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I Am a Thief…

…maybe not in the traditional sense, but I felt a little like one.  I just bought nine antique doors (several with hardware), an antique table with turned legs and casters, a stack of molding, and a few cabinet doors for $24.50.  Does that count as robbery?
(I call it robbery when the movie theatre charges me $15.00 for a coke and popcorn.)  Here’s the thing.  These doors were trash to this guy, so we were both happy with the deal. 
This tall, skinny pair of doors have a perfectly chippy light gray paint and they look great flanking my piano in the living room.  They set me back $1.00 for the pair.  I still need to clean them up and put a coat of poly on, but I couldn’t resist sitting them in their new home.
We weren’t even sure if we could fit it all into one truck load.  See those legs on the table?  To. Die. For.  I got a sneak peek of some beautiful wood under the black paint, so I think I’m going to strip the top.
Oh, look at those knobs!  I think I ended up with a glass knob set, three brown enamel knob sets, two lock boxes, and one latch.
See the glass knob tucked under there?  It gets even better.  The door has a four paned glass window. 
Oh…chippy gray goodness.  I think this paint is too far gone, so I’ll scrape it off and do something else.
There’s something so beautiful and simple about a 100+ year old door leaning against a wall.  I can’t wait to find homes and projects for all of these doors.
The government has been cracking down on companies for “obscene profits.”  Do you think they’ll come after me for an obscene good deal? 
Miss Mustard Seed

I shared this at SNS over at Donna’s blog.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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67 Responses

  1. I've been looking for an old narrow door (like the ones you put by your piano) for ages! I need something pretty narrow for my pantry, but I refuse to install one of those cheap molded doors in my 100+ year old house! Great find!

  2. I really don't believe in luck, but I do have to say that your are one lucky lady. I LOVE all of your goodies.

    I just bought a similar old smaller door with great hardware from the flea market this weekend. I hate to admit that I paid $20 for it when you got ALL of your stuff for that amount. But, I loved that door and was thrilled to find it. It is sitting beautifully beside of an old secretary that I have.

    Congrats to you and no robbery took place, in my opinion.

  3. Sometimes I leave a sale and while getting in the car as quickly as possible I am thinking, "Oh my, any minute they are going to realize I just about stole this from them."Usually I then call a girlfriend and tell her to hurry up and get there while the getting is good!Lucky you – super finds.

  4. My mom just made a super cute coffee table by putting an old door on top of an old table that she "forgot" in the rain 🙂

    Not that you need any more ideas! Have fun! I could go for a project like that right now 🙂

  5. I am so jealous! How do you always manage to find such great stuff for those kind of bargains? I know a place where you can put one of those lovely old doors. I wonder how long a drive from Upstate, NY would take…

    Good for you!
    Jami

  6. Hi Miss Mustard Seed:

    All I can say is you are FABULOUS. Love all your stuff, your creations.

    I have recently expanded my business to include home accessories and decor along with the reburbishing of furniture that I do now ~ I wish I had the talent that you do ♥

  7. BE STILL MY HEART!!! If that was me I don't think I could've contained myself!!! When I get a deal like that, I am simply giddy!! Way to go!! Love, love, love them!!!!
    ~Michella~
    ~ xoxo ~

  8. What a great score! Don't you love it when you come across some fantastic 'trash' like this? I also posted about an old, painted cabinet this morning, and now just need to decide what to do with the inside – paint or wallpaper? Love these old pieces, they have so much character! K xx

  9. holy cow!! you did make a haul! LOve the old doors & the knobs!! Can't wait to see what you do w/ them. I just picked up 5 old doors similar to yours ~ we're going to be using them upstairs instead of the nasty orangy brown HOLLOW CORE doors! I'm excited to get that done, but need some cool knobs like you got! 😉

    xo,
    Shellagh

  10. Oh, I love old doors. The stories they could tell!
    You made out really good and the knobs are fantastic. Love that table too and I'm sure you will make it beautiful.

    hugs
    Sissie

  11. Be sure to include a "How to Steal from the Blind" in your starting your own business serices! When deals like this happen I bet you hear the Choir Angels singing over your shoulder! Getting deals can be tough on a newbie!

  12. Score!

    Where did I see a bench made from an old door this week? It was wonderful… was it funky junk? Not sure. But you doors would be perfect for such a project… and more, of course 🙂

  13. I'm loving that narrow door. Looks very cute by the piano. And those brown doorknobs are great also.

  14. I think so!! Did you wear a mask and a black hat??? Carry a gun??? Say " Put your hands up?" ? Wow!! What a fabulous deal!! Love the doors!!
    Enjoy
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  15. Oh my goodness…highway robbery…I love it! I am originally from your area..miss it so much. My friend and I use to go barn rummaging so I can appreciate your finds…so…so jealous! Good for you!

  16. You totally are a theif! Completely and utterly daylight robbery… I love your work, and am so jealous at the same time! Nice work.
    🙂 Flick

  17. Oh wow!!! That is the best deal I've ever seen for them! Lucky Lucky girl!! 🙂 They're so fabulous tucked around the house for simple decor! Great finds!!!
    ~Terrell @ FrouFrouDecor~

  18. Swooooooon. You are my flea-market hero! Love the finds and can't wait to see what you do with those old doors. I have a couple lying around waiting for some inspiration to hit.

    Thanks for sharing!

  19. wow couldnt have happened to a nicer or more deserving person ;). im lucky but never like this . did get a door from my father in laws house after he passed away. they all think im nuts ever that one. oh well. its sooo dang heavy not sure what it will become yet any ideas ??????

  20. Such lovely textures and colors-door knobs to die for-antique latches! You did steal them! I'd have done the same. I love old chippy doors leaned here and there.
    Sherry

  21. I recently bought old doors with wonderful chippy paint for 4 dollars each…trouble is they stink!!!! Do you have any suggestion on fixing my problem?

  22. lol i'm in York pa and your up the road from me i never findddddddd stuff like this!! you must be sipped in *(&^ great finds that 1 door so looks like a chaulk board

  23. Oh, I'm so jealous! They are wonderful — I'm sure you'll do amazing things with them.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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