epic craig's list find

by | Nov 16, 2014 | Favorite Finds, Master Bedroom, Miscellaneus | 64 comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

I have found a lot of great pieces on Craig’s List over the years…chandeliers, dressers, hutches, cupboards, chairs, sofas…you name it.  I’ve bought a lot off of Craig’s List.  When I’m getting ready for a market, I troll the local antiques & furniture sections daily in our local areas to see if I come up with anything good (and I often do.)  And I have another ace up my sleeve when it comes to shopping CL…my dad.  He has a truck, likes to drive and likes to meet new people, so he’s in charge of coordinating the details of the pick up and then he delivers it to me.  It saves me a lot of time and he enjoys helping out.

So, I was browsing through Craig’s List a few days ago and came across a listing for a French armoire.  I have been looking for one for my bedroom for a long time, but I’ve been very picky.  I was looking for a piece that was a real antique, sturdy (so I can actually use it) and not crazy expensive.  Plus, it has to “speak to me”…meaning that I really love it.  I have been coming up empty for a long time.  I wasn’t very hopeful when I clicked on the listing, but I could immediately tell from the detail pictures that this armoire was the real deal and the description stated it was sturdy.

It had been listed for several days and I was amazed it was still available.  The only thing I could see that was wrong with it (and may have prevented other people from snapping it up), were that the door mirrors had been broken or removed at one point and replaced with a not-so-attractive upholstery fabric.  I saw past that immediately and sent the listing along to my dad.  He picked it up a couple of days later and even negotiated the price from $380 to $350.  He sent me this picture when it was in his truck…

I suspected it was a breakdown wardrobe, which is common for antique pieces.  You can see one of the upholstered panels in the door above.

Jeff fixed up a few poorly-done past repairs and we had new mirrors cut for the doors and purchased brackets and shelves to fit on the metal supports already attached to the back.  Jeff also cut some luan (thin plywood) to back the mirrors and give them more stability.  We put it all together and I moved my clothes in yesterday.

And here it is…

The details on this piece are absolutely amazing.  I think this would be $800-1200 in an antique store, so I feel like it was a super deal at $350.

 

The doors are pretty warped, so the mirrors are at crazy angles and look a bit like a funhouse, but I don’t mind.

Miss Mustard Seed-3107
Miss Mustard Seed-3108
Miss Mustard Seed-3111

I also got a new woven rug with Joss & Main credits.  I had a rug from my Opa’s house in the room, but it was only 6′ x 9′ and wasn’t the right scale for the room.  I needed a larger rug to go under the bed and tie the long, narrow room together a bit better.  The problem with large rugs is that they are really expensive.  While I would love a plush wool rug, a woven one was more a budget-friendly option at only about $230 for a 9′ x 12′ rug.  With the credits I have accumulated from referrals, I only spent about $80 out of pocket for something that makes a huge difference in the room.

I feel like I’m getting close to being done with this room.  I said that to Jeff and he half laughed, half rolled his eyes and even managed to give me a are-you-kidding-what-more-needs-to-be-done-in-here kind of look.  After being married to me for 15 years, though, he just knows that this is what I do.  I am really trying to follow through and get rooms finished, though.  The big things are in place and it just needs a little finessing…pictures on the wall, pillows and slips for the chairs, paint on Jeff’s dresser…mostly things I have and just need to finish…but it’s almost there.

Next week I’ll be working on more Christmas projects (we’re breaking out the MMS glass glitter) and I hope to get a lot of sewing done and maybe we’ll even sand down the floors…

Receive a Daily Dose of Encouragement and Inspiration!

Stay Inspired with Marian's Daily Blog Posts

Sign up to receive uplifting blog posts directly in your inbox! Join our community of like-minded individuals and start your day with a burst of creativity, motivation, and positivity. Whether you’re seeking decorating tips, DIY projects, or simply a dose of inspiration, Marian’s daily posts are sure to brighten your day and ignite your creativity. Don’t miss out on your daily dose of encouragement – subscribe now!

    64 Comments

    1. Nancy @ Slightly Coastal

      I love it! So beautiful! The detail in the woodwork is to die for. I love the hardware around the key mechanism. Now you need to hunt for a great old key 🙂

    2. Lori Merrill

      It is so beautiful! I love it! I found a similar armoire this past summer that you could break down. I never saw one like that. The lady I bought it from originally lived in an old Tennesse farmhouse and had several at one time. I bought her last one for only 75.00. It was such a steal! I though it was a misprint at first and she said it was only 75.00. I love mine too! Thanks for sharing!

    3. Marty Cotton

      A.MAZ.ING! What a piece!! It looks wonderful in your room! Good finds like that never seem to show up on our CL!

