Saturday, September 4, 2010

Thrift Finds Turn Into DIY Projects



I know I promised myself not to buy anything bigger than a breadbox....

...but when I saw this chair...



and it was free...

...I simply couldn't resist taking on a DIY project.

A little carpenter's glue for the loose joints and some white paint...
...perhaps a bit of glazing and a good cleaning for the perfectly faded blue velvet cushion.

What do you think?




And how about this?

Don't you just love a little touch of industrial mixed in?

Check out those feet!
It is mobile but the casters can be locked in place with a lever under the table.



A good cleaning is all this needs!

Function over form....form over function...
...this freebie satisfies both ways of thinking.

Now I just have to get these two thrifty finds cleaned up before Mr. Flea gets back up here to the lake!

Luckily I have my Dad to help me with the gluing and clamping!
(My partner in crime...er I mean grime!)

Hope you are having a nifty thrifty weekend!
:)
at

52 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 4, 2010 at 9:13 PM

    Oh man! I love that chair...lol...I would never be so lucky to be able to find a caned back chair like that. Lucky You! I hope you post the after pics. Have fun!

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  2. UnknownSeptember 4, 2010 at 9:20 PM

    Both are great finds Laura. I always break for roadside finds. Now, I know me I would have passed that chair right up thinking too dated and not in a good way. But then you pick it up and describes painting and glazing and I think what a cool chair. I usually think I have pretty good vision for old stuff (well at least compared to my family) but I totally missed on this one until you describe it.

    Have fun at the lake. Hugs...Tracy :)

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  3. MargaretSeptember 4, 2010 at 9:20 PM

    Fantastic finds, look forward to seeing the after shots also.

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  4. ChristineSeptember 4, 2010 at 9:21 PM

    The chair looks like it's in great condition. Painting it white is a good idea. It will look beautiful. Can't wait to see what you can do with the table.

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  5. Blessed SerendipitySeptember 4, 2010 at 9:25 PM

    You can't beat free! Can't wait to see the afters.

    -Danielle

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  6. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereSeptember 4, 2010 at 9:29 PM

    Laura, Free is always a good thing! The chair will be fantastic painted and I am in love with the industrial table. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
    Hugs, Sherry

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  7. CaroleSeptember 4, 2010 at 9:38 PM

    That chair painted white...you know me with White! will looking smashing....am I really using that word?
    I think I have the tables twin behind my counter..it's the one piled with junk right now and at Christmas piled with balsam fir needles!

    good job getting them for free..you're my hero!
    xx
    Carole

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  8. Anji JohnstonSeptember 4, 2010 at 9:41 PM

    Laura, how do you find these things? And free to boot! I am obviously living in the wrong neck of the woods so I must move - now! I plan to move up to New Milford in Ct in a few years so maybe I will have better luck there - if not I will just move next door to you and wait until you throw stuff away!

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  9. Courtney ~ French Country CottageSeptember 4, 2010 at 9:56 PM

    I LOVE that chair!! Can't believe you got that for free!! What a fantastic find! Can't wait to see what you do with it! :)

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  10. patricia@ReFind Home&GardenSeptember 4, 2010 at 10:03 PM

    Wow! doesn't get better than free! Great finds Laura...can't wait to see what you do with them. Hugs, Patricia

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  11. Whimsy AntiquesSeptember 4, 2010 at 10:16 PM

    Hi Laura! Thanks for commenting on my blog and reading Elizabeth's great post about our Whimsy window!

    I am following you, too! Love all your creativity and inspiration.

    It is amazing how many of us there are out there---someday we need to have a big party and meet each other!

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  12. SarahSeptember 4, 2010 at 11:05 PM

    Fantastic finds and FREE. It must have been your day. I'll be eager to see these after your creative hands work the magic. ~ Sarah

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  13. joanneSeptember 4, 2010 at 11:08 PM

    sweet finds...and free too? OMGosh, I can't wait to see the transformation.

