I have been fighting a bug, the Why Can’t I Find What I Need To Finish A FREAKING Room bug. Its a doozie. And one that just seems to be lingering. So of course when I get feeling like this, I like to check out all of the fantastic finds that you guys have in your homes. It makes me feel like there is hope in the universe again.
To be honest, things haven’t been all bad, I did find this amazing leather sling chair on Craigslist about 2 weeks ago. Want to hear all about it? Of course you do!
I popped on the Craigslist app one night just to see if anything new had come up (St. George doesn’t get a ton of new listings, so it is easy to catch up.) when I saw a listing for a Unique Leather Chair that had been listed about 20 minutes prior. I clicked in.
It was love.
It was magic.
It was going to be mine. (said in my best BatDad voice)
I sent a text to the seller and waited about 10 minutes. Nothing. So I called and left a message when there was no answer. Nothing. I was starting to have horrible thoughts racing through my head and I just knew that someone was going to swipe it right out from under me (remember when that happened here?) But I didn’t want to seem crazy (humph) so I used my sister in law’s phone to call the seller. Sneaky right? Different phone number = not crazy.
I heard angels sing when she answered the phone. Our convo basically went like this:
Me: Hello, I need the chair that you have listed on Craigslist Please tell me it is still available? (The last sentence gets audibly higher .)
Seller: Yes, I still have it!
Me: Great! When can I come and pick it up? Is now a good time?
Seller: Sure, now is great!
Me: Fantastic. I am leaving right now. Don’t sell it to anyone else before I get there iamleavingrightnowokbye! (click) {Toss the phone football style to my SIL and run out the door}
Luckily I remembered to grab my shoes.
When I got to the seller’s house I was overjoyed to see that the pictures didn’t do the chair justice. It was soooo good!! The seller said that she had bought it from an old farmer who had built it and showed me the branding from a cow on the back. Even though it was a little rickety I just had to have it, so I paid the $75 asking price and hauled it away.
After doing a little bit of research on Google, I came across this little treasure.
Do you know what that is?
That is my exact chair. For $1200. Granted it is in much better shape, but still, same chair, significantly higher price tag.
It was a style of chair designed by Michael Arnoult in Brazil in the 1960’s. And is apparently really hard to find.
The moral of the story is, if you love something buy it. Whether you think it is from an old farmer in St. George UT or an amazing Mid Century designer piece, it is still a #colddeadfingers treasure if it warms your heart.
Now for a few favorites from your #colddeadfingers. If you have no idea what I am talking about, let me give you the rundown. You know those pieces that you find that you are like. “Yes, marriage between me and this table should be legal.”? The type of pieces that can only be pried from you Cold Dead Fingers? We are celebrating those. If you have some, snap a picture on Instagram and #colddeadfingers so everyone else can see it and be super jealous!
This rug is amazing for $300. How do you feel about Rachel getting it for $5? Yep. The same price as the kids meal that I fed my daughter last night so that I could finish up a project. That is way better than the prize she got.
Instagram: creationsbyrachelw
$5 yard sale rug #colddeadfingers #yardsalelove
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I love the two tone wood in this hutch:
Instagram: elisabethhates
This is less than 200 bucks. Shut up, Small Town Illinois! #colddeadfingers
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Since I am feeling the worn leather vibe today…
Instagram: airgreenwood
Website: Carson Avenue
This #beauty came home with me from the#thriftstore // my best find to date // I haven’t quite yet decided how to style her pretty and such but I feel that she is quite lovely next to our tree stump from #utah // my father in law will be so happy that they were put to good use, along with the #amazingvintage industrial stools he gave me. // boy am I#blessed and #loved //
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Sometimes it doesn’t have to be huge things that we never want to get rid of. Sometimes it can be small thrift store finds that just make everything seem so great that day.
Instagram: jadeandfern
Website: Jade and Fern
Scored this shiny copper bowl at a thrift store. I’m in love.
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So there you have it. Anyone else feeling the itch to go thrifting? Lets do it!! Make sure you tag your favorite furniture with #colddeadfingers on Instagram and you just might be featured next time!!
There is just one more bit of information that I would very much love to share with you guys. I got the craziest email last week. Like I almost deleted it because it was just SO crazy.
Vintage Revivals is one of the top 5 Best DIY blogs hand picked by Better Homes and Gardens Editors. I KNOW. WHAT IS GOING ON!?
They just launched the first ever BHG Blogger Awards and I would LOVE to win in this category. I mean, I am against some extremely talented folks, (with really crazy super fans…Young House Love anyone?) So if you have a second I would love a virtual slap on the butt for a job well done. You can vote once an hour (not that I would ever expect that, that is like really intense) but if you have a second I would be ever so grateful! Voting runs through March 5th so I will periodically be sharing a friendly reminder!!
Also, I heard if you vote for me, your caloric intake for the day automatically drops to zero. Cookies and votes for everyone! Huzzah!!
Love the chair so much! We are just leaving St. George after being here all week for vacation and I’m not going to lie- I was secretly hoping I would see you somewhere the whole time! Thanks for the tip about Swig cookies- I’m in love!
What a great find!! I was just at the Danish Design Museum this morning thinking about how I’d like to come across one of those rare babies at a yard sale. You lucked out!
and thank you for the sweet comment on my blog babe! loving having you in my feed 🙂
x. Paige
https://www.punkrockparti.com/blog
wow that leather chair is amazing! I can’t believe the designer price. On another note, I saw your HGTV mention yesterday as I was looking through the mag. I was next to my husband, and said: “hey look, it’s Mandi, I know her blog Vintage Revivals (I don’t really know you personally, but I read your blog daily so it feels like I do, sorta)
congratulations on the feature!
That chair is so good! Im tingling with jealousy!
I found a 9 drawer mid century dresser on CL for $40 that had only been posted for an hour; I texted, waited 10 minutes, no response. Then I emailed. No response. So I called, no answer, left a VM. The seller finally responds an hour later & it’s already sold! Ugh! I had anxiety for an hour waiting for the response, I was so pissed I didn’t get it! At least your story has a happy ending. My hunt continues…
Congrats on being top 5! So awesome! 🙂 Love the chair, good find, great eye. I totally make my husband call for me if the seller doesn’t answer me back in 15 minutes. LOL!
O. M. G. !! I LOVE that chair!!! I am working on redoing a vintage 50’s chair using real elk hides! I’m obsessed with leather and my chair might end up in the #colddeadfingers category!!
Amber @ http://www.AverieLane.com
My friend has several chairs like this (can’t confirm if they are originals), all of which she hates but her husband ‘found’ one day back in his early years when he was living on his own. I have been trying to convince her to get them into my home for years. It’s not working. I love that chair.
Eeeek, you featured my copper bowl! I’m hyperventilating a little right now. Congrats on the nomination, Mandi–voting for you right now!
-Marlene
Voting……you ARE my favorite blog person of all time….just saying. I LOVE your chair!! I got kinda lucky in the Mid-century department as well…..an abandoned piece of furniture at our upholstery shop – it’s a Knoll Bertoia bird chair, that yes ma’am, sells for $3,000 normally and I got it all for the price of a certified letter?? (had to send a letter to client to make sure they were “officially” abandoning). The frame is in perfect shape, cover is forest green a la’ 80s, but that can be fixed – it is the coolest thing I have ever owned!
I have been scouring Craigslist for MONTHS for a leather wingback chair. Ugh, any search tips?!
Oh my gosh it’s so gorgeous. Seriously. If I could wear it out I would. I love finding goodies when people don’t know what they have.
Hi Mandi just got a chance to look through my hgtv magazine and notice you were featured I was so happy for you
congrats you truly deserved it.
THAT is a beautiful freakin’ chair, what a great find Mandi!
Oh my god, dont tell john and sherry, but i was on the blogger award voting thing to vote for them for bhg and i peaked at your blog for a second and im smitten! I love me some young house love, but, girl, you had me at your about page! I cant wait to explore. Tell my husband and kids ill be back in a few days.
I seriously almost passed out when I saw you had featured my rug!!! #4 in the top best things to happen to me, right under getting married and having my 2 kids. 😉 and then I almost passed out with embarrassment over my living room being on your blog! We are moving in 3 months and it is a HOT mess! Anyway, you totally made my year! Love your blog!
That. CHAIR. I have been asking my husband to make me one for ages because I quite literally love everything about it. Just imagining your suspense when you wondered if you would get it before anyone else snatched it up gave me sympathy goosebumps on my elbows. Is that weird? Nevermind, don’t answer that.
You mind sharing where your favorite places to thrift are in utah? Specifically SL? Thanks! Love the chair!
Talk about an amazing find!!! I definitely want to go thrifting right this very minute!
I’m also in that kind of funk- of trying to finish my bedroom makeover, but having a hard time of doing it. Hopefully I get the same luck as you to help me finish!!
!!! the hutch!!!!! also, my husband and i can be seen in the glass… we’re famous now. WORD.
Love the chair! And congrats on the nomination! I’ve been giving you a “good game” tap when I can! 😉
Get the heck out! That chair and deal is amazing
Wow. Love the chair! What a fantastic find that is!
Hi. I always read your blog, but never commented before, but today, today Im in love with that char. Its’ gold! Just for that, you got my vote and, like you promise, Im eating zero-calories free-guilty cookies. 😉
What an awesome Craigslist find..!!! I haven’t been on our local Craigslist/Bookoo page in months, so you’ve totally inspired me to check it out..like now. You’re an awesome inspiration in the design world sister 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous!
I have this chair too – also scored for $75 at a junk shop in Chicago. Go, us!
I also have this chair. As the story goes, my grandmother was refurnishing the house in the late 70s, probably with typically horrendous 70s style furniture. She and my grandfather had a chaotic marriage–I think they made a sport out of antagonizing one another. Grandpa had no input on the purchases, he was only along to write the check, until they came across this chair. Gram absolutely hated it, so naturally Grandpa had to have it. The one thing he picked out. They separated for good a few years later and now this beautiful mid-century monument to marital spite sits proudly in my living room.
I didn’t know what style or designer it was until I came across your post, so thank you!