Thrift store show and Tell
Monday, Feb 27, 2012 52 Comments I should probably wait until i have 'final final' pics to show you stuff - you know, pictures that have nice light and are styled and, like the bed is made and there aren't random peoples clothes lying around, but unfortunately i have the patience of a 2 year old child after having eaten 100 jelly beans.
I want what i want and i want it now, on speed.
So Orlando and i were thrift shopping last week (read his latest post of us shopping for plants in the valley here) and we found some gems for me. I love me some thrifting. Always have. Its changed a lot in the major cities, and gems are harder to find, but if you get your hands dirty enough and go far enough into the valley, treasures are a'waiting.
This bad boy was $40 from a huge thrift store near downtown (for you L.A.-ers this is a big one, but man their prices are starting to reach 'i think i'm a vintage' store prices.) There were four pretty adorable but DISGUSTING and lousy dining chairs that they were trying to sell for $60 each. This place is not exactly 'clean' or 'free of germs' or 'free of pee odor' so i take issue with the vintage store prices. But, some things are still deals. Like this headboard.
I'm going to paint it charcoal, i think. Why such a masculine color you ask? Well, because it is going to be flanked by these girly girls:
Uh, huh. They are hot pink, velvet and they screamed 'Emily'. $200 for the pair from a vintage store in Ventura. Not a steal, but they are in perfect condition and the amount of impact they have is worth every penny. Brian actually really likes them but he wanted me to try to 'masculinize' up the bedroom after that. So i'm getting black leather bedding....with cars silk screened on it....with chicks with big tits inside the cars..... wearing Slayer t-shirts....
Here's where we are now in the master boudoir. I'm shopping for a king mattress - probably going for the Ikea HOLMSTRA. And this perfect Dwell Bedding is going into the guest bedroom since its a queen size duvet, so then i can grab new bedding....which will be a very fun hunt indeed. Then obviously i need to hang something above it. But i think that this headboard in a grey (and then maybe bring out some detail in gold) is going to be the perfect combo of a feminine shape but in a masculine color = perfect balance. I may even upholster the two wood rectangles so its softer on my fragile little head.
Not sure i have expouded that wisdom before, but my rule is that if if the shape is super feminine and you are worried about it being too girly (or you live with a man that you would like to keep), then make sure the finish (or fabric) is more masculine. For me, i could do bright yellow, white, light pink or navy, but i think that the charcoal will calm those crazy hanging girls down a bit.
Oh, hi cute bamboo desk. This guy came from Goodwill, but one of the Goodwills that knows what its worth so it was $130 which irritated me, but not enough to skip it. It's thomasville, so its all sturdy 'n stuff. I love it white, but am debating painting it because it sits near my white lacquer West Elm dining table/desk so it kinda competes. It's like they are too similar to be next to each other without looking accidental, but if they were drastically different they would work.
I kinda want it to be dark green, but keep the bamboo part white and add amazing brass hardware. But, I can't tell if that would be too 'designer-y or just totally awesome.....or so busy that it looks crazy. OR maybe i just paint the whole thing a dark/bright green....thoughts? Right now this room has that crazy antique blue chinese rug and the walls are a super light blue/grey, and the windows bring in so much green from the trees surrounding it, so i'm thinking that color palette could be simple and calm, but totally saturated and bright. Blues, greens, whites. Boom.
Pair of little Chinese tables: $30 each. I bought them for a make over hgtv job i did last week, but didn't end up using them. I'm not 100% in love with them, but then i picture them lacquered a hot color and flanking a bed and i get into them more. The shape is dope, and the scale is interesting because they are fairly large (i'm assuming 80's) but the finish is offensive. I may just redo them and sell them if they don't work in my house.
OR hoard them until we start shooting again (hopefully soon) and use them on the show. Mama has a garage now.
So my questions are: What color should the headboard be painted? do you think upholstering it would be genius or too much? And what color should the desk be?
Reader Comments (52)
These are amazing finds, love, totally love the bamboo desk!
I think the desk would be adorable in a super glossy navy. I would stay away from painting it two colors, as it might be too busy. Love the brass hardware idea, though!
Those lamps are unbelievable. Can't wait to see the finished room!
I share your frustration with nasty thrift stores charging vintage store prices. My former favorite thrift is pissing me off with $59 mirrors I could get at HomeGoods for $39.00 (unused and without the nicks and dust). Love your vintage pieces - I need that headboard for under my yet-to-be-installed Chinoiserie screen. And deepestdarkestgreenblack on the desk with brass hardware!
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I'm sorry, I can't concentrate on your questions... I can't calm down from the excitement of those pink velvet lights! Holy crap. I saw them laying down in a pic from your last post and I was trying to post a comment asking about them, but sometimes I just get an error that says unable to post. That kept happening. Anyway, they're incredible! Dying.
