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teeda_2006

Vintage/Retro Thrift Store Scores (pics)

16 years ago

I posted a couple days ago asking for help deciding about about a thrift shop purchase to use as a console for our new flatscreen tv (screen will be wall mounted above console). This is for a newly finished basement room, which has a decidely different style than the rest of my home (I lean towards traditional/french/english country). Thanks to Tradewind, I learned that the burl/chrome console I purchased has the stylings of designer Milo Baughman. After checking out his pieces on various sites, I decided this was definitely the one to use. When I went to pick up the console, I also grabbed two vintage rust red velveteen swivel chairs they had just put out for $20 ea. They are in absolute mint condition! Once I got everything home I remembered a pair of vintage red block prints I had picked up last year and was hoping to use in the basement room, but didn't know how to work the red into the color scheme (black leather sectional, brown/beige multi-tone shag area rug). The rust chairs really seem to pull everything together! I'm thinking of repainting the frames on the prints--any suggestions?? Perhaps black to because of the sectional and the large black tv??

Here are the pics. I had to use the flash because the basement has little natural light. Can you believe I got all this stuff for less than $100??? (Table $35, chairs $20 ea, prints $2.99 ea!). Beats the mall after Christmas sales any day!

Console:

One of the swivel chairs (I had the pillow, just tried it for accent colors):

Vintage prints (should I paint the frames? Too red?):

Comments (26)

  • 16 years ago

    Good grief, where is this thrift shop???? Yes black would look nice as I see it in your staircase and the doorknobs. Just one can of flat spray paint should do it. You're almost doing as well as Mythreedogs :-)

  • 16 years ago

    Envious... very envious! Way to shop!

  • 16 years ago

    Nice finds!

    I would think about doing the frames in a warm wood, something that compliments the tones in the burled wood. I think black will be too harsh and perhaps take away the sense of the vintage.

  • 16 years ago

    >> Good grief, where is this thrift shop????

    Ditto! That console is amazing, and I love the chairs. I have a very similarly-shaped one in my office (in dire straits) but it is sooooo comfortable -- am sure yours are too!

  • 16 years ago

    Wow!

    Great job with your selections. That console is just fabulous.

  • 16 years ago

    Wow, you did good!!

  • 16 years ago

    Um, where do you live?!

    I only have Goodwills to hunt in. They never get furniture that fabulous.

    *sigh*

  • 16 years ago

    Wow, what great finds, but never mind that -- I can't believe this is a basement! It looks fabulous.

  • 16 years ago

    Okay Teeda, here I come! I keep hearing there are some good consignment shops South of the Border. We need to talk! :-)

  • 16 years ago

    Standing ovation! I wasn't picturing the chairs as being that wonderful. And modern isn't my style, but that console is amazing! Is the top really burl wood or a laminate? Either way - wow! I'd be lying awake nights with a big grin on my face at those bargains!

  • 16 years ago

    The high quality of the console comes through even in the photo. The chairs really pull things together adding softness. The prints are amazing and go so well with the grouping.

    I would not paint the frames at all. It would take away the uniqueness they have. The red frames make them seem whole as art. If you paint them black the squareness will compete with the console legs and be too many straight lines going on in the area. If you do wood frames they will compete with the tabletop and take away from the beauty of the burl wood. It looks great as they are. Maybe live with it a while and you will grow to love the red frames because they are truly different.

  • 16 years ago

    Teeda, Wow! I absolutely love those chairs and for only $20, what a steal. Although the table is not typically my style, I think it will be perfect underneath the TV. You did good girl! Now fess up about this thrift shop!!

  • 16 years ago

    I agree w/dd, don't paint the frames. Whoever chose them was wise. They really do enhance the prints in a primitive but polished way.

    I'm still just in awe of that gorgeous console.

    And I *love* swivel barrel-type chairs. I have been looking for them forever. And you found a matched pair.

  • 16 years ago

    I already commented on your other post, but I have to tell you that I can't stop peeking at that photo of the console. I'm very, very jealous - in a good way.

  • 16 years ago

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE it all.

    Joanna

  • 16 years ago

    I would comment, but I think I'm too jealous to type. ;-D Oh heck, I'll comment anyway! I never have that sort of luck at thrift stores! Oh wait, I don't often go to them...clearly I need to start, at least to find the good ones! Absolutely AWESOME console! It may have modern lines, but really, something that classically beautiful could fit into many environments - GREAT score!

    As far as the picture frames, I think they look great as is, but doing a darker frame to work with other elements in the room would just change up the feel a bit & could work equally well, imho.

    Can I go shopping with you?

  • 16 years ago

    Wow. Just wow. That is stunning, Teeda! Gosh, around here all I ever see at thrift stores is garbage -- never anything like that, and if they did have it they'd price it way higher. What city is this thrift store? Lucky you, and good eye. WTG!

  • 16 years ago

    Teeda! Guess what I found for sale on 1st Dibs for merely $3,800.00?
    {{!gwi}}

    Joanna

  • 16 years ago

    OMG, OMG, OMG, Joanna---that is the IDENTICAL table! Is it listed as a Milo Baughman?? I can't believe this--I'm only on my first cup of coffee and I'm already having heart palpatitations! I am so glad I decided to post on this site and that you happened to be reading! I don't think I ever would have known what I got, because I have limited knowledge of modern furniture.

