Hello, Sunshines! After completing my last haul that had over 40 items and took me almost six months to complete, I am thrilled to be back today with my new, much smaller haul!
Rather than shopping for a new haul, there are still several items that have been hanging around my garage in need of a redo. So, my plan was to go through what is still in my garage and pull together a “Get the Crap out of my Garage” haul ha ha! But much of it was just that…crap!
Yard Sale!
While I was still contemplating that, I knew our neighborhood yard sale was coming up this past weekend. I set a reminder and everything and I got up bright and early Saturday morning to have a much-earned, guilt-free yard saling trip!
After two weekends of rainy weather, the skies cleared and it was the absolute perfect yard sale day, so every neighborhood in my area it seemed was having a sale! I limited myself to three.
New plan
I quickly ditched the idea of a garage crap haul and instead, I am calling this new one my Trash-to-Treasure Yard Sale Haul!
This is everything I found on Saturday that I’m redoing:
I meant to photograph a HUGE clock also that’s not pictured since it won’t be getting a redo, but I forgot.
Every piece here needs some love though, except for one, so the name is very fitting!
My neighborhood Sale
I’ll share each in the order I found them, starting with my own neighborhood.
My first find was this small table that I paid $5 for:
It’s okay…had I found it towards the end, I might have passed on it, but for $5, I really couldn’t go wrong. It might be fun in a pretty color.
It needs to be sanded though since it doesn’t appear that the paint is adhering very well:
I broke my no painted pieces rule on this one!
Next up was this chalkboard tray that I just loved the chunky frame on:
That was also $5. The same sale had a giant lazy suzan as well that I bought also for $5, but I like to use those to hold pieces as I paint, so I’m sure you’ll get to see that eventually!
At the next sale, I found three items. I picked up this bench for $15:
The trashy part of this one is obvious, but the rest is pristine. I would have replaced the fabric anyway, so that’s no biggie for me!
The second item I found at that sale was this little suitcase for $5:
I just love these little vinyl cases, but I didn’t realize until I got it home that it was dented where one of the latches was:
I’ll have to see if I can fix that.
I redid two almost identical HERE and HERE.
I also found a brand new shade for $3 that you’ll see eventually on something.
The last thing I found in my neighborhood was this vintage bookcase that once again, had already been painted:
I was drawn to the cute shape of this one immediately and I thought it was a good deal for $20.
Except, I’ll have to fix this:
And the paint is cracking off at the back of each shelf, so this will likely need to be stripped as well. It had been stored in their hot attic for a several years.
It will be fun to redo though!
I unloaded what I had found since my car was filling up quickly and decided to head out and see who else was having sales!
Neighborhood #2
I ended up going to two more neighborhoods and at the first one I found the huge clock I mentioned, and then across the street, I found this table for $10:
This one has a split right in the middle of the top that is going to need fixing:
Hopefully, a good sanding and some filler will take care of that.
That was all I found in that area as most people there were selling clothes and children’s items, so onto the next neighborhood!
Neighborhood #3
On my first stop there, I found this cutie pie chair for $4:
This is the only piece in this haul that is in perfect condition! Funny though, the lady said to me as I was leaving, “That is going to be so cute!”. Did she know I was going to redo it? I never said I was. Weird ha ha!
The thing about neighborhood sales is many people just throw a few things out in their driveways. Often, items aren’t even priced. Although there are lots of places to stop, it’s not the same as when people decide to have a yard sale because they NEED to have a sale. Those are the yard sales I want to find, and find one, I did!
I came across this one just before noon when they were getting ready to close up shop.
The girl told me to make her an offer because the DAV truck was picking up what was left.
I went straight to this beauty:
I asked how much and she said…wait for it…$5 dollars!! Gulp. For real?????
Yes she did! She said she found it on the side of the road with the drawers scattered everywhere, and it had been sitting in her garage ever since. She had planned to redo it but never did, and so she has passed that torch to me, and I gladly accepted!
This thing needs help though, y’all.
The drawers don’t slide in and out very smoothly, and none of the drawer bottoms are attached properly.
I don’t know if the mirror is clear enough to salvage…
The frame of it may become something else entirely. And the smell…ooh it is a stinky one! But, I’m ready!!
She also had this desk. Also $5:
This one looks pretty good, right?
Nope.
It’s gross.
And beat to heck.
There are few things I love more than a good trash-to-treasure makeover though, so I’m excited to love these pieces back to life!!
And that crap in my garage?
Sometimes you just have to let things go, and that is what I did…to make room for new crap.
I’ll be starting with this bench on Tuesday with my Trashy Treasures crew:
I can’t wait!
UPDATE: See how sophisticated this bench turned out HERE now!
