The Swift Thrift

I was inspired by Lindsay over at Little House Blog and her love of thrifting.  She really has a thing for Value Village and a knack for seeing a gem that others might pass by (those starburst glasses would look so sophisticated at a New Years Eve party).

I actually couldn't contain myself and rushed over to the Value Village near me.  It's pretty new and absolutely massive!

Within five minutes I had my cart filled with picture frames, a few milk glass bud vases, two ceramic horses rearing up on their hinds and two marble-esque horse bookends (I'm really not as into horses as this post makes me seem.  I actually don't own anything horse related, I was just drawn to them that day).

As I was looking through the furniture section I spied it.  The dresser I have seen redone in so many amazing ways. My mind was spinning at the thought of having one of my very own.

So pretty!

I have painted / stained a couple dressers and I've learnt a little along the way:

1. Don't buy large furniture unless you have a place to a) store while you're fixing it up and b) ultimately place in your home
2. Don't take home furniture with structural problems: cracked wood, broken chair supports, drawers that are not easily repaired
3. B.I.N Shellac based primer is your friend and will seal in a multitude of sins. 

Luckily this one was in fine condition.  Just a few nicks and scratches here and there with one decent chunk taken out of the corner.

I'll repair this with wood filler.

I simply could not pass up this opportunity and for a whopping $34.99 my investment risk is pretty low!  Apparently I had just missed out on the matching side tables.  I boo-hoo'd a bit at that. 

 

I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do with it yet - I know I will paint it but I can't decide on a colour.  Good thing it's still too cold here to do any painting so I have some time to think about it.  I can tell you this - I am not looking forward to sanding this baby.  

 Since I bought the dresser, I wound up putting back a few decorative things and settled on these:

$4.99 each

I need to figure out where they are going to live, but I shouldn't have too much trouble finding them a home. 

$3.99

 I also bought this ornate gold frame which fit in perfectly with my hallway vignette

My big regret was not getting the milk glass bud vases that were $1.99 and $0.99 each.  They would look so cute on my new laundry room sink counter!  I may have to go back for them...

That's it!  Help me pick a paint colour for the dresser and I will be forever indebted to you!

Happy DIYing!