Is it an addiction?

I'm afraid.  I'm afraid I have overcommitted.  It may just be too much to handle.


I bought more new furniture last week.  I'm beginning to think I may have a problem.  And yes, I think I'm going to have to refinish this piece, too. 


I know, I know.  We haven't even finished the bookshelves that Dave started....a month ago?  It is sitting in the garage - almost finished.  I think I'll let Dave explain what's holding that project up though...


I found two matching little cherry side tables on Craigslist for free a few weeks ago and picked them up.  I think they will make cute little side tables for our guest room one day.  And I found this!

This beautiful dresser is going to be Kalyn's.  Though, it is almost toooo pretty.  We are slowly (emphasis on slow) changing her room to reflect that she will one day not want cute-sy little girl decorations.  We are also anticipating that she may want a real dresser - with a mirror - at some point. 

This will accomplish two things.  A).  She will no longer have a juvenile dresser, but something to grow into.  We will no longer have to find creative ways to fold her jeans and pajamas so they will fit in the drawars.  B).  She can practice being narcissitic in her own room.  What is it about little girls and jewelry and hairbows and a mirror?

I'm so happy about this dresser.  We had been looking at it for several months at an antique store.  It was tucked away in a little room in the back.  It had originally been marked at $450 and was recently marked down to $250.  I was so excited when last week, my sister and I were furniture shopping and I walked in and this was marked at $100!  What?  Yes, you heard right....$100 for this beautiful dresser. 


As happy as I am about this dresser, I have a problem though.  None of Kalyn's furniture matches.  Or remotely goes together.  Her bed is an antique (read, probably some of the "antiquing is a layer of dirt and it needs to be scrubbed and repainted because she is the fourth little girl that I know of to have this bed") white, her toy shelf and nightstand is white, this dresser is a beautiful oak brown, and her new chair is black with zebra print fabric. 

*Sigh*


This is where I need YOUR help!  Leave me a comment with some advice on what to do with the dresser!  Leave it as it is.  I've considered repainting her bed, nightstand, and this all an antique white.  Or maybe doing something dramatic - like paint everything black!  Please, please, please leave a suggestion!


But guess WHAT?????  That's not all....


My guest room is full of furniture - some that needs to be sold and some that may or may not need refinishing  And I mean full.  Like, some dining chairs.  Some cool, vintage, mid-century modern living room chairs.  A display cabinet.

Thrifty Treasures #1

Who loves finding a good deal?  I do!  No matter where it's found - garage sale, yard sale, thrift store, Craigslist, Freecycle - I love finding things for our home on the cheap!  I usually go looking for some particular items for our home, but there are definitely times I find a cool vintage item I just have to have. 

Lately I've been scouring all of the places mentioned above for picture frames.  I have an idea for the hallway going up the stairs and it's going to require a lot of frames!  I've collected about 6 so far (Goodwill and yard sale purchases) and spray painted them a nice satin brown.  I know what you're thinking....spray paint again?  I love, love, love to spray paint things - it's quick and easy and provides instant change.  

Here's a picture of some I've already done (there are two small matching oval ones somewhere as well...).

I think they turned out nice, they're just kind of plain.  I've been on the hunt for some frames that have character and/or texture.  Last week - I hit the frame jackpot.  I procured (I love that word!) about 20 frames that are now in my garage and I paid a total of $6.43 for all of them.  Now, to be honest, I got the majority of them free from posting an ad on Freecycle.  I did get five of them for $6.43 at Goodwill.

Here are the five I got at Goodwill...

And here is the box of frames I got from a Freecycle Friend.  Well, these are the ones I am probably not using for this particular project, but I think I have plans for them already! 

There are some good ones in there - they are all 4x6 or 5x7 and I needed a few of the larger ones. 

Here are the Freecycle Frames that I WILL be spray painting along with my Goodwill finds tomorrow.

I love find great items that can have another life!  So - here's a final picture of tomorrow's project (sorry that it's a tad out of focus).

I know everyone loves good deals so with that, the question is.....what's your thrifty weakness?   Is there a particular item or collection you always look for or do you look for things that catch your eye? 

PS - my sister scored an awesome find this past weekend, too!  A super-nice Ethan Allen head- and footboard at a garage sale.  It was a good weekend!

I'm linking up to the Southern Hospitality blog and her Thrifty Treasures link party.