After a few “settling in” months we’re going through that phase I like to affectionately call the What We Really Need (And Don’t) Phase. Essentially, like most folks before a move, we tend to do our best to craigslist or donate or yard sale the things we know we no longer need or use (so we don’t waste time/energy moving it only to store it and never use it again in the new house).
But we do end up moving all of the stuff that we loved and used in our last house, even if we’re unsure where it’ll go in the new house. Then after a few months of actually being in the space and moving things around – sometimes ten million times – it becomes increasingly clear that we probably could have saved ourselves some moving sweat by eliminating a bunch of other things pre-move. It always seems like what’s perfect for one space just looks crazy in another (or something you used all the time somehow doesn’t have a function at all in the new place thanks to a different layout/more storage/etc). In short: moving hindsight is 20/20.
This phenomenon first struck me back when I lived in NYC and was moving two blocks away (from Sullivan Street to Thompson Street in Soho) and I carried every single thing by hand from apartment to apartment with the help of a couple friends (yes, even my mattress and bed frame). So every book and kitchen item counted. I tried so hard not to move a single spoon that I didn’t need, but inevitably when I was settling into the new place I amassed a big ol’ donate pile (and it burned me that those bruises on my thighs from carrying boxes back and forth could have been a little lighter).
Well guys, I think I’ve grown in the last 8 years because it no longer pisses me off, it’s just sort of something I have learned to accept. The sky is blue. The grass is green. And we’ll move stuff that we only realize in hindsight doesn’t work in the new place. So we’ve been pretty busy selling things that no longer fit into the “works for this house” column. Which is nice because clearing out has always been something I love (and who doesn’t want a little extra cash?). And since a bunch of you guys have been asking for a little “audit” of what we no longer need and have sold/are selling, here’s the list.
1. Our four slatted bar stools. A sweet reader emailed me and said the exact same vintage set of four stools were selling for $825 on One King’s Lane and offered me $800 for ours. After I picked myself off the floor, John and I had a serious will-we-use-these chat and decided that we are 99.9% certain that we’ll have an eat-in table in our kitchen as opposed to a bar area. It felt too crazy to take $800 for them – even if that was the going rate, so we countered with “$400 and they’re yours.” She was thrilled to snag them for over 50% off retail, we were happy to sell them for over 50% more than we paid for them off craigslist last year, and we even got this shot of them living it up in her kitchen:
2. Our egg chair & Ikea slipcovered chair: Alas, our Goodwill find and leftover chair from our first apartment were cute in the sunroom here when it was sealed off, but they wouldn’t stand up to the weather once we tore out the doors in there. And without any good nooks or corners to tuck them into here, both got Craigslisted for $30 total. Eggy went to a guy who was really into its design and the Ikea chair went to a girl headed off to college.
3. The yellow chairs that we had on our last house’s deck. Aw I loved those things. But since we only have one outdoor space here (the deck) it meant these yellow guys had to share a space with our bright red Adirondack chairs, which at the last house lived far away on our patio. The two bold colors were a bit circus-y out there and we decided the Adirondacks fit the more traditional style of this home better. Someone was very happy to take these two for $90.
4. Our rocking bench from the front porch. Again, this was a case of “don’t have the same outdoor spaces” (i.e. no wide front porch) and we debated putting it back near the edge of the woods but we thought it would just get covered with leaves and ticks and not be as nice without the awning of the front porch that the first two houses provided. It went super fast for $20.
5. Our woven nursery chair from Clara’s old room. It just felt too modern for this house (it worked nicely in a mid-century ranch, but something about this house’s molding and paneled doors and more classic/traditional vibe made it feel a little off). We listed it for $20, but took $10 for it since the person was also buying the yellow deck chairs.
6. The dresser from Clara’s big girl room. We loved how it worked on that blank wall in there, but when we set up Clara’s room in this house we decided her nursery dresser (with the white top and stained bottom) looked nicer with her daybed, so that ended up in her room without the need for another dresser in there. Our first instinct was to save it for a future nursery, but we decided our hand-me-down dresser from John’s dad would be great for that room – and womp womp – this guy was out. Fret not, he went to an awesome loving home thanks to Sir Craig and his list (for the same exact price of $55 that we bought it for) and the buyer happened to be a furniture rehab pro, so she sent us this updated picture.
