Young House Love

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Getting Cheap Dining Chairs From Craigslist

We finally scored some chairs for the dining room, thanks to this craiglist ad emailed to us by our friend Sandra (muchas gracias!).

DChairs Craigslist Ad2

You’re probably thinking: what are they thinking?! Parsons chairs? Yup, that’s exactly what we’ve wanted since day one. Thirty bucks? Yeah baby. Weird green and blue swirly pattern? Um… no comment.

But since the price was right (we actually bargained them down to $25 per chair, coming to $200 total for all 8) and the shape/lines were right (they’re solid and very well-made) we figured it was time to pounce (with some reassurance from a few online tutorials about dyeing fabric, making slipcovers, or reupholstering parsons chairs). So in the end we hope to end up with eight affordable and well made parsons chairs without this… uh… “unique” fabric. Hopefully sooner rather than later…

DChair Close Up Pattern

As for how we got them home, I borrowed my sister’s Explorer (since I knew we couldn’t fit them in our Altima without making at least three trips) and drove 90 minutes round trip to Mechanicsville to pick up the chairs. I wish I’d brought the camera (or was fancy enough to have a decent cell phone cam) because the guy selling them lived on a giant horse farm, so the scenery was beautiful. And since Sherry and Clara stayed at home (to make room for more chairs in the car) I wished that I could have taken some photos so they could see it.

The guy selling them was a real character. I expected to pick up the chairs from his dining room, but instead he led me back to a bunch of large storage crates in his backyard (I must admit this is where craigslist horror stories started flashing through my mind and I wondered if I was being kidnapped). Then he rolled up the door to one of the storage crates to reveal that it was FILLED TO THE BRIM with these chairs. I never got the story behind how he ended up with so many, but my guess is that they came from some hotel auction or something. All that mattered is that they were in good condition (solid, sturdy, clean, no pet/smoke odors, etc) and that he was happy to let me put a dent in his collection and leave with eight of those babies.

Here I am back home with my booty (that’s not a butt reference, I mean the chairs), cheesy pose and all (sometimes I defer to cheesy poses when Sherry runs towards me with the camera, you know, just to humor her). And yes, I was extremely proud of fitting all eight of them into my sister’s car in one trip. There was even a call to Sherry where I told her I could only fit six so I needed to make two trips with a big fat “just kidding!” at the end.

DChairs John With Truck

As a reminder, here’s what the dining room looked like back when it was chair-less…

DChairs Before Straight

…and here it is now with eight new occupants. Actually only seven are pictured because Sherry likes that more breathable look for “everyday” (we can easily add in the eighth one when we need it – until then it’s hanging out in our chaotic playroom with 99% of our other “extra stuff”).

DChairs After Straight

We keep having to remind ourselves to look past the crazy pattern and enjoy the fact that we scored a serious deal on the exact style of chair (with clean lines and solid construction) that we’ve been eying.

DChairs Vertical

The best price we’ve seen so far on any new parsons chair is around $85 (Pottery Barn sells similar ones for $299!), so as long as we can correct the swirly fabric for less than $60 per chair, we made the right call. Even if it means that our dining room looks a bit like a hotel conference room for the time being…

DChairs Up A Bit

Sherry found a few online tutorials for dyeing fabric directly on furniture that we might try (although dye = scary, so we might skip right to the next step, which would be to make slipcovers or reupholster them in the crisp apple green color that Sherry has been dreaming of from day one). So that’s the story of driving out to a farm and squeezing eight $25 chairs into my sisters car. Maybe you guys have recent craigstlist deals to share? Or an “I can’t believe I got that to fit into my car” tale to tell?

