How Cool Is This?!

So, yesterday I posted about Home Reserve furniture.  I got a couple of comments from people who had less than stellar experiences with the furniture itself.  I also received a comment from Blaine Wieland, the president of the company.

He said they have made improvements to the foam in the last couple of years, and offered me a chair so I can try it out myself!

I spoke with Sandy, the customer service rep, and I can choose any chair, in any fabric.  She is overnighting me a bunch of fabric samples that I chose.  At least until I get them and can see the fabrics firsthand, I am leaning toward the Tux chair in Sundance Latte, a small houndstooth.

I will be sure to keep you informed!

Home Reserve Furniture

Yesterday I rediscovered a company I first looked at a couple years ago…Home Reserve furniture.  There are several styles to choose from, and many fabrics.  It’s made in the USA, prices seem very low (sofas start at $299, chairs at $179), the pieces all have storage under the seats, and you can change the upholstery inexpensively.  I’m intrigued.
There are tons of glowing customer reviews on the website, but I found good reports in several other places too.  The website allows to you choose the style and view it in any fabric.
Tux chair in Kia Turquoise, $251

Brook Loveseat in Jacinta Black, $356

Standard Ottoman in Kirby Black, $129

Of course, there are lots of solid fabric as well.  Some are machine washable.  Price varies with the fabric.
Here are some actual customer photos that I took from the website.  (I hope I’m not breaking any rules here; I assume they are public domain.)




The furniture is shipped to you in boxes, and you assemble it yourself (reminds one of IKEA, no?).  Now obviously, this is not high-end stuff, but I think most of us are not really high-end people, ya know?  At least I’m not.
So, what do you think?  Do you own any Home Reserve furniture or know someone that does?  I’d be very interested in some reviews from people I “know”.

Thrift Store Tales

When my sisters were here and cleaned up for me, we sent a lot of stuff to Goodwill.  I had forgotten about it until I was in GW the other day and saw some of my stuff.  It’s always interesting to see the prices they put on your things.  I once saw my chair that I couldn’t sell at a garage sale for $10 priced at $60 at GW!

So, the other day I saw two pairs of boots that I had donated.  One was a pair of Kenneth Cole Reaction ankle boots with a wedge heel.  I paid $3.99 for them at the Salvation Army, and never wore them.  They were cute boots, but just didn’t look cute on me.  GW’s price:  $15.  (Incidentally, I don’t think they were leather; at the time I thought that I had heard that Kenneth Cole was pro-animal and didn’t use leather, but a quick look online proves that false.  Maybe mine were fakes?)

similar boots

The other pair of boots were knee-high brown pull-ons, again pleather.  They were okay, but not great.  I bought them a couple years ago at a different GW for probably $3, but possibly a little more.  This GW priced them at$12.
Today I went to one of my favorite thrift stores for their 50% off everything Labor Day sale.  I got a couple of things, nothing spectacular, but….
I tried on a pair of jeans (didn’t fit) and found money ($16) in the pocket.  When I checked out I told the girl because I wanted to be completely honest, and she said “bonus for you!”.  So after I paid under $3 for my purchases,  I actually made money on that trip!
Now we know:  check the pockets at the thrift store!

Happy September!

Though most of my life I have loved fall, the last few years it has filled me with some dread of the thought of winter right around the corner.  Of course, I’m jumping the gun a little bit here, since technically there’s still three weeks left of summer, but September has always meant “fall” to me…back to school, apples, colored leaves.  And for whatever reason, this year I’m looking forward to it once more.

“Don't you love…the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.”

Joe Fox, from You’ve Got Mail

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Bedroom Makeover: Nightstands

Fifteen years ago, we were given these nightstands.  Made by Thomasville, they are sturdy and serviceable, but the ’80s look wasn’t floating my boat, especially with the changes we’ve made to the rest of the room.

Originally, I was just going to paint them and change the hardware.  While that would have been an improvement, the clunky proportions would have remained.  Craigslist to the rescue!  One day I spotted a tall, slim nightstand with legs up to there for only $10!  I’m not for sure on the age of it, but to me it has kind of a 1940s vibe.  Forgot to take a true before pic.

