Out With the Heirlooms

Seems that no one wants the "antiques" anymore that we have all accumulated through the years. It's very sad to me that the younger generations prefer IKEA over Henredon and Crate & Barrel over Herend. Read this article if you need more fuel for this fire.  What I don't understand is that the quality of the products made today versus the quality of products made even 25 years ago - well, it's like night and day. But have we come to realize a truly disposable world in every way? Yes, we have.  But the good news is for those that appreciate the quality of the older stuff, there is tons of it out there at rock bottom prices.  And if you are handy and have the time, paint the brown furniture!  It is so easy to do - even a Cave Man can do it!

So where do you go?

1) Craigslist
This is a great source.  These four chairs are being sold for $200. Get them for $40 a chair, paint them, recover them (a staple gun is all you need) and you have a really nice set of chairs.  You can see them here.

2) Etsy
I have found great things on Etsy. Some stuff is madly over-priced but a lot of the stuff is very reasonable. I have had my eye on this Bar Cart for quite some time. A good coat of paint and a little sanding and this baby is prepped and ready to go on a patio.  Put a lucite tray on the bottom.  Less than $100!

3) Chairish
This is a design lovers heaven if you like vintage.  See it here. I'd take this $125 Bar Cart and paint it.  It would be great either done in chalk paint (a white color with a blue, green or red undertone) or I'd do it in lacquer depending on where it was going.  This would look fantastic with paint and what a bargain!

(Bar Cart)

4) Crazy Flea Markets
There are some huge Flea Markets out there and some people work these.  I have a friend who goes to this one every year and swears by it. This is located at the Virginia/North Carolina border, just down I-81 south of Roanoke.  Read more about it here.

Friday September 2, 2016 - Monday September 5, 2016

The Hillsville Flea Market consumes the entire town of Hillsville. Antique dealers, gun dealers and traders of all kinds make this one of the largest shows in the southeast. Hillsville expects to draw over 500,000 visitors this Labor Day weekend.

Vendors set up their tent shops down the streets, inside the massive VFW parking area, and throughout the surrounding fields affectionately named “Bowman” and “Hunley”. Surrounding the flea-market area are hundreds of yard sales. The Hillsville Flea Market and Gun Show is a great place to find deals on antiques, furniture, vinyl records, books, baseball cards, coins, guns, comics, old pictures, army surplus, signs, clothes, gadgets, toys, knifes, collectables, tools, socks, and so much more. This event is sponsored by VFW Grover King Post 1115.

5) Auction Sites
The internet is full of auction sites.  Find ones that are in your state or within a reasonable driving distance or close enough so that shipping costs will be reasonable.  The world is your oyster!  The current bid on this side table is $14.  Yes, $14. Paint this baby.  Change the hardware. You could have a great looking very sturdy and well-made table.  See it here.

And then there is Ebay, Antique Malls, Yard Sales, Goodwill and even the local dumpster. Yes, I have found great furniture at the dumpster.  Reuse. Repaint.Reupholster.  Redo.  Recycle.  Have a great last day of July. May your Monday be manic, but in a good way.