When my son got his new house earlier this year, he managed to pull his familyroom together with things he already had. It looks fabulous and is really a comfortable room. However, this home has a formal living room, and that was another story. No furniture at all. . He didn't want to spend a lot of money, so I convinced him we could find some used things. He wasn't so sure, but said go for it. I think I did good. Since you all know that I stalk the Goodwill around her, I finally managed to find enough pieces from GW (Goodwill), roadside freeby and DT (DollarTree) to create a great looking room.
I am so proud, I think it turned out fabulous.
The first great find was the sofa. It is in excellent condition and was at GW for $59.99. I couldn't wait to find someone to write it up. Perfect.
The two antique clocks and painting belonged to my son from things he already had. I just shopped his house. The clocks are two of the ones he chose from my mom's collection. The painting my aunt did for him years ago.
Everything on the table came from the Dollar Tree. They were all in my stash, but if purchased would have been $7 so I added that to the cost.
The coffee table came from a yard sale for $5. I think it is a great piece and one I see in the magazines and designer rooms today. The lady said it had been her mother's, and not her style. It is a really heavy piece with stunning detail on the legs, so I know it was originally quite expensive. I definitely think it was a bargain. I have thought about painting the brass with Oil Rubbed Bronze, but I do see these tables all the time in magazines now, so I just left it alone.
This is the matching recliner that I found at GW that is like the one I kept. $19.99. Unbelievable price and it is La-Z-Boy. The round table base and lamp are ones he already had. The cloth was $2 from the garage sale.
The three shelf end table was found on the sidewalk and said "free". Perfect, we could use that. It needed a little stain to fix it good as new. The lamp is another garage sale find for $3. I placed a picture, clock and some books from his stash on the shelves.
I think he needs some drapes, so I am on the lookout for something. Also, he could use some better end tables and another chair, but for now, this works just fine.
It's amazing what you can do with a little thrifty shopping and patience. It took a couple of months to find all the pieces, but for under $100, I love it and best of all, he likes it too. He said, "Now when someone comes to the front door, there's not an empty room. It looks like someone lives here."
Total Cost Breakdown:
Sofa - -- -$59.99
Recliner - 19.99
Coffee Table 5.00
Accessories 7.00
3 Shelf Table - freeby roadside
Round table - free
Table cloth 2.00
White Lamp free
Brown lamp
3.00
Total - - - -$96.98
I had a ton of fun pulling this room together. Reminded me of when I was first married and trying to furnish a home with nothing. Sometimes I think this kind of room turns out the best.
So, have you found any bargains lately?
OH my goodness! That's quite a bargain! This way he has a room he can use and if he wants to change anything as time goes on there's no rush- in the meantime he's got a great look for next to nothing!
ReplyDeleteI was never this thrifty....but I've learned to see the value in doing so! I think the brass table is quite nice and great quality but somehow for a man I'm thinking the dark oil bronze would be ever nicer! You can't go wrong either way. I'm sure the curtains will help ground the room and make it feel even more finished!
wow Marty.. under a 100.00 amazing and it looks great too..
ReplyDeleteyou are good ~!!
Marty that is amazing. I am totally in love with the freebie side table too. That is a charmer. I would paint the table only if he isn't into the brass. But I heard it is making a comeback. But I do think the bronze would be pretty too. You did good. Very proud of your efforts. xxoo
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteThis living room looks amazing!!! What's not to like? That sofa is in such good shape...we had a sectional like it for years...then our son had it for years!!! Most comfortable and our son sold it for $300.00! The "free" stand is what truly caught my eye. Saw one very similar to it at an Antique Mall for $60.00!!! Love the lamp that sits atop that free shelf unit! Everything came together beautifully! Now...on to the drapes! Thanks for sharing this incredible room on a budget!
Fondly,
Pat
Marty, you did a fabulous job. It's amazing how you put that room together with so little money. It certainly looks like you spent a lot more than that. I know you son is very greatful.
ReplyDeleteLooks great - You did good !
ReplyDeleteHi Marty! What a great mother you are and what a great job you've done on your son's living room. It looks wonderful! Man, what good bargains you find at your GW! We don't have prices like that around here.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
This room is beautiful and it has "marty" written all over it! That is the highest compliment I can pay you, Marty! You are indeed the master thrifty shopper and along with your wonderful tastes, which I copy all the time, HA, he could not have gone wrong saying yes to you. You are such a wonderful Mom! Love you, Marty!
ReplyDeleteMarty, your decorating skills are amazing! And everything looks perfect for a manly living room. Great job!
ReplyDeleteJocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com
Amazing! Especially since that includes a couch and chair.
ReplyDeleteLife is what you make of it,the positive things that can be accomplished through sincere work and duty.Don't take life for granted but embrace it and take it one step at a time and enjoy every moment of it even when things seem haywire or at a distance,just continue doing what is right because in the end it has its great rewards.
ReplyDeleteJust awesome my dear friend..I so remember the fun I use to have decorating a home on the cheap..In fact I enjoyed it so much more then..I love going to my youngest daughter home and redoing everything for her..Hey all the stuff use to be in my house anyway ha ha!!
