hotel Del Coronado, an old famous hotel in San Diego.

Remember my Craigslisted bed that I had re-built/recovered/tufted last year?  

Well, I wasn't into it anymore.  It was a monstrous STURDY bed, but from day one I was not happy with the tufting.  Also, the footboard drove me nuts-it didn't go with the headboard.  Turns out, I wished that I had not altered the original shell shape of this beauty.  (#designregrets) Oh well. It just didn't fit in my new house "plan"  anyway (right, like there is one, but..)  

I wanted something more...simple and streamlined.

When a perfect replacement turned up on Craigslist, I put the "old" one up for sale the next day. 

Luckily the blue bed was an easy sell on NextDoor, and this beauty (that looks identical to the $1000 Acorn bed at West Elm, by the way) was picked up by my sweet husband for just $100!!!! 

I am looooooooving the wood grain.

And it looks super nice next to our dark teal wall.

Are you still there?  Want to see another score?

I found a pair of these parsons ottomans at the same thrift store as the above bedroom set. (in Ohio)

Unfortunately they did not make it on Paul's Shuttle to Atlanta and are still sitting in my parents basement. 

I loved the square-ness of these but I do NOT love the fabric.  (It's not the flame stitch so much as the green and pink together) 

 I envision these beauties in this fabric.

Right? Right??

ANNNNNND.....Just for shits and giggles, let's take a look at a pair of these on 1st Dibs.

 Oh that is so satisfying, isn't it?  (ridiculous as that price is ha)

I'll try and do more of these posts since I am ALWAYS finding deals.
Which do you think is my best score???  Do you even like ANYTHING that I posted?? LOL
Oh well, to each his own.  I love what I love and hopefully once all these things are arranged in my house, you will see too that they are AWESOME!!! 

Thrifting, An Estate Sale and Craigslist

I went to my first estate sale in years, and I kicked myself for all the fun I have missed out on.  The sale was in a mid-century house in the middle of mansions [off Mt Paran Rd-for you Atlantans].  I walked in the house and was immediately saddened to learn that they were tearing the house down to build a.....wait for it....MANSION!  Someone paid $675K just to tear it down.  Such a shame as the house was AWESOME!  

Here are a few teasers, but see the full tour here on Trulia, while it lasts (Im sure it will be taken down soon).

How awesome is that living space?!  Let's move downstairs after dinner to our table in the living room and have a scotch while we discuss politics. UGH! So Mad Men.  So Me!  (not the politics part)   Im totally obsessed now folks.  I really loved the couch pictured above.  It was 103" long and stuffed with down!  So comfy, but would have been a fourtune to recover.  Yes, house was in need of some serious updates, but I would have LOVED to be the one to modernize it.  Anyhoo, house was filled with tons of gems, but many were spoken for/gone by the time we arrived at 1030am.  

Still I walked away this gorgeous Karastan wool rug for $35.  $35!!!!!!

It measures 6x9 and is like new.  Now, I don't necessarily have a space for this, but how could I not buy it when it is worth so much more? The colors are so sweet, it would be great in a little girls room.   (Lucy?- ok actually I don't think I can part with it yet, but let me know if you are interested) 

Also , I could not grab this brass planter fast enough.  It's big!  And it needs to house my fiddle leaf fig...just as soon as I find one at a non-ridiculous price. 

  

Vintage copper canister set for $10?  Uh, yes.   Also scored 3 glass Christmas trees 

I was scared to take Ernesto with me for fear he might veto something I wanted, but he was happy looking around (he loved the house too!) and he found a new leaf blower for himself so he was happy.  Someone else was pretty happy too. 

While at Goodwill one night, I spotted this gorgeous feather filled sofa in great condition (minus fabric).  SOLD!  Ugh.  I had already imagined it in my living room with navy velvet and cream welting around the cushions. 

Next I found this chinoiserie wood mirror and my heart went thump thump.  Not sold, but I got tired of thinking "where could I put that?"  Im kicking myself now.  Dumb girl.  That could have eaisly been snuck into the attic until I found the perfect spot.  And you always do find a spot if you love it. 

Moving on to Craigslist.  I still have not sold Mateo's campaign bed and chest, which really surprises me.  It has been listed for several weeks, but I have not giving up hope.  I don't really care though, if not sold in the next month, I will donate the bed and probably saw the chest in half so it can fit in a closet.  Waste not want not.

In a more pressing issue, I am trying to negotiate a Craigslist [score of the century] pickup in another state which is proving to be harder than I would like.   My correspondant is dragging his feet a bit, but Im hoping I can sweet talk him into it or as a last resort, offer him a serious bribe.