7. Slate in the new backyard: Okay, so it’s technically not something we moved, but since we’re on the subject of selling stuff, we inherited a bunch of slate that was peppered all over the backyard where we’d love to grow grass. First we debated reusing them to create some sort of patio, but since we’re not hurting for outdoor living space right now with the deck and the freshly-opened sunroom, we opted to sell the 120 or so pieces that we dug up for $100. They went fast!
So that’s what we’ve been selling. So far our Craigslist total is $705 for letting go of that stuff that doesn’t work as well for us here. And we decided that getting something we’ve wanted with that loot would be a nice way to “put it back into the house.” So when we saw this wood inlay dresser go 25% off on West Elm (which put it almost exactly at $705) we pounced. At the ripe old age of 31, we’ve actually never bought a real grown up dresser (we’ve used the hand-me-down one from John’s parents and a few Ikea or thrifted ones) so it felt kind of crazy. Especially the “white glove delivery service” where they carried it up the stairs and placed it in the room for us, already fully assembled. Guys, I thought I was Oprah. Never felt fancier in my life.
I can’t wait to show you a picture of it in our room. You know, once I stop pretending it’s a sculpture and actually put our clothes in it. The funny thing is that we just heard that “iron” and “wood objects” are traditional sixth anniversary materials, and since this wood inlay dresser has iron legs, we’re calling it a belated anniversary present. To marriage! May it forever contain our clothes in wedded bliss.
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As a little Friday bonus, here are four fun projects, chats, or questions going on over on the Forums. We also announced this week’s giveaway winners, so you can click here (and scroll down to the Rafflecopter box) to see if it’s you.
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| by DelightfullyNoted | by candice | by ViewAlongTheWay | by K8e9 |
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Love that dresser!!!!!! Will we get a picture of it Monday?
If not on Monday (since that’s Labor Day), I promise by Tuesday! We’re hoping to paint the bedroom and then share a junkload of pics!
xo
s
I just selected that West Elm nightstand for a client of mine. It is gorgeous!!!
http://thedomesticlady.com/2013/08/30/home-improvement-how-to-give-oak-cabinets-and-furniture-an-8-99-face-lift-without-paint/
Love it so much!
xo
s
So jealous! I have had a crush on that dresser since they introduced it. I occasionally daydream about coming up with a DIY version, but I think it’s one of those things that will never be quite as good as the real thing. Congrats!
I have been scouring Craigslist for months trying to find a buffet or console table for my living room, to no avail. People seem to think the stuff (they don’t want) is worth way too much! It makes me feel good to know there are people out there who are willing to let something go for a reasonable price, especially when they don’t want it anymore!
Hmm. Have you tried sending messages with an offer? I know I usually overprice things, expecting that someone will counter offer.
Michelle M – I will have to start pulling the trigger when I see something I love, can’t hurt to ask! Thanks for the tip. :)
It would have literally broke my heart to sell some of those gorgeous pieces! But good for you for letting go and being honest about what works and doesn’t work!
Me too! In fact I was heartbroken just reading this post. “But you only just bought those and you thought they were perfect, how can you let them go so soon?”
I have a real provlem with this myself, I ahte the idea of getting rid of something only to wish it back later. Or if I fell for something like those stools how could I let it go? Even if I had no room for them.
Maybe thats why my place looks like such a mishmash and John and Sherry’s looks so great.
I loved this post – omg that kitchen where the stools live now – they were meant to be there! So perfect.
And someone get me that pretty blue dresser, asap. Also your dresser haha – GORGEOUS. I actually gasped.
Thanks for an awesome post! :)
Thanks Michelle!
xo
s
I actually thought it was J&S’s old house when I first scanned the pictures, they are perfect and that kitchen is to die for.
Ummmm Can you please do a house crashing of the house where your bar stools ended up!?
I know, right?! Totally going to try to make that happen!
xo
s
I was totally thinking the same thing. That kitchen is gorgeous!
I agree! Would love to see a house crashing of that house! Glad someone else requested it too :)
I agree! What a gorgeous kitchen!
OMG!
I’ve been a plane all day, got off the plane and had a voicemail from a friend that my kitchen was on YHL!, I’m dying!
My whirlwind 15 hour drive to Richmond to adopt my new stools was soooo fun! And you can house-crash me anytime……..
Thank you! Tyra
Aw thanks Tyra! We’d love to! They look great there!
xo
s
I thought it was a inspiration photo from pinterest at first.
