Monday, September 12, 2011

Prairie Dove Salvage 101

Well, you're all going to think I'm making it up again, but....




...last night while cruising the town for some prairie dove love we stumbled upon what I would call a mother-load.  An antique 1920's John M. Smith serpentine front cherry vanity dresser with matching mirror. 

I KNOW!!!

You want to know how in the world!! 

Ok, I will share some secrets. 

Last time I shared secrets I told you all that we find incredible pieces at storage units.  People just empty them out and put the goods at the curb.

Here's another that never fails to let us down:

townhomes.

Townhomes are hot spots, as my husband describes them.  There are several variables that factor into this equation.

1)  The high density of people in such a small area guarantees more trash at the curb.

2)  Mostly filled with young couples, they have a surplus of hand-me-down furniture.  When they can finally afford to purchase "nice" furniture, the handed down items get tossed roadside.

3) These compact homes rarely have basements and most have just a one-car garage making storage of any kind rare and valuable.  They have no room for unusable items.





Well, their trash is my treasure.  Just check out the hammered hardware on this sister.  The carvings on the legs are extravagant.






I have already bought her make-over materials.  "Grace" will be finished with a national historic preservation honored teal green.  Her cherry brown will compliment the blue-green colors.

I am so excited!  And I just can't hide it!






By the way, some of you may recognize Clyde in the background there.  Yep, he's still hanging around.  I had a buyer for him lined up and she was making plans to come and pick him up with a vehicle.  She contacted me two separate times to confirm.   In the meantime, I turned away two other people who were interested in him and ready to buy because I had promised this one lady my Clyde.  Well, guess what, she never came to my house.  She did not return my calls either.  I hope he sells soon.  He's such a dapper tan color that anyone who sees him would immediately recognize his charm.  I have renewed his online add, so maybe he will get a call soon!


Happy decorating!


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10 comments:

Mona Kay Gorman said...

Yay, I can't wait to see the "after"!!

Emily@LovelyBeasts said...

What? WHAT? I don't believe you. But I'm so glad someone like you saved it :). Are you going to keep it? It's amazing...I'm in awe.

Julia @ 551Eastdesign said...

I'm seriously amazed that you found this! Lucky you! And I hate when you have a buyer lined up and it falls through. Super frustrating. I usually take the info of anyone who's interested even if I have a buyer and let them know I'll contact them if the sale falls through. It's helped several times. :)

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Wow Andrea! You did find the mother-load of prairie doves! I can't wait to see what she looks like when you're done.
Barb

Unknown said...

Great find love it!

foreverdecorating said...

I used to live in Tulsa and if I still lived there, I would be combing the curbs. Now I live in a small town and this kind of thing is rare. You have a very beautiful piece that I know you will make even more beautiful. Love how you name these pieces too.

outjunking said...

This looks like a wonderful piece to work with. The detail on the feet are fab. I just became your new follower. Because I love road side finds.
Lisa

Pam Kessler said...

I would have peed my pants if I found Grace on the curb! I'm not thrilled with the mirror on it, but her legs more than make up for that! Thanks for the tip on townhouses. Good to know.

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Can't wait to see the end result.

Brilliant find

Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic said...

Aha! Thats how you got her. Good thinking! I always check out rental neighborhoods and starter homes for great finds. You're right they just don't appreciate the antique stuff cause it was hand me downs to them.
btw, did you know you have that word verification thing on in your comment settings? (Just pointing it out in case you didn't know it was there.)

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