Granny chic (?)

I don't know why it is, but lately I keep stumbling across an amazing amount of victorian living room furniture. You know the type - your Grandma probably had (or still has) it. Ornate wood frame, over-the-top floral upholstery that could make even the biggest proponent of floral nauseous. Yeah that stuff.

http://winnipeg.kijiji.ca

In the past when I came across pieces like this I would give them the once over, scrunch up my face and keep walking but for some reason, I'm starting to find these pieces more and more desirable. To the point where they're just popping up in my face saying "take us home." Take this past week for example - I hit up an estate sale and saw a three piece set in excellent shape for a mere $300.00. Long story short, Granny was giving up her place and her family just wanted to get rid of the set - and were basically giving it away, considering Granny had supposedly spent around $3700.00 for the set only a few years before hand.

http://winnipeg.kijiji.ca

Toss in the $50.00 to $100.00 couches and chairs that I've stumbled across at Goodwill & Salvation Army, plus all of the pieces that have recently turned up on Kijiji and I basically have my pick of the litter.

http://winnipeg.kijiji.ca

Okay, so you're reading this and you're thinking, "oh yeah, that sounds like a deal" or "oh yeah, I've seen piles of that stuff in the corner of every thrift store." But chances are that you're also sitting there thinking "what the hell is he going to do with a piece of furniture with upholstery so ugly that it could make small children cry, cats hiss and snarl and the average guy gag a bit in his mouth...?"

Well, I was thinking of something like this -

http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com

I kid! I kid! I was actually thinking of something along the lines of this bad boy -

http://pinterest.com

Or maybe this guy -

http://pinterest.com

Or this -

http://pinterest.com

Or maybe I could shake it up by tossing in a bit of colour -

http://pinterest.com

Grannies gone wild?

Kind of. But in a good way.

So, am I finally going to get rid of the camel coloured beast couch? Not right away, but after looking at potential 'after' shots of former 'granny' furniture that's been given a new lease on life, I am feeling kind of inspiring to select a vintage piece when the time comes to switch it up. I mean why not?

Sure granny's furniture may be uglier than sin, but chances are that it was amazingly well constructed - that and chances are even greater that it hasn't been used and abused, meaning that the frame is still intact. Some coin for new upholstery (I'd never attempt those tufted buttons) and boom! Or bam (if you prefer)! A piece better than anything you'll ever find at one of the big box guys.

The wheels are turning...

D-

PS. I still secretly want an overstuffed white slip-covered couch...something that I can literally jump into...but would would happily settle for one of the above pieces - it would look amazing in my non-existent 'formal' living space!

Thrift Thursday.

I'm so excited to share my latest find with you! Seriously. You have no idea. 

You see, it all started a couple of years ago when I first moved into my place and was starting to fill it with furniture. At the time I was still trying to figure out my style and ended up passing up a few pieces because I wasn't sure if they were 'me'. 

One of those pieces was a beautiful arm chair that I'd found on clearance at a furniture store - I loved it, and it would have been an investment piece, but I just wasn't ready to fork over the coin....and I've been kicking myself since then.

That is, until I came across this beauty on Monday evening - 

I was wandering around Goodwill when I stumbled across this piece and right away I was like "you're coming home with me." But then a funny thing happened. I didn't buy it. Seriously. After pining over a chair like this for so long I left the store without it. I decided that I didn't want to fork over $25.00. How goofy does that sound?

Coming home, I ended up falling asleep thinking about the chair. Seriously. I kept asking myself why I hadn't purchased it. Sure it needed a bit of work, but it's a piece that would look amazing with a bit of loving.

As luck would have it, I had a chance to zip back to Goodwill over my lunch break on Tuesday and there she was still waiting for me (for some reason most of my furniture is female...hmm). A bit of work was required to get her into my car, but for the princely sum of $25.00 she was mine!

Like my nightstand before her, this beauty is in need of a makeover. She's rocked the gray legs and stained upholstery for long enough - it's time for her 'She's All That' moment...minus Rachel Lee Cook.

Here's what I'm thinking of using as a jump off for this beauty -  

http://pinterest.com

Of course I'm in love with this Jonathan Adler piece, but seriously, it's going to be awhile before I can throw down $1250.00 for an actual Adler. But, with a bit of work, some sexy new upholstery, a box of French nailhead trim, multiple coats of paint & some lacquer I think that I'll be able to bring this ol' girl into this decade. She might even be able to swing that dreamy jock for the prom...

So a few packs of these....

http://www.diyupholsterysupply.com

A couple yards of this - 

http://thelittlelilacgoose.co.uk

And I'll be on my way!


Wish me luck (I'm going to need it with with all of those nails) and stay tuned!


