Treasure Hunting : Iron/Metal

One of the things I kept seeing on my trip down to Mart this week was Iron and Metal items. Whether it be a table or a bed, a lamp or a fan, almost every showroom I visited had some type of iron/metal pieces. The sad thing is the majority* of then were cheap reproductions that once in retail stores cost more than an original piece would -- so sad. *My fave showroom - Go Home has fabulous pieces!! I spent over an hour in their new showroom just looking around!

As I was checking out somethings in the WW of Craigslist today I thought I would see what iron and metal items I were listed -- you know, "just to see". It simply amazes me what some stores will sell knock-offs for when a little looking can get you the Real Thing at a much better price(and sometimes with a cool story to boot!)
*Click on Photos for more information*

#1- Iron Fireplace Surrounds

 

$50.00 - Great Price!

$250.00 - Has more detail

It is rare to find an actual Iron Surround these days as most are wood, however if you look you can find great vintage ones to use.

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#2 - Old Metal Beds

$25.00 Each - Awesome Price as I see these(real vintage) for $150+ normally.

Some online searching found the two knock-offs below - the prices are the average for a full size.

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#3 - Old Hand Water Pumps

Both for $60 (Fair price especially if the left one is as big as it looks)

These I found online but they have NO character at all! ;)

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#4 - Railroad Cart: 

$250 - Fair price if really original.

It is easy to find the hardware so sadly the shops that sell them are reproducing but selling as original :(

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#5 (my Fave Find today) Security Door

$150 -- Fab Price!!

Hard to find an antique door but the new ones(that look old) are between $500 -$900

These are just a few examples of real vintage pieces you can find with just a little looking. Heck sometimes you can find pieces that are completely Free* which is the best kind of deal there is!

*like the table I found for H - it is being delivered Saturday so I can't wait to see if it will fit :)

What are some things that you have seen in the stores/catalogs that you know you can find real ones of?

Treasure Hunting: Chairs

What does one do when one is home-bound due to snow and ice? Well, I for one, mosey on over to Craigslist to see what kind of treasures I can dig up. Not that I would be going to get any of them today but the looking is almost as fun as the finding to me.

Today I was checking out chairs as I eventually would like a reading nook somewhere in the house. You know a space, besides the recliner or sofa, where I can curl up with a blanket, hot tea, and my kindle to have some quiet reading time.

I could so see this with new funky patterned upholstery.

A great deal for $15.00 - see here if not already snapped up!

Loving this one - fab fabric but I would redo the wood on it to a distressed black for a good contrast.

A little steep at $185.00 but it is listed by an antique store so I wouldn't expect anything less. If you found it from an individual you would great a better price for sure. See here

MY FAVE!! With some new fabric this baby would be good to go and
I do believe I would pay the $125(or close to it) due to the uniqueness of it. See here

I could so see in the stuck over in the corner with a lamp beside it.

I just love this retro piece. It's a steal at $35.00 too! See here

Even though I am not a canvas style kind of gal, this set from the 70's has me wanting to convert :)

It has the original canvas and date plaque so the $95.00 price is a fab find for sure! See here

Here are a few chairs for almost any taste. Have you seen something lately that just screamed BUY ME? 

If I was not stuck up here on the mountain I am pretty sure I would on the phone calling about one or two of these beauties.

Happy Snow Day!

Craigslist Discoveries #1

I will be the first to admit that while I spend a little time on Facebook each day I could spend 3x's that on Craiglist! I will be looking for something specific and all of a sudden will find myself checking out page after page of an item not even remotely related to what I was originally looking for.

That being said - I do from time to time happen upon some lovely pieces and if I am super-extra lucky I will find something that I can actually use. And then there are the times that I come across a piece that I totally freak out about!

 Take the table below for instance.

My friend Heather over at {twenty}something has been searching high and low for a round table for their dining nook for awhile now. During our shopping excursions we have come across a few but they were always too pricey or "just not right" so we kept on looking. The other evening while I was looking for a  washing machine on CL I clicked on the Free Section, as it always makes me laugh what some people put online to give to others, and I noticed a Free Dining Room Table - Round. I decided to see what this table looked like cause I was sure it would be another to add to my CL Laugh Files and much to my surprise it was a actual Round Pedestal Table -- Just what Heather had been looking for!! The plan was to find a table that can be refinished, so they were not wanting to spend a lot of money on it but this particular table was FREE ~~ Hello you simply can not beat FREE!

I immediately texted her and then I emailed the "seller" before I even heard back from Heather. Unfortunately, I was informed that someone was coming the next morning to pick-up the table so I left my contact information just in case. I then texted Heather back to give her the bad news and to tell her that it probably was for the best because I had no idea where the town was that the table was listed in. She replied saying that her parents lived right down the road from the town(ahh small towns) and to let her know if I heard back again.

Fast forward 4 days and I get an email from the CL seller asking if "I" was still interested as the pick-up fell through. WaaHoooo Yes I was and I asked for her contact number and all that fun stuff. She sent it 10 mins later and I once again texted all the info over to Heather. I was waiting anxiously  foreeevvver 30 mins before she replied that her Dad was on his way to pick it up(there is that Small Town awesomeness I love so much again)!

This is what Heather and her hubs Rusty have in mind for the table.

Talk about your successful Craiglist Discovery! Can't wait to see what other treasures I can find for us both.
Since I so love my CL finds I will be doing a weekly Discovery post to share with you guys too. Who knows you may just see the perfect piece for your kitchen or living room!

Disclaimer: The weekly posts will not be as wordy but I simply had to share the Craiglist Goodness!!

--Have you come across any deals or awesome Freebies for yourself or others that totally made your week? If so I would love to hear about them!