Gorgeous Furniture Finds at the Thrift Store!

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As much as I try not to buy everything at the thrift store, occasionally there are some really special pieces that I just can’t walk away from, like this vintage Chromcraft chair for the office.

I had walked into the back of my favorite thrift store and immediately was drawn to it.

It had an interesting shape.

I texted this picture to my friend, Thrift Store Pete, and he responded something like, “I just left the thrift store and what checking out that chair, too. Great minds think alike!”

Walking away is what I’ve become good at while at the thrift store.

But this chair was pulling me towards it.

I find that I love mid-century modern style furniture! I couldn’t walk away.

Pssst: Check out a couple of my favorite mid-century modern furniture makeovers:

 

 

One of the true tests of quality (in my opinion) is to lift it up.

Is it heavy?

Sturdy?

If so, then that screams, “This is good quality!”

When I turned it over and read the name on the bottom–CHROMCRAFT–I searched it up on my phone (here are some other vintage Chromcraft chairs on Etsy) only to discover a few chairs. But from the comments on this Pin, it looks like people had the same concerns as me:

How in the world do you remove the back cushion of this Chromcraft chair in order to reupholster it??

 

 

In trying to remove the back, I was afraid I’d ruin the chair by trying to rip the back off (with a crowbar, at that!). But we all have to overcome our DIY fears and I knew I would never discover new reupholstery techniques until I tried, right?

 

(Related: What’s Your DIY Fear? 12 Biggest DIY Fears and How to Overcome Them)

 

It was in great condition, with the exception of some dirt and stains on the seat cushion.

 

And get this–it was only $12.99 with a 30% discount!

BOOM!

I love great thrift hauls like this!!

BEFORE

 

AFTER

You can the entire transformation of this vintage chair makeover right here.

 

What I Didn’t Buy at the Thrift Store

One store I love going to is the ReStore because I feel like the quality of their stuff is generally much better than my usual thrift store.

When I get pockets of time to sneak away, I like to just walk through and see what I can find.

Some time ago I went to check out their inventory and saw this ah-mazing wardrobe.

I’ve been saying more often this year that the more I learn about wood, the less likely I am to paint “good wood.”

And this wardrobe, my friends, is good wood!

 

Related: When Should You NOT Paint Wood Furniture?

 

 

 

The wood grain on those drawers is soooo pretty.

I agree that there’s a place for painted wood furniture, but a piece like this in such great condition, paint would ruin it.

And you have to make sure you use the right paint if you did paint it so that it doesn’t turn out shoddy!

 

Related: What’s the Best Paint For Furniture?

 

 

I loved all the small details, including the original hardware.

There isn’t one thing I would change on this wardrobe if it were mine.

Maybe a little bit of polishing up to make it sparkle, but it was perfect as is!

I wish I remember how much it cost. It wasn’t cheap. Maybe $200? $275…? Doggonit, I wish I remembered!

But it would have been worth every penny!

 

Keep Reading: 10 Clever Questions to Repurpose ANYTHING (Even If You’re Not Creative)!

 

 

The vanity next to it, I don’t know if it was part of the set or not. But it was equally stunning!

This is another piece I would be hesitant to paint, but if I did paint it, I would leave the tops natural so you can see that amazing pattern, and I’d paint the black drawers and leave most of the wood!

 

 

Is it just me, or do you see a face in this wood grain?!?!? Why am I just now noticing this! LOL

 

 

Do you see what I see?? LOL

How would you like this face peering out at you in your bedroom? LOL

 

 

It’s been a little while since I’ve had an afternoon to just browse my favorite thrift stores. 🙁

Life has gotten hectic lately, and when that happens, leisure time for thrift diving gets pushed to the wayside.

So what have YOU found at the thrift store lately?

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17 Comments

  1. That vanity is gorgeous and I agree, I wound’t paint it either. I think swapping out the knobs for gemstone ones could be cute!

  2. Eww! Those eyes in that cabinet door! Nope, couldn’t stand to see that staring out at me!
    That being said, I have a closet door in my house that looks like a giant…. well, male part.
    I cant stand looking at it! lol!

  3. Those pieces are gorgeous. It must have been very hard to leave them there, especially that wardrobe. And the face is definitely there. LOL.

    Hubby and I have been to several thrift and junk shops recently. It is so relaxing to just browse and dream.

  4. Both of those pieces are gorgeous and I wouldn’t paint at all! I can honestly say that I agree with you. It would be very hard to walk away from those. I hope whoever pick some up totally appreciates them.

  5. Just checked with artisan cabinetmaker husband & he said it is probably quilted maple. You don’t have a good enough closeup. 20s or 30s design. Next guess is tiger eye maple

    1. alice gamble says:

      Well I am not an “artisan cabinetmaker” but I am acquainted with someone who is a really humble and fine cabinetmaker and he says your picture captures it quite nicely and as for me, I think it is so cool you saw, what other’s might not. What a wonderful piece of furniture and looks to be in good condition.

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