Last Friday I headed out to a neighborhood sale that was fairly new to me, with a companion who was totally new to me, Karen, the painter of the oars. I think I’m going to call her opK, or ‘oar painting Karen’, to distinguish her from nnK (new neighbor Karen).
We headed out to the city wide sales in Fridley, MN. I’d been to the Fridley sales before, but it was a long time ago … probably before I started blogging, so at least a decade or more. Certainly long enough ago that I felt like it was new. Fridley is one of the older Minneapolis burbs with many of the neighborhoods having a distinctly mid-century, or post-WWII feel. There is also a smattering of really nice houses along the Mississippi River, which flows through Fridley, and pockets of newer homes here and there.
We did a pretty good job filling up opK’s SUV.
There are a few smaller items not in the photo above, which I’ll share in a minute.
But let’s start with those chairs. To be honest, I’m having a bit of buyer’s remorse over those chairs. They certainly aren’t my style at all, and I have no idea if there will be a market for selling a pair of modern looking chairs.
But they were only $2 each. So in the end, I’ll only be out $4 total if I have to donate them to the Goodwill when they don’t sell. Well, technically it will be $5.75 because I also purchased some new batting for 75¢ and some fabric to cover the seats with for $1.
I’ll need to do a bit of gluing on the chairs, but I’m not going to paint them, so that should be a fairly quick makeover.
And speaking of the fabric, I also purchased two other pieces of fabric for $1 each.
I’m going to try the one on the top of the pile with all of the bugs on that green wicker chair that I brought home last week.
The yardage on the bottom of the pile is pretty funky, opK and I both thought it might be fun on that pair of chairs.
But as we looked closer we realized it was sort of a Halloween fabric.
As we were studying it, the seller asked if we were fans of ‘the ghastlies’. Um, the what now? Apparently this is from a line of fabric by Alexander Henry called The Ghastlies.
It really is kind of fun. I don’t know, would there be a market for a pair of chairs with this fabric on them? Maybe in the fall? What are your thoughts on that?
I grabbed the painting because I absolutely love the colors in it, and I liked its sort of mid-mod vibe too. It’s a genuine oil painting, but I was totally unable to read the signature so I have no idea if it’s at all valuable. I’m guessing not, since it is very cheaply framed.
And I really don’t love that frame. I could paint it. Or I could just take it off.
Hmmmm, not really sure about that either.
How about a few finds that I am sure about?
This ironstone pitcher and vintage cookbook were both a steal.
And this vintage lunchbox will be a fun makeover.
I purchased a pair of these iron crosses too.
And speaking of pairs, I purchased three pairs of vintage pillowcases.
You can always tell when these have been tucked away in someone’s linen closet for 50 years and never even used. They are often yellowed, but not at all worn looking. A little soaking in some OxyClean, followed by a day in the sun on the clothesline, will totally take care of that yellowing.
I tend to hang onto the all white versions because I love sleeping on these, and they work with our bedroom décor.
There is something about the quality and weight of the fabric that is so much better than modern linens.
And for that reason, I’m awarding them with ‘find of the day’ status.
Plus, believe it or not, these were only $2 per pair. Where else can you get beautifully hand-worked pillowcases for $1 each?!
In the end, I may have a bit of buyer’s remorse over those chairs, but it is outweighed by my other fabulous finds. But tell me, have you ever had buyers remorse over a garage sale purchase? Leave a comment and let me know.
q is for quandie 
I think the chairs will sell. With your eye for refabbing it’s a sure thing. The fabric is fun and funky. Idk about its mass appeal but for $1 you don’t have much to lose. I agree about the pillow cases. Something so soothing about crisp white linens.
LikeLike
That’s what I keep telling myself too, for $1 I don’t have much to lose!
LikeLike
My buyer’s remorse is always about what I didn’t buy!
LikeLike
I go both ways. I have to admit that buyer’s remorse about the things you passed up is probably worse!
LikeLike
I spy with my little eye….that plant stand!
LikeLike
Oh, I forgot to mention that didn’t I? Again, it was a bargain that was too good to pass up!
LikeLike
The chairs will sell fast!
Throw that buyers remorse away! It’s all a learning adventure.
LikeLike
Very good advice Ruth 🙂
LikeLike
I really like the chairs, they will look great with the new seat covers. Maybe the old make lemonade with those so-called lemons!
LikeLike
I’m glad to hear that so many of you like the chairs!
LikeLike
I love those chairs!Mid Mod all the way. Search for some vintage or near enough for those beauties. They will sell. Gorgeous pillow cases!I love old linens. I think you will find your day will have been more profitable than you think. Do the smalls and let the chairs simmer at the back of your mind. Have a blessed day.
LikeLike
Another bit of good advice, to let those chairs simmer.
LikeLike
I think I would paint the chairs black, use that turquoise and black fabric on the seats and call them MCM.
The pillowcases are, indeed, the ‘find of the day.’
Sheila
LikeLike
I always feel like mid mod lovers don’t especially like things that are painted. And the finish is in pretty good shape, so I think I’ll give them a shot without painting them first.
LikeLike
You’re correct, of course, about paint and MCM – probably part of why I don’t care for that style. I know whatever you do will turn out great.
