I spent today out and about. My youngest son, Calvin, had a doctor’s appointment and then I had to drive him an hour to school, meet him for lunch to give him insulin (it was a special lunch away from school) and kill time for a couple of hours until it was time to pick the boys up from school.
So, what’s a girl like me to do with a couple of free hours?
Well, I am predictable. I went to an antique mall to linger and hunt. I don’t have anything specific to buy for right now, but when you have a couple of hours to kill…
Here’s what I found…
There was no way I was leaving without these. They were $9.50/each and 20% off.
…this tote had the sweetest handle and the prettiest patina….
I also like the shape. It’s a bit smaller than other utensil totes I’ve seen.
…and a couple of ironstone pudding molds for $22/each and 20% off…
…a galvanized tote for $15…
…this gorgeous screen door…
…yeah, the screen is a little rough, but the paint color, the gingerbread details and the handle?! Come on!
Oh, if doors could speak…
I’d like to make a pie safe out of it, but we’ll see.
I also bought this set of four table legs. We are introducing some new MMS Milk Paint colors in 2016 and that means more table legs for the color samples in my studio.
One of my favorite finds of the day, perhaps, is this antique desk chair that I picked up for $20…
Look at the detail on the back…
…and the legs…
…and the adjustment knob…
I am going to upholster the back again, although, I don’t mind the open back. I think some ticking would do nicely.
…or maybe just some linen. We’ll see.
Tomorrow, I’m back in the studio and have some big plans for the little dresser that’s finally seeing things my way…
41 Responses
What a great day!
Be still my heart……that door. Oh how I love that door.
Can’t wait to see it after your Miss Mustard Seed it!
We have been looking for a vintage style porch door. They are hard to come by in these parts. The small utensil tote is lovely!
Those are amazing finds! I spent about an hour in an antique mall today as well … but I was just re-organizing my booth and taking inventory.
Every piece is amazing!
Great finds! I do the same thing if I have time to kill. I don’t go to the mall, I go to the thrift shops.!
Hunting is half the fun!
Nice haul, Marian! Love that screen door (the color = *swoon!*, I would leave the paint as is if it were my door), and that cool vintage desk chair (such a handsome fellow!). Can’t wait to see what you do with that desk chair, I’m sure it’ll be even more gorgeous once you’ve “Mustardized” it. If you decide to keep him for yourself, please be careful when using it. Four-legged desk chairs aren’t manufactured that much anymore as they tended to be unstable and tip over, so use caution when sitting it it and leaning over.
Question: do you wonder if you’ve ever bought, sold, and re-bought the same piece of ironstone?! I imagine it’d be a possibility as it’d be hard to keep track of all the old, similar looking pieces, and I bet they change hands in so many ways!
A wonderful way to use the time you needed to fill, and such amazing treasures you found. I love them all, but I especially adore the desk chair, the screen door and the tote. I can’t wait to see how you transform the chair with upholstery. Looking forward to the final reveal of the dresser as well.
I’m with Dorene; I swooned over the chair OMG….., the screen door & the totes (we call them toolboxes here)
wonderful finds – and I could make your heart race with a wild and numberwise unsorted collection of English stone ware with blue themes…. I only ever use mugs for tea, espresso cups for …. well, espressos and I must have some 20 unrelated but totally lovely large cups I collected during my time in England…. come and visit me in France and bring empty suitcases with you – my house is filled to the brim with old but precious (to me) ‘junk’, LOL.
thanks for the morning smiles you brought this woman 🙂
I love everything! But that desk chair! LOVE! Will love to see what you do, and if selling, may just have to buy it.
Wow, fantastic finds! The utensil caddy is very sweet and that office chair was a steal at $20. Enjoy!
No way we could shop together, there would be wrestling!!
Beautiful finds Marian, have a great day!
Michelle
Hello! Wow is right! What great finds! I love them all, but the screen door is something for sure! Reminds me of days gone by at my nanny’s house. Us kids constantly ran in and out and her screen door got quite the workout! Sure wish I had it today!
Speaking of great finds. I do have a question and wasn’t quite sure where to post it, but here seemed good since it is on the topic. I live in Texas, South Texas to be more exact and I sure do have trouble finding “great finds” and great prices like you do. Seems like all the antique stores, thrift stores, antique-junk type stores around my area are just so high priced on their items. It could be me, but I am thinking that the chair here you posted about for $20, stores here wold charge way more than that, I am thinking about maybe close to $100. I have found some really neat things that I like but just cannot seem to come to grips with paying that much for them. Some of it is pure junky looking and you know it’s not a real valuable antique.
