Friday, April 24, 2009

F.R.E.E. That Spells Free.......

Nope, I'm not talkin about your credit report, I'm talkin about my lastest undercover trashpicking trip around the neighborhood - not MY neighborhood of course. That's just asking to get caught. I do have some pride ladies. Who am I kidding?

These treasures were lying helplessly on the curb, just begging for someone to pick them up and transform them. They looked like those poor toys on the Island of Misfits. I couldn't just LEAVE them there, that wouldn't be right. With a little help from my BFF's hubby, and some quick thinking, we outsmarted the other trashpickers (I knew the lay of the land) last Sunday and scored these beauties.





Above is a pic of an armoire that completely fell apart as we loaded it into the truck! We died laughing. Thankfully, my DH was able to put the whole thing back together and now it just needs a fresh coat of paint. I was gonna do black and make it an Entertainment Center, but the thing is so old, there is no place inside for a TV! So now I'm gonna paint it white - can't you just envision some old sweaters and blankets goin' in there????

This next piece was hiding behind an old pine desk and hutch that also got picked up that day. It's a vintage sewing table with a flip-top lid. Inside is a little shelf for holding sewing notions. I foolishly forgot to take a "before" so here is my after.




I threw that tassle on there for good measure - it was on clearance at Michaels for $4 - but my new friend Jen from Sanctuary Arts at Home is going to give me some suggestions on what I can do with it. I painted it Heirloom White to go in my bedroom, which is completely Shabby, but it just looks too plain. Jen is a dynamo with furniture. Her before and afters are featured on her blog and they are so amazing, seriously. She hand-paints each and every piece and let me tell you, there are people who would pay good money for this kind of handpainted furniture. She is SOOOOO talented.

These pictures were lying lifeless on an old dresser. I did a drive-by to see the dresser and decided to pass on it, but thank goodness I saw these beauties before I drove off! Can anybody tell me anything about these?? I doubt they are worth anything, but they are so pretty!



Those frames are SO going to be painted white!

So that's it! Was it worth sacrificing my pride?? I think yes!

18 comments:

Tootsie said...

it was more than worth it!!!! wow...they don't have junk like that laying around in this area!!! I am jealous!

Melissa Miller said...

Very pretty Kim!

I can't wait to see what you do with the armoire.

Have a great weekend.
~Melissa :)

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Great finds. That painting is called The Blue Boy, by Thomas Gainsborough. The subject is thought to be Jonathan Buttall, the son of a wealthy hardware merchant. I've seen the original. It's hung in a "library/museum" here in So Cal. It's breathtaking.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

OMG Kim I would be doing my Happy dance finding pieces like these girl..I will tell you the last picture you shown is called Blue boy...there is also a Pink one that goes to it called Pinky..My mama had both...now girl the frames are to die for and the hi-boy chest I have one just like it in 1969 from thomasville furntiure company..and My Grand daughter still has it in her guest room...Wonderful finds girl..Hi-Five to you and a hugh pat on the back...WAY TO GO!! hugs and smiles..Gl♥ria

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

Man was it worth it! You ought to decoupage on that sewing kit! and those pics are divine, especially the frames! the one is Blue boy and there is a matching girl in a pink dress that goes with it..the lady I think is a Renoir but I'm not sure! It's sort of hard to see! Anyway, I wanted to say "right back at ya! girlfriend with the award!" God Bless! Lauralu :)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Are you serious? These treasures came from someone's curb! If you can find treasures like this on the curb, why buy anything! laurie

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

SCORE! Good eye girl! I will be waiting to see what you come up with. So jealous of those frames. I would paint them black with a hint of gold or maybe go over the gold with a touch of black. Just me... I am not shabby chic here. All rustic love.

~Misti

Laura said...

I can't stand it- I want all of that stuff.

You did good!

laura

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Wow! I can't believe that you found these on a curb. Can't wait to see the final product! You go girl!!

Paula@SweetPea said...

You lucky duck! Can you believe that someone threw out all of that good stuff??

pink and green mama MaryLea said...

There is no shame in up-cycling your neighbor's cast-offs. You are doing green decorating. More people should be willing to keep things out of the landfills. It's amazing what some elbow grease and a coat of fresh paint can accomplish!!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Kim thank you so much for coming by and gettin my hugs and smiles button...May you have a great weekend my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Betty said...

I wish I was still in the northeast. Lots of good junk with all those basements and usable attics. People save stuff forever! We don't find that here as much. The little antique sewing table is adorable!

Free Art Printables said...

Oh, what great finds!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

HIGH FIVE!!!!!!!
SaLUTE!

Lindsay @ Peacock Blue said...

Hi Kim,
Thanks for checking out my blog! You asked about the two posters over the mantle in my stage job...they are actually the builder's posters. They mentioned purchasing them in Nashville.

I just love your black $5 table! It looks perfect there!
See ya,
Lindsay at Peacock Blue

LaurenFaythe said...

You're really good at finding junk that will end up treasures! I can't wait to see what you do to that armoire!

Sue

Tricia said...

Okay I don't know anything of value, but I can tell you that the painting of "Little boy blue" {btw that's just what I know him as, Doesn't mean that's his real name}
used to hang in my grandparents guest room. I slept underneath that painting every weekend for a good many years. I think it was even in the same frame. Weird.