D-

Dan plays fairy godfather. Part deux.

Do you remember last week when I picked up that cute little nightstand at Goodwill? It had a lot going for it, including it's awesome shape, the fact that it was the perfect height for beside my bed and it was a steal of a deal. However, it wasn't without it's shortcomings....it was dated and tired looking, had a scratched up finish, ugly hardware and had suffered from years of neglect. 

Well, two coats of alkyd primer, three coats of latex paint, two coats of furniture wax and some new hardware later I've ended up with a piece that looks showroom worthy! Well, maybe not showroom worthy....but it looks pretty damn good beside my bed!

Not too bad if I do say so myself! I'm really wishing that there had been a second stand, but when the time is right I'll come across a similar piece that will help add a symmetrical feel to the space.....plus give me someplace else to hide all my crap.

And because I've decided to share this piece with you, I figured that it would be fun to dress it up (that and it's a piece that deserves to be decked out)! I went digging through my storage closet and bookcases (who needs to go thrifting?) and pulled a few fun pieces and compliment the stand.

Above isn't the best of pictures, but I love the round fish bowl that I scored at Value Village a few years; for this piece, I teamed it with a dozen or so moss balls that I snagged from the dollar store for a couple of bucks. Teamed with a few of my favourite books and it makes a sweet vignette!

A few vintage pieces and my favourite water glass ever (found in a box at a country auction for a couple of dollars) complete the look.

I love it! But I'm not finished yet! I'm bound and determined to find another nightstand before fall hits....that and I'd love to finally really be a 'grownup' and invest in or create a headboard of some sort. Back to the drawing board I go!

D-

Sources - 

Nightstand - Goodwill

Alkyd Primer - Rona

CIL Latex Paint - Canadian Tire

Hardware (by Belwith) - McDiarmid Lumber

Table Lamp (Canarm) - McDiarmid Lumber

Round Fish Bowl - Value Village

Moss Balls - Dollarama

Magic 8 Ball - Vintage

Water Glass - Vintage 

Frames - Dollarama

Books - Goodwill / Winners

Duvet (George) - Walmart

Linens (Gluckstein Home) - The Bay

Striped Cushion - President's Choice

Dan's guide to picking out a couch (and liking it afterwards).

In most of our homes, the couch, sofa, davenport, chesterfield or divan is the focal point of our living room. Generally, it's a major investment that isn't as easy to switch out as the accents that also make up the room.  It's a buy that shouldn't be made without doing a bit of homework. Walking into a store and picking out the first piece that's somewhat comfy is not the answer. Trust me on this one.



http://www.google.ca

I made the ultimate mistake when purchasing my couch. I panic shopped and purchased an in-stock piece from a big box retailer - it was a Tuesday evening and I realized that I was going to be having company over that Saturday. Realizing that I wanted to have somewhere for them to sit other than the floor, I decided to hit up as many stores as I could, as quickly as I could.

My camel coloured beast right after delivery

Though I ended up a piece that was in my budget and is of decent enough quality, there are a number of things that I will do differently when I purchase my next couch. Therefore I offer to you, my own tips and guidelines to make sure that you end up with a piece that you truly love, rather than a camel coloured beast that looks out of place with the rest of your space (I'm really not bitter about it....).

http://acuratedlifestyle.blogspot.com

Tip Number One - Don't panic shop.

That's a given. But seriously, take the time to wander around showrooms, furniture stores, thrift shops, etc. to see which pieces stand out to and really catch your attention. I did this, but when it came down to crunch it, rather than let my guests sit on my lap or on folding furniture, I jumped the gun and purchased the first piece that looked decently made, fit into my budget and wouldn't look horrendous in my space.

http://www.shelterpop.com

Tip Number Two - Test drive potential suitors.

Get your mind out of the gutter!! When I was wandering around the furniture store where I bought my couch, I sat on a few pieces, but I didn't dive into them, or flop around on them like I would a piece in my own home. Think about how you live and how you use your couch. Will the piece be sat on when you're entertaining? Do you nap on the couch? Do you want a cozy couch where you can snuggle up with your partner and watch a movie without being squished? My advice to you - jump around on showroom pieces, flop into chairs, lay on them, make yourself cozy in them. If you're going to be spending the coin, make sure you get what you want. Take it from me, there's nothing worse than spending half of the evening feeling like I'm going to fall off of the couch...and neither of us are big.

http://aimeewilder.com/



Tip Number Three - Know your style.

