No, I’m not Irish, but I do have a redheaded son, so maybe he was my lucky charm yesterday? More on that in a minute.
I’ve been holding out on you all, but I’m finally allowed to divulge some of the things I’ve been working on behind the scenes. Micah and I spent the weekend covered in dust and thin set, as we started work on our master bathroom makeover.
Every Monday our projects will be posted on East Coast Creative’s site and people will vote for their favorites. The stickler is, it’s all anonymous, so I won’t be able to tell you which one is mine! The first round will be posted next Monday, the 24th and voting will run through Tuesday evening. I’m so excited for this opportunity and chance to further my DIY skills.
Can anyone recommend a great upholsterer in the Kansas City area?
Beth of designPOST Interiors says
I was so excited to see your name on the line up for CWTS! Congrats!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Beth!
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
Glad you didn't get in a fist fight over the chairs! So much potential, great score! Can't wait to cheer you on in CWTS!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha, I'm not so good with confrontation, but I would have perhaps given blood for those things at that price!
Meagan Claire says
A thrifting face-off JUST happened to me at Canton First Monday last month. I'm still reeling! My pregnant cousin and pregnant self were shopping for nursery furniture, and Imhappened upon a vintage Thomasville credenza/dresser. I talked to the vendor about it and then called my husband. As I was opening the drawers of the dresser, taking measurements, and on the phone with my husband, this woman came shrieking out of nowhere declaring her undying love for the piece. I was still standing there. She was with her husband and mother-in-law and one of the, verbally noted thatI was looking at it. They backed off, and I assumed they went away. When I went to the vendor to pay, much to my surprise, she said, "Oh, I think this gentleman just bought it." I looked right at him and asked, "Did you just buy that dresser out from under me?" Without any remorse, he replied, "Yes." … Thanks for letting me share my story. I was incensed! I opted not to throw a fit, but I do wonder if I could have made him back off. Two pregnant ladies for goodness sakes!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh my goodness, that's terrible! I'm so sorry that happened to you! You totally should have gotten it in that case. But I hope this only means something much better will come along for you!
Catherine Hansen Peart says
I have never had that happen. But generally, I have always assumed the general rule of if that person doesn't have them in hand, then it is kind of a case of too bad. My daughter once left her favourite sweater sitting on a chair in the furniture section (she sat there while she was looking at some books) and we left without it. I rang back up when we got home and they had already tagged it and hung it up on a rack. They were kind enough to find it and keep it for me to pick it up though.
themakerista@gmail.com says
That's very lucky that they still had it! I do think that's a good rule too. They actually told me I could finish looking around the store and they would take them to the front for me, but I didn't want to take any chances!
Catherine Hansen Peart says
Oh, I forgot to say congratulations for CWTS!! I adore Michael (and his blog ). π I bet you do really well!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
And thanks for this, Catherine!
House Envy says
great chairs and congratulations on the contest! sounds exciting and fun!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much!
Emmie {Blue 11 Interiors} says
Great find! I went to my red racks yesterday too! They didn't have any good furniture but I did buy a bunch of little things for almost nothing
themakerista@gmail.com says
I usually don't find furniture either, but lots of little treasures. π
tomsgirl1129 says
Congrats, Gwen! I am so excited for you! ~Wendy
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Wendy!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
That's too funny, but if you snooze you loose! If she was even sorta interested, she shouldn't have turned away from them. π So excited to see your first project on CWTS, and your progress on your bathroom. And, how did I not realize you were in Kansas City? We're here right now for Spring Break! It's been lots of fun and we plan to spend a few hours around the Plaza tomorrow before we leave, and I wanted to try to stop in a few thrift stores too. That's where I like to shop for souvenirs!
themakerista@gmail.com says
What?!? Wish I would have known! Would have loved to meet up! I totally agree with getting "souvenirs" elsewhere :), hope you find a few goodies to take home!
Autumn Beach says
Gwen! This is all so exciting. Congratulations on this contest! Sounds like FUN. I will definitely be checking that out. AND…I'm excited to know you're working on your master bath! We are in the process of finishing up the kids' bath then on to ours. Cannot WAIT to see all of your fabulous choices. π As for show-downs at the thrift store, I can say that has never happened to me. But I'm also not a seasoned thrifter like yourself. It cracks me UP that it happened to you. Mainly because you're so sweet. So glad there was a peaceful resolution. Especially with kids in tow. Ha!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I don't know that I'm seasoned at this point, but I enjoy it, and that's nice of you to say. I don't know how sweet I was at the moment though. I felt kind of bad, but there was no way I was giving those up when she was no where to be seen a few seconds earlier! π
Sara Lorton says
Oh my gosh, I totally had this happen to me…except, I was scoping out the piece and this older woman came back and started talking to me and literally took it right in front of me, like she had already claimed it! She seriously conversed her way into taking it right from under me..or maybe I'm just a complete push over, but I was a little too stunned to say anything, I didn't know what to do! lol So glad you picked these up and ran!..next time I'm sure to do the same!
themakerista@gmail.com says
That was clearly not her first rodeo then. π Lesson learned, I'm sure!
Nothy Lane says
Oh great find. I love your blog. You have such amazing style.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for your kind words!
Julia Konya says
Congrats again and I'm totally loving the chairs. Go bold with them π
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
Those chairs!! I want to see those babies covered in leopard!! love them! So honored to be in CWTS with you! You are going to be amazing!!! xo K
pam {simple details} says
Congrats, Gwen!! So exciting, can't wait to follow along with CWTS! Those chairs were a crazy good find, I vote leopard, I've had a leopard print chair for years and never tire of it!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Pam! Yes, it is a classic!
Haley says
Congratulations on CWTS! One of the thrift stores I go to always has tags on the furniture so you just take that off to bring to the front. That is pretty much the only way you can 'claim' a piece. I can't wait to see all of the exciting things you have coming up.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Haley! Yes, I know that's the common rule, but I don't like to take any chances!
Dasha says
Gwen, here is a link to an upholstery business in the Kansas City area – http://www.fortekc.com/. I have not used this company personally, but I have some friends in common with the owners, and I think they do an amazing job. Hope this helps!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Dasha, thanks so much for this! I really appreciate the recommendation and thanks for reading!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
Congrats on CWTS, that's awesome and I know you will knock it out of the park! As for those killer chairs, I think that deep blue will look amazing!!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for your support, lady!
Joy says
I'm new to your blog (found you on Vintage Revivals) and I'm already smitten! I giggle at your story. I've only had that happen once. I was in a store we used to have in my hometown that got leftovers from places like Target, Pier One, etc. I had been looking for a farm table and had decided I'd probably have to have one made and DIY it into the look I wanted. I ran into one, the ONLY one in the store as another lady was looking at it. She walked away and I LAYED ON THE TABLE while I sent my 8-year-old to find the manager so I could claim it! I didn't win "Mother of the Year" that year….but I got the table! π
Bethany DeVore says
Those chairs are amazing! Leopard would be so pretty!
Nancy says
Accent Upholstery Design in Waldo! I can send you a great before and after pic of a $15 chair I got off Craigslist and paid like $50 to have recovered there a couple of months ago.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Perfect, thanks for the recommendation and for reading!
lemondropdreams says
I always use and recommend Martinez Upholstery…they do great work
Sarah {Lacquer and Linen} says
Yay! Congrats on getting chosen for CWTS! I can't wait to see what you come up with, I know it will be amazing!! Also those chairs are pretty much the score of the century.