    Reading everyone's delight at my serendipity is almost as much fun as finding this was! Here's the story: I got it at a nearby Salvation Army. I've been on vacation since Christmas so I've been indulging my thrift shop addiction (and it truly is!). Over the years I have found some incredibly fabulous things there but stopped going because about a year or two ago a new manager was hired who appeared to be robbing the place blind (this is not unusual at these thrift shops--sometimes corrupt employees sell all the good stuff out the back door). He and another antiques dealer who got herself a part time there no longer seem to be employed, and the good stuff is coming back out on the floor. I think successfully shopping charitable thrift shops involves persistence and tenacity. My house is truly full of treasures I've found over the years, yet any friends or family that I've directed to these stores scratch their heads and say they can never find anything. Maybe the stuff just finds me, because like a stray dog, it knows who will love it!

    Regarding the frames on the print, I think I do agree that I should leave them as is. I do agree with Flyleft and dillydally that they are part of the art--it's even more clear IRL. But if I were to paint them, I do like Les's suggestion of a wood tone from the burl. I think I'll leave them for now--they have a real mid-century bohemian feel that helps balance some of the elements I have in this room. Amy, I can't help but think of your gorgeous decor when I look at these red prints, so I am even more inspired to keep the original frame color. And yes, we should talk--I've been meaning to check out a couple of the places I think you're referring to. I also recently found a cool little consignment shop in your town that I was thinking of consigning some stuff to.

    Oh, what a way to start the New Year! Thanks everyone for boosting my excitement! I wish you all similar luck in 2009!

  • 16 years ago

    Wowie, wow, WOW. Not my taste, but what a find! Find the above listing, and print it out and tape it to the bottom of the table for future reference, or selling the item. That's what I do when I have a great find.

    Love the chairs, too. They are club chairs. I have two in mauve corduroy. They are currently up in a bonus room, because they are smaller than the current scale of furniture in my home, they looked out of place. I would love to re-cover them and bring them back out one day.

  • 16 years ago

    Well done! I never cease to be amazed at the fabulous things folks find in thrift stores. That just doesn't seem to happen around here. About 10 years ago I found a Bertoia Diamond Chair for $15, but that was my one and only great find.

  • 16 years ago

    Wow, what exciting news to find here this morning. It is one thing to find a fabulous piece....quite another t see it on 1st Dibs! Thrilling!

    Teeda, the red prints remind me of some little straw pictures I found at my FL consignment store years ago. I had always planned to repaint the frames but just never got around to it. They were indeed shabby but I grew to feel that they were part of the charm of the pieces. Sometimes, giving into inertia is a good thing.

    For a while, it was rumored that that store fell victim to some of the same shady practices you mention -- lots of stuff going out the back door to designers and dealers. I did find a few things there over the years, but always felt they were a bit overpriced.

    Jakabedy, I would kill for a couple of those Bertoia chairs!

    Teeda, let me know when you feel like coming up to prowl around. We can trade notes over coffee! I bet you know more than I do about the scene up here. Everything I see (especially on Craigslist) looks just slightly better than the stuff left at the curb at the end of every school year.

  • 16 years ago

    tradewind, brava! A great writer *and* a great researcher.

    teeda, congratulations -- I knew it had to be something of that ilk--it had the aura....and I have no idea what you mean about addiction to thrift-shopping...really none...:) If there were a store like that near me that had a track record of receiving great items I'd find a reason to drive past it every other day.

  • 16 years ago

    I lurk here a lot but rarely post---However I'm in total shock looking at these wonderful pieces----and the great prices.

    I share your excitement-----My SIL just bought two chairs similar to yours and I'm sure they cost a lot more than 20.00

    If I found such wonderful bargains I would be thrilled beyond words--

    I'm so happy for you !!!

    Florence/zeffyrose

  • 16 years ago

    Another non posting lurker here. I lurk hoping for inspiration, and often find products to check out as well.

    What a find! And your pillow pulls everything together, including your beautiful wood floors. Absolutely beautiful. Those are my favorite colors.

  • 16 years ago

    Teeda, the console for sale on 1st Dibs is unmarked, but it is listed under Milo Baughman. Here is what the ad says:

    A Blonde Burled Wood Console Table with a Chrome Base
    USA
    1970s
    A Blonde Burled Wood Console Table with a Chrome Base, possibly by Milo Baughman.

    Price
    $3,800

    Condition
    Excellent Original Condition

    Measurements
    height: 73.66 cm (2 ft. 5 in.)
    depth: 40.64 cm (1 ft. 4 in.)
    width/length: 152.4 cm (5 ft.)

    1st Dibs is the highest rank of furniture religion. I worship at its alter at least once a week :-)

    jakabedy, woohoo score! A few months ago in an antique store I found a knockoff Eames (Plycraft) lounger in black leather, pristine, in walnut veneer. I paid $125, and I thought that was a great find. A Diamond chair for $15?????? AWESOME. Although Teeda has us both beat! :-)

    flyleft, that was a very, very kind thing to say. You absolutely made my day!

    May all of you thrift store lovers be blessed with designer pieces and vintage treasures that make you smile every time you look at them. And to those whose thrift stores seem lacking, try estate sales! Not only do you find bits of precious for your home, but you get a lesson in anthropology and sociology with every visit :-)

    Joanna