Hey there, thanks for stopping by my 31 day series of decorating on a shoestring budget. Today we're going to talk about something that can save you money that you may not have considered. Buying busted stuff.
Day 20: Busted Stuff
If you're creative an slightly handy you can get some crazy good deals on new items that are broken. You fix them up or repurpose them and you've usually got a new and cheap addition to your home.
I'm going to share with you the best deal I've ever gotten on something broken.... you're going to love this...
First, I'll tell you that I really love the look of mirrored furniture. Not a whole room full, but just one nice piece can add a pretty touch of sparkly elegance to your space. There's just one problem with it, (besides being completely breakable, especially with small children around... not to mention the little fingerprints and smudges that will constantly need to be wiped off of it) it's CRAZY EXPENSIVE!
I had given up on getting any mirrored furniture because I don't really need any furniture... and did I mention it's crazy expensive.
I had come to terms with the fact that I was just going to have to look at pretty pictures of mirrored furniture until the trend passed along with my longing for one.
Flashback to a few months ago.
While having a very unsuccessful trip at Tuesday Mornings trying to shop for a client, I stumbled upon a little mirrored sidetable in the back corner. I could tell it was a beauty and that it also had a clearance sticker on top.
The sticker said "Retails for $399, Tuesday Mornings price $149, Clearance Price $30".
Wait... WHAT?!
$30!!!!!! For real?????????????
What's the catch?
Just a little broken mirror.... actually 2, a skinny side piece and one of the drawers.
Yikes! |
Ugh. |
I literally stood there for 5 minutes looking at this thing thinking "how can I make this work... it is insanely cheap and awesome!" besides the busted pieces of course.
Look how pretty it is, even with the broken pieces (and missing knobs)...
Being in the garage is not doing it any favors reflecting all that dirty concrete floor. |
Here's a side view...
Believe me, this table has good bones. |
I knew there were some glass/mirror replacement companies in town so I thought, what the heck, how much could it be to replace some little mirrors... even if I put $50 into it it's still a steal of a price.
So, I bought it.
I got it home and Mr. Chic thought I had lost my mind. The conversation went something like this...
Me: "Why yes honey, I did buy a broken mirrored, mirror covered side table.
No, I did not forget we have small children.
No babe, I don't think it looks like it's from that gaudy drug-dealing Al Pacino house in that old movie Scarface.
Just trust me on this one, K babe."
Flash forward to now, it's sitting in my dining room...
Oops... it's still busted.
It isn't done because it's on my to-do list with 18,000 other things and it's close to the bottom. Wah-waah.
I found out that it will only cost about $15 to replace the 2 broken mirror panels.
I need to just do it, huh.
Don't let my slackish-ness keep you from passing up a great deal on busted stuff!
Catch up on my 31 day series:
- Day 1: Take a risk
- Day 2: Do it yourself (DIY)
- Day 3 Where to get cheap paint
- Day 4: Use coupons
- Day 5: Print your own art
- Day 6: Painting brand new stuff
- Day 7: Slipcovers
- Day 8: Window Treatments
- Day 9: The Dollar Store
- Day 10: Nature
- Day 11: Ebay
- Day 12: Have a Garage Sale
- Day 13: Trade Services
- Day 14: Craigslist
- Day 15: Changing Cabinet Hardware
- Day 16: The best time to buy
- Day 17: Fake it
- Day 18: Clearance
- Day 19: Antique & Flea Markets
I'm loving you 31 days series, and I LOVE this table! Just popping by from the UK to say hi!
ReplyDeleteReally a great list and with that list we can make our home beautiful in just 31 days. when will i follow your list i will surly wait for 16th day because i love shopping.
ReplyDeletepowder coating machines
I love that! I have never thought about buying a cracked mirror piece.....do you think they could cut another mirror for the drawer? Hmmmmm.....you have me thinking now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for inspiring me today!
karianne
HA! I don't feel so bad. I bought a Bombay chest at Kirklands - the draws are not the greatest since they stick at certain times of the year. It sits in my living room, unfixed. I have had it a few years now - the puppy chewed part of the leg on the hubby's watch, puppy is 6 years old now. I paid $40 for a $300 chest - in my eyes I so scored a great deal, hubs not so much. :) Hobby Lobby I scored a broken dresser/cabinet - again draw issues. LOL But, this one is fixed It has 10 draws 12 x 12 inside, looks file cabinetish. It's in black and is antiqued. I bought this for $20 - normal price is like $200 to $250. At some point I will tackle the Bombay chest.
ReplyDelete