The Free Chairs that Surprised Me

Sometimes you just have to think outside the box. I’ll admit, when I read blogs like Miss Mustard Seed or Prodigal Pieces, I often wonder where all of these cheap, cast off treasures are hiding. But lately I realized that I seem to have quite a few of those treasures in my own house! While they definitely haven’t all been free- kijiji has been a bit of a treasure trove for me. I’ll be honest, there are a lot of items I pass on ever inquiring on, simply because I know I won’t be able to go pick it up on my own. Whenever Matt can he will accommodate a pick up (one reason I LOVE that he has a truck) and when possible, I shove my van full. ha!

Today I thought I would talk about these chairs… they were listed in the free section of kijiji because they were really dirty, but had great lines and great curves. You might remember them from our Christmas Room Tour. I like their almost slouchy appearance, and that they are quite slim. The wooden arm rests also speak to me. When I brought these home they were really nasty- but they were free after all, so what’s the worst that could happen?

I had initially planned to sew a drop cloth slipcover for each of them(which I have never done) but kept finding myself lamenting that although dirty, I rather liked the upholstery. So, I decided to try cleaning them. They didn’t smell, but looked like they’d spent some time in an old barn.

This chair was the dirtiest of the 2.

At first it felt like the little “carpet and upholstery cleaner” machine I bought at Canadian Tire wasn’t working… until I changed the water. Ummmm. Let’s just say EW!

Above is the same chair, still wet, as I was working on it. What a difference!

These chairs are really comfortable, and sweet too. The little pedestal table between them has a marble top, and was $15 at the thrift store. I had to repair the connection between the wood and marble- but it took hardly any time. I plan to paint the base in some MMS Milk paint.

Some of my favorite pieces in our house are used, thrifted or rescued. Here are just a few to encourage you to think outside the “New” box 🙂

This hutch cost $80, and I gave it a new look using spray paint on the hinges and knobs, and MMS milk paint on the exterior. The press back dining chair beside it is 1 of 6 that we scooped up for a $100 for the set.

I’ve yet to makeover this chair- well I have 3 of them actually! Planning to get an actual upholstery gun first- but they were $20/each.

This chair was a freebie that I painted and reupholstered, and the desk is one of my favorite pieces in our house, also a kijiji find.

Matt picked up these lockers for a steal at an auction and I found this quirky cute chair for $4 at a garage sale years ago.

I am learning that creating a home I love on a budget takes a little extra patience, elbow grease and some good cleaning tools, but I sure do enjoy the thrill of the hunt 😉

-Miss Ash

To read about more of my thrifted treasures just click here. Yep, I love old stuff!

Shared at: Sundays at Home