Deals, Steals, & Thrifting

The Rachael

Published on April 16, 2014April 23, 2014 by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

Nope, not referring to the popular 90’s Jennifer Aniston hair style that took the country by storm. Meet our new sofa, Rachael by Flexsteel. She’s slim, clean lined, and slightly vintage styled to play nicely with the MCM bench.

We sold the old three-piece sectional and put that money toward the new girl. With nine button tufts along the back, there’s just enough interest on the tight back.

The fabric color, Earth, leans more beige in bright light, but gray in overcast conditions.

Ben really wanted leather, but I think this tweed like textured fabric adds a lot of comfort and warmth. I paired with a faux cow hide pillow for a dash of Western flare.

Flexsteel offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, springs, and cushions, which should hold up to the four Y chromosome people in this house.

Now to find chairs to place perpendicular to the couch. I’d love to add something leather here, assuming we find something we agree on. Much easier said than done.

While we were at the furniture store, we noticed another Flexsteel brand sofa, the Dana, in the clearance section. Priced at $600, we took Frank from American Picker’s trick and bundled to save over three hundred dollars, including a fabric warranty plan on the Rachael.

The fabric is slightly darker and more on the gray side, but a real upgrade from our old couch.

Slightly rolled arms are more traditional in style than I usually like, but still small enough to fit the space.

Taller legs on both couches make vacuuming under a breeze, too. So far, I’m pleased with the new additions. Fingers crossed we can say that years from now.

Thrifty Treasures

Published on February 25, 2014February 24, 2014 by Our Humble Abode12 Comments

Can I complain about the weather for a minute? I’m so, so sick of winter. Last week we had decent weather and a teaser of spring. Loved it, so I went thrifting. But yesterday, woke up to 10 inches of fresh powder. To top it off, I wasn’t able to drive up the steep, snow-covered roads to get back home after dropping V off at school. Yes, school. Still in session, haven’t missed a day this year due to weather. Spring, you really can’t get here soon enough. I’m sure I’m not the only one sick of this, so feel free to vent here.

Okay, back to the fun stuff; the thrifty finds during the afore-mentioned nice weather. My black thumb is slowly getting greener by the day, so I’ve been stocking up on cute, cheap planters. I painted this dollar dimpled one white, but it was brown with orange spots. My low light loving Philodendron seems quite content on the bar, sprouting two new leaves.

At another favorite shop I spotted this open sugar bowl. Kind of reminds me of a trophy, and I think it will make a darling vase.

But it also looks cute and happy on the mantel, even without flowers.

As I neared the checkout, I spied this twin sized 100% wool blanket. I debated getting it because really, I need a throw blanket like I need a hole in my head. But, it was discounted by 20% so it cost $30. V and E said we needed it. For now, it’s keeping us warm in the living room, sometimes all four of us at a time.

Based on all the bright green in the room now, you’d think spring was here. Nope, I’m willing it to hurry up.

Once it finally arrives and I swap our bedding, I think the wool blanket will be nice for cooler nights. This eagle blanket was awesome, too, but $50.

I ogle this bison print every time I’m there, but at $220, it’s probably not going to happen.

This giant $45 bowl would be the perfect fruit bowl for us, seeing as we usually have three smaller ones out. Costco quantities.

Cute little wooden bowls, too.

Back at Goodwill I found two more interesting planters. A plastic geometric pot and a short, wider grooved brass one. For three dollars total, they are mine.

I planted my Thanksgiving succulents and cacti in the brass planter for a dining table centerpiece.

Though this isn’t a thrifted find, I am so excited about our new art print in the hall bath.

It’s Navy Geo by Britt Bass and I’m obsessed with it.

Perfect colors for our white, gray, navy, and coral bath.

Cart Wheels

Published on February 18, 2014February 18, 2014 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

The thrifted bar cart has a new home and new purpose. Miss Scarlett, in the dining room, with the candlestick.

Okay, actually for me, in the dining room, holding plants.

When I bought it, only one shelf had glass. To make the cart fully functional, I had Ben cut a piece of of 1/4 inch MDF and painted it white.

Plants sit on the glass shelf, which is great because it’s super easy to wipe up if I drip water. This sunny spot is perfect for keeping my growing plant collection happy. Including the $2.50 orchid I recently picked up from the grocery store clearance section. It’s not looking good right now (hence the clearance price). Do you have any tips to help me revive this beauty?

The new bottom shelf holds napkins, placemats, extra plates, and a few decorative items including mini disco balls. Having napkins and placemats easily accessible has come in handy at dinner already.

I’m glad to have a place to corral my plants, while keeping them happy. And to put this little wheeled dude to practical use in a tucked away corner.

Let’s Get Functional, Functional

Published on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014 by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

This post approved by Olivia Newton John. Not really, because we’re getting functional, not physical. No 80’s gym gear necessary. Over the weekend, our master bathroom became fully functional in the plumbing department. That’s right, we’ve got a working shower, clawfoot tub, toilet, and now sink.

Ebay came through with a sink, faucet, and drain combo. Because we went from two sinks to one, we wanted something a little wider to make it more functional for two people.

After much debate and pricing of materials, we landed on a custom-made stainless steel counter to match the shower. Carrara marble would have cost nearly $800. While it would have been beautiful, we couldn’t justify that price. Stone or man-made remnants in this size are nearly impossible to find. Wood was a contender, until we decided to make a walnut vanity. Stainless was not only the most affordable option, but also a solid, easy to clean surface.

It’s so nice not to wash hands in the bathtub.

I’m torn about the mirror. I like the look, but it’s on the smaller side at 25 inches in diameter. Ideally, we’d have a 36 inch round mirror. At $40, it’ll stay.

I still have to cut the rope shorter and find something to ‘hang’ it from.

See what I mean about it being a little small? Do you know of any 36 inch round mirrors under $100?

We made progress on the vanity yesterday, but I’m waiting to share until it’s 100% finished. But, the walnut is amazing already. Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. day, too. Enjoy the day off, if you get it.

Thrifty Hits

Published on January 17, 2014January 17, 2014 by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

Thrifting recently has been very hit or miss, mostly miss. But, I have found a few decent items. This rug was originally from Target, I think around $15. Unsold clearance goes to Goodwill, so I snagged this cotton rug for two dollars. The teal is a near perfect match for the curtains and art, so score.

In other bathroom news, here’s a peek at the beginnings of the American Walnut vanity. Only the ends have wood right now, but it’s exciting to see. And oh so handsome!

Back to thrifting, here’s a Dwell Studio for Target pillow I found for three bucks:

The floral design is okay, but I’m smitten with the black and white striped back with yellow edge.

This rug was in a consignment shop.

Some fringe is missing, but the colors are so lively. Thirty five dollars, for a vintage 4 by 6 rug. My sister asked me to keep an eye out for a colorful, boho-ish rug. A quick text and she told me to get it.

It’s thin, but a rug pad can help out a lot. Hope she likes it as much in person. While at the same shop, I found tons of heavy metal printing letters. I got one for each of my boys.

Maybe this American Insects page will go in the boys’ room, too?

Ev loves the beetles. Me too, dude. Only on paper though. No live bugs for this girl. He is my go to bug killer, that helpful little guy. Any favorite finds you’d like to share pictures of? Feel free to link here or share pics on our Facebook page.