Comments

  1. Callie says

    My husband and I moved from Seattle to Oklahoma last year – and we calculated that the cheapest way to move was 1. sell everything we could on CL, over time so we get good prices, 2. pack everything we could into our car (packed so tight like the jam story above! even my toiletries were disbursed under the front seat with tons of other stuff, lol – back seat filled to the ceiling up to the headrests of the front seat), and 3. everything we couldn’t fit in the car but still wanted to take or thought was worth it we shipped via USPS. The whole move cost us about $800, plus we had the fun of re-finding pieces here that fit our new place. Way cheaper than renting a $2500+ uhaul! :) (But stressful…don’t know if I would do it again – but glad we did it that time!)

    Reply

  2. Callie says

    PS loove the chairs! score! They will look fabulous with new fabric on them :) and sewing machines are not too scary – some of my friends learned their sowing prowess from youtube videos.

    Reply

  3. tanyad says

    I’d love you guys to give us some tips on how you barter the price of things. My husband and I are useless at it! How did you manage to get the price down from $30 to $25 when it was so cheap already?

    Can’t wait to see what they end up like!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I’m the bargainer of the family (John is way too shy and timid) so I just said “can we do $200 for all eight of them?” Then I followed that up right away with “if so, you’ve got a deal and we’ll come grab them today and give you cash.” I just try to propose something that seems like a good deal for all parties (he sells all eight chairs at once for 200 bucks cash in his hand that day and I get my chairs for $5 off each one). This time it worked like a charm. Although sometimes it doesn’t. But it’s always worth asking!

      Another great bargaining tip is just to say “is that your best price?” and just stay silent. Resist the urge to say “because if it is I’m ok!” or “well you know are you flexible?” and prattle on nervously. Just say “is that your best price?” and zip the lips. It’s amazing what that silence can elicit. Usually people are happy to think for a moment and say “I guess I can sell it to you for _______” (fill that blank in with a price that’s significantly lower than the original one). Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  4. Alicia says

    I purchased new dining chairs and slipcovers from World Market this weekend. If your chairs are the same size for some reason, World Market’s slipcovers are cute and reasonable.

    Reply

  5. Tux says

    I once carried an 80 lb 8’x3′ wood frame antique mirror on two subway cars during rush hour from midtown manhattan to Bushwick Brooklyn.
    It was so heavy and so awkward to carry that I had a huge purple bruise under my arm pit from trying to anchor the thing while carrying it down the street.
    But boy was it worth it.

    Reply

  7. Kirsty says

    Ooh the chairs are going to look so great! I’m definitely against dyeing them – it reminds me of the time my brother in law bought some old green armchairs for his home theatre room and spray painted them black…with actual spray paint!! I couldn’t believe my eyes and once the chairs dried they felt all stiff and crunchy and you could never sit on them without using a towel..LOL not that anyone really wanted to sit on them, ever! So it’s a NO to the dyeing from me, slipcovers or upholstering all the way haha.

    Reply

  8. Amanda F says

    I’m SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous!!!!!! We just scored an AMAZING table off craigslist for $200 orginally $799 ON SALE(yes I looked the exact one up online) the only sad thing it didn’t come with the chairs. Thankfully our old tables chairs worked perfect but this table is much larger so I want 2 parson chairs for the ends and haven’t been able to find any that are less then the table. CONGRATULATIONS LUCKY DUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

  9. Niki says

    Okay, I didnt read all 500 responses, so I apologize if this has already been suggested. But Ballard design has an amazingly inexpensive slipcover

    http://www.ballarddesigns.com/pleated-couture-slipcover—ballard-essential-fabrics/chairs/chair-slipcovers/10129

    That coincidentally comes in “apple velvet”. I know the bottom is a bit flouncy but I bet that could be doctored. At $40 a pop that would put your total at $65 a chair, which honestly, is insane.

    Reply

  10. Diane says

    I love the colors and the pattern. I’d live with them as they are, especially with fabric and small children in the house. If they spill on them, no worries. Once they get all stained, then replace them. Leave as is for now. You are very lucky they match your color scheme.

