New (to us) Sofa
We found this used sofa and loveseat on craigslist for $100. It’s a 25 year old Ethan Allen set with new back cushions and a custom slipcover. No smoking and no dogs in the house. Perfect! It’s a little more white than I usually go for but I might try to dye the slipcover. We’ll see how that goes. In the mean time, we will finally have a comfy place to sit!
We pick them up tomorrow. I’m excited. Does anyone have any advice or experience on dying fabric? I believe the slipcover is a cotton-poly blend linen.
second question. what color? Decisions decisions.
Sarah
Fab Finds
I’ve found some awesome deals and just plain ‘ol cool stuff since I’ve been working on the house. Between scouring craigslist, talking with neighbors, and online shopping up a storm I’ve got some great deals on some truly neat stuff.
The free claw-foot tub
Yes, it was free… We’ve been going back and forth about putting a claw foot tub in the 3rd floor bathroom. We need a tub in the house for any future kiddos and the way the room is laid out, a free-standing tub may be the only option.
This 5′ foot tub was found on the town mailing list. The owner was renovating a bathroom and listed it as free for pickup. We happen to have a truck which allows us to really grab these great finds. We grabbed a couple friends and grabbed it. It is currently living in the shed. It’s heavy heavy heavy and the 3rd floor bath is a project for next year. $0 for a $1000+ tub is worth the cost of storing it though. Score!
Occupied Japan Figurines
I picked these up at an estate sale just last weekend. $1 each. They are so sweet and they will work well in the piano room.
Rugs!
Oriental rugs go for soooo cheap on Craigslist. People start out offering $800 and the never sell. People who actually want to sell, sell for $50 or $75.
We’ve gotten 2 $50 rugs. One great green synthetic rug that is still rolled up and this great blue rug in our messy bedroom.
Both $50 rugs came with high quality rug pads and both just needed a vacuum.
We also got this rug for $120 at an estate sale. AFter $190 to get it cleaned, we have a beautiful. high quality, old oriental rug. The colors are great blue, yellow, and pink. Perfect for a bedroom.
Stamp Book
At the same estate sale that I got the occupied Japan figurines, I also got this great stamp book.
Purple Bearded Iris
I’ve been trying to figure out what to put on the driveway side of the porch. My initial thought was iris. They are harty, purple, and beautiful with great 3 season foliage. I started thinking perhaps it was too narrow but after I heard about all these free iris plants, I decided to try it. In a few years, it will be full of purple blooms. I can’t wait!
Yay for great finds, generous neighbors and Craigslist!
Sarah
Last Weekend
Last weekend was a mini-vacation to the 1000 islands region of New York state to visit Stefan’s Grandma Blanch who is, in fact, not his grandmother at all but a wonderful woman that married Stefan’s grandfather later in life. Grandma Blanche was the guest of honor at her 90th birthday party this weekend. She is a beautiful lady even at 90.
Here she is at our Wedding in December. We were so glad to have her there!
Blanche was the owner of the Dairy Bar in Alexandria Bay. She has a decided sweet tooth and claims an overindulgence in sweets is the key to a long life. She makes the best cookies, pies, etc that I’ve ever tasted! She closed the Dairy bar and has retired but she hasn’t slowed down hardly at all. She is the young one that makes sure to check on the neighbors and get people to their doctor’s appointments. She was telling me this weekend, that her next door neighbor is 101 and lives alone. Blanche calls her every morning and if she doesn’t answer, makes sure to call again in about 10 min. “Cause it takes her a while to get to the phone.” Ha!
For her birthday, she got a cordless phone. She was running up big bills on her cellphone because she wanted to be able to sit on the couch and talk to people. She must call just about everyone in the town given her cell phone records! She would say, “Well, I have to check on everyone, make sure they woke up!”
It was amazing to see the number of people she has made an impression on in her life. The party was a roaring success and so many people were there to wish her well. I’d have to say it was the event of the year for the over 70 set.
It was a lot of driving but it was worth it to see the family and wish Grandma Blanche happy birthday.
Sarah