To be fair, my camel coloured beast isn't the ugliest thing that I've ever seen. It's actually quite handsome. That said, it's not what I was originally going for. It really isn't me. I wanted something casual. Something big and cozy with overstuffed seat and back cushions....a piece that I could basically live on. I wanted a sofa with a removable slipcover that I could throw in the wash so that I wouldn't have to worry about getting jam or whatever on the upholstery. Instead, I've got classic, formal and micro suede that, pardon the language, is a real bitch to keep clean. I hate the upholstery on my couch. It's a dust magnet and I swear that at some point Mister is going to knock me out if I 'pull a Dan' and go all crazy on him for having a piece of cheese resting on one of the arms. I got it scotch guarded which helps, but I'll never go with micro suede again. That said, there are people who adore micro suede for whatever reason....

http://www.crateandbarrel.com

Tip Number Four - Spend as much as you can.


When it comes to purchasing a couch you want to buy the best piece that you can possibly afford. Seriously. You should look at your couch as an investment piece - the more that you can afford to invest, the longer your piece will last. Sure you could go to your nearest big box and buy a door crasher two piece living room set (never, ever do that) for the princely sum of $799.99.... but seriously, how long do you expect that set to last? You might get three years - possibly five out of the set. Typically these pieces are import, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - there are a number of great import pieces, but a bulk of these pieces feature sub-par fabrics, stitching and fill. 


When it comes down to it, you can buy a 'choice' couches for $499.99 to $699.99, 'decent' couch for $799.99 thru $999.99 and a 'good' couch for $999.99 and up. I'm not even going to discuss those couches that you see for prices higher than the cost of my last car...I love designer pieces, but really, who of us can afford pieces that expensive?

Avoid at all costs (for obvious reasons)

Plus, when it comes to purchasing selections from your local big box furniture outlet, you're often limited to colours and finishes shown on the sales floor. If I hadn't panicked, I would have waited 6 to 8 weeks for my custom upholstery selection. It's totally worth it when you can get the colour and finish that you really want.


Related to this, I bring you my next tip -


Tip Number Five - Pick your couch before you pick your paint colour.

This is a tip that I failed to follow in my own home. I wasn't sure when I was going to purchase my couch and wasn't prepared to live with 'rental white' walls, so went ahead and painted. However, being that I painted my walls in earth tones, I lucked out for the most part. That said, I am thinking of shaking up the colour scheme this summer. The last thing that you want is to end-up with a room that looks like this...

http://www.lifeclever.com

And lastly, I bring to you, 

Tip Number Six - Think outside the box.

There are a gazillion furniture stores, designer boutiques and online retailers that sell some amazing couches. However, if you're open minded (I hope you are!) why not wander down to your nearest thrift store to see what's on offer. I'm serious.

http://www.flickr.com

Sure you'll see a lot of ugly upholstery, rips, tears and mysterious stains. That and the bad 90s marshmallow upholstery that's been hitting up thrift stores as of late....but seriously, there's a lot of great pieces to be found. Look beyond the ugly upholstery, rips, tears and you'll see some great classic shapes. These  pieces can be snapped up dirt cheap and allow you access to a 'semi-custom' piece. Thrift stores are filled with well constructed pieces looking for a second life. With widely available for under $150 + whatever you choose for fabric and finishing and the cost of upholstering you can have a piece that will last longer than anything found at a 'don't pay for 15 month' sale. That and the piece will be uniquely yours, which I dig.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com

So there you have it. My guide to picking out a couch (and liking it afterwards). The only question left is who's out there that wants to buy a slightly used camel tone, micro suede, Canadian made couch? Just kidding (although, if you're interested....it me up)! I'll be living with my couch for a few more years (I think), and I'm pretty sure that I'll be able to make it work it my space. If all else fails and I get sick of the camel micro suede there's always the option of a slipcover & throw cushions!

http://www.ikea.com

D-

How Swede it is.

I'm a decorating magazine junkie. I can't wait for the beginning of each month when my latest issues of Canadian House & Home and Style at Home and a slew of American decorating magazines arrive. And while these publications almost always provide me with endless ideas and inspiration, sometimes I find it fun to shake it up a bit with something a bit different. Say something with a bit more of an international feel. What am I rambling about you ask?

I've come across a number of great Australian, British and Spanish design magazines while venturing out and about. Hell, I wandered into Walmart in Puerto Vallarta this past March specifically to buy design magazines (and perhaps to see how cheap their Pacifico beer was...but that's another story). And while there are a number of great publications that I look forward to telling you about, I feel the need to share my latest discovery with you right away!



http://www.husohem.se

Okay, tell me that the above cover isn't just a bit inspiring. I stumbled across Sweden's very own Hus & Hem magazine yesterday and in the time since then have tried to figure out where a guy living in the middle of Canada, where the Swedish population is nil to none could pickup an actual copy to paw through.

