Gorgeous Furniture Finds at the Thrift Store!
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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Wow!!! That pice is simply amazing!! Even if I didn’t have room for it, I don’t think I could have left that piece behind. Especially since it also had a dressing table that matched. I’m not sure I would’ve painted over that beautiful wood. It just needed some TLC!!! I hope those pieces went to a good home!!
just gorgeous, I would not have been able to pass that by and I would not paint it 🙂
Oh there is no way I’d paint that! Its amazing. If only I’d have the place to use it! Someday. I’d say the price is a steal, when quality is concerned. Think how much new IKEA stuff costs, and this is on par for that…. but WAY nicer in my opinion. But then again I do favor antique furniture, and my storage reflects this.
Ohhhhhh! I would have bought it in a heartbeat. If you were my friend and texted it to me I’d tell you to PLEASE buy it and I’d start driving (if I wasn’t on the west coast, that is). I would definitely NOT paint it, the wood is gorgeous and you don’t find furniture like that. It’s even harder to find things of such quality and beauty here in the west–you have so many more awesome antiques on the east coast. I tend to fall for victorian or 20’s/30’s furniture tho, so this fits right into my style. I’m a lover of wood, I will probably never paint any furniture, just keep patient for beautiful pieces that I love (it’s hard to wait! I keep wanting to take a road trip to the east coast with a u-haul type trailer to bring back treasures! lol) It was fun to drool over this, but my heart aches for the missed chance to buy it myself!
I hope whoever bought this leaves it in its original condition. This is unusual, very feminine and quality that can’t be matched today. Painted furniture fads are why good original antiques are so pricey today! My parents & I have spent a lot of time over the years, removing the evidence of the last painted furniture fad in the 1940s/50s that defaced a *lot* of Edwardian & Victorian furniture.
IF the piece is beaten half to death, with deep scratches or a lot of ruined veneer, then sure, paint! It’ll give it a new lease on life.
But if it’s good wood (solid or sound veneer) then please, I’m begging you, think long and hard before painting it, or pass it on and find a suffering piece to rescue instead.
Seems like others had a hard time getting the back off too!
Great work! Persistence pays off in the end! That’s one thing I’ve learned from you time and time again.
As for the cabinet… I’ll be different then everyone else and say:
“Yes, Id paint it! I’d find a nice vintage image for the front and do a reverse image transfer on it. ?
Absolutely gorgeous.. I love stripping, painting &/or staining furniture.. Honestly I believe I’d use a mild degreaser cleaner.. cleaning up really good and put a great sparkle and shine to it..
Just One itty bitty downside (to me only).. the face image that’s on it. Personally It would drive me bonkers..lol
I DEFINITELY would not paint it! You are right, the wood is too good. I love the curved design, the well built inside drawers, nice details. Probably from the ’20’s. I hope someone got this set that loved it the WAY it is. I can see it in a hobby room for fabric and sewing, if not for the bedroom. I am a “no paint” person…painting ONLY if the wood is bad, the design is ugly. I love nice wood.
THAT is just the kind of piece I’d love to fill my home with, IF I were rich and didn’t live in a three-room apartment! lol To me, it looks slightly Art Deco (but not quite?). In any case, I would not paint it; just make it look pretty again.
I see the face, and it would be hard to ignore once you “see” it!
I’m curious about the circular opening at the bottom of the right-hand section, though. Possibly for the cord of a small light fixture?
My house is too small for this piece, but it really should find a loving home somewhere!