two things with sexy legs

Even though I still have so much to blog about Peter's parent's visit (I'm overwhelmed by the amount of pictures to go through!), I wanted to quickly post this "before" picture of a couple of pieces of furniture I picked up off of kijiji last week. The seller had bought an amazing house right in downtown Ottawa that was furnished. 

With pieces he didn't want. 

With pieces that he clearly didn't realize -or care- the value of. Or maybe he just wanted them gone quickly. Either way...

Lucky me.

I have big plans for these two.

The first, while not an antique (it has a magnetic clasp and some fancy hardware inside), has a super nice shape... and check out those sexy legs! Can a piece of furniture be sexy, you ask? Clearly, the answer is yes.

Sorry the top is so dusty, I'd already begun sanding before remembering to run get my camera. 

(Also, see that pile of rock? We built a deck last week.) 

(And by "we built a deck", I mean that Peter and his dad slaved for 12-14 hours a day building a deck.)

(It's a life-changing deck.)

(More on that later.)

And now... what you all really came to see...

Could this dresser be any more awesome?? And it was only $40! 

(I know that some people visiting here might live in an area where antiques like this sell for $10-$15, so might shrug at my excitement over this $40 dresser (*ahem* sorry mom... this CHEST OF DRAWERS), but I assure you that -for here- this is an amazing deal. I read some US-based blogs that seem to be based in a parallel universe where it rains antiques and everywhere you look people are practically giving away timeless treasures covered in charming rust and patina and age worn paint. THIS IS NOT THAT PLACE. )

signs of age and use

unique detail

and just look at those curves

Every time I see those curves (THOSE CURVES!), I'm torn between sighing contentedly that she's mine-all-mine and giving a big ol' construction worker wolf howl.

It wasn't until after taking these pictures that I noticed that the hardware doesn't match. When I started this post, I thought I'd just pop over to Lee Valley's site and find a couple options to post here... Uh, have you ever checked out the hardware section of Lee Valley?  I hadn't. It's a bit overwhelming! If any of you painting/decorating/refinishing mavens have ideas, I'd love to hear them. 

At first I was thinking of doing something similar to what's on there, like some of these on the left hand side,

But maybe I should fill the holes and go for some drop pulls (the ones in the middle above), like on this dresser by Holly from Life in the Fun Lane (her before and after)

Cute, right?

This will be my first attempt at refinishing furniture and I get all giddy even thinking about it. From the great price, to the labour put into it, to the time spent choosing the little details, this dresser is going to have a lot of me in it.

I can't wait to finish and post the end results.

(Hopefully it won't take all summer.)


If you've ever attempted anything similar and have any tips or advice, or if you've written a post about something similar, I'd love to know.

This post is linking up to these great parties.

    

P.S. Now I want my own button. I have button envy.