You know how a bunch of designers have been saying things like “every room should have something old in it”? Or have I been the only one noticing that lately? Sort of like how they say “every room should have something black in it” (but other than oil rubbed bronze curtain rods or dark mocha wood, virtually nothing in any of our rooms is black – although 95% of my shirts are black, so maybe that counts?). Either way, it’s official. I’m on the “something old” train.
It all happened when I was browsing craigslist (searching the words “dresser” and “sideboard” and “buffet” every week or so, if you’re wondering about my craigslist technique) since we want to convert a big piece of wood furniture like a dresser/buffet/cabinet to be a TV stand in the living room and also want a big buffet-ish piece for the entryway next to the front door. Then bam, out of nowhere, this happened:
I went crazy with sideboard lust. I immediately emailed the seller (it had just been posted that morning) and said “I love your sideboard, is it still available?” People ask us for craigslist tips so here ya go. Tip number one: don’t inundate the seller with a bunch of questions. I’ve found one of the most successful ways to get a good response is just to tell someone you like what they’re selling and ask if it’s still available. No complicated questions about size, finish, defects, delivery methods, price-negotiating, etc. That all makes you sound high maintenance off the bat. Just see if the thing is still for sale first.
Thankfully I heard back from the seller about five agonizing hours later and her response was very friendly. She indicated that she had a number of people interested and she was just going to sell it to the first full price bidder to come get it. This info was no surprise to me (aka: I knew she wasn’t bluffing) since about 99% of the dressers/buffets/sideboards on craigslist here in Richmond are listed for more money and aren’t half as easy on the eyes. We’re talking particle board dressers from Walmart listed for $180! Crazytown. Most other solid wood sideboards usually run around 400 beans like this one:
Tip number two: I like to use the “we’ll come get it and pay you cash right now!” approach when I’m trying to talk someone down on the price of something. But that only works when you’re one of the only people interested (when lots of people are vying for the same piece the seller will usually just wait for the highest bid since their fears of no one wanting what they’re selling are gone). So as soon as I heard that others wanted my buffet I knew it could come down to how badly I fought for it. And we wanted that sucker. Bad. John included. As in, he was totally crossing all appendages with me as an act of sideboard solidarity.
We probably would have paid $200 for it, especially after doing some googling around for something similar and coming up with other solid wood sideboards of about the same size on sites like antiques.com and craigslist alike for around $400 and $500! And when I looked for similar painted sideboards (in that pretty antique blue-green finish like the craigslist one) the prices got even higher. Like 695+ bucks.
So we probably could have purchased a wood sideboard and painted it to look distressed, but I wasn’t finding any other similar solid wood sideboards with the same chunky curved legs and perfect hefty size as the one that already came painted (and it was a few hundred less than the wood ones!). So we went all in. I emailed her back and said “Oh please oh please let me buy it! I’ll pay $155 so you’ll pick me over the others! I love it. If you’re available, we can come get it tonight and pay you in cash. Just say the word. I really am in love with it and promise to give it a nice home!”
Tip number three: if you want something on cragislist, especially something you think is worth more than the seller is asking, definitely give them at least full asking price or it’ll end up going to someone else. Often folks will buy things that are priced too low on craigslist just to resell them for more themselves (and I knew this buffet could go for more if someone linked to a similar one for $700 and made a good case about why it should be $400). So five bucks over asking price was my way of telling her “please pick me!!” – it was certainly worth five bucks to get the advantage and stand out from the pack.
Tip number four: if possible, offer to get the item right away (that way they won’t get an email from someone else offering them $50 over your offer in the day or two that it takes you to collect said item). So I shot off that “please pick me” email and then I waited. And about half an hour later I heard back. Sold! We just had to go grab it that night and bring the cash. So we switched cars with John’s dad (he has a Honda Pilot that has room in the back for pieces like this) and made haste over to the seller’s house with cash in hand while Clara hung with the grandparents. Tip number five: when you know you’ll be carrying a giant piece of furniture down three flights of stairs, it’s always nice to leave children in someone else’s care whenever possible – just so it’s one less thing to worry about while you’re cursing the day you ever laid eyes on that heavy-a$$ solid wood buffet.
About a half an hour later, this guy was in our entryway. And we were totally staring at it in that love-at-first-sight-in-a-cheesy-romantic-comedy way.
Tip number six: if a piece is old and painted, it always makes sense to test it for lead. Just to be safe. I used one of those lead paint test strips from Home Depot (they sell them in a set of four) and it tested out clean (many antique pieces were kept au naturale for decades and only painted in more recent years after lead paint was phased out, so I had pretty high expectations that this wasn’t lead paint but was very happy to have it confirmed). Whew. I do plan to use some sort of clear sealer on it, just to keep it from chipping any further, but I don’t mind the chips at all – I think it totally looks like something Anthropologie or Restoration Hardware would sell for 1K after sanding the heck out of a new piece to make it look old like this.
Once I saw it in the dining room I realized it was totally worth the price and those three long sets of stairs that John and I dragged it down. Doesn’t it look awesome with the green tones in the dining room curtains? This is the view from the kitchen peninsula. Can’t wait to add lamps and stacks of books and art behind it. Wahooo.
It’s pretty much my favorite thing in the whole house. There’s so much storage space and I love those curved baluster legs of hers. And every time I get a little pang about spending $155 for it, I just remember that we only paid $20 for Clara’s dresser that we refinished back in 2010…
…which we’ve now seen selling for $200+ every single time it pops up locally. So I guess scoring one big six drawer dresser and one giant leggy sideboard for $175 total brings the average price per piece down to $87. I can totally live with that. That’s basically the price of a three drawer dresser made of laminate from Ikea. And we actually got the old wood dresser in our bedroom as a hand-me-down from John’s parents (aka: free) so if you add that into the mix, we have three old wood pieces in our house for an average of $58 each.
So as much as we love clean and modern, we have to agree that an old piece in every room is beginning to sound like an awesome idea (we already have that old dresser in our bedroom along with an old chair & dresser in Clara’s room and a pair of old secondhand chairs in our office). And I guess we shouldn’t be surprised about the old furniture thing – I mean we like older homes packed with character, so it makes sense that an old piece of furniture with charm to spare is right up there with a box of Oreos and a Don’t Be Tardy For The Wedding marathon. For me. John wants me to clarify that that’s his idea of a nightmare.
Jen says
Wow, we just sold a very similar buffet to this in the DC area. Oddly though– we had it listed on CL and had not one inquiry! We ended up selling it for $200 to one of my husband’s coworkers. Very cool to read this post!
Chris says
I have buffet-envy. That is all.
(and am stalking CL for a used spin bike. Saw one yesterday that is 6 yrs old, floor model, retails for $1000 and they are asking $900. Whaa?)
Jen@The Decor Scene says
You are not the only one that has heard that. Any time I watch HGTV, they are saying it. I only have one armoire from my Grandma in our house right now. But I also have a few pieces of antique decor from Grandma too, so does that count? ;) I actually like the mix of old and new. Feels very lived in and comfortable to me. :)
I LOVE this piece you bought and what a great deal. I can’t wait to see it all styled. What a great piece when you first walk in your front door.
Kristy Swain says
I definitely have that philosophy of one old piece in every room…. but, it’s a newer philosophy – just in the last couple of years. That sideboard ROCKS!!!! I am in love. It’s an amazing find at an amazing price. So jealous!! Take a look at our tv stand if you have a chance. It’s on my tour page – it’s our family room’s vintage item… Love it!
Lori says
Stunning! That piece is perfect. I’ve only had luck one time on CL getting a wooden desk and (mismatched) chair for $15. People do seem to think their stuff is more valuable than it really is…
Eva says
I love the buffet. It has great character. My husband and I just bought a new dining room table this weekend at an antique/junk store. It’s a midcentury teak table with a hides-under-the-table leaf!
We just moved and are slowly replacing our college pieces with nicer ones.
Next up is a credenza or buffet. Hopefully I’ll score a cool craigslist find like you guys.
Brian says
Wanna know how I know you two were excited?
You took pictures and put up a post without delicately staging books and flowers on top of it for half an hour. :)
Love the sideboard. Amazing buy for solid wood at that price, and for the no-refinishing-required distressed look.
Jess @ life, happily ever after says
She is GORGEOUS! What an awesome find! And great tips for Craigslisting! I really like the something old rule. At this point in my decorating, I am striving for the “One piece of Ikea” in each room, but I am mildly obsessed with Ikea. I love how older pieces really give a well rounded look to your home.
Stephanie says
That is BEAUTIFUL. I love the color and I’m not usually a fan of the chipped look but it just looks so perfect on that piece.
I feel you on the 3 flights of stairs thing. I bought a townhouse and while I love it, my bedroom is up on the 3rd floor. I’m taking my grandmothers dresser and while movers will be bringing it to me (and taking it up those 3 flights of stairs) I’m a little concerned because I need to refinish it. Might just try to do it with no-VOC paint so I can leave it in my room. I don’t think I can get that thing up or down 3 flights of stairs!
Patricia says
Do you have a balcony you could move it out to??
Kara says
Amazing! I’m totally inspired to hit a few yard sales! Right after I moved into my house (about 2 years ago) I spent some time yard-saling, and ended up finding two amazing wooden chairs and a little table in someone’s barn–for fifteen bucks! A few coats of black paint later they were on my porch looking perfect. Those finds are strangely thrilling, congrats on your piece! :)
Alisa says
I just found something similar for $150 that a woman has been trying to sell for months. I’ve been looking for one to turn into a tv console so I was SO excited when I found it. I figured people were just really cheap here (I mean, they ARE, and I’m cheap so I can say that) and don’t appreciate the construction so I made arrangements to get it. Turns out, she lives the next state over in a town that’s tricky for us to get to. aaaaaaaugh! sad sad sad..
I haven’t bought anything on craigslist lately, but man have I been selling stuff! I never have this much luck getting rid of furniture! Oh, fyi, we are getting rid of our IKEA stuff and buying up old, dovetail construction pieces :)
Jillian {Her Split Ends} says
what a FIND!! looks fab-O in your casa!! How do you search for things on craigslist? Are you a specific piece searcher or just a general category searcher?
Cheers
~ Jillian
http://www.hersplitends.com
YoungHouseLove says
I just search the item name (ex: sideboard or dresser). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
tae says
it’s a great piece! could we get more wide shots of the room (maybe from the front door or the hallway) to see how it relates to the bookshelves/dining table? Did you photoshop it into the room to make sure it coordinated with your more modern pieces? Or do you think the coordination can be achieved with any mismatched pieces with the right styling/color, etc?
YoungHouseLove says
We just knew it would work somewhere and just planned to bring it home and see what we liked (there are green curtains in the dining room and a green rug in the living room so we figured it would work). Thankfully the curtains have teal in them as well as green so they sort of “bridge” the dark teal on the built-ins and the green on the console. Will post pics of the whole room soon (although a picture of the built-ins and the console might be impossible since they’re on opposite walls).
xo,
s
Christie says
As I live and breath….that buffet is AHMAZING! Great score. I can’t wait to see it with lamps and accessories.
Kellie says
I have a buffet almost EXACTLY like that. It belonged to the previous owners of my house and they left it there for me when I moved in. I painted it a matte magenta color and it currently sits in my living room and holds linens. It’s funny how similar mine is to yours. I’d post a picture, but I don’t know how…
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cool!
xo,
s
Katie says
LOOOOOVEEEE IIIITTTT!!! Looks like something from Anthro! I sell things on Craigslist all the time and I have to say that I do put it a note on my post saying please dont email me and ask if its still available- drives me cray cray! I like when people are direct and “I want this and can pick it up today”. But I am also good at removing a post right when its promised to someone. But thats just me! I also believe in Craigslist charma- if you say you are going to pick something up and then dont show up then the CL Gods will make you pay:)
Great find!!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes when people say “its available if you see this post up” I don’t ask. Haha. I’ve just had luck opening with that when people don’t have that note.
xo,
s
Lisa says
You happen to be efficient but I’ve called on items that were posted and they were already sold! That’s why I do ask if they are still available.
Julia @ Life on Churchill says
sweet! such a nice piece. I completely agree-telling the seller that I can pick it up right away is a good way to get the piece. I sell on cg too, and one thing that makes me know someone is serious is when they leave a telephone number.
