Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Savvy Shopper

Confession: I might watch a few too many HGTV programs about decorating on a budget...and I sometimes read home decor magazines that describe people with their fabulous sense of style who just happened upon this completely amazing accessory at a flea market or whatever... It always makes me a little lusty to be that person.

Well, tonight, friends... I am that person!!

I've had these shelves for the last six/seven years:


They've served as everything from a TV stand to a desk to an entryway catch-all. Monkeydad and I found them at Pottery Barn at the end of their run and managed to get the matching sofa table and coffee table for something like a set of matching furnishings for a pretty reasonable price.

Then, over the weekend, I spied these shelves in a CL ad...


I got in touch with the seller to find out if they were also Pottery Barn and she said she thought they might have been...and she'd had them for five or six years now. I went over today and sure enough, it's a perfect match...and for maybe a fifth of what they would have cost new.

So. Savvy.

Now if I could just figure out if I want to do anything with that paneling between now and whenever I spring for a full basement do-over....

12 comments:

Labelmaker said...

makeovers! what does the one in spring involve?

MonkeyMom said...

Heh...silly girl! WHENEVER I spring for (= decide to do) a full redo...

The basement is low on the list. The roof is tops...followed, most likely by a kitchen...then maybe some basement fun. Which is why I need to decide if I want to do anything easy and cheap down there (i.e. paint the paneling?)...or if I'm ok with it looking a red shag rug short of the bedroom I grew up in...

:)

towwas said...

Wow. Yeah, that's some serious paneling.

Labelmaker said...

oh. der.

Unless the future basement fun includes leaving the dark and scary paneling as is, painting would be an instant facelift. Do you know much about paint? I could help you there.

MonkeyMom said...

I don't think there's any reason to leave the paneling...even though it is "nice paneling" (I think it might actually be wood). The future renovation plan includes walls not made of wood.

And I would love the assistance with paint! I'm a wimp when it comes to color...

Labelmaker said...

If baseement is so low on list that it will be years before you do something, then painting is worth it. If you plan to recycle the wood (such as for your fireplace) then painting would not be good. Perhaps the reuser should be called in for counceling?

If you wish to paint, your future use of the room can help determine color. Is it your goal to brighten? to entertain? to make a cozy cave? playroom for Monkey? completely utilitarian? You will have to consider the wood trim and wallbase - does this daunt you?

MonkeyMom said...

Wait...*I'm* the reuser. doh!

The walls are actual wood...and I have a thing about painting over finished wood...so I'll have to think about it. I'm not in favor of the whole cave look, especially, but I have to think there will be a decent use for the wood once I take it down.

More thought required. And a visit from my friend DoodleJ, methinks. :D

Labelmaker said...

perhaps this would help you make a decision: You would have to paint a primer first, then potentially 2coats of paint so that no wood shows thru. Depending on the size of the basement, this could time consuming as well as pricey - all for something that no one may ever see. Since the paneling is not long for this world anyway, perhaps it would be better to put that same money into the projects first on the list. (Besides, everyone is used to dark and scary basements - it's expected ;)

Labelmaker said...

Also noteworthy: painting paneling takes extra time not only b/c every layer of paint that goes on will include detailing every seam between the boards. Its not like painting drywall.

Labelmaker said...

geez what was that? look past the nonsensical entry, please, and pretend it was perfect in grammar, execution and clarity.

MonkeyMom said...

I'm currently thinking of investing in a bunch of lamps. I have two plus the two (rather dim) overhead lights and it makes it much less dark and scary that way...

It's still paneling, mind you, but it's lit up paneling...with as many "pops" of true red as I can sprinkle in :)

Labelmaker said...

problem solved!