    Reply

  11. diana says

    Beautiful, and a real step forward for the forgotten dinning room. Yeah, I second the idea that says to buy a Pottery Barn slipcover, undo it, copy the pattern on your fabric of choice and sew the eight babies. If it’s too scary for you to sew, maybe you could ask someone with more experience to do the sewing? (I don’t know, mama, mom-in-law, SIL or someone). I love their eighty-ish feeling, but I can see it doesn’t work for you.
    Beautiful chairs! Now I can picture the three of you at lunch, Sues on your knees, two or three chairs unoccupied in between, asking the salt from the other one… Hi, hi, hi!

    Reply

  14. annabelvita says

    The thing I love is if you do go the slipcover route – particularly if you’re dyeing cheapo slipcovers – you can totally do “swatches” to settle on the final colour! So YHL!

    Reply

  17. CharlotteAdams says

    I think you should recover the chairs in the apple green color you are leaning towards- with the tailored slipcover that covers part of the legs (which I think the legs should be darkened) and have the back of the chairs monogramed in a teal color. (and maybe even do piping in the teal color)

    Reply

  18. Michelle says

    I’m impressed with the packing job! We’re constantly trying to get big things in my mother’s small car when we go shopping. A lounge chair that didn’t fold up was definitely an adventure as was the recumbent exercise bike that also didn’t come apart! There’s always a different man (that we don’t know and have never seen before) standing there telling us that we’ll never get it in. Makes us make sure that we do! Love leaving them standing there with their eyes widened and mouths dropped open.

    Reply

  20. A. H. says

    Congrats on your amazing find! I admire your thriftiness and willingness to repurpose used, ho-hum objects into fabulous show pieces for your home.
    Those 8 chairs are a big undertaking but they are perfect for your dining room. Just a thought, but wanted to mention it since your style is so playful and fun. What about recovering 4 in apple green and the other 4 in Sue the Napkin print. With a bit of research you could track down a bolt of Sue, or was Sue made into tablecloths as well? Sue’s print is so punchy, that the solid apple green chairs would provide a visual resting place.
    I am sure you guys are tired (and sometimes amused) at all this unwanted advice or ideas.
    I am sure you that whatever you do, it will be fabulous!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’ve been dying to find larger pieces of Sue the Napkin fabric but sadly she wasn’t made into a tablecloth or shower curtain and we have done some decent bolt research and can’t find anything yet. Not giving up hope yet though!

      xo,
      s

  21. Kim says

    Great find! Even though the colors work with your scheme, I think they scream HOTEL as they are now. They will look great in apple green. I am looking forward to see how you tackle slipcovers or reupholstery.

    Reply

  22. Tricia says

    I actually like the pattern, very cool and does kind of go with your room… the only issue is that its too much overall, kind of busy, so maybe you can make slipcovers for every other chair… could make it interesting!

    As for my own story, I LOVE craig’s list… my current TV was free!, my playstation with Guitar Hero 1,2, and 3 with 2 guitars was $100, my round glass coffee table and outdoor grill with utensils was $30 total!, and my brand new papsan chair (barely used from Pier 1, originally $140) I got for $50!!

    Reply

  23. Jen H. says

    Nice score!

    No time to read all the other comments, so forgive me if someone else has already suggested this, but you might want to check out Ikea’s dining chair slipcovers. Pretty sure they’re a very similar size and shape, and come in white, which would make them easy to dye. Can’t remember the name of their chair, but I bet the cover can be bought separately.

    Reply

  26. Leslie says

    It will be easy to make slipcovers for these clean-lined chairs. The nice thing about slipcovers is that you can remove them for washing. I am not an expert seamstress, but had no problems making similar covers for several of my own chairs.

    Reply

  27. Mandy says

    I am actually really glad you guys got chairs that don’t match what you want, cuz I can’t wait to see the tutorial of how you reupholster them!!

    Reply

  29. cathy says

    i LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE how they look now in there. albeit a little to funky, 70’s vibe, they are seriusly cute! a good upholsterer could probably get them done in the apple green leather u guys want too! good luck, so looking forward to seeing them again

    Reply

  31. Becca says

    I didn’t read through all the posts, so not sure if this was mentioned, but you can buy slip covers to fit those chairs at Ikea. Just buy the white and dye it whatever color your heart desires.

