Craigslist Treasure Hunting

I'm in dire need of a basement clean-out over here (when am I not?), so I've been trying really hard to put a thrift spending embargo on anything larger than a book.  That's easier to do when it's not tag sale season, but I've been seeing everyone else posting their amazing thrift finds, making it tough lately.  The struggle is real.  So instead of really torturing myself and hitting the thrift stores, let's go virtually treasure hunting together- it's been too long. If this George Nelson-style expandable coffee table really is in excellent condition as they say, it could be an awesome piece.  Not a steal at $250, but not a bad deal either.  Polish it up with some tung oil and enjoy!

Emily Henderson could work MAGIC with this quirky portrait for $150.

Don't believe me?  This gentleman would fit right in on one of her rooms.  She always seems to make weird and almost creepy portraits look chic.  It's a gift.

Emily Henderson photos from stylebyemilyhenderson.com

The runner up for find of the day that one of you should rush out to Halifax MA and purchase is this mid century credenza and hutch for $110.  In the right space, this would be AMAZING, especially for $110!  Seriously someone please buy it so I can live vicariously through you.

And the find of the day is a chrome and brass vintage chandelier for $99.  I'm trying really hard to rack my brain and see if any of my client projects, present or future, need this.  I think they might.  Or I might.  We'll see....

When I'm in the mood for a bit of Craigslist entertainment, I'll do a search for items for sale with the key word "beautiful" or "gorgeous."  If you recall from last year's Craigslist PSA, the items usually aren't....  This time, "beautiful" was the jackpot.  Don't you want a "Solid, Reliable, Beautiful Cream Color Fridge"?  (*spoiler alert- it's not beautiful*) But it's only $150!  My "beautiful" search wasn't all bad, though.  I see tons of potential in this "Beautiful Teak Grandfather Clock."  If you could get them down from their asking price of $200 it could be a really neat character piece!

Apparently I had mid century modern on the brain today.  I hope you've enjoyed treasure hunting with me!

Have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday!

Copper Accents

I may be slightly biased, considering that my design business is called Copper Dot Interiors, but copper accents are such a fun element to bring into your home!  It's like gold, but quirkier.  With so many stores jumping on the copper train, I love the options that are out there!!  Here are a few of my favorite copper accessories currently available:

1. Copper Woven Iron Orb Hanging Basket, World Market.  A creative way to clear up counter space by floating your standard fruit bowl

2. Copper Wall Clock, CB2.  So neutral yet so chic- who cares if it's a bit tough to actually tell the time

3. Threshold Whitewash Wooden Hexagon Mirror with Copper Metal Inset, Target.  This one's on my own shopping list- so modern but still classic.  Target's decor game has been on point lately

4. Skyer Gem Pendant, Lulu and Georgia.  I'd love to see these used in lieu of bedside lamps

5. 4 Square Carrara Marble Coasters- Copper Nest, Marble & Metal, Etsy.  Yes please.

6. Copper Flatware, West Elm.  I've seen copper flatware at a few places lately and they just make me want to host a dinner party

7. Threshold Copper Task Lamp with White Marble Base, Target.  Class up any desk area with this

8. Star Metallic Napkin with Copper Stars, Canvas Home.  Speaking of that dinner party....

9. Sayulita White Chair, CB2.  A bit less of a chameleon than the other pieces, this would need just the right space to call home.  But oh what a space that would be!

Franken-Chair Plans

Ever been so eager to start a project that you forget to take proper before pictures?  Me neither.  I would never do that...... Since reworking, rearranging my office and getting a proper desk a few months ago, I decided that this very sad vintage chair that I adopted at Brimfield several years ago was just the right piece to add some mid century pizzazz to the room.

I'm ashamed to say that I've been sitting and working in this pre cat clawed (not from my cats!), musty, old pleather chair ever since.

The seat height was a bit too low and I craved a chair on casters, so I held off on doing anything to it until I had a plan.  First step was to make sure that I wasn't sitting on a mid century gold mine.  The chair looks suspiciously like the Eero Saarenin Executive Armchair- even down to the color.  The official version of this chair is still available new for the paltry sum of $1800+.

Lucky for my franken-chair plans, mine is just a close reproduction.  Without a makers mark or tag, I had to rely on checking the dimensions against the original designer chair.  While close, a half inch shy of the designer width and thinner seat cushion told me my chair wasn't worth thousands.  It would be cool to own a vintage designer chair (that I procured for only $25), but I now have the freedom to make it the chair I want instead of the pressure to restore it originally.  Can you see my wheels turning?  I tried to think of how I could add casters and raise the seat, but no casters would work with those original legs.  I was at an impasse.

Enter trash chair.  (which was in 1 piece when I found it, but I swiftly picked it apart, whoops)

This beauty had been sitting in a neighbor's trash pile for days.  Since I'm a recovering chair-a-holic (ha recovering...), I was trying NOT to grab it even though it called to me every time I left my house and had to pass by the pile.  Finally I gave in.  At the end of a run one day I grabbed the chair and wheeled it down the street and to my yard without a plan for it.  I just knew that this cool old chair did not deserve to end up in a dumpster.  The wood part of the base was loose and the top had seen better days- much better days.  While not beyond repair, the top is certainly in the sorrier state and won't be needed for my plans.  I probably can't bring myself to get rid of the top, though, but it will be set aside and the base is getting a new life.  Because look at this beautiful base.  It's all about that base, that base...

Wow, I wasn't planning on being so verbose today.  I guess I have a lot to say about chairs.  It's a real problem folks.  Check back next week to see how I plan to make these 2 vintage gems into the perfect office chair!

Feel free to feed my chair addiction on instagram and tag your chair discoveries with #chairhoardersanonymous