Tuesday, October 23, 2012

$3.00! Are You Kidding Me?

I had to run a few errands last night after work and ended up seeing a Goodwill just off the highway so I decided to stop in. You never know what you'll find right?  Well I certainly didn't expect to find this beautiful antique chair....
FOR $3.00!  ISN'T THAT CRAZY?!?
 I could hardly believe it, it was in perfect condition and heck it is even upholstered in white fabric. 

How is that possible and for just $3.00?  I looked around for a minute at all the other shoppers thinking, "hello, how has everyone else passed this up, what's wrong with everyone?" But that quickly ended as the rush of the deal ran through my body and I dragged the chair up to the cashier for purchase!
Every detail of this chair was just gorgeous!  It was such a great find! 

But...
Even though love the chair as is, I know I am going to have to give it a little update before I can incorporate it somewhere in our house.
 As is, it kind feels like something "from grandma's house" right?  I can't help but think if I incorporate a wee redo on it, the chair will have a more chic updated appeal. 

Since the fabric on the chair is in great condition I am going to leave it as is.  Additionally, I imagine a reupholstery job on this style of chair (especially the chair back) would be really complicated and I didn't really enjoy my last experience doing that.  The nailhead trim will also stay as is- I love nailhead, especially when I don't have to hammer it on! 

For this redo I'd like to zero in on the wood and perhaps a contrast trim of some sort.  Here are some of the looks I gathered up...
Armchairs via One Kings Lane

In a nutshell I like the juxtaposition of the old and new in those chairs above.  We'll see what magic I can whip up for this ol' gal!

Which chair look did you like the most?
Do you have any other suggestions for updating the chair?
 
We're getting started on the Vegetable Vestibule Project tonight!  More to come on that soon and the last of our Spooky DIY's!  Be sure to let me know what you think for my chair!

34 comments:

  1. I think it would look really good if you painted out the wood white.

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  2. Oh my gosh, what a find! Before I saw your options my first reaction was a black frame. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

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    1. I do love the high gloss black, but I am torn between that and the raw wood I think. This is a tough one, thanks for your thought on it! It might help sway me:)

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  3. I love love love this chair especially for $3.00! I can guarantee you if I would have seen it, I would have grabbed it right up! No hesitation. Since I like the 'shabby chic' appeal, I personally would distress the wood parts to make it look shabby or maybe I would not do a thing and just find a throw or pillow to give it a different color and/or texture. But that is me and my decor style. I would think you would want to make it, like you said, that you can incorporate it into your home....with your decorating style and colors. No matter what you do, I bet it will be gorgeous! Oh....maybe you should dig around and see if you can find another key or hidden object....lol. You never know!!!

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    1. OMG! That is so funny you mentioned the key, no joke I dug around the seat cushion and wondered a bit :) I might try it again now, haha! but I did start sanding the wood a bit tonight, we'll see!

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  4. Wow Carla what an awesome score! I love the chair and if it was mine, I'd probably paint the timber an off white or very light grey.

    Can't wait to see what you do with it!
    xx Karen

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    1. I am so find between light white, raw wood with black piping, or high gloss black paint. I sanded a bit tonight so its helping me visualize but off to bed for now!

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  5. Carla! What a find! At which Goodwill did you find it?? I may need to follow your tracks and do my own perusing...

    I hope you're well! :)

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    1. It was the one in Minnetonka off 394 by Ridgedale, I think it is a good one to look for fun stuff, but you should check out the Salvation Army near us in the warehouse district. I never leave there empty handed! Things are good here, the house next door sold. I'm dying to see who our new neighbors are! We should catch up next time you are in the neighborhood!

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  6. Wow, what an amazing find! Super jelly :-)

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  7. What an amazing bargain!! That chair would look great with black painted wood, or the black line between the wood and the white fabric. Have fun making it your own!

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    1. Yes! I am really liking the black piping like in that chair image, it might be tough to figure out how to make it work but I might try it if I can find the right piping!

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  8. oh, what a find! paint would be the easy choice, but what's the fun in that? my inclination is to sand down the wood details, give it a good distressing, perhaps a stain wipe down to bring out the distressed, then a waxed finish. can't wait to see the transformation!

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    1. I like your ideas! It is sanded down now (finally), I am picking out a stain/wood sealer next!

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  9. Oh my gosh, what a steal! I love that Goodwill, we stop in there when we are headed to a function and need to bring an appetizer, we pick up a bowl or a plate to bring it on and we always find something. I love the chair, can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  10. forget paint - take out your sharpie and highlight the detail in the fabric!

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  11. You have much better luck at your Goodwill! I'm in the south metro and I'm just finding ugly overpriced sofas from the early 90's. :/

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    1. LOL! Well that is what i find most of the time too, but it makes the moments when you do find something good all the more special right?

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  12. Oh my goodness -- practically free!!!! I would definitely high gloss black paint the wood. and I would maybe even use a gold leaf pen to update the nailheads. I'm sure whatever you decide to do with it will be fabulous!

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    1. Ooo, love the gold leaf pen idea, I haven't done anything like that before. Do you have a link to a tutorial or have you done it?

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  13. Leave it alone. You really don't want everything in your house to be a redo! This is the real deal. Perhaps you could think of it as a gift from an estate in your family. Imagine something but leave it as is . If you paint the wood the chair will look like it came from Goodwill. Sorry

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    1. No need to be sorry, I love getting everyone's thoughts here :) I totally understand but I just have to do a little tweaking on it because I will love it even more after. Plus, I don't plan on painting the wood, I am going for a higher-end kind of look. You will just have to see the afters and tell me what you think :)

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  14. Oh my!! How lucky is that find. I am in MN too - Bloomington - what Goodwill did you find it at? I feel like the wood painted a really bright color would be awesome!!

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    1. I went to the Goodwill in Minnetonka by the Ridgedale Mall. Let me know if you have any favorite thrifting stores in the cities too! I love connecting with local thirfters!

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  15. Good work! CHEAP AT TWICE THE PRICE!!!!

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  16. I'm so jealous! I swear our Goodwill here is run by Ebenezer Scrooge! I can guarantee that the very same chair here would have been priced no less than $75! I kid you not! It just seems like there should be some sort of equality in Goodwills across the country. Anyway, I'm really happy for you though. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

    PS. I'm not sure if I've commented before or not. I've been following your blog for years though so if you think you've heard a Texas drawl in your head that may or may not have been me. Just sayin'!

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    1. We have a couple thrift places that charge way too much too, takes the fun out of it right? Glad you have been reading for a while now! I remember your Google ID name since I have seen it quite a bit! Maybe more in our first year of blogging? Anyway, glad you still come by :)

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  17. what $3 that just screams buy buy buy me now!!

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  18. I have recovered a chair just like that and it is a beat down. Great find.

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  19. I wouldn't change a thing. It's lovely as is.

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    1. Ugh! I know, but I can't help but feel like I will love it more if I can make 1 change on it. Stay tuned!

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  20. Isn't that the best? Sometimes, I totally feel like I am stealing. Like the ikea commercial....start the car!!!

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    1. OMG! That is so funny! I guess I kind of did feel like that since I ran to the register and out of the store!

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