    Reply

  33. diane says

    Love the parsons chairs and would love to see them in an apple green suede with a different color/pattern on the back.

    Reply

  35. Holly says

    I can’t wait for the recovering of these chairs. I have 4 parsons in desperate need of recovering and the bottoms have also “fallen out”. I’ll be waiting with baited breath for your tips! :)

    Reply

  36. Threadbndr says

    I’d get the two or four more now if you think you might ever want them. Since people know about them now, that shipping container may be empty before you know it!!

    In a pinch the extras can live in the basement. I bought a pair of chairs when I wanted four and that model ended up being discontinued before I went back and got the other two. Regret that – gave them to my sister to use in her breakfast area.

    Reply

  37. LezRenovate says

    Super finds online are the best. We have a neighbourhood in Vancouver BC called “Dunbar” and I’ve now visited the SAME BLOCK 3 times for what we like to call a “Dunbargain” found on craigslist.

    Reply

  38. Meagan says

    Dye them! I would LOVE a tutorial on how to do it and I know you guys would be the best. I saw an awesome fabric painting tutorial yesterday (but now I can’t remember where) anyways.. I think the ability to dye bad upholstery would come in super handy (because I’ve had my try ant re-upholstering things and I’m no good)

    Reply

  40. Claire @ Claire K Creations says

    We definitely have an ‘I can’t believe we fitted it in our car’ story from IKEA. We went there with our little Mazda hatchback not intending to buy much (as you do at IKEA) and left with two large armchairs, a TV stand, a 2x3m rug, some cushions and a few other little bits and pieces. We made it home but I have a nice little scar on my leg from squeezing into the front seat!

    Reply

    • diana says

      I remember once going to IKEA with my Renault Scenic, which’s a smallish hatchback, and fitting three grand PAX-es inside, plus the change always needed (sliding doors, shelves, drawers et tout), plus a 2 year old and the car seat, plus a nine year old. Someone at the exit was so nice to help me load, and said “What a long small car you have!”. Yeah, nice stories, should have seen my T-shirt afterward…

  41. tonya says

    I LOVE THOSE CHAIRS. I don’t care what anyone else says, you scored big time with those, they have great bones and I don’t mind the fabric at all. They compliment the bookshelves. If they bother you, do something creative like making slip covers for just the backrest parts and leave the seats as they are. Great Job!

    Reply

  43. jeannine fay says

    Slipcovers are the way to go. In a nice durable stain resistant fabric. With little ones in the house it will easy your mind considerably.

    Reply

  44. Lia says

    I’m sure you may have come across this site before, but I noticed today that JCaroline Home has pretty amazingly affordable upholstery weight fabric… They have two different greens. Thought you might be interested! =)

    Reply

  46. Andrea says

    Dear Sherry and John,

    I bet you get that all the time but I love love love your blog! it’s so inspiring! I just recently signed the contract for my first own flat and whilst shopping for the living room I realised my colour concept was based on Sue the napkin ;D

    +$200 for eight chairs, what a bargain! I actually don’t mind the swirly fabric, at least not for the time being ^^ I can, however, perfectly picture them in apple green!

    Good luck with slip-covering/ upholstering them! It’s not as hard as it looks :) Sewing machines are our friends!

    love from Germany,
    A.

    Reply

  47. Gloria says

    Congrats on the chairs, great price. BUT, I think they look nice with that pattern because the colors match your art objects on your shelves! I do not think they are too much, as I saw some other say. I think they are going to grow on you. :) You can always get solid colored drapes for the room, in a nice complimentary green or something.
    Best,
    Gloria

    Reply

  48. Traci says

    We scored a Thomasville Queen Sized Cherrywood Sleigh bed from Craigslist for a whopping $200. We found a fancy family that was upgrading their master quite and they wanted the King sized version. Awesome!!!

    Reply

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