Are you ready to see it?

Don't curl you nose up yet my friends. It is hard to tell, but these ugly ducklings are actually......wait for it....

The same as these Milo Baughman brass dining chairs.  They are wearing a bad faux leather disguise, but I recognized them instantly.  I can't stop thinking about them.  And the price is right!  I will keep you posted on how this pans out.

What have you guys scored lately?  I would love to hear.

My New Bed + A Thrifted Piece

I thought this bed was THE ONE.

I know many of you saw this bed I bought on Craigslist and thought "What in the hell is she thinking.  That bed is so 80's!"  And I will admit, after it was set up in my bedroom, I had to keep reassuring my self that it could be awesome once it was recovered. 

It's hard to get past the color.  It really takes away from my new beautiful Hague Blue paint job (which is not quite finished-notice the top)

 I loved the shape, but it was the wide set channels that were giving me a problem.  I was second guessing my purchase.  Then one day it hit me and I felt stupid for not thinking of it earlier.  Duh! I don't have to have it reupholstered with the channels, I can have this baby tufted! 

 I have to trust my instincts I guess.  I knew it could be great. 

And to confirm, look at what I just saw...

Look familiar? It's not exact of course, but it could be done to look pretty close.  Restoration Hardware's Churchill Bed  is now selling for close to $5000!!!  

I was so excited that I sent out a few emails to local upholsterers about having the bed tufted.
I was appalled at the response.
One company said $650 + $200 more for tufting.  It's crazy that I am now thinking that is reasonable.  I suppose it is because another guy said $600 originally + $1000 more to tuft.  WTF?  This clearly means that they do not want to touch this project with a 10 foot pole.  Unless, of course, I shell out $1600! Um. No.

I have to say this is discouraging.  I obviously can not keep the bed in it's current state.  Hideous!

I will now start looking for quotes outside Atlanta.   I have been told it is always cheaper to look in the suburbs or a smaller town.  In fact, this may be too far out of town, but I know someone in Canton, Ohio who may want to tackle this easy job for $500 cash!  (you know who you are [mom] and I'll be contacting you soon!)

What do you guys think my dear readers?  Is this bed a diamond in the ruff?  Cool enough to drop some cash invest in? Tufted with nailhead trim??

In other [second hand] news, last week I found this beautiful 3-drawer chest/nightstand at Salvation Army for $50!  It has a really gorgeous finish and the brass detail just kills me.  There is no brand marking on it, but its cedar lined, solid wood, with dove-tail drawers.  A quality piece.
#Ihavenowheretoputthisbutihadtohaveit

It is big for a night stand, but actually would have no problem standing up to my monsterous bed.  Of course I would then need to search for another nightstand/table of the same height.  Oh will the searching ever end?!

I think we all know the answer to that one.

From Ohio to San Diego!

{my partners in crime after a full day of sale-ing}

Ernesto and I split up at the airport last week.  He flew with Mateo to San Diego and left him at abuela y tatas for a few days while he went to Vegas for a golf tournament.  I flew to Canton with Marcelo for the girls annual yard sales extravaganza.  Fun was had by all! 

I am sure you are dying to know what I scored at the yard sales.  I won't bore you with the slew of cute clothing I got for the boys, the little gray converse shoes for Marcelo and the mango wood tray for me...but the 5x8 (ish) Bolivian Alpaca is worth bragging about! 

There was a sticker on it saying "make offer."
me: what kind of offer are you expecting?
them: oh I don't know, how much were you thinking?
me: not very much
them:  oh just say something
(although I was thinking I would say $10 for a lowball offer which they would counter, but I spit out...)
me:  $5?
them: sounds good
SCOOOOOOOORE!

Five years ago, I gave my friend $300 to buy me one for my [queen size] bed while she was in Peru (where she is from) and she could not do it.  They were much more expensive!  Again I say...SCORE!  It is soft and luxurious and although has a couple small tears at seams [that I can stitch easily] it is clean and pretty perfect.

That was my best find of the day, but I have to say I am really excited for the plants I bought too.  

(I am my mothers daughter)

Yes, I bought plants in Ohio so I could check them on the plane to California and take care of them for several weeks before returning to Georgia to plant them in my garden.  That is, if they are still alive I will plant them.  

Since I was already checking plants, I dug up some favorites from my mom's garden too.  So I will be coming home with several succulents, lady's mantle, dwarf iris, sedum, and lupine.  Add those to the    jade plants and succulents I always get when I am in San Diego and I will have quite the shipment.   