Nice job cleaning out and making money! I probably should get rid of some stuff that isn’t working for us any more rather than save it for “someday”. I did recently sell our baby/bucket carseat, extra base and stroller on craigslist! It felt good to clear that out since I didn’t want it to go to waste in our basement when it still had time left before it expired.
Ooh I love that new West Elm dresser! I also love how you guys are able to sell the things you don’t need to make room for the new. So thrifty. Can’t wait to see more new stuff in your beautiful home!
That dresser! Soooo pretty. I can’t wait to see it in the room.
I love these posts. It’s not a place in my life I’m at yet having just moved from my parents house to my own place about 1.5 years ago but it’s so cool to see what the next step will be. Eventually I’ll leave this house and I may not want to keep all the stuff I bought/was given that fits here. And that’s going to be kinda of cool. Like the next step in being a grown up.
Can you tell I’m still kind of in awe over the fact that I’m a grown up? With a house. Like when did that happen? Wasn’t I just 19 last week? No? I’m 28? Crap. lol
Haha! I always tell John that “In my head I’m still 23” – dude, wasn’t that yesterday?
xo
s
Steph,
Your post brought back memories of when I was your age (I’m almost 44). That was about the time that I began to feel like a grown-up too. Before then, I felt like I was “playing house” or something. Then my ex and I separated and I was alone for the first time in my life. I felt glorious and free and had a lot of hope for the future and what I could do with it. As hard as it was doing it on my own, I kind of miss that feeling. Enjoy it while you can! From another Steph
Oh and I like your comment about not letting it piss you off anymore! Sometimes it is just better to accept things than to spend time being pissed off and dwelling on it. Here’s to being happy!
Haha, I expect I will experience that bliss of having someone move furniture in for me someday. For now, it’s “Hey Mom/Dad, are you still using that dresser?”
The white dresser is very fitting for a anniversary gift. We’re at the same stage where we moved a couple months ago and got rid of a ton of stuff that didn’t work anymore and shelled out some dinero for “grown up” pieces. It feels a bit frivolous but awesome at the same time. Love seeing your places evolve!
That is one of my favorite parts of moving! It’s always nice to have some extra cash in your pocket for new house loot :)
P.S. LOVE the house the bar stools landed up in!! Gorg!
I have wanted that West Elm collection forever! I need two nightstands though and can’t swallow the price :( I will live vicariously through you :)
Rebecca,
I also cannot afford such things at this time, plus I would rather use such money for my kids or a great trip or something that makes memories. However, I have been greatly inspired by a bunch of blogs like this one, that discuss decorating and DIY, etc. I have decided that I’m going to learn how to make that stuff. I have a bunch of Ana Smith pages saved for things I like. My fiance’ knows how to do basic woodworking and he’s going to teach me and then I’m going from there. I have decided that I love the idea of my home being created by ME, by my hands. Someone up above suggested trying to make the dresser by hand but didn’t think they would do as well. I’m putting it on my project list, or at least the inspiration of it. Take care.
Those stools found the PERFECT home!!! You must house crash. No, really, I insist. :)
I accept this challenge. Can’t wait!
xo
s
Such a good post. Such good money earned. Such a good dresser.
Have a good weekend!
Thanks Amanda! You too!
xo
s
That is an awesome way to get a beautiful anniversary present! This weekend is my 1st anniversary- you can check out our traditional paper gifts (and my untraditional idea of a good time) on the blog!
http://createbakecelebrate.blogspot.com/2013/08/celebrate-1st-anniversary-paper.html?m=1
So sweet Madeline! Happy anniversary!
xo
s
I lived on Spring & Sullivan from 2003-2006! I loved it so much, my son’s middle name is Sullivan :)
No way! We always talk about working Sullivan or Hudson into a name as an ode to our time in NYC! Love it.
xo
s
I am slightly disturbed to find out how attached I’ve become to your furniture. Each item you listed caused me to gasp and say, “No! Not the ____!” Seriously, that’s a little creepy. And then you turned around and bought the dresser that I have worshipped for the past three years. What?!
I am also on board the “you gotta house crash that house with the bar stools” train. Wowza.