I needed another one, and a few days later I found this one at a nearby antique store.  Similar look, similar era.  After paying so little for the first one, it irked me to pay $46 for this one, but I’m glad I did.

Several coats of primer, Heirloom White, and protective top coat later, here they are:

Craig’s has lots of pretty detail.

I like that mine has an open space for books, and only one drawer (enough to hold my chapstick, lotion, and ponytail holders, but not big enough to collect 15 years’ worth of stuff like the old one). 

 

There are other areas of the house that need makeovers too, but I’m so glad we decided to go ahead with the bedroom first!

I Want…

I need to preface this whole thing by saying I am not ungrateful.  I’m grateful for my home and I’m grateful for my wonderful husband who works hard and is content to have me stay at home.  Our home is pretty and comfortable, and I enjoy the challenge of making it that way on a budget.  Because being a one income family means, that while we lack for nothing, we have to watch our pennies.

All that said, every once in a while I get in a little funk, and I start “wanting”.  I want an IKEA Ektorp sectional, because the one I got for a good deal on craigslist 18 months ago is not holding up well.  Let’s just say chenille and pets do not mix.


I want a finished basement, because while our house is a decent size, it’s not huge, and we could use more living space.

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I want a deck, because we have a walkout basement and a very sloped backyard and right now no convenient way to get out there, so we never use it.

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I want Emeco navy chairs for my dining table because I think they’re cool.  I’d even be happy with knock-offs.

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Heck, if a McDonald’s in the middle of Podunk, Illinois can have (genuine!) navy chairs, why can’t I?  Saw these while we were on vacation and had to take a photo no matter what they thought of me.


I want hardwood floors instead of a houseful of builder-grade carpet and vinyl that aren’t aging well….and they’re only 2 years old!

  Not my kitchen!  This is the model home.

I want satin nickel hardware on all the doors, rather than the metallic yellow that passes for brass.


As a matter of fact, since we’re talking about doors, I finally got a house with white six-panel doors instead of flat hollow-core, and now the thing is two-panel doors.   And I want ’em too!

But I would paint the trim white!

Sigh.  The thing is, folks, “I want” can go on forever and never be satisfied.  So I try not to go down that road.  Sure, I see things I like.  Sometimes I try to copy them, sometimes I might have to save up, and sometimes I just have to be content that it will never be mine.

Just for fun, and not to promote discontent, is there anything that you particularly want?

The Lakeside Collection

Sounds kinda swanky, doesn’t it?  It’s not (swanky), but it is fun.  The Lakeside Collection is a catalog I get 4 or 5 times a year that’s filled with inexpensive stuff for you and your home.  A lot of it is pretty cheesy (toilet mug, anyone?), but there are some goodies in the mix.
On Monday I mentioned their document boxes; they also have CD boxes, magazine files, and photo boxes, all for $4.95 for a set of 5.  That’s a decent price; I realize they probably aren’t as sturdy as some, but for $1/ea they’ll do the job.
I’m seriously considering ordering these monogrammed coasters.  They look nice, and are only $5.95 for 4 coasters and a holder.                            

These melamine mixing bowls are cheerful, lightweight, and have a handle and a pouring spout.  While I love my vintage Pyrex bowls, I’m a weakling and have trouble holding one up with one hand while scraping with the other.  It can get messy.  I think these would fix that problem. 

Think of the adorable birthday cakes you could make with this mini tiered cake pan set!  It’s only $7.95 for 6 pans and a decorating kit.

I’m for sure going to get some of these vinyl siding clips (maybe the brick ones too).  Putting a hole in your siding is a big no-no, so I haven’t been able to hang anything on the front of the house.  I have seen these elsewhere for more money; LC is selling them for $6.95 for a set of 4.

Christmas will be here before you know it, and you may be able to find some gifts in the Lakeside catalog.  Last year, I made Snug-EEEs for my kids, but these ones are really cute, and only $6.95 each, which is not much more than I spent to make them.

In 2008, I made them sock monkeys.  I like that they’re handmade, but Lakeside’s monkey’s are adorable.  For those of you who don’t want to sew, $6.95 each is not a bad price, and a heck of a lot easier.

So, want your own catalog?  Order a free one.  And no, I’m not getting any compensation for this commercial!