Beside the yard sales I hit a few thrift stores.  Goodwill in Ohio have some deal with Target and they sell brand new stuff from the store.  I bought 2 huge Nate Berkus bath towels (regularly $25) for $5, a couple summer dresses, a small couch bag for $6 and these two beauties.

Is is just me or is the thrifting pretty good in Ohio? 

You may have seen on my Instagram that I was having a hard time getting on a flight from Atlanta to San Diego, but I am happy to report that Marcelo and I arrived Sunday morning!

Oh the magic of flying!  Thank you Delta!   I am so happy to be reunited with the rest of my little family.  

Although life was a lot easier with one little boy for 5 days,  it was tooooo long to be separated from the other little boy!  Abuela said that Mateo was very very well behaved the whole time.  He didn't whine at mimi (bed) time or get out of bed once the lights were out,  he sat still to eat all of his food, and he didn't want the ipad much.  Abuela es bueno! I am glad he got to spend quality time with her [and tata!] plus he played a lot with his primos too!

We will probably be out here for 2-3 weeks.  No plans yet (shocker!), but the weather is PERFECT right now!  Im sure we will do all of our regular fun San Diego things like go to the beach, climb the mountain,  hang out in La Jolla,  and stuff ourselves with the best Mexican food!  (right here at casa Espinoza) We are also thinking its about time Mateo experiences Sea World.  Updates to come!!

The House of Craig

I have been debating changing the name of my blog to The House of Craig or maybe Craig's House.  What do you think?  You know why Im thinking this, right?

I am addicted to Craigslist. It's ridiculous.

This week marks one year that we have been in our house.  Over the last year I have collected many things from Craigslist that "need some work."  Not to mention items I have thrifted.  Unfortunately, I am not addicted to the "work" part,  just the hunt.
Remember these nightstands I bought last year?  I got them just a couple weeks after moving into our house.  This is what they looked like the day I brought them home.

I wish I had a proper "after" picture to share with you. But the only thing that would be different is that the ugly handles are gone and our TV is sitting on them.  Yep. They are now a TV console [instead of nightstands] because they fit perfectly between the two windows in our living room and I love their low profile, similar to the couch and chairs.

Someday Im going to paint them. Maybe white.  Maybe not.  I want two half circle handles one each one so it will look like one [gold] circle smack dab in the middle. Can you see it?

Also in the living room along the entry wall is this beauty.  A 72" solid wood dresser with brass handles.  Again, sadly this is the before and the after shot too. 

This is going to look amazing one day!  I go back and forth on what color I would like to paint it.  A bold color or maybe just a nice charcoal gray.  Opinions??

Back in February we bought a much needed new mattress and upgraded to a king.  Best decision we have made!  It is great having all that extra room, especially since our little mexi-can always starts his day by joining us in bed. 

I have wanted an upholstered headboard forever and after seeing Daniel's before and after upholstery job on a basic platform bed, I got to stalking.  Craigslist always comes through.  Could be why I am addicted to searching.....I know something will come of it. 

This is what I ended up with.  

Try to imagine a tufted headboard all that red wood covered with a rich charcoal velvet.

My imagination gets the best of me, which is why I have this House of Craig.

Another before and after (in one) is my dining room table, also picked up on [my favorite website] Craigslist.  It's nice and big and come with two leaves.  It was $60.  Not sure what to do with it, but I know I don't like the current finish.

Are you overwhelmed with my to-do list yet?  Wait, there is more.

A few weeks ago I was browsing "brass" under the 'furniture by owner' category (one of my regular searches) and saw a dining set with the coolest chairs.  I contacted the seller and they agreed to sell the chairs separately.  I offered what I thought was a fair price for 6 chairs and she accepted.
So without further ado, here they are!

 Something about the modern lines of these chairs grabbed me.  The metal is a brass color, but too polished.  That will need to change.  Also the hideous, worn 80's fabric is coming off.  

Yes, they need reupholstered.  Ugh!  But....with.... what will I cover them, dear Henry dear Henry? (anyone remember that song)   Oh another design dilemma.  Another project I know, but I will be sending these out to the upholsterer instead of tackling myself.  Must.  Find. Perfect. Fabric. Im shooting for a Christmas reveal, which means they could be finished by Spring.

Just so we end on a positive note here, I'd like to remind you of my campaign dresser that I finished back in January.
I scored this baby on CL for just $15.  It was in such horrible shape when I got it that Ernesto gave me a two week deadline to make it look nice. [or else he was throwing it in the trash].  I came through in just under three months! ha!

Yes.  A finished project.  I know this is something you are not used to seeing here, but times are a changin' my friends.