Haha!
xo
s
Glad it’s not just me! I would have driven to Richmond to save that mercury glass pendant light from the old house. LOL
My mouth is still agape on the sale of the kitchen chairs and what you scored for them. Nice Job! I put that transaction up there with that score you made on that massive rug you got awhile back. (Look at my memory working all fancy like on a Friday morning!) I’m sad they’re gone but you’ve got enough wood in this house to last you a good long while. I love this post because it shows the power of retail thoughtfulness. Use all of the buffalo my friends. Have a great weekend!
My best, Lynn
I love your fancy-like memory, Lynn!
xo
s
We are moving in a couple of weeks so I have been purging and craigslisting like a maniac. We are at the point where we look homeless with only beach chairs in the living room but it will be all worth it to not have to ship furniture 1400 miles that prob won’t fit in our new city apartment.
PS – I want to move into the woman who bought your bar stools kitchen.
Me too! Think there’s room for all of us?
xo
s
It always feels nice to grow up and buy your own classy classy stuff. I don’t have much experience with this but its a goal of mine!
Haha, love the tie-in to the traditional anniversary gifts! Remember how the first anniversary is Paper? We closed on our house the week before our first anniversary, so we decided the house was our gift to each other because of all the “paper” we signed that day. :)
Perfect!
xo
s
I’m not crying because you got rid of some great pieces, I’m crying because my local Craigslist never ever has anything half as good! Love how great the dresser turned out and wow on the stools looking perfect in that kitchen! That’s it, I’m inspired to go clean out my garage and start listing some stuff!
I feel the same way!! My local craigslist rarely has good finds, and if it does someone thinks they can get way too much for it. I’ll need to try the barter route next time I see something…….
Great job! Love hearing your thought process. :)
L-O-V-E that dresser!!!
Will you guys be having another yard sake soon?
We’ve had them for the past few years but I think this time we’re doing craigslist instead of selling all this stuff in bulk, just because we think you can get more of what something’s worth (people seem to want dressers for $5 at yard sales) so although CL is more work to coordinate everything it seems to be worth it for this stuff. Maybe next year we’ll have a yard sale with smaller stuff…
xo
s
I am beyond dead that you posted my question. I can’t wait to see the replies!
P.S. your new dresser is fantastic!
Of course! It’s a great question Katie!
xo
s
I practically had a heart attack at work when I was perusing the Forum Foursome.
Oh no, don’t do that!
xo
s
It’s so nice to be able to move stuff along that no longer fits in our space. And I love that you were able to take that money and put it towards something that would! What a sweet dresser.
Dang! I have been searching for bar stools like yours for a while now…
Please, please tell us how you sell stuff on Craigslist. I have had nothing but scammers. Now I am so paranoid that I find I do not reply to any e mails, I put my phone number in the add and if they don’t call then I do not reply. What am I doing wrong? I post a photo, try to price right (not too high) but have no luck what so ever. On a more positive note, your house is looking great, I cannot believe all the work you get done in such a short time!
Here’s a post about what works for us: https://www.younghouselove.com/this-is-how-we-craigslist/
Hope it helps!
xo
s
I LOVE the reminder of letting go of even great pieces if they’re no longer a good fit. My hubby and I are living in Paraguay right now as Peace Corps volunteers so it’s been a great year of living simply, with just what we need. I want to hold onto that even after we return stateside.
Happy weekend and thanks for the all the honest, newsy posts!
What a beautiful dresser. And you kind of got it for free! But did you make a profit on the Craigslist items, compared to what you paid for them?
Some of them sold for less than we bought them for and put into them (ex: egg chair, slipcovered white chair) and some things like the stools and the slate completely made up for that. So I think we made a profit for sure in this case, which is nice since it tends to go either way for us on CL, but it’s still nice to get some money if you don’t need something (so even when we don’t get it all back, it still seems worth it to us).
xo
s
Love this post!
Am I the only one who doesn’t even recognize that dresser from Clara’s big girl room? Tried to find a pic of it in your archives- can you please link to a post that shows it?
Sure! Here ya go: https://www.younghouselove.com/a-dove-and-a-moose-walk-into-a-bar/
xo
s
that is my favorite dresser from west elm!
I have not had a bedroom dresser in this house for over 14 years–but that is the one i would get!
i’m the worst purger (is that a word?) there ever was. i’ll toss stuff -more so with little items – and regret it a month later. I recently threw out/sold all the items in my rec room and i’m hoping to start furnishing it soon. its just expensive to start over! i’m looking into getting a karl as well!
