Curved Bookcase

Last fall, my company was rearranging some of the store fixtures in the bookstore and we had some leftover shelving. It was just sitting around and there was one bookcase that was different than all the others. It had a curved top and it gave a really nice look to the piece. After it sat around for a couple of months, I asked my boss if she was interested in selling it. She told me to just take it for free. See what happens when you just ask!

Anyways, I had it delivered and here is what it looked like:



Actually, those doors that are sitting on the lower shelf were attached to the front of the bottom shelf. They had locks which didn't come with a key. Since one door was broken, Boyfriend squeezed himself inside and removed the other two doors from the inside. Thank goodness for skinny Boyfriend - although I probably would have figured something out.

I don't have pictures of the whole process, but I removed all of the extra boards around the doors and the hardware. Filled all the holes and sanded the entire unit. Although the wood on this cabinet was very nice, it was a little too traditional for my taste. I decided to go with a nice Coffee Brown paint to finish the shelves. I think it turned out quite nicely. It only took 3 coats of paint and a couple of nights after work to get this taken care of.



Total time spent - 4-5 hours
Total expense - less than $10 (would be more if you don't keep basic supplies and tools on hand)

Inspiration - Old Maps

Earlier this week I was walking around my work on break. I must have found 7 or 8 new things I wanted to buy. Everyone must have been restocking, because I walk around every few days not to miss anything. I restrained myself. However, I did come across some really cool maps.



I recalled a photo I saw in a magazine a few months ago where someone had used old maps as decoration on a wall and ceiling applying them with wallpaper paste. Magazine and decorating books are a great source of information. I have a little notebook where I clip photos of elements I like and keep them all together to refer to. However, after my recent foray into wallpaper removal, I wasn't anxious to do that again - so I opted against pasting the maps directly to the walls. I decided not to buy the maps since I didn't have any better ideas.

Later that night I mentioned to Boyfriend that I saw some cool old maps, but didn't know what to use them for. Suddenly while brushing my teeth, I had a fantastic idea for a large scale piece of artwork involving the maps.

The next day I returned to work and picked out several cool maps from around the world. I also went by the craft store to get a large canvas (with a 40% coupon courtesy of my friend, Paige).

Stay tuned to see how it comes out...

My latest find: Mid-Century Edward Wormley Dunbar Sofa

In April, my boyfriend and I started talking about moving in together. I had been looking in the new furniture stores for a sofa suitable for my boyfriend's house. I was cheating on my work at another local Antique Shop, when I stumbled upon a hideous lime green sofa that was barely visible under a pile of stuff.


This photo was taken on my phone, which is great to do when your out shopping

I moved things off of the sofa and climbed over some other furniture to sit down. It was surprisingly comfortable. The upholstery was hideous and a little frayed on the corners. The sofa had a great slightly curved shape and was really low.

I checked the price tag and couldn't believe my eyes - $250. A great price! I left the store to think it over. I went to get some lunch because antique shopping makes me faint and I stopped in the nearest fabric store. They happened to be having a 50% sale on all the upholstery fabrics. I found one in a sale bin for $5 per yard, which I loved. I decided to go back and buy the sofa. And then I took a separate trip to the fabric store and got the sale fabric.

A few days later the sofa was delivered to my house. I turned it over and checked under all of the cushions for marking and to see the condition. I found a couple of interesting things:

1. the price tag for the person who bought it before me - $50. An even better price than I paid!
2. the signature Dunbar fabric used under the cushions and a label.

I set to researching the couch online. Turns out this sofa was made sometime during the 1950s and was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company. It is truly a great specimen of Mid-Century Modern furniture and in great condition. The sofa turns out to be worth a great deal of money as well, so I was extremely happy with my good luck.

Unfortunately after I measured the sofa, I didn't have enough fabric and since I bought the entire remaining roll of the sale fabric, there was no more available. The fabric store was nice enough to let me return it since it was still whole. I ended up visiting another upholstery fabric store on the suggestion of a coworker and I found so many fabrics to choose from. The selection they had was overwhelming. I finally found another fabric I loved. It wasn't as good as the original price, but it was a good price for upholstery fabric at $12.99 per yard.

Now I am all ready to go with the re-upholstering project, but since I am planning to move in 6 weeks, I am going to wait to begin after the move is complete. So, I'm afraid you'll have to check back in a couple months to see how it turns out.