It’s been awhile since I’ve participated in Works for Me Wednesday over at We Are THAT Family and it’s nice to get back into it. I had my dad’s truck yesterday while my car was in the shop so I took advantage of the extra cargo space and hit up two of our local thrift stores on the hunt for the perfect reading chair for the reading nook I plan to create in the living room. I didn’t come home with a new reading chair but I didn’t find a few other things. The Salvation Army store was the cheapest by far but I had picked up a few bigger items at the other store so I’m not sure how well I can compare the two in terms of price. I think the first store does tend to be slightly higher priced but they’re still both cheaper than Value Village, which is a store that I also love.

This post is a bit picture-heavy. The chair legs and all the table legs, foam, vases, round frame, and plastic casters came from the Salvation Army and cost a total of $6.25. Some of the items, if not most, will be painted or otherwise re-finished but all are in good shape.

Odds and ends:

The red vase reminds me of Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba, a kids’ show that I loathe.
I’m not sure I’ll be able to use it without thinking of that every single time.

The four legs at the left are destined to become a narrow end table to go beside my loveseat. The two table legs are for a desk that I’m going to build in the new closet in the back entrance. The "U" and round frame are just because I like the shape and thought they would add interest somewhere in the house. The casters are for the bottom of these stools if I ever get them past the batted-and-awaiting-fabric stage. The little black votive jack o’lantern is just a cute Hallowe’en decoration. The four short spindles/legs are for an unknown project as are the three drawer pulls (which will eventually be spray painted, I imagine). The poor little fawn ornament has a neck that’s been broken and glued so he will get a chip-filling treatment of putty or whatever works and then a coat of glossy white spray paint. The two vases are to add to a slowly-growing collection and to add colour to the living room.

The round metal bottomless tray will eventually get a bottom and the plan is to attach it to a plant stand (or something that will work as one), paint it, and have it sit, holding a plant or two, next to the window in the cozy/chatty space here. 

There are also a few bigger pieces:

A chandelier of sorts that is missing its globes and needs a little loving. I love the metallic orange colour and wish I could be happy with a cord running up the wall behind the dining table so I could hang it there. There is no overhead lighting in the living room so while I could still attach it to the ceiling, I’d need to cobble something together since I’m not up to poking holes in the ceiling and pulling wires over. It may get used in my bedroom (though the basement ceilings are low) when I re-decorate in there. The design of the light above resembles the lines in a throw pillow that I picked up a few months back specifically for the bedroom makeover. If it does go downstairs though the beautiful orange will have to be changed.

I found a super-cute folding wooden chair that will be my new desk chair in the back entrance closet. Here is the chair opened up. It needs a seat but that’s easily remedied. It could also stand to have a cheery coat of paint.

The lamp will live on the dining room table as there is no overhead lighting but there is an outlet directly under the table. I will spray paint some or all of the lamp base and re-do the shade as it’s stained at the top and bottom edges. The lamp base and shade did not come together but I like the height of the lamp and how the shape of the shade mimics that of the table and also how, because the shade is rectangular, the lamp can be pushed up against the wall so it’s not taking up the dining surface.

The stools will be spray painted and the seats recovered, maybe with a little extra padding (maybe the foam or maybe just batting). Extra seating is always good and they can stack out of the way until they’re needed.

I also picked up a 1 2/3-yard roll of decorator-weight fabric which has a huge tail of fabric attached. I’m hoping that it will cover the little rocking recliner I mentioned on Monday. I’ll be taking the curtain panels back; it’s unfortunate that I’ll only be getting store credit but that’s what happens when you’re past the cut off time for a cash refund. Maybe I’ll buy my patio umbrella from them in the spring.

What works for you on this Wednesday, October 21? Head over to We Are THAT Family to browse other blog posts and/or to add your own.