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  14. SusanneSeptember 4, 2010 at 11:29 PM

    No bigger than a bread box, that's funny! My husband is always telling me not to buy anything bigger than that either. No fun.
    Great finds though, can hardly wait to see the after shots, good luck.
    Susanne.

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  15. Rachel Noelle PallasSeptember 4, 2010 at 11:34 PM

    ~*~*I LOVE your finds!!! That table is so cool~*~* Rachel ;)~*~

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  16. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2010 at 12:30 AM

    So fortunate. I am new to the world of DIY and am currently updating a chest of drawers. I am finding it so rewarding after I got over the frustration of the advice the guy at the hardware gave me. Enjoy. Happiness is best when shared.

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  17. ColetteSeptember 5, 2010 at 2:54 AM

    Hello Laura, Well spotted! looking forward to see your chair once it is finished. the industrial functional table is really superb! have a lovely Sunday Colette ~Afrique du Sud

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  18. Een sneller kloppend hartSeptember 5, 2010 at 3:22 AM

    This chair is so lovely, I like it very much!

    Regards, Veronique

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  19. All SeasonsSeptember 5, 2010 at 4:17 AM

    What a beautiful chair, Laura. Sorry, it's bigger than a breadbox :-D haha, you know!!

    And now, do you have a place in your houce?

    Enjoy this beautiful sundag ☼
    Hugs from me
    Patricia

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  20. ChristineSeptember 5, 2010 at 4:32 AM

    Oh, what great finds! Hard to believe they were free - you're so lucky!
    Looking forward to the after pics.... Have a great day!

    Christine / dethvitehuset.blogspot.com / Norway

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  21. Beadboard UpCountrySeptember 5, 2010 at 5:13 AM

    Hi Laura!
    Leave it to you to find two great things and so totally different.....I'm more wild for the chair. but that the table is growing on me it might be good for outside......Maryanne xo

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  22. Cornflakes and HoneySeptember 5, 2010 at 5:28 AM

    Free? Oh my goodness that's amazing!!!! I adore that chair you're so, so lucky!! Enjoy them!
    xx

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  23. MonicaSeptember 5, 2010 at 5:42 AM

    Laura, what a steal!! That wondrous chair for free??? OMG, can't wait to see the 'after' pics! Have fun with it!
    Monicax.

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  24. JillSeptember 5, 2010 at 6:35 AM

    Looking forward to seeing the after pics what a lucky find. You do so well at your flea market finds. Well I am doing the same as you this weekend restoring an old wicker chair, I am painting it light duck egg blue! not as yet sure this is right! more of a baby blue than a duck egg we will have to see.
    Jill x

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  25. Zita - Mlle MagpieSeptember 5, 2010 at 6:59 AM

    Fantastic free finds, Laura! I can't believe your luck. I think that chair is going to look amazing after youur little makeover. Love the caster covers on that metal chair - gives it a bit of a George Jetson look.

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  26. SuzSeptember 5, 2010 at 7:06 AM

    Terrific finds. The chair is going to look wonderful.I love the typewriter (?) table. The feet are really unusual!
    We must see the results!
    Suz

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  27. French NannySeptember 5, 2010 at 7:18 AM

    The chair is just beautiful - I would only polish up the wood...

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  28. kecia deveneySeptember 5, 2010 at 7:28 AM

    the chair is gorgeous, can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  29. hilary@oldhousetrueloveSeptember 5, 2010 at 7:35 AM

    That table... I want! :) great finds.

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  30. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2010 at 7:50 AM

    Adore the chair!
    Happy Labor Day!
    Love,
    Marilyn

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  31. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2010 at 8:28 AM

    you found an old typewriter (remember those)
    table / and "French provincal" chair, like the
    caning
    can't wait to see your remake/repurposing
    barbG

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  32. CathSeptember 5, 2010 at 8:31 AM

    What a find(s)!!

