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Tag Archive | "Thrift"

Does Howard Really Restore A Finish?

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

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I've heard about Howard Restor-A-Finish but never actually used it until this past weekend when I helped my friend Ingrid breathe some new life into a couple of tired antiques. The product isn't widely available in Canada but Toronto's Queen West Antique Centre (1605 Queen Street West, 416.588.2212) stocks the full range of shades from light pine-maple to dark oak and ebony. Howard's slogan is "Restore it, Don't Strip it!" and I have to say I was very impressed with the product up to a point. The rub-on, wipe-off liquid was fantastically good at hiding minor dings and scratches and even removed old paint smudges with the help of some super-fine steel wool.

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As the Table Turns

Thursday, February 17, 2011

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I deliberately delayed my post about my brass-slash-chrome coffee table until it was sold lest the buyer see my piece and balk at having paid a mark-up. Well, wouldn't you know it, the buyer turned out to be another Toronto-based decor blogger, Laura from Gracefully Searching. Laura has done a post about her fab new table (pictured above) and doesn't seem the least bit bothered by the fact that I made some money on my Craigslist flip. Or did I? The table took me about 6 hours to transform, which translates into a little over $18 per hour for my labour, considerably less than I make at my day job. Maybe I'm the one who should be upset.

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Estate Sale Bargains Are In the Basement

Thursday, February 10, 2011

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When it comes to estate sales, the best bargains are always in the basement. And the kitchen. Upstairs, the sale organizer, particularly if it's Michael Leipner of The Next Move, will be trying to squeeze every penny out of the better furnishings -- that's his job, after all. But too often Leipner's prices veer dangerously close to retail values, which annoys me -- I don't have to get up at 6 am and drive to God -knows-where, then wait in line for an hour to shop retail. But I digress. No matter who's holding the sale, the best bargains are always in the basement where you can pick up tools and supplies for next to nothing. And with spring on its way there's no harm in looking ahead to the pruning, raking and digging you'll want to be doing. Who wants to pay full price for an extendable ladder?

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A Few Finds From Craigslist

Saturday, October 16, 2010

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I haven't done one of these Craigslist catchalls in quite awhile but a few things caught my eye this morning, some of which have kicking around for a week or more despite their potential. I could make the gold velvet club chair work as is and for $160 (possibly less, it's been on CL for awhile) it's a pretty good deal. The arborite tops are probably what's keeping the stacking side tables from selling but I think they're cool, functional and at $125 for the pair, well priced. The brown mid-century lounger is sad, I'll grant you, but the seller wants $40 for it and it wouldn't cost a lot to reupholster.

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Giant Ukrainian Rummage Sale Today

Saturday, June 6, 2009

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Three Toronto Ukrainian organizations have teamed up to host a massive rummage sale this Saturday in the huge parking lot at 145 Evans Avenue (Evans & Islington) from 8 am - 2 pm. Think of it as a Church sale on steroids.

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