    4. Karen

      Oh Marian! I got a little dizzy when I scrolled down and saw that beautiful wardrobe. Oh my goodness it is gorgeous! I have the same rug in my living room. I got it during Kim’s event (Savvy Southern Style). I love it. It smelled like hay for a few weeks though lol and my family complains that it’s rough on bare feet. After I made my coffee table the rug we had looked so small and off balanced.I chose that one because it was a great price for the size and really nice quality. I hope you enjoy it. That wardrobe though is a dream, I cant believe you found something so beautiful on craigslist and at that amazing price.

    5. Martina

      What a find…GORGEOUS!!!

    6. Courtney

      Absolutely gorgeous!! Love how it looks in your room- and wonky doors make it full of even more charm and character- great find!

    7. Julie @ Restyle Relove

      Wow, what a gorgeous piece of furniture. It looks perfect in your room! I’d be thrilled too. 🙂 Julie

    8. Rita C at Panoply

      And wow!! Plus, your dad is an angel. Love.

    9. Donna C.

      What a smoking deal and what a sweet Daddy and what a handy husband! You are one lucky girl! Love the details too! Congrats…you gave a skillful eye!

    10. Vicki

      My friend has a great expression…you are welcome to “use” it on your hubby

      “Man finish house,man die.”

      Your Welcome!

    11. Pamela @ FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com

      The wood is great with all the white and blue. Great bargain and I love the mirrors being wonky. I have a bazillion projects in the works too and several custom orders coming in I have to tackle first. I don’t think I will ever catch up so I just enjoy the ride. 🙂

    12. Robyn

      Score!

    13. Lisa@2perfectiondecor

      Wow.. Beautiful Piece. I love it as is. Great buy for sure!!!

    14. Starr

      Beautiful find! I love getting great deals. Before our local vintage markets went wild and raised prices, I found a dining table and a kitchen table for such good prices I wondered if they were missing a zero! I haven’t used CL enough…I should.

    15. Kate

      That is so stinkin’ beautiful. I love armoires and chiffarobes. I’m glad you didn’t paint it ; )

    16. Alicia S

      That looks wonderful. You are so lucky to have two such great helpers!

    17. Anita

      That’s gorgeous!! But how did you stand to get that shot directly in front of it without getting yourself in it??

      • marian

        Ha! I actually stood sideways and was able to fit myself between the two mirrors.

    18. Lindsay Eidahl

      Nice find! I wish I had the same luck on Craigslist. I can’t seem to find anything like that around here. It is so great that you can find so much! This find is just stunning!

    19. Rhonda

      You always have such good luck finding beautiful pieces of furniture on Craig’s List! Lucky you, your armoire is gorgeous, but I would have left the mirrors out, I would get sick looking into those wavy mirrors!

    20. Liezl Hammann

      Hi,
      Your armoire is a true beauty, I love it, the size, shape and details are just perfect! Enjoy! Xx

    21. Christina at SWEET HAUTE

      OMGosh…..that is aaaaaaamazing that you found that on Craigs List….
      Good job!

      ~Be Sweet
      Christina at
      SWEET HAUTE

    22. mary wyatt

      All I can think is, “How did Victoria Elizabeth Barnes not see this Giant Fancy Thing?”

      • marian

        Ha! I thought of her when I found this. 🙂 Now HER Craig’s List finds are epic.

    23. Hope

      Oh wow, really gorgeous piece, great find!

    24. Nancy

      I love the piece; wavy mirrors and all! What incredible luck that you found just what you wanted. The rug really ties it all together. Well done!

    25. kathleen

      Stunning!! It looks perfect in your room! By the way, have you ever thought about going to a carpet store where they sell carpet remnants? We bought a very large rug for our basement and had it bond on the edges. Way cheaper than buying a ready made rug and a lot of options.

    26. Gaylin

      Simply beautiful! You have a knack,such luck in your area with beauties like this!

    27. Teresa

      What a beautiful armoire and a great find! It would easily sell for $1,000.00 in the right antique store. Sometimes large pieces of furniture can be difficult to sell because they are harder to transport and move.

      You didn’t mention the cost to have new glass made for the doors but I assume it was fairly reasonable? Glad you saw through all the imperfections and snagged this beauty. It looks great in your bedroom!

      • marian

        Yep, it was $60 to have both pieces made.

    28. arden

      congrats on your wonderful find and your fixing of it. A question: how do you take photos of the mirrored doors without being in the photo? Magic?

      • marian

        I was standing sideways and I just fit between the two mirrors. 🙂

    29. Denise

      The best pieces are definitely worth waiting for. Knowing what you want and not settling typically yields the result we hope for. Patience and perseverance always pay off. I once waited nearly 2 years to find the right dresser. Congrats on finding yours! I, too, appreciate and respect that paint doesn’t have to be applied to every piece.

      Great post today…thank you MMS for keep so many of us inspired. In the future, would it be possible to add a page for photography sessions on your blog? As if you needed one more task to get through in a days time. I just find your discussions on camera use and setting up a shoot so very interesting and helpful. Thank you for the consideration and providing this platform for women, and men, to feel inspired and excited about getting up every morning and going into our studios. It beats the alternative of staying in bed.