Im so impressed by your ability to clean house. Im such a pack rat and I just can’t do it. I’m always like ‘i got it for such a good price and I might need it later’…need to learn to be more like y’all!
Tyra- is there any chance you would share the source for your kitchen light fixtures? The metal/white pendants over the island- they are great! Thanks so much.
Hi Katie-
I think that last comment is from another Tyra – it’s really weird since I’ve never met another one!!!
But…. Those were Pottery Barn Kids catalog about 3 years ago. They are kind of like metal baskets with a canvas inner-lining. Being from PB Kids, they weren’t terribly costly like ones I was looking at from Barn Light Electric. I’ve found several very cool lights at PB Kids and PB Teen.
Hope that helps a little. I know I’ve seen lots of very similar in catalogs lately and I will send you any updates if I see them again soon.
Kind of in love with the bar stool story :) You guys are so awesome!!!!
Wish I could tell you how fun that story really is!!!! I wanted those stools so bad, so I said to my easy-going sister, ” How’d you like to ride to Richmond with me?” (BTW- it’s a 15 hour drive). She agreed, we had only a couple free days before we had to be home, and we made it to RIchmond AND Virginia Beach, sat on the beach for all of 4 hours before we had to make ourselves get back on the road. Oh and, before I decided to drive, my hubby said since he knows me, he would rather I pay $600 shipping b/c he knew I would shop, eat out, get nice hotel rooms, etc and it would cost more than that in the long run. Hahaha!
Oh man Tyra, you were in such good spirits when you arrived I never would have guessed!
xo
s
Wow! I wished I lived in Richmond and could have snatched up all of your Craigslist items! I completely agree that it feels so good to get rid of stuff! I had a yard sale last weekend and I decided it’s more fun to sell the stuff than to buy it!
That is GREAT dresser.
I hate when people kiss butt in the comment section ( I have issues…serious issues), but you guys are good people. How many people would have countered lower?
Haha. I must have those same issues. Makes me crazy. But I totally agree; so great of you guys to let them go for less!
Haha. I must have those same issues, Katy. Makes me crazy. But I totally agree; so great of you guys to let them go for less!
Let me confirm that The Petersiks are about the sweetest ever….. I feel like I totally owe them more cashola for my stools!
Tyra
(And I saw another Tyra that commented on here! No one ever has my name)
Aw thanks Tyra, you’re too kind. I mean it about crashing your house. It’s on!
xo
s
I love that you’re not scared to buy things you really dig — even if it means you may need to give them up later on. I sometimes paralyze myself on bigger purchases, thinking I need to keep furniture FOREVER.
But, a year ago I bought my first real (ie. non thrifted, hand-me-down) piece of furniture. I went back & forth for a while and then finally just bit the bullet. A mattress & bed from Sears. So worth it!
The story about the barstools speaks so much to the amazingness that ya’ll are! I love it all!
Oh man, what I wouldn’t give to live closer to you guys when you’re feelin’ the need to purge some belongings! :)
Whaaattt??? The white glove servce does not include organizing your underwear in the new dresser? I’m disappointed.
Haha, I know right? I thought it came with a butler and a scone!
xo
s
I wish I was as on the ball as you two! I sadly still have boxes that I haven’t unpack from the last time we moved (almost 3 years ago!).
I really liked this post. What a great story about the bar stools, and I love that we got to see a few pieces in their new homes. And now I must have that West Elm dresser!
Wow, I can’t imagine spending that kind of money for a dresser. Your budget seems much bigger these days.
Agreed. That’s a mortgage payment nearly. I’m much too cheap, and even if I lost my mind and decided to go for it, it would have to be over my even-cheaper husband’s dead body. But kudos for getting it for “free,” guys.
But they just explained that they were able to buy it by selling other things. It wasn’t in their budget otherwise.
I’ve done the same type of thing by selling unwanted clothes and accessories at a local consignment store. Then, I use that money to buy a pair of shoes I’ve always wanted. Somebody else gets some still-nice clothing, I get a cleaner closet, and I also get a pair of shoes I’ll use for years. Bam! No harm done.
I agree, their budget does seem larger now but I suppose that’s to be expected with the crazy amount of success they have had. If I had $700 to spend on a dresser I love trust me, I would!
I’m in the process of moving now and trying to be ruthless with my possessions, but I know this is inevitable. Unfortunately, I don’t think anything I own is nearly nice enough to get $400 (or even $40…)