It gets frustrating at times and I even haggle (nicely) with them on it and they will only come down a couple of bucks. So, is it just my area or the fact that old things are becoming new again? How does one know what the actual item is worth and how do you put guidelines on knowing if something is overpriced or not? This is true especially if you plan to resell it, fix it up and paint it and resell it, which is something I really would like to do one day. You appear to be such an expert at this!
Thanks and I sure enjoy your blog and all the inspiration you bring to it! 🙂
Wow! Love them all! Thanks for sharing.
Love the tote you found. You always have the best finds! It is a rare to see ironstone where I live.
$20? For that chair? I am so jealous! I have been searching for a new desk chair for months and haven’t had any luck! Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Lovely finds! That screen door (minus the screen, perhaps with a new one) would look lovely attached to the right bookcase, for housing whatever one’s heart desired. That desk chair is similar to a new one I bought about 15 years ago (leather-seated), for $75, so you definitely got a steal!
I echo the sentiments of the reader from South Texas regarding pricing…I think that, in areas where the “trendy” people are snapping things up without regard to cost, that it drives up the prices for regular folks. Also, most people are still recovering from the economic downturn several years back, so we have less disposable income…one person’s bargain is another person’s unaffordable luxury. Just forces me to look at things with a fresh eye. I see it as a win-win…the creative businesses make money, and the creative “regular folks” can make a lovely home, too. One reason why I read this blog is because Marian keeps it “real”, using coupons and discounts, shopping sales, and waiting until she can afford something. Good examples for us all.
What a fun day! I am jealous over the prices in your area! Antique shops are out of reach with their pricing here in Northern VA.
Love all of your finds! Would you share what antique mall were you shopping? You found some real treasures. Love the tool totes and the chair!
Thanks for sharing.
I was this close to hop in a plane to steal the teacups, but then I saw the chair… I need a desk chair, I need a beautiful desk chair, I need THIS beautiful desk chair !
I am so impressed with all the finds. But I’m mostly impressed
with how much you did in just 2 hours. My kind of girl.
LOVE the screen door. It so reminds me of the screen door at my Grandmother’s house when I was young. Her house was such a treasure. Full of such wonderful things. Oh how I wish it was still standing. I would really appreciate going through her home today now that I am much older.
I can still smell her homemade Italian bread. With some jam it was such a treat.
We don’t have great antique stores and flea markets here so finds like these are few and far between. Looks like a successful day all around!
Love all your finds…you and I both have a weakness for all things blue and white. How I would love to find an old office chair like that one. What a treasure!
Is it just me or does everyone enjoy seeing what you paid for your treasures. It is great to see the “deals” and also to have a realistic idea of what things cost in your neck of the woods. Thanks for sharing! They are all unique and beautiful as always.
Sometimes the best finds aren’t when you aren’t looking…love the DOOR
What a great haul! Especially love the galvanized tote, the screen door and the chair….who am I kidding….love it all. I’m hoping you had room for Calvin! If he’s like my kids, he got to hold stuff! All the best!!!
Great find–than antique Eastlake desk chair!
I love, love, love that desk chair! I work from home and use a very uncomfortable (but pretty) wood dining room chair in my office because I hate how most office chairs look. If you ever decide to sell it, please let me know. I’d love to buy it!
Oh my. I am completely jealous over ALL of these! I’d say that was two hours very well spent. The chair, the door, the little totes – I can’t imagine walking away from them either! Nice haul! 🙂
I’m with Kimberly – where do you find these wonderful finds and great deals? I live on the west coast of Florida and everything I find is just boring and ordinary and outrageously priced. I do find things at thrift shops here and there, but what you found today?! Unbelievable! Definitely a count your blessings kind of day. Kudos and hugs!
Do you share where you shop?
Beautiful things!!! How I would love to go antique shopping with you!!!! You find the neatest stuff at great prices!!!
Loving the screen door….I am so attracted to the robin’s eggs colors lately. The desk chair is incredible and I adore the open back to give an air of spaciousness.
I sighed with happiness when I saw the inside of that blue and white transfer cup! So sweet! Great finds!
Would you mind sharing antique mall’s name?
Beautiful pieces! What a rewarding trip.
Where do you shop? I want to go with you! 😉
The screen door! And that chair! Be still my heart.
Where do you live?! These finds are so gorgeous..wish we had more antique places nearby with such wonderful finds! Thanks for sharing these…
Great finds!! I absolutely adore that chair, I have been looking for one exsactly like that and that’s an amazing price (I need to find stuff that like here) !!! Can’t wait to see what you do to it.
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx