Surprise! John and I actually snuck off to the beach in Rehoboth Delaware (where John’s parents have a lovely beach house) around the 4th of July. And yes, John did take this photo to document our trip with his freakishly long arm:
We didn’t do much except for veg on the beach, publish posts so you guys wouldn’t think we went missing, and whip up this watermelon project. Oh and of course we did a little deal hunting by swinging through our favorite secondhand store while we were there: Beach Plum Antiques.
You’ll notice me getting my Vanna White on above (look, second picture in a row where I’m not wearing black!). The reason for the big smile and the gameshow pose? I’m standing next to the cutest little carrera marble topped table that I dug out from under a pile of stuff. It’s as if the universe hid it until I could show up and unearth it. Let me loose in a thrift store and I’m like an archeologist hot on the trail of a T-Rex femur.
We’d been looking for a small table for the sunroom for a while and this baby fit the bill. Plus we’ve never had anything marble in our house so the idea admittedly felt very swanky. But how much would the fancy pants table set us back?
What? Does that price tag really say $20? You betcha. And do you know how much we actually paid? $19 (because they only accept cash and that’s all we had on us). Again, the universe wanted us to have this table. The owner actually laughed when we approached him to buy it saying he had just marked it down from $45 the day before (and sure enough, when we peeled off the stickers after we got it home we saw that it had originally been $75, then $45, and finally $20 after sitting around for a while without getting much attention).
How this little gem of a table could go unnoticed for so long is beyond me. I mean she’s almost as cheap as an Ikea lack table and SHE’S MADE WITH CARRERA MARBLE. In mint condition no less. Just for comparison’s sake, here’s a marble table from CB2. It’s $149! And here’s a Knoll one on sale for $607! Doesn’t that make $19 sound even better? Plus our sunroom could totally use a little side table. So we brought her home.
Here’s a close-up for you marble loving fools (present company included- as in, me). Isn’t she a beaut? We love the ornate carved detailing around the perimeter and the legs. And although we originally toyed with the idea of painting them white (or even a soft celery green), we actually fell hard for the existing patina of the wood as soon as we put it down next to the teak chair and saw that it still worked.
By now you guys probably know that we’re much more about complementary tones, subtle texture and varied materials than anyting formulaic or overly matchy-matchy. And our new $19 side table introduced so much more interest to the whole room thanks to the marble top (yeah, we’re officially fancy), antiqued carved detailing (for luxe texture to spare), and the coordinating but not matching weathered wood tone (see how the teak chair and the bookcase on the other side of that wall are the same color but somehow this lighter piece still looks right at home between them?).
The key to achieving a mixed and layered effect that feels collected over time instead of “garage sale dorm room” is just to keep certain commonalities between the items in the space so it doesn’t look completely chaotic and unrelated. The ceramic dog (who was also quite a steal, check out that story here) and the pillow both boast the same crisp white tone, as does the top of the table (which instantly ties them together in the space). And the cream colored wall behind everything adds warmth and creates an even more layered and soft effect.
So there it is. The tale of an under-twenty-dollar-table that crossed state lines to come home with us and live next to a life-sized ceramic pooch. Have you guys found anything good at secondhand stores lately? What about garage sales? Now that it’s summer they’re popping up everywhere, so we’re wondering what you’re snagging on the cheap.
p.s. Speaking of secondhand shopping, we feel really good about our recently purchased refurbished Flip video camera (snagged on woot.com for $70 off) and our newly refurbished MacBook (from apple.com for $350 off). “Recycling” never felt so good- and they’ll both help us serve up more fun around these parts for years to come- so stay tuned…
Good deal you got there. Haven’t been out shopping for anything lately.
What a neat store and a neat find! I think I would have painted the legs white, but it’s not often that you don’t paint something white, so I’m proud of you. ;)
Sweet Venus! You lucked out! I love it the new table. I thought I was cool because I just bought a storage bench on Craiglist for $35….and then you guys buy a marble table for $19. Way to go, S & J. You two are so fabulous!!
Great table! What a find! I, too, take great pleasure in peeling off stickers to see what the price (or prices) were before the markdown!
We have a house in Bethany and I love that store (I didn’t know about it until last year though…sort of off the beaten path). The only thing I’ve ever bought there is one of the Bethany Beach signs that someone handpaints…the ones kind of shaped like surfboards.
Ooh I totally know what you mean. Those signs are the coolest! Awesome score.
xo,
s
I love Rehobeth! We have a place in OC,MD and always find ourselves in Rehobeth for one reason or another. I’ve never been to the this antique store… definately have to put it on the list of places to check out next time we go down.
Going deal hunting this weekend…on the lookout for a small dresser I can repurpose as an end table in my living room. Wish me luck!
Luck!
xo,
s
I wish my husband’s arms are as long as John’s so we could take self-portraits like that! Usually when we attempt that, one of us is always cut off! Boo! =P
Ooooohh! You bought a Mac! Have you had one before? You will LOVE LOVE LOVE it! (Can you tell I love mine?)
We recently snagged a pale blue crate & barrel couch, 2 yrs old, on craigslist for $75! It was my thrill/adventure of the week. Then I stepped back and said, what has happened to me? Really now?
ps thanks for the fonts info!
That table is so cute, and you’re right, it was a TOTAL steal! So glad to see you got the highlighted comments back, loved that feature. But why no cute pic of you guys? That felt so much more personal :-)
Just stumbled upon your website accidentally and i gotta say i am completely in awe of your renovations! My boyfriend and I did a similar thing to our first house last year but it’s nothing compared to yours. You guys are super talented and inspired me to get more things done to ours!
I love shopping thrift! It’s actually nice knowing that the things I buy are older… because I know that they were built well enough to last that long! Great tables like that are more difficult to find though, you usually have to drop in a store time and again to find the best things. I think it’s worth the hunt. Plus, it’s fun!
Oooohhhh, Aaahhhhh…you must tell me when you are visiting DE again…surprised I haven’t seen you at the Beach Plum already!!!!
we frequent the rehoboth area often..can you tell me where this store it so i can go when we are there in 2 weeks? thanks!
Hey Allie,
The store is a bit off the beaten path but you can call the number shown on the price sticker in the post above and ask them for directions (they’re a lot more expert in that area than we are since we sometimes drive right by it and have to back up). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Oooooh! I love the table, great find!
Hey! My cousin Clare owns and operates the Blue Room Gallery in Bethany Beach. Check it out at http://www.blueroomgallery.com.
Lots of cool home accessories and gifts.
Great deal on the table!
Your guys are too cute — all the pictures Dave and I took on our vacation look exactly the same (Dave, too, has freakishly long arms).
i’m so green with secondhand store envy right now! that place looks amazing! i would love that white headboard next to you for my little girls’ room! i used to live in seattle and i could literally walk to 4 or 5 amazing places to get the best flea market finds! they even had a saturday flea market that was filled with treasures! but sadly…i live in sacramento, ca now…not so much of that going on here. but we still find ways to seek out great deals from estate sales etc. one of these days i’m going to find that one store that no one knows about! :)
oh…and in my selfish rant, i totally forgot to say…awesome find! love that table!!
No way! I am headed to Rehoboth for the first time ever TOMORROW!!! I’m definitely writing this store down and going to take a look! Any other Rehoboth advice you’d like to share??!
Hey Tammy,
You have to get a Nic-o-boli at Nicola’s. It’s pure heaven. Here’s their site: http://www.nicolapizza.com/
xo,
s
Love the table; I’m definitely going to look into finding some secondhand stores around my home. And I love your non-black, colorful shirts, too! ;)
I was about to comment on the lack of black in your wardrobe, but you beat me to it! Love the new addition – very schmancy. :)
Yeah, yeah… love the table. Now tell me about the shoes. I need to know more about the shoes. ;) hee hee
xoxo
Hey Carrie,
The wedge sandals are from none other than Target. I don’t suppose you’re surprised. They’re actually silver and black xhilaration shoes that had thong straps that were covered in terribly tacky sequins and beads but being the DIY girl that I am, I got them on clearance for $7 and removed all the sequins and beading with a seam ripper for a cleaner and less kid-ish look. You know I love a makeover… even if it involves shoes.
xo,
s
Love the table! And I’m proud of you for not painting it…I probably would have pulled out the black paint – seems I’m doing black or pale, pale blue on everything these days. And I love finding thrift or craigslist. For my comfy pieces like sofa and chairs, I do go retail but I’ve found a wonderful store that has great items (a lot of them are one of a kind) at great prices so that works out for me. My accent pieces are almost all thrift/craigslist though, and I lovingly paint and repurpose them. Doesn’t it feel good to give a little orphan table a good home?
that table is fabulous, its amazing that a little trade makes a big difference.
Isn’t that store awesome? I’m a Delawarean myself, and the beach has some amazing antique/resale stores. Next time you’re in Rehoboth (where I spent many a childhood summer) take a drive up to Lewes – it’s this quaint, adorable historic beahc town with lots of good shopping.
Oh, and the best part about shopping in Delaware? Your $19 table really was only $19. No sales tax!
I wish my sun room looked as great as yours…still trying to get up the nerve – and energy – to paint the floor!
I think you made the right call not painting the table- the legs actually kind of complement the color of the wall too. And Sherry, I hardly knew ye! Color looks great on you! I have a question about your backyard: what seed did you use, and did you go the wheat-straw route? Thanks so much!
Jemison- We used Scott’s tall fescue mix seed and didn’t actually use straw at all, we just overseeded our yard and watered it regularly. Hope it helps!
Lori H- We actually haven’t checked out Circa yet, but we’ll definitely have to put that on our to-do list. Sounds fun!
xo,
s
Ha! As soon as I saw the 2nd picture, I thought, “Hey, that’s two pictures in a row where Sherry’s not wearing black!” I’m also a black shirt girl trying to change it up sometimes. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone. :) Good work, Sherry!
