One of my greatest accomplishments as a girlfriend/fiancee is getting Matt interested in thrift stores and yard sales. He used to accompany me somewhat grudgingly, he didn't mind it that much but it was never something he'd choose to do on his own. Somewhere along the way he started to actually like these outings and now he'll stop by yardsales when I'm not even with him!
Ann Arbor is very hit or miss when it comes to yard sales. But last summer Matt stopped by one on his own and hit the jackpot in which he not only picked up two matching wooden bookcases ($30 each), but also a plum colored wing chair in very good condition that is a nearly identical match to the one we got at the salvation army a few months earlier. I think it was about $30 also. If you want my unsolicited advice as someone who has 80% thrifted/craigslisted/yardsold furniture in my apartment, wing chairs are always a great find. They're usually dead cheap. They're super comfy. And not too heavy. They also fit easily on the roof of a Toyota Corolla.
One of these days, my plan is to slipcover the wing chairs in white fabric but I haven't worked up the nerve to try sewing one. Any tips? I also entertained the idea of painting the bookcases white, but for now I don't mind the wood (also, they are *really* heavy).
Those bookcases would look sweet with a coat of paint and better handles. Great find!
Posted by: Jaimie | January 13, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Take it from one who tried, rather than making slipcovers, just buy a couple. They're pretty cheap, especially if you shop on eBay or can find them at the dollar store or Big Lots.
Posted by: Jody | January 25, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Jody, I'll keep that as a backup plan, but this week I actually found a slipcover tutorial I'm actually interested in trying, so I'm going to give sewing my own a go!
Posted by: rifferaff | January 29, 2011 at 01:57 PM
you can make the slipcovers! seriously, it can be done!
Posted by: Kristi~The Slipcover Girl | February 02, 2011 at 10:11 PM