Thrifty Finds

Living in Chicago, I've been able to take advantage of bountiful Craigslist options and thrift stores galore. Normally these mid-century fruit baskets(?) run about $12-20 on certain online sites but I found this one at The Ark on Milwaukee for only $5!

My first find!

The Ark seems like the Salvation Army was forced to move into a studio. While I've seen some nice furniture, I've had more luck with their kitchen section. In that area, a bit of a mess, but I found these plates, which were also sold online for more than I paid (only $1!).

Sadly, there was only 3 but it reminded me of some dishes that I had found, and quickly bought, online.

Nearly a match

After my old desk didn't make it to our new apartment, I started searching on Craigslist and quickly became addicted. It was similar to my interest in apartment hunting; I was able to see all the oddities and now I can spot a deal when I find it. After multiple ventures across the city, I believe its a great way, albeit a costly one, to discover the different neighborhoods.

My first venture took me to Logan Square on Kimbal near Belmont for this Urban Outfitters lamp base. For only $10, I can afford to buy a nice drum lamp shade to complement the new wall color. Failed attempts to get a desk and a mid-century chest in the Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village made me hesitate to favor the close transportation of close neighborhoods.
My next find was in the Lincoln Square neighborhood close to where Steve and I dropped off a rental application and the September German fest. I really love the mid-century style but with Mad Men's success, it does not come cheap. So to counter the inflated prices, I can only afford pieces that need a little work which is how I found this set of end tables.

Now I just have to figure out how to remove the paint from wood and possibly laminate.

My most important and best find has been my desk. My old desk, bought from another student for a mere $25, was frankly a behemoth. With 7 drawers and built to last, it couldn't make it up the staircase. Graduate school, and all of my storage needs, requires a desk.

Although I traveled to the Lakeview/Roscoe Village area, the people selling this desk and a chair were kind enough to deliver it. Now the school year can start. No, no I take that back.

New Home, New Walls

Although I had no problem with the sage coloring of the walls, my red furniture looked more like a Christmas color scheme. So the green had to go...

In regular daylight

With Flash

We used Glidden Granite Grey. It dried super fast with little fumes but it must've been all the open windows that helped. It came out a little more blue-toned than I'd like but it feels fresh. There's still a lot of work to do - nothing is yet on the walls. Once we started, I was motivated to do something about the bedroom. After deciding against the green of the living room, I found images of other Glidden rooms and picked out their Gentle Tide.

Without flash

With my camera flash on

It's a minty bluish color. Nothing on the walls here either. It feels much more comfortable and refreshing than dirty cream walls. Both colors make the white trim pop.

Before: After Hopefully Soon

Bathroom- Rusted blinds so a garbage bag provides privacy

Green living room

The office/music room

A very blue kitchen

Hodgepodge bedroom