Michele Daggar says
I love this so much. It’s always great when you find just what you envisioned for your space. I know that when I get something new for our home, I spend the day walking by it and smiling! So pretty. Can’t wait to see how you accessorize it!
Anja says
Looks lovely! I really like the color combo you’ve got going on =)
Erica says
That is amazing! I love the color and the curvy legs! I wish I could find something like this around here. Can’t wait to see what you guys do with it!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
We’ve had some luck with Craigslist before, but friends of ours always get the best stuff for free on there. It’s ridiculous! So far they have a sectional, record player and piano.
kathy says
I was so excited to see this post. While I love your modern style, I have old pieces mixed into our modern style and I’ve been waiting for you guys to DIY or purchase something like this for your home. Looks amazing! can’t wait to see more old things incorporated in your place :)
Sarah says
Love that piece! I really want a sideboard for our dining room and a wide dresser/sideboard for our TV. I’m appalled at what people think they can get for particle board pieces. What kind of clear coat are you thinking? I just started using wax on older painted pieces and really like the look and durability.
YoungHouseLove says
I haven’t looked into it but wax sounds awesome!
xo,
s
Suzy says
I Love Craigslist!!!! I looked for a buffet for two years & finally scored one at an awesome antique type mall in Jenks OK….it was already redone. It looks old & new at the same time. Congrats…I had so much fun finding a lamp and accessories. Used alot of things I already had around the house. It is fun to imagine who previously owned the piece!!! I share your excitement!
Jeanna Walton says
It’s really awesome!! Love the color, and am looking forward to how you style it :) How come I never find great deals like that on Craigslist?!!!
Ashley says
Bahahaha! “John wants me to make it clear that’s his idea of a nightmare” Your sideboard is beautiful. Thanks for the craigslist tips! They couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. My boyfriend and I are trying to sell some high-priced items for his grandmother and we’re paranoid that we’re going to get mugged when we meet with buyers. Hearing the buyer’s side gives us some perspective.
Crystal says
So pretty! And the best part is you don’t even have to paint/refinish it. And a box of Oreo’s and a Don’t Be Tardy For The Wedding marathon sounds like my idea of a good time ;)
Wendy says
Ooohhh. I totally love it! And I think $155 is a complete steal. I’ve been scouring Craig’s List and eBay for months, looking for a buffet or sideboard we can convert into a new bathroom vanity. I finally found one in a local antiques store marked down to $400 (from $650), so I snatched it up. Even though $400 sounds like a lot, it’s still much, much cheaper than the $1500+ vanities online.
http://www.oldtownhome.com/2012/6/18/The-Quest-for-a-New-Bathroom-Vanity/index.aspx
I can’t wait to get started reconfiguring it. We have plans to paint it white, add a marble top, etc.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh fun plans!
xo,
s
J+H @ Beyond The Stoop says
LOVE the old dresser!! next time i go home (ugh, which is a 600 mile drive), i’m picking up a family heirloom i’ve been DYING to have for a while now… it’s just a small side table, but the woodworking is so ornate, and i’m smitten by the marble top.
(i’m totally digging the “something old” idea too :P)
cheers!
Kim says
Gorgeous! Congrats! Old furniture is awesome. As the saying goes, they just don’t make stuff like that anymore. It really is an art piece. It is worth waiting for the right thing to come along. We have only been able to afford cheap college type furniture until recently, but were not willing to pay for even “nice” stuff that wasn’t really quality or we didn’t really love. Then, BAM! An authentic mission style dining table and chairs came into our lives. Instant grown-up-ness!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo,
s
Kelly says
Holy cow! That is perfect!
lindsay says
that buffet is the steal of the century!!! everyone says you have craigslist luck, which might be true, but i think you’re successful because you check it so consistently! i’m going to try that and hope for a beautiful buffet to magically land in san diego
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah I definitely check it a lot (about once a week year-round) so there are tons of other terrible finds among a few great ones!
xo,
s
RachelSD says
Yay! Love that you guys are bringing more character into your design— looks great! Craigslist is the best. But then again, so is free… just scored a vintage Sears Roebuck sewing table with adorable spindly legs at my complex’s dumpster. Three hours of sanding later, it’s a cute end table in my kitchen. :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!
xo
s
Marybeth @ Alarm Clock Wars says
I love that piece! Great find, and it looks fantastic in your dining room with those curtains!