Would you have bought any of these pieces??
Let me know in the comments!
And if you plan to have a yard sale of your own, these tips will guarantee success!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Mary Kaiser says
Wow you found so nice pieces, cheap too!! I can beleive you got the dresser and the desk for $5.00!! I know that these pieces have fallen into the right hands, they will be beautiful again! I love the little childs chair, and the lady probably follows your blog and knows that every thing you do is beautiful!
Christy says
I did…I got so lucky!! Thank you, my friend! I hope to do them justice! And funny… I never even thought of that lol! XOXO
Jackie C says
Wow, talk about bargains! Great haul. I love the chest of drawers, can’t wait to see what you do with it. The first redo looks like a piano bench. Would be cute sitting at the end of a bed (not a king size). Speaking of, I’m curious as to how your bedroom furniture held up after being painted?
Christy says
Right? Such great deals! I can’t wait to get to that gorgeous chest of drawers. My bedroom furniture looks just as good as the day I painted it! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, this is a pretty good haul for the summer! The first item – the chunky end table, I’m wondering if the top is the original top – the soft curves of the round top and chunky legs – dunno….but, I know you will work your magic! I’m with you on previously painted items, so I might have passed on the shelf but those curvy details; I know your creativity will turn every one of these treasures into beauties…
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! The lady selling the chunky table that she had a pair of them and apparently, they are oak underneath. I guess they started that way? I’m not in love with that one, but I’m curious to see how cute I can make it lol. And yes, I almost always pass on previously painted things… Unless they’re super cheap ha ha! XOXO.
Janice Holt says
I love the two pieces you found at the last sale and man what a good price. If this person sees them after you redo them, they will be amazed. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
I wasn’t passing up those deals for sure! Enjoy your weekend too!! XOXO
Susan Chermonte says
Great finds, Christy! I love the pieces you got and I would have bought them too!
Susan
Christy says
Thanks, Susan! This should be a fun haul to work through! XOXO
Celia says
Would I have bought any of these? You betcha! and I have! Recently I bought almost an identical table/console like yours for 7 dollars in great shape. But it feels a little wobbly, I’ve tightened everything up but it’s just not a strong piece. Any ideas? Can’t wait to see your remake on it, I’m planning on painting it in coffee bean and decoupaging the top with a dark French design with monarch butterflies.
Christy says
Can you add a metal “L” bracket where they join anywhere to sturdy it up? That was great deal and I love your plans for it! XOXO
Donna Christensen says
What do you do when the piece smells musty?
Christy says
Hi Donna! I usually paint the exterior which takes care of the outside, but on the inside. I apply a coat of clear Bonding BOSS. I cover the entire inside cavity, and it totally takes care of any odors! You can find that here: https://theserialdiyer.etsy.com/listing/1664926567 XOXO
Sherry says
The chest of drawers and mirror is gorgeous! I would have grabbed that in a heartbeat! And for $5??? What a steal! That piece refinished (not painted) will be beautiful!
Christy says
Right? That was a steal of a deal for sure! XOXO
Sue McCombs says
Great shopping. I would buy all but the luggage. I might already have a few pieces. I love the tables and bench best. I have a table like the half one, and two benches to recover.
Anxious to see Tuesday’s treasure makeover.
Christy says
Thanks, Sue! I was bummed that the luggage ended up being dented. I was just so excited because I really enjoy making this style over. Overall looking forward to this group, though! Hopefully my bench makeover will give you inspiration for yours! XOXO
Cyndi says
I think these are great! Yes, I would have bought them too, and I would have been even happier than you because I live in my ignorant little world (as far as refurbishing items like these) and I often get things, then realize later…oh, dang…it’s damaged more than I realized. Ha Ha! But, really, I can’t wait to see how these come out! :)c
Christy says
Thanks, Cyndi! I too often get things home and then realize they need more help than I want to give lol. Oh well… Those are probably the pieces that need us the most! XOXO
Cecilia says
What great finds! I might have passed on the furniture unless I knew my husband could help fix them or I’d take the chance for $5. What a steal! I have a couple of old suitcases – I really need to give them a facelift! Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours.
Christy says
Thanks, Cecilia! I’m hoping the fixes for these pieces won’t be too bad. I sure do have a hard time passing up a good deal ha ha! I love these little suitcases… They are fun to reimagine! XOXO
Deborah Mealus says
Yes, I would have purchased them all! I live in Key Largo, Florida and yard sales are few and far between. The items are sometimes moldy due to the humidity and always stinky. lol Almost no one holds a yard sale from May through October because it is super uncomfortable. Can’t wait to see what you do with the bench!
