We both like to check craigslist pretty frequently — we each usually have a few specific things we’re hunting for, plus we just like to keep an eye out more generally in case something amazing comes along. Sometimes we find incredible things that we just don’t have room for in our homes, and then we email each other links and commiserate about how we need a new house to decorate. Because we don’t have our hands full enough already with the two houses we already own.
But another game we like to play as we troll craigslist is “awesome or terrible.” Yes, most of the time things are clearly one or the other…but once in awhile one of us will come across a piece where we just can’t tell: is this really cool, or is this just awful? Some of the best stuff usually rides right on that line between awesome and terrible. Thank god we have each other to help tell them apart!
Today we thought we’d let you in on our game, sharing a few items we’ve come across recently that had us wondering if they could be incredible with a little work, or if we were crazy for thinking about putting them in one of our homes. We can’t wait to see what you creative and discerning readers have to say!
Let’s start with a little wicker chair that Sage came across. Wicker seems to be making a resurgence, and for $15 maybe this chair could be amazing with some paint and new fabric? Or maybe it would be a disaster. We can’t decide.
We need your help:
Next up, more chairs. Naomi came across these as she continues to hunt for the perfect dining room chairs.
$25 a pop isn’t bad. The beige isn’t working, but vinyl can be painted. Just picture them in a glossy black and the shape is pretty cool.
Or is it?! You tell us:
Now, we turn our attention from chairs to couches. First, this crazy yellow sofa that Naomi came across for only $20.
But wait, you say. The couch is $20, but reupholstering that thing will be a fortune.
True, but did you ever consider NOT reupholstering it? The current fabric may be total insanity, or it could be just the right amount of quirky and retro if the right room were built around it.
Sources: rug // coffee table // chair // pouf // side table // lamp // bar car // chandelier // art // paint
Or maybe you think that room would look a lot better without such a ridiculous sofa?
And lastly, a couch Sage found. I mean, yes, it’s filthy, but there’s something so sweet about those colorful diamonds. And it’s leather, and it’s $50.
Couldn’t it be cleaned up and be Emily-Henderson-incredible?
But maybe, like we were, you’re wondering why it’s being called a “wine barrel sofa.” Okay fine, we tricked you. The additional photos reveal that apparently the couch actually looks like this:
Yeah. It’s built on top of wine barrels. So we think we can safely conclude: awesome.
If you had fun playing along, let us know and we’ll be sure to share more in the future!
(Sharing at Create It Thursday, Brag Worthy Thursday, Think and Make Thursday, Idea Box Thursday, Weekend Retreat Link Party, Two Uses Tuesday, Tip Me Tuesday, Whimsy Wednesday, and Pin Worthy Wednesday)
Liked playing along – however – would like additional choices –
(1) Yes, but would totally paint, etc
And maybe a – (2) well I would probably get it – never do my project and then sell it or give it back?
Or under Yes , would keep,
would you leave as is or would you change?
PS – on the sofa – good shape. How about painting instead of re doing upholstery?
Thanks Judy! I think most of these would definitely require a little reimagining to be keepers! Or to your point, would sit in the basement waiting to be reimagined and eventually be re-sold to make way for more stuff 🙂 Interesting idea on painting the couch, I wonder if it would be hard to fully cover the pattern? But maybe totally doable!
Great post, loved playing along, more please. 🙂
Thanks Angela! We’ll try to build up some more “finds” to do it again! It was super fun to see the votes come in and learn what everyone thinks!
Scoop up the vinyl chairs. Paint the frames and reupholster and they would be amazing!
There’s just something about them, right?! They’d look so cool with clean white frames and black or gray seats I think. I wonder if the re-upholstery would be out of my skill set?
Oh man, I REALLY want to love that wine barrel sofa. But I’m having trouble getting past the lolz.
Hahaha, I know — it’s just too ridiculous. It’s like it has pirate peg legs or something.
I never even imagined that something like that wine barrel sofa could exist before!
So true, Gretchen — it truly defies the imagination! 🙂
So fun!!! More, please!
We will!! Thanks!
haha! That is a lot of fun. And now I know that I’m not the only one that has trouble deciding whether I totally hate or totally love things I find at flea markets.
Isn’t it strange how the love/hate line is so tight? Glad you had fun!!
Hmmm. I loved them ALL!!! My friends and family all think I’m a little weird lol!
I was surprised to see that most people hated both couches and the white chairs!
My favorite was the floral sofa and I’m like you. I think in the right setting it’s awesome, in fact my daughter bought a blue floral couch from Goodwill and it looks great in her mid-century modern apartment!
I hope you’ll do this again soon, it was fun! :o)
Tania
Thanks Tania! We’ll definitely do this again given how much fun it was to put together and then see how everyone felt. I’m surprised the couches didn’t get more love, also! I am really into that yellow sofa and would have totally bought it if I didn’t already have a mostly assembled living room.