Deals, Steals, & Thrifting

Dresser to Impress Her

Published on July 30, 2015July 30, 2015 by Our Humble Abode5 Comments

Remember that 80’s Drexel dresser I recently snagged for a friend? The stain wasn’t my favorite and it had several chipped areas in the veneer, but that hardware. Oh the hardware! Brass flip handles that recessed completely into the fronts, with corner brackets.

The coloring is a little off in both the above and below photos, but the worst part was the speckled, wavy finish.

Usually I prefer to completely refinish wooden furniture, but the missing parts of veneer just wouldn’t allow a new stain finish. Instead, I sanded everything down with 120 grit to prepare for paint. Sadly, the unstained wood grain was really pretty and made me wish there was a way to keep it natural.

Instead, I filled the missing areas, knowing the dresser would also look amazing with a simple white finish. To prevent any stains from seeping through, I applied two coats of Kilz primer.

For a durable, satin sheen, I rolled on three coats of Sherwin Williams Pro Classic paint in Snowbound.

Overall, transforming this dresser took about 8 hours, but it shines like the gem it is now. Look at that hardware; it’s not all wall flower blending in, rather standing out, demanding the attention it deserves.

Those corners add just enough detail to keep the frame interesting.

Fortunately, my friend also loves the new look and will pick it up soon. In the mean time, I photoshopped it into our bedroom, just to see what it would look like.

I’m kicking around some ideas to put the area at the foot of the bed to use. Stay tuned for more on that soon.

Thrifted Thursday

Published on July 23, 2015July 23, 2015 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

Thrift shopping is like the famous Forrest Gump quote, “like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” More items than not are simply someone’s unwanted junk, but among the trash are some real gems. As a frequent shopper and bargain addict, I’ve been helping a friend find some good deals for her new house. Here are the things that caught my attention, but we passed up. A large brass lamp for six bucks, which I pointed out would be impossible for her toddler to break, but she’s just not a brass lover.

She wasn’t in love with the plaid, and instead of hoarding yet another chair, I thought of the look I’d get from Ben if I brought it home with me.

Now, this fabric is really busy, but I loved the lines on this 100 dollar sofa. Not sure what it’d cost to reupholster, but it was super comfy.

Honestly, I didn’t consider this gigantic coffee table, but the sheer size was interesting. Couch for scale, of course.

More and more lately, I’m drawn to ugly lamps, like this squatty brown one. With the right shade, in the right space, I think he’d be darling.

While browsing the books, I spotted a set of Life Nature Library, complete with the most adorable designs on the back covers. That alone was almost enough to make me walk out with these, but I passed.

However, I have found several items for myself recently, including an oversized ugly lamp. For only $4, it was totally worth it to buy a clean white shade to pair with it.

Of course the ugly lamp obsession couldn’t stop there, I had to get this handsome man for six bucks-pun alert!

Clearly this one can benefit from a new shade, but I’ll have to track down the perfect one.

To house my ever-growing plant collection, I picked up a few planters, too. This blue crackle beauty set me back six dollars, and looks perfect paired with a blackeye Susan on our back step.

The big leaf Philodendron in our living room needed a bigger pot to continue to grow, so this brass lion head is keeping it safe.

With my friend’s approval, I’ve snagged her a few pieces of furniture, including this marble-topped coffee table. The X base is real wood, but the edge detailing is wood looking plastic, so I gave it a fresh black finish before sending it off to live with her.

Just last week, she approved this Drexel dresser, but the wood veneer has seen better days. Because I’m the best friend ever (ha!) and love a project, I’m going to spruce it up with paint, too.

You know, shopping for someone else is equally satisfying, but very nice to my wallet. It’s a win-win because she gets furniture, I get to shop and tackle a project. Not too shabby. Any amazing finds you’ve snagged recently?

Jute Herringbone

Published on March 11, 2015March 11, 2015 by Our Humble Abode1 Comment

Right around this time last year, I switched rugs around. Originally, this grid rug was in the family room, but we moved it to the dining room.

A large-scale floral rug took its place, but felt off. Especially after I added a large stump coffee table to our family room.

At some point, I’d had enough of it and pulled it out, exposing the bare wood floors. I searched for a replacement, spending more time than necessary internally debating before settling on a replacement.

Preferable something neutral, but with a pattern for interest. West Elm’s Jute Herringbone rug has long been a favorite and their current rug sale pushed me off the fence.

After a short delay in Texas, the new rug safely arrived on Monday. As soon as the UPS guy left, I moved the furniture out-of-the-way, vacuumed the wood, and unrolled the carpet.

Mark this as the first step toward real, grown up furniture.

Pairing the jute with chenille feels soft underfoot, and reduces shedding.

After deciding on this rug, I deliberated colors. Natural and ivory or natural and platinum.

Getting the rug flat under the heavy coffee table took two people. While Ben lifted, I tugged the rug straight.

With spring right around the corner, I plan to add more green to the room. One can never have too much green.

If I were brave enough, and didn’t have more house to remodel, I’d love to have a colorful velvet sofa. The Paidge has clean lines and their Moss velvet is beautiful.

That’s a grown up purchase for another time, leaving me plenty of time to debate and change my mind.

Cyber Monday Sale!

Published on December 1, 2014 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

Holy moly, we’re already in December! We were busy with visiting family, but there’s a Cyber Monday sale going on in our shop.

Use the code HAPPYHOLIDAYS40 to get 40% off everything currently in stock. Custom art makes a thoughtful gift for family and friends. Hurry, because the sale ends tomorrow at noon.

Green Velvet

Published on October 14, 2014October 14, 2014 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

Not to harp on our living room, sad little guy, but it feels lack luster and boring. Almost completely devoid of color with the exception of plants and a few pillows. I usually prefer a touch more color. In addition to framing out the recently replaced windows and adding a new rug (any suggestions?), curtains are on my list. The dropcloth panels are fine, nothing amazing, but get the job done. All the gray on gray is getting dreary.

To shake things up, I’ve placed an order for green curtains. Before pulling the trigger, I photoshopped some color over the current set. Perhaps an olive toned set? I know where I can get a similar linen.

Deeper, almost emerald could look nice?

Or cheery kelly green…

Then I saw these green velvet panels at World Market.

At $35 per panel, they’re cheaper than I could make. Sign me up for skipping sewing large panels! Seriously, I loathe sewing curtains. Cumbersome pain in the butt they are.

Online, the color didn’t get me too excited. So, I stopped in our store to take a look and walked out with six 84″ panels. Including the floor model. Cleared them out. At home, I tossed one over the rod to get a better peek.

Other than the panels being a few inches short, I’m diggin’ it.

I’d say the color is less deep green than the description and more leafy green. Very similar to my fiddle leaf fig, actually.

I’ve already placed an order for eight 96 inch panels (need four to cover the front window) and have returned the original six. Hopefully they’ll arrive in a few weeks and we’ll have a happy new look. Just in time to offset the winter blues.