Message Boards

Good morning decorating friends. It's time to share whatever recent or favorite finds you may have found. If you're able to share pictures, we would love to see them. If you can't share pictures, just tell us about them. Prices are always to fun to hear too.

Please share!

I found 3 Brick maker's style (the leg system) for $10 on CL! I sanded (doing a little each time DH put them outside for me to work on)
The tops were damaged, and that didn't bother me! They have thin Oak Parquet wood veneer tops and the finish was coming off. This was an Estate sale, so they were on their last day and advertised on CL to get rid of their stuff (gave away a lot, but was not interested in what was there)

will post picture next post of progress so far.

PHOTO is the Craigslist PHOTO from their listing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

This is the table while I am sanding it, the coffee table (one on left in the CL photo) there is a small metal bar that pulls out to support the leaves when you open them to fan out. CL photo shows the coffee table on the left that has the left leaf open

showing table open as a rectangle coffee table with both leaves open

Here is one of the side tables, sanded and weathered with vinegar/steel wool treatment and has darkened.

I also sanded the bottom metal legs and cleaned them up. I put Penetrol on the metal to stop rust since there was a few spots, I especially took care of the underneath part of the metal so as not to ruin any rugs in the future that I will put this table on.

NEXT STEP:
Will be to use my liming wax to lighten up the finish, to be more of a driftwood type weathered finish. Whew!!! Been working on these for about 3 weeks now, and happy to be almost finished!

The last coat on this for protection will be clear wax. I am using Briwax products since I already owned them.

Around the drawer in this photo in the front of the table, you will see a brown amber color, I left some of the original oak stain on this area to tie in brown furniture I already own with Amber and brown tones.

The square metal tubular type legs will be painted with Annie Sloan Graphite color paint.

In the photo you will see a small metal piece to the right at the top of the drawer (actually in the center of the top of the drawer) that is a modern handle made of heavy metal, that will also be painted with dark Graphite A/S paint that has been thinned and will be more of a glaze.

I bought my FIRST CAN of Annie Sloan paint this week, and I got enough to paint my china cabinet I found on CL early last month! That project will be coming up in the near future... or my dining table... not sure which will come first!

Skyler! I took up 4 posts, sorry! LOL
Thanks for hosting this MMF's, it is FUN to share and see what others find as well! I always look forward to your MMF thread!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Mary Ruth, no need to apologize take as many posts as you want, especially for such a great project
What a great table and you've done an amazing job bringing it back to life. I've never seen a table like that but it's so versatile. I always love to see your projects because you give us a lot of insight on how to revive treasures.

Where do you plan to use it? Thanks for sharing with us!

We've been vacationing for 3 weeks -- hitting tag sales, garage sales, antique malls and thrift stores between here and the East coast and back again.

Came home loaded with treasures!

A small blue room platter -- have the biggest one now I have the littlest one!

Martha

A small sewing box -- with some age -- there is written a name and 1818 in the inside -- I'm not sure the box is THAT old but it did come with treasures inside -- a pin cushion, some French coins and pins!

Martha

A small English blue and white tureen complete with ladle (which often gets broken) -- in a booth with really expensive things -- it's from the 30s and was only $9.00!

Martha

Not sure if it's a pitcher or an ewer but it really doesn't have a spout -- it's old and was only $20!

Two samplers -- reproductions but hand done and done well. I fell in love with samplers in England but alas couldn't afford them!

Martha

A lovely watercolor -- not sure where it's home would be but knew it had to come home with me!

Martha

Two grapefruit spoons -- really only need two for I don't serve it to company -- they were cheap and are engraved! Now to buy grapefruit!

Martha

A small faux tortoise shell box for the dresser.

Martha

One of two silver napkin rings -- bought it because of the name Dorothy Door. Now I've decided that any new napkin rings MUST HAVE both first and last names or they are not coming home with me.

Martha

The other napkin ring dated Dec 25, 1869 -- a true treasure! Coin silver!

Martha

Three small waterford vases. I have two and think they will be perfect for holding flowers at place settings. Now at least one more -- but under $10 please!

Martha

A leg of lamb bone holder with a bone handle. Found one several years ago and wanted one very badly -- so now I have it! It was a great deal as well!

Martha

Linderhof,
Love that blue and white platter!

What a treasure that small box is! Looks like nicely scaled needlepoint!