    Dating myself here, but had a typing table just like that in a job I had once.

    Can't wait to see the transformations.

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  33. TheresaSeptember 5, 2010 at 8:35 AM

    Beautiful! Great that you have your Dad to help get them cleaned up and in place before Mr. Flea gets there:)

    Have a blessed day! HUGS!

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  34. AniSeptember 5, 2010 at 8:40 AM

    That chair is so you, and I LOVE the feet on that table, and FREE is a Very Good Price! Can't wait to see the end results!

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  35. JamieSeptember 5, 2010 at 8:51 AM

    That chair is amazing

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  36. La Petite GallerySeptember 5, 2010 at 8:57 AM

    Oh Golly,
    What a wonderful art table, I love it.
    where did you find it?

    yvonne

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  37. Room Service ~ Decorating 101September 5, 2010 at 9:16 AM

    You would just have to turn over and take a beaten if you had left either of those behind. Great finds!

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  38. kimberly at mimicharmanteSeptember 5, 2010 at 9:20 AM

    Two of my absolute favorite things - industrial and tufted anything!!! I can't wait to see how they turn out!
    Have a marvelous rest of your long weekend,
    xx

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  39. deborahSeptember 5, 2010 at 11:08 AM

    score!!!! i would have arm-wrestled you for that chair and table. cannot wait to see the *new to you* chair all prettied up. and i'm all about the industrial vintage.

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  40. Vicki K.September 5, 2010 at 11:16 AM

    Both are great soon-to-be treasures - but that table really jazzes me. Do you have an intended purpose? It just makes me want to do a project on it right now!

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  41. Andy's AtticSeptember 5, 2010 at 12:13 PM

    Free is a very good thing...but to get those for free is awesome!! They would fit in a giants breadbox so you are still "safe"!
    Annette

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  42. designchicSeptember 5, 2010 at 12:21 PM

    Great finds! Can't wait to see the "afters"...

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  43. liaSeptember 5, 2010 at 1:24 PM

    Hey Laura, What a lovely table you have found. My house is too small for those lovely things. And the can in the post before this is beautiful.

    Thanks fot visiting me
    lovely greets Lia

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  44. GARAGE SALE GALSeptember 5, 2010 at 1:35 PM

    Love FREE and I'm sure the chair will turn out awesome!
    LOVE your pink hydrangeas! Mine are blue/pruple-ish. I sure wish I could save them all winter long.
    Deb :)

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  45. natSeptember 5, 2010 at 1:51 PM

    i am so jealous!! amazing finds!

    can't wait to see how that chair turns out!

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  46. LaurieSeptember 5, 2010 at 2:49 PM

    Great finds! I have a chair that looked similar to yours. I painted it white and was even inspired to take an upholstery class for the seat. It turned out great!

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  47. raggygirlvintageSeptember 5, 2010 at 3:09 PM

    Wow, must be an awful big bread box you were after! Great finds!
    Tracey

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  48. EviSeptember 5, 2010 at 4:46 PM

    lucky girl!. Yes it will look great painted white, but Laura consider a new pillow. Maybe a grain sack pillow with some print. Just an idea,
    xoxo, Evi
    PS. You never know what is hiding in this pillow!

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  49. KimSeptember 5, 2010 at 5:28 PM

    Can't wait to see the results of your finds..both are great! Be sure to post their renaissance!

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  50. jacklynn4September 6, 2010 at 7:49 AM

    FREE??? Wow, I want to go junking with you:)!
    jackie
    bliss farm antiques

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  51. Linda@Coastal CharmSeptember 7, 2010 at 11:14 PM

    Awesome treasures...love that FREE chair and that table is way cool!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  52. Jen KershnerSeptember 13, 2010 at 5:59 AM

    Are you kidding me? That is the loveliest of chairs. No way would it have gotten left behind if I had seen it! You did good. Can't wait to see what you do with it although I kind of like it as is too!

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