I think the headboard would be great just painted or painted with upholstery, but I tend to really like extra details. Like when you said \\\\\\\"with gold details\\\\\\\" my heart started beating faster. I really love your thrift store/shopping posts with ideas of what to do with them. Like those 80s tables are just awful and look extra 80s-ish next to the terrible couch. But lacquered and flanking a bed...yep, super awesome.
What about an antiqued silver for the headboard with a color popping upholstery or just a classic graphic print in black and white. So yes on the noggin protection.
I can't really tell what the headboard is now, but what about trying to lime it? I say definitely upholstered. And yes, dark green or navy on the desk. No two-tone. Wow, this is a lot of opinions...
40 bucks for that awesome headboard, no way! The Goodwill and Salvation Army stores here in Boston...S.U.C.K. and other thrift stores are non existent, they are all \\\"antique stores\\\" and are way overpriced or have nothing but junk. Or may be I just don't have your amazing eye, either way, I am super jealous! Can't wait to see how it all turns out.
The headboard would look gorgeous painted a smoky charcoal with ivory cotton velvet panels. I'm jealous, what a steal for $40! You should check this artist out for an installation to hang above the bed: http://www.paulvillinski.com/artwork/beercan.html. Not sure about the pricing but something like this could also be easily be diy'd. :)
You were at my favorite vintage store in Ventura! Had I known I would have totally gone into full stalker mode. Love all your finds. I think if you upholster the headboard then maybe a non high contrasting fabric would be good. The change in texture would be enough without a color contrast. xo
I say go navy colored headboard, no upholstering on this baby. The simpler the better. I say go kelly green and leave parts of it white...like maybe the legs or the drawers on bamboo desk. Can't wait to see it all come together (and can't wait for SFAS to start!!!)
That desk is seriously amazing -- you find the best stuff!
So jealous of those lights, I have been looking for the perfect pair for years, and you found them.
I am currently repainting a Thomasville bamboo armoire high gloss black with a white interior and brass hardware, so far it looks pretty lush! Much better than the orignal icky yellow finish. You must be in good with the thrift store gods, I do ok once in a while, but I always think, hmmm, would Emily buy this? shamless http://www.highstyling.com/2012/02/fabulous-finds.html
First of all I love your thrift store shopping posts! I love reading about all the steps...not just the amazing finished product. You have such an eye for color. You are great at picking the colors that work amazingly together. I am an artist and so I love color and think you are gifted in that area.
Anyway I agree the would look great in charcoal. I also think upholstery is a great for reading in bed and such. Plus the manly color will totally balance the pink I think a painting above the bed with deep sea greens and touches of light would compliment the amazing HOT pink! Kind of old world but simple.
loving your blog...can't wait for the new season of your show! Kimberly
Hi Emily! Thanks for sharing this process with us.. it should be a show! *HGTV, are you reading this?! *hint*hint!* I really like the idea of upholstering the headboard, it's so fun to be able to get comfy with your headboard. With the desk, I think that you should paint it high gloss dark green, I like cutwork, but for a desk that small, it seems like it would be too much going on, ah know?
That's my two cents :) Heather
I say yay on upholstering the headboard. Love the shape but it needs a little fluff!
1. Love the idea of a charcoal headboard to balance the (SPECTACULAR) light fixtures
2. Upholstering = Genius
3. I have been loving the Kelly green trend and think it would rock that desk...
P.S. Thank you for getting me into brass: http://dreamgreendiy.com/2012/02/27/pinspiration-monday-vintage-bar-cart/
The bamboo desk would be amazing in a Kelly green color. I'm trying to decide what color to paint the wood frame on two chairs I got on craigslist. It's between Navy & Kelly Green.
I like the idea of charcoal on the headboard, but I'd leave off the cushions unless they will blend in a bit. Go with all green on the desk. Just my 2 cents. I'm sure whatever you decide will be awesome :)
Paint the headboard? Yes. Upholster? I say no since you have those plush lamps on both sides. Might be too much plush (as if there was such a thing) and will skew the balance between masculine and feminine.
Upholstering the headboard is genius. Do it! And I think painting the entire desk with a bright green would be the way to go. That's my two cents.
I really like the idea of painting the desk green. That's an awesome find. I would leave the bamboo white too. Charcoal is good but I am skeptical about the upholstery part, guess I'd have to see the fabric and the way it would work with potential bedding/curtain/rugs, but i'm sure you're already thinking allll about that! Totally jealous if your sun filled office!
Charcoal for the headboard would be awesome and I personally would paint the whole desk a solid color, but I'm no designer. Green would be pretty sweet though-it's not used enough in my non-designer opinion.
Cracking me up about masculinizing the bedroom. Don't forget to add some swords and axes or something on the wall as accessories.
LOVE!
I vote for a gorgeous navy color on that headboard....it would be lovely with some gold accents!