That tureen (AND with the ladle!) for $9 you stole that! Love it!

That pitcher is awesome!

After seeing the beautiful blue and white collections some of the members have shown here on this board, and your treasure finds, I am convinced that collecting what you love over time makes the best collection! I have barely begun! I do want a few items but not a set.

I love the samplers. My grandmother encouraged me to make one when I was younger, but somehow it got lost over the years.

Oh that watercolor is amazing! I love that style of watercolor, still life with flowers. Very very nice!

Grapefuit is not eaten so much for breakfast anymore, especially when Americans are on the run in the mornings and older folk are on heart or BP meds that advise not to eat it! But nice spoons!

I used to collect faux tortoise shell boxes until a family member fell in love with them, and I gave them to her.
How cute with both names on the napkin ring! That will make for great dinner conversations, when you can call your guests by the name on the napkin ring! LOL OH my the treasures go on and on! You visit real nice places or you are just so lucky!

Hi Skyler,

Thanks for getting us started on the MMF's!

Mary Ruth, Those are usual tables. It's great that you are not deterred when a find needs refinishing or a new look! Are you painting the metal parts too?

Martha, Looks like you made the queen's run on finds. You really know your finds. Love that you will give the watercolor a new place in your home.

Remember the baked grapefruit with brown sugar? Now you have the perfect spoons.

No finds for me except a new roof last week. Happy to find the workers done & gone! LOL.

Mary Ruth, I love the tables and what you are doing with them. I like seeing the steps of the project. For me, the more detail and the larger the pictures, the happier I am.

Linderhof, you did find a ton of great things. I loved them all, but I especially liked the idea of using bud vases at each place setting. I generally don't like big centerpieces. I find them distracting even when they are low in height.

I just want to thank all of you for sharing your finds and projects! They are so inspiring!

MR, as always, you find great things on craigslist. Can't wait to see them redone. I'm sure they will be fab.

Martha, you sure did find lots of goodies. Love blue and white dishes.

I found some etched glasses (thrift store) with a gold rim. The nice thing about them is that they are a good size (not huge) and there was 16 of them. Always hard to find that many in a set at a thrift store. $12.00 for all.

Beau's Rose,
Well, I have time on my hands, and for 4 yrs I couldn't do much with my arms and hands, now that I have made improvements with surgeries and therapy, I am like almost normal IF I do only a small amount in one day and let that group of tendons and nerves quiet down. IT took a while, but I am getting the hang of it. DH is great, he lifts and moves the item I want to work on and then puts it back in the house. IF it is too hard for me, he will take care of it. We now have a system, I work when he is home so I can call him to come and move something or lift something. I cannot even fold the large dropcloths, too heavy. So, you see, the REASON I am doing projects IS because I CAN now! LOL Makes me feel like 'life is NOT over yet' for my DIY days!

YES I am going to paint with Annie Sloan graphite gray (dark charcoal gray) paint on the metal parts. I do not have that bronze look in my home so I do not need to see the brassy gold color. There will be another piece of furniture painted in that graphite in that living room so they will tie in together by that color.

Gracie,
I saw a few of the Brick makers' tables out there and the prices were over $1,000! (just for the coffee table). And they had a parquet top on them as well. So, I figured these would not be perfect, but I will enjoy them until or IF I ever find a better table, but the side tables are a great size and have a great working drawer!

Grapefruit,
It sure is FUN to see what others post on this thread!

VG,
Thanks! Those glasses are beautiful! And you got 16!!! for $12! That is a steal! I love the shape! The etching makes them so special! GREAT find!

Here is a clue on the final finish for the top wood part of the tables. I got this Balsa wood small star box (wanted it for my nightstand) and then weathered it, which turned it gray. Then I used my liming wax (Briwax brand) and applied it to the top of the star box, shows in the photo that it is real white.

Then I added a small amount of the liming wax to the clear Briwax and then did the bottom of the star box. I liked that light touch, so that is what I am going to try and do with the tops of the tables, hope it comes out OK. I do like that finish of a light touch of the liming wax, then I will clear wax over the whole wood area to seal. Since the woods are different (than that balsa wood box) it may not come out the same, but the idea is to make it more 'driftwood' lighter wood color.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Wow everyone, great week for finds!

Martha, what a fun and successful trip you had. Sounds like my dream vacation. All your finds are great but I especially love your sewing box and watercolor. The colors in the watercolor are some of my favorite.