    30. Jelena

      Marian, that truly is a steal! Beautiful armoire! You are blessed to have a husband who has knowledge and tools to fix things.

    31. Kristi

      Ahhh! It’s Gorgeous! I don’t know you find such gorgeousness on Craigslist?!! This wardrobe and the one that Vicki Archer found from French Essence are hands down the best epic finds I’ve witnessed. And, of course, Victoria Elizabeth Barnes, she discovers portals to other worlds! Crazy amazing find!

    32. Caroline Longstaffe

      What an incredible find, I also wouldn’t expect to find something like this on Craig’s List, I need to get looking and shopping there, thanks so much!

    33. Anne Boykin

      Dear MMS, Awesome find! It’s so perfectly “you” that it was meant to be. How fun! Hugs, Anne Boykin

    34. Greer

      The first thing I noticed is the way the mirrored doors reflect the crisp blue & white color scheme in your bedroom. The wood really warms up the space. Very nice marriage!

    35. Cindy

      It’a Amazing! … and absolutely perfect for your room!

      Cindy

    36. Katherine Schaffer

      incredible marquetry – just gorgeous!

    37. April

      Oooh la la! It feels so good to have a room finally start to come together (almost completely). This piece and the rug really tie in to your look. Such a pleasure to receive your posts! There is a difference between buying new things to constantly change your look and replacing not so perfect items for the perfect thing you have been patiently waiting for to show up. 🙂

    38. Vanna

      Oh Marion it is gorgeous!! You lucky darn ducky! What a SCORE!!! *winks* Vanna

    39. Corinna

      It totally reminds me of the ones that are always in bed and breakfasts in France. Love it!

    40. Liz Thomas

      Stunning!! A lovely, lovely find!!

    41. Mary @ Orphans With Makeup

      I am seriously in L-O-V-E with this piece. It is just so beautiful as is against your white walls. What a great find and at a really great price!

    42. Paula Carli-Windmill Farm

      I love the piece, particularlly that fan like wood detail at the top. could you put the mirrors on the inside of the door? Just a thought. Great find.1504

    43. Karen

      Love your new piece and you are so lucky to have a dad that will do those things for you! Tell dad and hubby that I’m so impressed!

    44. Linda at Beautiful Ideas

      Marian!!!
      You are one lucky girl to have your dad and hubby who will literally go that extra mile for you! Love is certainly at work behind the scenes and in the details, and it shows. Wonderful team effort!
      Wishing you a beautiful day,
      Linda at Beautiful Ideas

    45. Renee

      Simply lovely… a perfect find! Our Craig’s List is pitiful….but I will keep looking….

    46. Elaine

      so beautiful…it found its perfect home.

    47. Hope Allen

      this is an epic piece – so right!! Its the Pinnacle find and i love it! would love to have that piece – you done did good girl!! 🙂

    48. peggyw

      definitely worth the wait. it’s perfect!

    49. Amber

      I LOVE it! You seem to have such great luck with your CL finds. I found my dream French Armoire and was ready to buy it. We traveled an hour and a half only to find that it had been heavily damaged and was put back together with drywall screws, about 30 of them! I was highly disappointed and needless to say, it didn’t come home with us. I’m still looking though! Maybe I should have you find one for me! 😉

    50. mary young

      Marion, It is so beautiful I would never leave the room! lol Mary

    51. deb m

      I wanna see the inside too, please!

    52. Deb Landy

      These pieces are fantastic. They knew what they were doing when they built these break apart pieces back in the day. (The IKEA stuff we put together now doesn’t come apart so well..lol)
      When I staged a home there was a wardrobe like this one. So smart for getting large furniture up tight staircases.
      Really glad you found the piece that spoke to you.

    53. MaryLisa Noyes

      Totally Awesome Find!!! The detail in the wood and embellishments are so beautiful. I know one website that would have sold it for several thousand….you struck gold!
      It’s always a work in progress when you love vintage!!

    54. Lynn Dumouchel

      WOW!!! What a great find just love it .Lucky you : )

    55. taria

      That is gorgeous! You have to know we all ran over to CL to see what we could find!

    56. Lori Terceira

      I’m going to start trolling your area on Craig’s List. I rarely find anything good over here.

    57. Sandy

      Excellent find at an awesome price! Jeff did a great job with the mirrors. It’s gorgeous. Love all the details. I don’t think I would ever pInt this piece! But of you ever do, I’m sure it would still be beautiful.

    58. Suzan

      Well I thought I won the CL lottery with a vanity I just found but this knocks mine right out of the running lol
      What an over the top stunning piece Marion – absolute perfection!
      XOXO

    59. Terrie

      Love the details on this piece. Just beautiful.

    60. Twyla

      EPIC is the perfect word. That is absolutely gorgeous. You “did good,” woman.

      Love the finish on that bed too. So pretty.

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Share This