I've loved the Scandinavian approach to decorating since receiving my first Ikea catalogue when I was a kid. The Swedes know how to do it right. They don't over think design - it's casual and clean, light and airy yet personal and cozy. Void of the stuffiness that you sometimes see in over-the-top North American decorating.

Alas, I've yet to hunt down a copy. I've called a couple of bookstores that I know that have international choices and so far no cigar. I'm going to do some digging to see if I can buy a subscription online, but until then I'll satisfy myself with the many, many pictures that I've fallen in love with.

 

Here's just a small sampling of my faves -

All images, http://www.husohem.se

D-

Best. Idea. Ever.

Whenever I'm wandering around thrift stores, used furniture stores and auctions I tend to see a lot of really ugly brass furniture. You know, the stuff that everyone's Mom (except for mine) had in their living rooms throughout the 80s and early 90s. The type of stuff that would look right at home in an episode of (insert name of favourite 80s sitcom here).

http://www.decorateitonline.com

And while a lot of pieces have a feel that's distinct to that era of decorating, occasionally I'll see a piece that has a classic shape, that if it wasn't nasty brass, would look fresh and very current. However, up until recently I'd written off these pieces as a) if I spray painted them they'd look cheap and 'thrifted' and b) having the pieces professionally plated in a snazzy chrome finish is way outta my price league.

However, I stumbled a blog posting that has me excited and reaching for my oven cleaner! Chris from styleNorth has figured out how to remove the nasty brass plated finish from great looking furniture and accessory pieces using, get this, oven cleaner, super fine steel wool and a paste rub polish that's usually reserved for car rims.

http://www.stylenorth.ca

I'll let you check out the styleNorth blog for the details of how he transforms pieces, but it seems easy enough that even I can achieve success and end up with a stunning (and very on-trend) steel framed, glass topped coffee table that I normally wouldn't be able to afford. Or what about my coveted and long desired steel bar cart....you know the type. Think early 50s through early 60s MGM film, or old James Bond flick. Filled to the brim with crystal and colourful bottles. I'll even go so far as to picture Mister and myself entertaining friends and mixing signature cocktails while decked out in our best Sinatra style suits while someone places a ditty on our non-existent piano....(no more classic movies for Dan).

http://4.bp.blogspot.com

Dreamy isn't it? I don't know anybody who has a bar cart, nor do I know if I'd actually use a cart if one came into my possession, but the idea is tantalizing none the less.

Just think!  A couple hours of work (or multiple weekends if your name is Dan and you start projects but have trouble finishing them), and you could have an awesome find like this -

http://www.stylenorth.ca

So that leaves me asking the question - if a dated brass coffee table destined for Goodwill can be transformed, what else is there available in the online swap and shops that's worth transforming?

Say something like this double bed?

Or this nifty little bar cart (right up my alley)?!

The possibilities and opportunities are endless! The only thing left to do is find an item worth refinishing. Well, that and figuring out how to tackle my project without getting stupidly high on Easy Off, but we'll worry about that when the time comes.

D-

Meet Gavin.

A while ago I introduced you to my love of sketching out furniture design concepts. It was fun letting you in on this love and figured that it was time to introduce you to another collection that I've come up with. Meet a little collection that I've nicknamed Gavin.

When I envision the pieces that are within this collection, I view them as both stand-alone pieces, and also as pieces that makeup a rather nifty grouping.  Composed of an armless one seater and one seater units with either left or right arm and a cushioned top ottoman, this collection has endless configuration options.  Create a three seat sofa, a sectional, a sofa with chaise extension, etc, etc.  Let's take a look at the different pieces and a few options -

It's one thing to have my chicken scratch drawings, but let's kick it up a notch and come up with a couple different finishing options for this grouping.  How about we start with the frame work - 

http://www.bigcityimages.com

I love, love, love the look of brushed chrome. And I think that it would be 

the perfect fit for the frames of any of the Gavin pieces.

http://www.google.ca

Obviously, we can't leave the frames as they are - they'll need to be dressed with a sexy ebony faux rattan like the example above.  I like the look of a thicker weave, it adds some character and draws attention to the pieces.

http://outdoorfabricconnection.com

And topped with plush seat and back cushions in fun colours, say something like 'Mist' from Sunbrella's 'Spectrum' series....or maybe -

http://outdoorfabricconnection.com

'Kiwi' also from the same Sunbrella collection? 

Or how about a sexy yellow or burnt orange...maybe a bold white?!? Like configuration options, the upholstery options are endless!

Not too shabby huh? If it were possible, this collection would trump any of the bistro set contenders that I discussed the other day. Who wouldn't want to crash on one of these bad boys with a couple of brewskies on a long summer afternoon?  I know it's an opportunity that I wouldn't pass up!  A guy can dream.

D-