do it yourself gems

keyse jokes a lot about not being a diy kind of girl. but i sure am, and i kind of love it. sewing, carpentry, reupholstery, rewiring, paper crafts - it probably has a lot to do with being a perfectionist, but there is a real beauty in the surety that you're getting exactly what you wanted. in that spirit, here are some fixer-upper gems. please let me know what you think of this; if you like it, i'll try to trawl craigslist for these kinds of things more often.

Vintage Oak Dresser Mirror - $25 (Malden)
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/fuo/1252016413.html

you could paint the frame any number of gorgeous colors and spritz on some blackboard paint, and you have a beautiful - and custom - vintage chalkboard!

wall and medicine cabinet (stoughton)
http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/fuo/1249982130.html

a coat of paint and a new set of pulls are the only things this cabinet needs to be ready for its anthropologie closeup

Vintage Wooden Wide Seat Chair - $20 (Saugus)
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/fuo/1250192722.html

there are simple reupholstery projects, and then there are complex ones (take it from me). this is one of the good ones; you could do it yourself in the space of an afternoon. new fabric and a new color for the frame, and this chair will be rousing all kinds of jealousy on design*sponge's before and after page :)

Vintage sewing machine - $25 (Franklin)
http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/fuo/1255406889.html

and finally - this is an advanced project but could be so rewarding. you know how all those lamp-and-table combos in new england are usually painfully ugly? check out what ben light has done with an old electrolux canister vacuum. could you do something similar with this gorgeous sewing machine? steampunk-errific!

if premade is more your style, i've also got a batch of great tables for you from chop chop. enjoy!

Side Table with Slanted Legs - $18

Brown Coffee Table with Pointy Legs - $22

Brown Pointy Legs Side Table with a Drawer - $33

Gray Side Stand with 2 Drawers - $31


Wooden Side Table with Brass Legs - $22

Small Side Stand - $19

Tray Table on Wheels - $23

Small Table/Desk with a Drawer - $35

now go to the previous post, enter the giveaway, and go to sleep! (bedtime is approaching - happy furniture dreams...)