Friday, May 28, 2010

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.

kijiji furniture-1
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! 

kijiji furniture-2

(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. )

kijiji furniture-4
signs of age and use

kijiji furniture-3
unique detail

kijiji furniture-5
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.

kijiji furniture-2

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.

Furniture Feature Fridays
Decor MammaThe Girl Creative  Blog+Button+to+size.jpg  The Trendy Treehouse

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

22 comments:

  1. I just put cut mirror on an old dresser I found. You are lucky to find such wonderful pieces.
    Happy Day.

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  2. Omg! Too cute. We've been looking for a dresser like that for our guest room. Tell me your source lady!

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  3. you're pregnant and you're taking on this project? how cool is that?

    coming from the friday blog parties :)

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  4. whoa! you're pregnant?? i had no idea. congrats!!!

    awesome pieces. the serpentine chest of drawers (your mom was so right) is gorgeous. i really like the distressed look that holly did. you could do that in any nice bright colour and it would look great. just imagine a nice burnt orange!!

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  5. That dresser is a real beauty! Can't wait to see it all fixed up!

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  6. oh, crap. can i just delete my previous comment? no? oh well.

    at least, my comment garnered a follow. thanks for the follow and following you back :)

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  7. LOVE those pieces, especially the dresser!!!!

    And what's this about being pregnant???

    Love ya!

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  8. Oh, I love that dresser! I can't wait to see the end result!

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  9. That a lovely piece, make sure its not something very valuable before you paint it!

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  10. OOH! I LOVE!
    I hear where you are coming from. The second anything could even be considered an antique in my area, they right away charge an obscene amount of money for it. My dad was a trucker, and he used to long to buy some of the furniture and haul it back with him when he saw yard sales in the USA. He did only a couple of times... when he saw something he couldn't pass up.

    I gotta do me some USA shopping again soon! Sigh.

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  11. New follower from New Friend Friday- please follow me back at a

    http://helpingunitefatherandson.blogspot.com/

    Happy Friday!!

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  13. first: YOUR PREGNANT!!!??? Or is that commenter wrong.

    Second: Those two pieces are awesome. I need to browse Kijiji more often. My husband had a dresser like that when he lived with his parents. When we married and bought our first house he assumed he would take it with him... they wouldn't let him :( so it is still at their house. Hopefully we will get is some day. Looking forward to seeing your finished products.

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  14. Sexy indeed! lol Can't wait to see it all dolled up!

    T.bird

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  15. hahaha! glad you cleared up the pregnant thing. that's too funny.

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  16. Great find! And I know what you mean...we live in a small town, so something for $40 is a great buy! Then I'll read somebody found the same thing for $5 and I'm totally envious. :) Found you through funky junk...so glad I did! I have this exact dresser! Mine's turquoise now, though. I refinish funiture and started my own business, so please feel free to stop by and of course, let me know when it's finished so I can see the end result! Nice to meet you -shaunna :)

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  17. Oh goodness... that is one gorgeous piece! I could use that in 101 areas. How lucky are you! You've done it proud with your makeover. :)

    Thanks for linking up to SNS!
    FJ Donna
    http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

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  18. Wow...lucky find! Trust me...beautiful antiques never fall from the sky in my neck of the woods either.

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  19. What a cool dresser! I'm excited to see how it turns out. I think drop pulls or even round pulls might be a good fit. Have fun!

    Kacey

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  20. Those are some awesome sexy legs and curves ya got there. Love the stories those pieces may tell too with their wear in places. Have fun with your project and I look forward to seeing the "after" too.
    Re. the deck. May the life-changing thing be a good one. :-) unlike our latest deck issue (see http://pamiseasilyamused.blogspot.com/2010/05/great-deck-fiasco.html) LOL!

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  21. So excited for you, Amy! Can't wait to see how the furniture turns out after you've had fun refinishing them.

    And you MUST clarify on the pregnant comment - are you??!!!

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  22. That dresser for $40 was a great buy. I love a curvy girl with great legs. :) I like the idea of the drop pulls, but there are so many directions you could go that would look just as good. Thanks for sharing your find with us...although, I am a wee bit jealous.

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