Hi Beau's Rose!

VG, love your glasses. I think etched glasses are so nice, especially for the holidays.

Thanks again for sharing with us Mary Ruth.

Victorian Girl, those glasses are lovely. I like the shape and the etching. Only $12 for the set is a huge steal! Congratulations!

Mary Ruth, I like what you did with the wax. That's an interesting technique.

VG great glasses and so nice to find so many -- often there are 5 or 3 -- rarely 7 (for you could do 6 and a spare) -- 5 (4 and a spare) is hardly worth buying unless you mix and match!

And less than $1 each -- great buy!

Martha

VG- I remember when one of my Aunts got some glasses like that for a wedding gift and all of us nieces called them sugar glasses.

Mary Ruth- love those tables- have never seen anything like that.

Linderhof- be still my heart- I want everything that you posted, just love that stuff. I never heard of a lamb bone holder, how neat.

Wanda

Skyler,
I plan on using these tables in my living room. I have seen similar tables out there (very pricey) so when this came up on CL, I had to go check them out! Since the location was near my home, my DH came along with me for a quick look. He liked their sturdiness too, so I had him there to load them in the truck!

I can't wait for DH to have a day off so he can put one of the tables outside so I can apply that liming wax! I am so close to finishing the project and that gets me excited to hit the home stretch!

I love to have books on my coffee table, since I go into the living room to browse a new magazine or review my design related books. I will have a bookshelf in that room so it will be like a library as well for me. No TV and comfy furniture and books... my kind of room. Trying to convince DH to build me a fireplace mantel in there where we can install an electric firebox. I do not need 'heat' just the flickering light of the flame. I think we have less than 10 days of cool nights here in the winter where we live, so a fire's heat is not necessary.
The house does have central air with heat and A/C so we don't need a heater. I just want the atmosphere.

So, when I look at CL listings it is usually to find something similar to something in my inspiration photo collection of favorites.

I FOUND something else today, and will be sharing next week!

Graciepj,
I am doing a finish with that wax for my daughter and I fell in love with it as I was working with it. I want to do my nightstand bureaus (I posted several weeks ago on MMF's) with this finish.

goldiesmom,
Thanks

One of these days I am putting together all my finds and B&A photos on a blog. And how they will all come together to create my home.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

It is really a treat to see others finds, esp when they are so much what I would love!

Brenda, my favorite of all kind of glasses are etched glasses. It is so nice to drink from thin glass.

Martha, everything you bought I would have liked too! Silver, needlepoint, china.

Mary Ruth although it took me some studying to determine why these are called "brick makers tables" I finally got it and you got a terrific buy and will put them to good use.

DH & I made a determination the other day while surveying our basement. He said, you know we are really hoarders. It is just that we are organized hoarders! We both decided to quit bringing things home. Cold turkey, like I quit smoking years ago.

Anyway before we decided that I had gotten a final lead crystal decanter (with the lily in it) and three small Wedgwood plates, all from the swap shop.

LOS,
I love the Stargazer Lily in the vase! I had ordered 50 bulbs for my daughter and they just arrived last week, so she got her belated Birthday present. She LOVES those lilies! Beautiful in crystal!

Brickmaker's table:
"originally a pallet used to cut, cool, and transport bricks 100 years ago in Belgium."

I got the style of one, not an actual authentic table. I am OK with the cheap copy! LOL

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

quote:

She LOVES those lilies

These are also our favorite flower. Esp for DH. (I also like roses, liliacs, lilies of the valley etc.)

Our discount store had the bulbs for 2.99 (2 pk) early this summer. He bought several every week and planted them. They did bloom and when we came back from a weeks trip we were thrilled to see them

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lady of shallot,

Hi all- nothing to share - just wanted to comment on your beautiful finds. Yep- I'm still here.

Hello late bloomer! Glad to see you pop in!

LOS,
My daughter just called me to tell me that they are planting theirs tonight. They read all the information first and got large pots ready and places where she wanted to see them from windows (view). They are beautiful.

You got them for just about half price! That is good! I looked for bulbs locally but could not find them, they are popular around here and people buy them as soon as they arrive. So, I had to order to make sure she got hers. The ones I got were from a bulb company and came from Holland.
You have lots to look at in your yard! Pretty flowers and great places to sit and enjoy your views!