Craigslist Weekend

Despite what you might think, I don’t stalk craigslist all the time. However I was overly active on CL this weekend, and it seriously paid off.

I found this secretary in Arlington for $40. It was about 5 minutes from our house, so we rolled out of bed Saturday morning and headed to pick it up. (Ramona was at my parents’ house, so we could have a hot date Friday. It was an extra win that we didn’t have to pick this up with a little one.)

We got to the apartment and found out it was on the 3rd floor. Before we freaked out too much, the lady told us there was an elevator. Little did we know it was an active adult complex. Yet another win for us! Originally, I thought I would paint it. Once I saw it I really liked the tone of the wood, so I might just leave it alone for now. I have no idea where it should go, but there is more than 1 possibility. Plus I’ve been wanting a secretary for a while. The price was right. The drive was nothing. I will just think about purpose and etc later.

There is one drawer that is damaged, but I am going with the argument that it adds character to the piece. The drawers and hutch at the top aren’t the easiest to open, but with a toddler that is probably a good thing.

Later Saturday night I was Craigslist creeping again. I found this ad a mere 20 minutes after it was posted. I emailed immediately to see when I could come pick it up. Someone had already emailed, but I responded quicker and offered to pick it up the next morning.

The seller texted me in the morning with the go ahead, and I sent Nick out to pick up the settee. (You already knew that if you liked us on facebook.) I admit it is in rough shape. It is broken at the top, but for $20 I can fix and reupholster it. Normally I wouldn’t reupholster myself, but I am going to try it since the piece was so cheap. I have more of a budget to work with in case I botch the reupholstery.

It says Made in Belgium on the bottom, so that’s cool. This settee is going to be gorgeous. It is going in our entry that is currently housing extra bentwoods and an Eames chair (because that’s how flush with chairs we are). We are thinking paint it black and reupholster in burlap. It’s okay if it’s itchy since it’s going to be in the entry and won’t be used for sitting often. The burlap will warm the space and provide a nice texture.