Ashley Jensen says
I am turning out to really love Craigslist. I have never bought anything off of it but we have sold quite a few things! The hubs and I prefer to fork out our hard worked money for nice solid pieces of furniture that will last a long time and we can hand down instead of inexpensive flimsy furniture. Which we do have some of the inexpensive flimsy stuff too but they aren’t our statement pieces. I have the perfect spot for a buffet in our dining area only I am having a hard time finding something that isn’t so deep. Gotta keep looking!
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
looks great! I think old pieces help with that “collected over time” look and not like you went to Room Store (now bankrupt!) and bought the whole room :) Love your CL technique. I also think leaving a cell number helps because it lets the owner know that you’re legit and super interested.
Heather says
I recently found 6 antique Paine Furniture dining chairs on CL in my area for $300. The price was a bit more than I wanted to spend and I had to pay to get them reupholstered because the (original!) upholstery was in bad shape. I ended up taking them to an upholsterer who specialized in antiques and had them reupholstered and filled with cotton and horse hair.
After all was said and done, with the cost of reupholstering the chairs, buying fabric and paying for the chairs, I ended up spending about $130/chair. That’s what I would have spent on chairs at World Market or Sears, so not too bad for antique, solid wood chairs.
The upholsterer thought that the chairs could sell for up to $300 a piece, so I ended up getting a really great deal.
Heather says
Oh, and I love your new sideboard. It’s a really beautiful piece of furniture.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!!
xo,
s
sara @ it's good to be queen says
holy moley. that is gorg. love it. great job bringing some character in! love the craig’s list. love it.
HK says
That thing is GORGEOUS! I think it’s my favorite thing in your whole house too :)
Laurel says
Score! I found almost the exact same sideboard buried in the shed of our 120 year old home. I love it more than words can describe. Although I’ve been agonizing what color to paint/stain it for months now.
Liz Toftness says
Such goodness!
I actually have the opposite problem in that EVERYTHING in my house is old…I treat yard sales/antique stores/flea markets like treasure hunts. And I love me some treasure!:)
Brenda says
What a great find! I’ve found that my luck with Craigslist tends to be to check it regularly and contact sellers right away. I’m hoping that strategy works well as I hunt for a new apartment.
Hilary @ My So-Called Home says
Love it. We found *ahem trash-picked* an antique sideboard very similar to that and use it now as our TV stand! You can see it here (just scroll down to the living room):
http://www.mysocalledhome.com/p/tour-house.html?m=0
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
Maria says
What a gorgeous piece of furniture! Funny coincidence, I’m actually going to check out an older buffet/sideboard that I found on craigslist yesterday. Older furniture has so much character! Nice job guys!
Carra says
CL deals make me so happy. I always check there when I am in need! You guys scored, I love it & can’t wait for it to be all styled and sexy.
Sophie says
Thank Dog you’re not going to paint it. The whole time I was reading your post, I thought you were going to say it’ll be redone in black or something (and then I’d have a heart attack). Whew!
It’s gorgeous and such a great deal. Love it.
Rosie says
Love it – it is just perfect in that spot!
Megan says
Ok, I have that SAME PIECE! I inherited it from my grandmother several years ago. Same legs and little back piece and all. Mine is just stained a dark brown. We are moving so I had considered selling it, but I’m really loving the color on it. Guess I’ll have to go check out some of your refinished projects to figure out how to change it.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cool!
xo
s
Katie says
Gorgeous! I’m a big fan of the old furniture…I have to make a rule to include one new thing in every room! I know exactly what you mean about staring romantically at a beautiful new piece…I’ve been known to bust out a “hey lover,” a la Carrie Bradshaw as I walk past my antique desk. :)
Katie says
LOVE IT! Great find guys. I just found a similar one on our area’s Craigslist for $200 but it desperately needs refinishing and has a broken leg. You found a serious deal.