Sheila
LikeLike
Thanks Sheila!
LikeLike
Fortunately, I have forgotten all my “ remorseful “ left behinds or purchases! But really I think your chairs are great. If they don’t sell ( I think they will ) you will make someone very happy at Goodwill! I totally agree with the find of the day! Love those linens! They are just so charming.
I think it shows us we need to use the good stuff. ☺️
Smiles, alice
LikeLike
You’re exactly right Alice, we need to use the good stuff and not leave it lingering in a closet for 50 years to then be sold at a garage sale for $2!
LikeLike
The chairs are great! I wouldn’t use the Halloween fabric, but I love all the fabrics. The painting is a view of Moulin Rouge in France.
LikeLike
I was thinking that too. That windmill is rather iconic, isn’t it?
LikeLike
I love the chairs and I would most definitely use the Halloween fabric. It is so funky, different and charming! Just unique.
LikeLike
I was drawn to the funky-ness of that fabric as well, and maybe someone else will be too if I put it on the chairs!
LikeLike
Great that you now have two Karen’s in your world – both of them “good Karens”! Lol. Love the chairs, which surprises me – and I’ve never heard of that brand Halloween fabric, but it’s awfully cute! Absolutely love the pillow cases – especially the lace borders.
LikeLike
It is good to have two Karen’s 😉 And I think you’d really like that fabric!
LikeLike
The chairs have a very Scandinavia feel to them – they will sell once your creative finger have been dancing on them! Love the vintage pillowcases they remind me of a pair I have that belonged to my grandparents!
LikeLike
Sweet!
LikeLike
I don’t think you’ll have remorse with those chairs at all a quick clean-up maybe even some Restore A Finish and new upholstery and you may be able to sell those for $75 or so for the pair! Love love the pillowcases and I agree I love the way old linen feels
LikeLike
Believe it or not, I’ve never tried Restore A Finish. Maybe this is my opportunity.
LikeLike
For $10 a can you can’t go wrong it’ll last you forever.
LikeLike
Thanks Kim, I’ll have to give it a try.
LikeLike
I look forward to seeing what you do with the items! Isn’t it funny how we get buyers remorse over inexpensive items? But I love the chairs you bought. Yes, I have purchased lots of things I regretted-but it’s the items that I didn’t get that I regret more lol. Could you maybe post pics of your items in the store that you sell them to in a future post? I think you’ve done it in the past. Just love your posts!!! Kerry from Canada 🇨🇦
LikeLike
It is silly to feel remorse over spending $4 on a pair of chairs, isn’t it? As for pics of the items in the shop, I’ll keep that in mind when they eventually make their way there!
LikeLike
I think the chairs will turn out fine. If they need minimal work, you could always price them on the low side. I just love the pillowcases! You really got a bargain! I always look for pillowcases at yard sales, thrift stores, and flra markets. I have several with lovely embroidery, crochet w ork, or tatting. And the quality of the fabric is far better.
LikeLike
Those pillow cases were a bargain! And I’ve soaked them, and hung them on the line in the sun all day and they whitened right up too 🙂
LikeLike
love the fabrics, they are so fun! the chairs will sell fast! Also, just wondering if you’d be interested in 4 raised panel cabinet doors to make signs with. They are 14X38 roughly. I am remodeling in my bathroom and took them out, and can’t toss them and don’t have time to do anything with them myself so I could drop them off to you. Let me know!
LikeLike
Hi Shelley, I’ll send you an email about your doors!
LikeLike
I always look forward to every single one of your blog post. To answer your question, yes, I do have buyers remorse. I have them from thrift stores because I don’t go garage sale shopping. I should, you always find the best items. But yes, I come home with my one or two dollar finds similar to you, not furniture, but smaller items and have total regret that I bought one or two of those items and I think but it’s only a buck or two. And they do end up on the pile to donate back. But that’s life.
Onto the two dollar chairs and the buyers remorse over those chairs. I have to say when I first saw them I was thinking oh you’ll paint them black. Then I saw the fabric that had a little bit of green and orange in it and I thought oh she’s going to paint it one of the great green colors that she uses. I’m sorry I don’t remember the names. So I thought oh great a green chair with that fabric. That’ll look great. Then I saw the Halloween fabric and I thought oh my goodness she’s going to paint them black yay. So back to black in my thought process. Now I know you said in the beginning you’re not painting them. But this is where my thought process went. I don’t know why, but when I first saw those chairs, I was thinking mid century modern and I guess that’s why I was thinking the green like the dresser that you painted green and the hardware was gold. Oh my goodness that was a beautiful dresser. Don’t you think these chairs would look great in that color with that original fabric you were thinking of? And then I really like the black items you have done for Halloween. And these would look good black with a Halloween fabric. Obviously, my choice is to paint them and put one of those fabrics on them to match the paint color. Let us know pictures and a future blog hopefully
LikeLike
Glad to know I’m not the only one who sometimes buys stuff at the thrift store, and then turns around and donates it right back!
LikeLike
Ok, those chairs are AMAZING. I, too, don’t care for modern styles, in general, but these have such pretty clean lines and a unique overall shape that is appealing. Well done!
LikeLike