ReplyDeleteHope and pray you have the best week ever and that you had a GREAT BD girl..Love and hugs Gl♥ria
Great bargains pulled together to make a terrific room! He is lucky to have you!
ReplyDeleteMarty, you did your son good! The room is beautiful! What an awesome thrifter you are!
ReplyDeleteWow, Marty, a whole room for that price?! You are one savvy shopper!!!
ReplyDeleteYou started from scratch and did a terrific job! And there are so many personal touches with the clocks and painting! I know your son is proud of you!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
That's unbelievable. You did such an awesome job. I can't get over what great deals you got. I hope you will come and link this up tonight at my party. It's really so incredible.
ReplyDeleteLooks really good! I wouldn't paint the table. I hear brass and gold are on their way back!!
ReplyDeleteI think this room turned out great. My favorite piece is the little 3 tiered shelf. I would love to have found that.
ReplyDeleteYou're a girl after my own heart, and I love I good bargain! Great job Marty and the room looks fantastic! A+++
ReplyDeleteXO ~Liz
Wow! Marty, the room looks wonderful and what great deals you got! I'm sure your son is very pleased.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
Your shopping patience paid off. You created a fabulous room for an unbelievably low amount of money. I'll bet you'll find some curtains soon!
ReplyDeleteMarty you worked your magic again and this room turned out fabulous!
ReplyDeleteWow! You did a great job there, Marty. Amazing what a person like yourself can do with a small amount of cash- LOVE it-xo Diana
ReplyDeleteMy goodness Marty, you did an excellent job! The room looks great. It's hard to believe you got it all for under $100.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Marty! Looks great....and done SO frugally! YAY!
ReplyDeleteJust got back from dinner and a GW run, always find treasures at that one.
I would paint it rubbed bronze, yes, definately.
Oh my goodness, I don't know what to say Marty! The sofa is gorgeous and so is that chair, goodness, amazing pricess, almost a gift!! You did good, your son is so lucky to have his own "decorator mom and bargain hunter"!! Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteFABBY
You are so sweet to help him out. Love the free piece you found.
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteYou did a beautiful job! It looks pretty and very inviting. I don't think I would change the table. The brass is in such good condition. Looks lovely!
Great job..Mr. Goodwill Hunting would be so proud!...I just love those clocks!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week Marty!!
Awesome! Wish I could find bargains like that. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! You really know how to put things together. Great job.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job Marty, I can't believe you found things so cheap and in such great shape. I'd wait and do the coffee table, I love the way it lools and you can tell it was expensive!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and I hope you do more of his rooms!
Wow, girl you get the GOLD medal for shopping!!! The living room looks awesome and I can not believe the prices you paid! I am going to start looking for my daughter and SIL. Their new living room is empty too. XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteFabulous job! You have the eye for the bargain.Oil rubbed bronze would look good on that table, though there is nothing wrong with it now.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great!!! You did a wonderful job pulling this all together! All for less than a $100.00 amazing!
ReplyDeleteHI MARTY!!
ReplyDeleteit just goes to show if you are resourceful, you can do amazing things!!!This room looks great and at bargain price. I think for a room you just look at ..we only use our formal living room at Christmas and Easter....Thanksgiving too!!!
So Why spend a fortune???
Love this!!!
hugs,
jamie
What a lucky son to have you help make his house a "home," Marty! Such great finds ... you did a fabulous job! I know he's thrilled with the results, too!
ReplyDeleteMarty, you did an excellent job! And for under $100.00. You can't beat that! I know he is glad he has such a wonderful and creative Mom!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly do know how to stretch a dollar, and do it beautifully! Love the clocks!
ReplyDeleteGra=eat job!!
ReplyDeleteCynthia
Good for you and it looks great! I actually sort of miss those days of starting with an empty room. I think I could furnish a couple of houses now and I have to start getting rid of some of the things in our storage room. I just wish either of my kids had a house!
ReplyDeleteMarty, you always seem to be "up for the challenge" when it comes to thrify decor. You did a great job.
ReplyDeleteI would not paint the coffee table. Brass finishes will always look good with traditional decor.
What an amazing job you've done combining all of these great finds together. :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I bet he was shocked and thrilled at what you accomplished with so little money! laurie
ReplyDeleteWhat a thrifty redo! I love the table!!
ReplyDeleteMarty! You take the prize. I'll bet your son was thrilled to pieces. The brass based coffee table is really pretty, but I would ORB it. That would make it a little less "formal". Let us know what you decide.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Marty!
Babs
Marty, you did a fabulous job pulling that room together. Great job!!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
you rock my thrifty world my friend! Love the new header too. Hugs and thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop xo
ReplyDeleteWell Marty, you pulled off and amazing transformation with so very little money! Way to go! It looks wonderful. And like you said, your son loves it. Perfect! Thank you for sharing this with us at TTF. Have a fun day!
ReplyDeleteHow smart of you Marty! It is perfect for him. Love the clocks on the wall too! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteSherry