finding it on the cheap
Alexia Rossetti wrote a post recently about a fabulous bench she found. It was love at first sight—except for that little thing called the pricetag—so now she’s on the hunt for a similar beauty but one that will allow her to still pay the rent and therefore still have the hallway that needs the bench so she doesn’t go the way of an O Henry story.
I’m sure she knows how to find great decor at lower prices, but if anyone has a suggestion on this particular bench, well, let us know. And I do mean “us” because I want one, too!
April 1st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Well, I just looked on Target’s website and found a couple cute benches. Maybe this is more low-brow than you meant–and they don’t have the wild pattern of Alexia’s bench–but they would work for a decorator on a budget. There’s the Island Collection Bench for $119 and the circle design bench for $135. TheCircle Design is funkier, but the Island Collection has two drawers–gotta love the extra storage!
Then there’s always IKEA for decent design and great prices. I’m not crazy about their benches–but at $60 their Norden bench is cheap enough that you could throw a coat of paint or some wallpaper on it to make it a little funkier.
Hope this helps…
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I always enjoy scouring my local Craigslist. I’ve found a few great pieces there, like an antique file cabinet for $35 that I’ve repurposed as a vanity. My current obsession is here:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/fur/627745094.html
It’s not cheap, but definitely a bargain. If it didn’t clash with my living room I might have to raid my vacation fund to buy it.
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Ohh, that’s a fantastic find! If only I had more space in my living room… And lived in New York City…
Right now I’m looking for a chandelier that won’t overwhelm my dining room. Preferably antique. It’s always been my dream to get a fancy chandelier after buying my first house. On the other hand, I have 8-foot ceilings and I don’t want something that’s going to overwhelm the room.
Thanks for the Craigs List tip, Wendy. Maybe I’ll look for chandeliers there and see what I can find…
April 5th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I find a lot of really good antique or just a little older pieces at garage sales or moving sales. I purchased an old desk and chair for 25.00 that I distressed with a little paint and some sand paper and I purchased some new handles for the drawers it turned out beautiful. I have purchased several pieces in the past. I have also stopped and picked up some pieces that someone was throwing out to the garbage it is amazing what paint and some creativity will do. Good luck
April 10th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Good point–my sister is an expert at taking “junk” and turning it into beautiful furniture. I need to take a lesson from you guys and start experimenting!