My sister just loves marble topped tables/dressers/whatevers. She would just die knowing you got your cutie table for $19. Good deal!!
Love the new table! What a bargain. I love shopping for gently used furniture. Did you guys ever check out Circa in Charlottesville when/if you went to John’s reunion/homecoming? It has three buildings of furniture. I recently found some glass bottles in that sea-glass blue/green color and an old milk bottle there for 50 cents each to add into my summer decorating.
The table looks great near that big round clock, the clock was crying out for another circle, now he has one.
I love Rehoboth! Did you get some french fries???
East End,
You bet we got french fries… with malt vinegar on them! Mmm.
xo,
s
I love DE. I’m trying to convince my husband to move to Lewes. My parents live further north in Harrington. The antique stores are great but so are the thrift stores. I live in Springfield, VA now and the deals are so much better in DE! I buy a lot more there than I do here.
You look great in blue! Are your eyes blue? Never noticed before.
Totally off topic, but FedEx just dropped of my paint! :-)
Great find! We recently bought a slab of granite on CraigsList for an unbelievable $25! We’re planning on making some kind of side table out of it one of these days!
The table is gorgeous! I vacationed in Rehoboth for years growing up, but haven’t been there in about 15 years now. My husband and I are planning a trip there in early October for our one-year anniversary. We can’t wait and are excited to add Beach Plum to our list of places to check out!
That is a STEAL of a deal! I would have totally snagged it too. Great find you 2.
Love DE…. that’s why I live here! :-) When I shop in other states the sales tax ALWAYS catches me off guard. Would you mind sharing a few of your favorite stores? I know, I know…I’m a local, I should know, but I honestly don’t escape our “plantation” much. Thanks!
Hey Marjorie,
Oh man, we were hoping to hit you up for some recommendations! We usually get so caught up in family, beach, food and sun that we probably haven’t explored Rehoboth or Bethany’s full decor potential. That and the sun somehow makes us forget lots of store names. But Virginia Ave in Rehoboth has a bunch of great smaller places closer to the boardwalk, and some bigger stores the further you walk down. There’s also Abizaks that I think relocated (maybe to Fenwick Island?) but always has an interesting assortment of furniture eye candy. Next time we’re there we’ll keep better notes!
-John
Darn. Is it okay to covet they neighbor’s table??
Yeah, I don’t know where Abizak’s went… They sneaked off a few years back. I do know one neat place where Mom’s picked up a few things. The Midway shopping area (with the movie theater and waterpark/go-carts on rt 1) has a tiny antique shop tucked into the corner of the main building, oddly enough. I know all about buying lumber and concrete around here…I’ll get to decorating eventually…
i just bought the same Flip camera on woot.com last week (or the week before?) love it!
I love that TABLE! What a great find.
I snagged an excellent Danish Mid-century style chair from Goodwill for $10, then stripped and re-finished it. It looks great and was amazingly cheap (just how I like things to be), though it looks like a million bucks. I think eventually I might try reupholstering it, but for now I’m loving the olive green fabric.
Congrats on the table find- doesn’t the feeling of finding a great steal always leave you so elated? Oh the joys of home goods…
Hey youngins. Great score. I have to let you in on a secret spot. Wilson’s Auction in Lincoln It’s a bit away from Rehoboth (maybe 25 minutes) but I’ve gotten some awesome things there over the years. Plus you get the fun of a live auction. Every Saturday starting around noon for household things. Check it out.
That’s great!!!!!! It looks perfect in your sunroom. I love the textures. What an amazing deal!
Sigh. We just returned yesterday from our annual week at Rehoboth Beach. Some combination of my hubby’s family has been staying in the same beach house for the last 16 years. I’m the newest addition to the family, so it’s only been 10 years for me.
My cousin-in-law and I stumbled on the Beach House Chic tent down near Bethany. They’ll be doing their big sale the last weekend of July but they still had a pretty good selection when we were there. The woman running the place actually took us back to “The Coop” where she does all of her furniture rehab and repair of things that get sold at the tent.
My cousin-in-law and I joked that we’re really no better than our kids taking candy from a stranger. Some stranger offers to show us the place where she keeps all of her thrifted furniture and we jump into the car to follow her…no questions asked.
I’ll be adding Beach Plum Antiques to our shopping list for next year. Thanks for the tip!
What a steal! I love antiquing for just that reason…my little retro dinning set is from an antique store that I got for a 100 bucks! The cheapest “new” table you can get is 150 at Wal-mart and trust me it is a POS (we had one in our college apartment, ick!).
I love refurbished too, my cell phone is and I will for sure be checking the apple site for a refurbished laptop, since that is high on my shopping list!
Wow! I probably just missed y’all in Rehoboth! I live in DE and was pa-rusing around Rehoboth during the 4th. There are some great stores for finding great deals! In Lewes there is a great antique store on Route 1, about 10 minutes from Rehoboth. I have found some really great pieces there!