Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Garage sale - before/after projects

This weekend we saw that a neighbor was having a garage sale, so we stopped by to see if they had anything I couldn't live without. I found a couple of things...both are things that I'd been searching high and low for, but never wanted to pay full price. Patience paid off.

First I found this set of nesting wrought iron outdoor side tables. Aren't they cute? They match my patio furniture PERFECTLY. And at $10, I couldn't leave them behind. However, they were the wrong color and the paint was a bit rusted.



After a little bit of black spray paint, they now are the perfect partner to my patio furniture! (the morning light is not great for these pictures, but you'll get an idea of how they look)



I've also been on the hunt for a pair of chunky funky candlesticks. This is something that can be very pricey, and because I'm frugal, I haven't wanted to pay full price. Besides, I change my mind on decor so often, it doesn't make sense for me to pay full price for anything. And because I worked in advertising for so many years for a major retailer, I saw the enormous amount of mark-ups that were given, I just can't bring myself to pay for anything at full price EVER. ;)

So that same garage sale had this pair of chunky funky candlesticks that I've been dreaming of. They were a really tacky gold/brass/patina color. I love a nice patina as much as the next girl, but I am not much into the gold/brass look. At $4, these were a steal. It would have been a sin to leave them behind!



I couldn't decide if I wanted to paint them black or brushed nickel, but since I had the black paint already out for the tables, I just went ahead and painted them black. I also bought two pillar candles for 50% off at Hobby Lobby. Then I added these really funky beaded garlands. I've been saving these for a long time, just waiting for the right project.







Unfortunately, the pictures aren't great. The lighting in my house is terrible for picture taking. I wish I could get a good picture of these, because they turned out really cute.

I found the garlands in Salado, TX at one of the many cute shops. They were only $6.50 a strand. I bought one green, one "topaz" and one pearl. I decided to save the pearl for another project. Those shops in Salado have these in every color imaginable, and they use them in such cool ways. They string them on anything you can think of. The best way I saw was on a chandelier. I wish I'd gotten a picture of it to show you all. Here in my town, I did see a couple of strands of these garlands at a boutique on the square, but they only had one or two color choices, and they were $14 each! Insane!

I'm pretty pleased. I wish the photos would do them justice. But then I never claimed to be a photographer. ;)

15 comments:

Joanna said...

Oh how cute! Love that you went black...I would have done the same...I love the decorative beads that you have around your candles.

Lauren said...

I love those nesting tables & the garland looks great around those new candlesticks. What great finds

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Those were great finds! I love those nesting tables.

And how great that you are growing all those veggies! I'm seriously impressed, I know it's a lot of work.

Ally's Corner said...

Your pictures show just fine. I so love your candles and love how you put funky beaded garland on them, cute idea.

Ally

Leslie said...

You just can't go wrong with black!

Gwen said...

They have those garlands at the candle shop downtown. I like them, but haven't bought any yet.

Great job on the makeovers!

Shannon said...

They turned out great! I love those tables too. Perfect for a back patio!

Lucky in Love said...

Will you please come garage saling with me when I buy a house? You always do that greatest things with your find!

Pleasant Living said...

Both finds are cute, but I especially love the candlestick/garland combo! Very stylish!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Looks wonderful!!!
sandy toe

Tiffany @ Mine Are Spectacular! said...

I'm not sure how I stumbled across your blog, but I am so glad I did!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the projects that you have done!!

You have inspired to keep searching garage sales for my next project!!

Christie said...

Great finds! Those nesting tables are really awesome, and the candlesticks look great... even in the "terrible" house light. Trust me, I have the same problem, except all my stuff looks orange- I'm sure it's a camera setting or something, I just haven't figured it out yet.

Unknown said...

I love the candlesticks and the beaded garlands!
...but I'm still waiting for some new art. You teased me with all that really cool work...;)
xo
Chrissie

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

You are fabulously creative!

Missy Wertz said...

Beautiful job and good finds!