Christy says
I never even thought about how the humidity would affect items down there. That’s a bummer! Looking forward to starting on the bench tomorrow! XOXO
Lizzy says
What a great haul! I like the small green bench the most. It has Louis XVI legs!
Christy says
Thanks, Lizzy! I too love love love the bench and that style! That’s why I picked it to redo first! XOXO
Carroll Xavier says
I love the vintage dresser, I can see why you nabbed it! I wouldn’t remove the mirror, though, I’d turn it into art 🙂 I’m sure you have a gorgeous transfer, or two 🙂 Looking forward to the transformations to this haul.
Christy says
That was such an amazing find! I love the idea to turn the mirror into art! Thanks, Carroll! XOXO
Robyn Wright says
At first I thought you meant you were going to sell the pieces in your garage to make room room for more! LOL!
Christy says
Ha ha! I doubt there would have been any takers for much of it! 😀
Michele M. says
Oh, Christy!!! I can’t WAIT to see what you do with these awesome pieces. You certainly have your work cut out for you, though. GREAT finds!
Christy says
Thanks, Michele! I am always so excited to have new goodies to work on and just to have new things to look at in my garage as well! XOXO
Cletia says
Those are my kind of yard sales! Great haul!
Christy says
Yes! Mine too!! I always wonder why they go through all that work to close everything down at noon though? I am still happy to keep shopping long after lol! XOXO
Karen says
That adorable little wooden chair would have come home with me! Can’t wait to see the “After!” I also think the wooden desk is a “steal deal!” You’ll work your magic and voila! Treasures!
Christy says
That chair was a great find and in such nice condition too! I appreciate your confidence in me ha ha. The desk will need work, but those tend to be my favorites since you can really only go up from there! XOXO
Robin says
My first (& only) piece of furniture (so far) is a brown wood sewing bench that lifts open for storage . It has brown velvet fabric and metal studs along the seat perimeter exactly like your bench. I painted & waxed the wood but left everything else alone since it went with my dressing room decor. Now we are moving & the entire piece will need an overhaul. I will use Drop Cloth colored paint but am extremely uneasy about taking out the nail studs & fabric. I almost want to paint the velvet and studs all one color rather than removing everything. I have recovered chair seats before but it’s those darn nail studs & I don’t have (nor want to purchase) another tool to put them back in. What to do, Christy?
Christy says
I think you could totally get away with painting over the fabric and studs, but maybe my makeover tomorrow will give you some encouragement for yours! XOXO
Marianne says
Hi Christy. I have been following you since the beginning. Well, last week I got some chalk paint and other supplies and dug out an old tarnished silver tray, (wedding gift from the 70’s). Tried to find Dixie Belle paint but scarce here in Ontario, Canada and runs around $117 . I researched and found something comparable and the sealing agent of that line. I have read and watched so many of your amazing tutorials. Going to try it today. Yikes! So I am going to 1) wash it well, 2) apply chalk paint, 3) distress with sandpaper 4) seal it , then try a IOD transfer, then seal again.,
Do I have that all in the correct order? Thank you so very much for your amazing site. Learning something new at 66 years old from your wonderful inspiration,
Christy says
Aww I LOVE this so much, Marianne! If you are unable to locate a bonding primer made for non porous surfaces like metal (similar to Bonding BOSS), be sure to sand the surface really well first and then I would use a spray primer like Rustoleum before painting. Chalk paint has great adhesion properties, but for non porous surfaces, I like to do the extra prep. Good luck… I know it is going to be gorgeous! XOXO
Addie says
Nice haul. I wish you lived close I would dump some crap onto you!!!
I moved 7 & 1/2 years ago!!!….this stuff doesn’t fit AND will NEVER fit!!! It is more than time to get rid of it. In my defense, I have sold some pieces!!!
Actually, it is not crap and that is why it is so hard to get rid of.
Have fun!!!!….AD
Christy says
Hi Addie!! I would take it all ha ha! At least you sold some of it! XOXO
Janis E Brown says
I so enjoy your website and envious of all the great finds in your area. I know you must have an army of elves to help you accomplish your purchasing and project completions!!! But I’m sure NOT! I have done a few pieces in my home and need to get back at it. My big yard and other community obligations, along with 3 joint replacements have distracted me. I must get back at it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janis! I did get really lucky that weekend. I’m actually a one-woman show around here, but it sure would be nice to have some helpers! Joint replacements are no joke. Allow yourself some grace to get back into the swing of things…hopefully you’ll be able to get back to it this summer! XOXO
B says
Awesome finds, great prices too! The dresser mirror is beveled, so if you can’t clean it up, you can always get it re-silvered. It’d be a shame to replace an old mirror with new.
Christy says
Thank you, B! Absolutely! XOXO