Dear Emily,
Well it certainly was a fun and exciting holiday season this year. It was the best of times, it was the best of time, but thank goodness it’s over. I mean, REALLY. We have so much to do it’s not even funny. And by “so much to do” I mean so much to buy.
One of our clients is really into gold and brass. In fact, Emily and I spent three days in her house going crazy with gold accessories, gold spray paint, and gold leafing. I have a secret desire to paint every single thing in my apartment gold (down to my toothbrush). It’s an addiction. Spray painting something gold makes it automatically more exciting. Try it. If your husband is sitting next to you, paint him gold and watch how sexy he becomes (yum!). It’s just a scientific fact that gold things are way more attractive than non-gold things. I need to calm down. But I can’t.
Ok, so I found this cute little brass lamp at Wertz Brothers (one of our fave resources for vintage furniture). Nothing too special but a good deal at $49 because they’re usually around $250 if they’re good. And they look very handsome next to a reading chair. Just like me.
I can’t tell what I think of this one. I think it’s either disgusting or awesome, which probably means it’s cool beyond comprehension. It’s also $29. Whut-WHUT?
I liked this for one of our clients who needs a new filing cabinet. It’s totally functional even though it has so much age and character to it. Like your mom. $195.
Trunks are kind of like benches, you can never have too many of them because they fill awkward empty spaces so nicely and are a nice place to put thing (like tea kettles and copies of your various restraining orders). $199.
There were a few cute mid-century desks. I like this one but not as much as another one below.
I like these turned legs. I feel like this would be a cute desk for a lady if it were spray lacquered white. $499.
This was the desk I liked. The asymmetry really says something to me. It says, “Hey Orlando! I’m me, and even though I’m not symmetrical, I’m a delight! Come sit and write The Great American Novel!” $499.
I never knew I had a thing for drums, but apparently I do. This one is humongo. 3′ wide. Well I guess that doesn’t sound so humongous. But, it’s pretty big for a drum. I kind of want it was a coffee table or a large side table. $349.
Pretty classic chrome nesting tables. $199.
I feel like this disgusting sofa would be totallyhot reupholstered. And [GASP!] it has brass legs! $399.
This chaise is ugly and looks like a whale, but if we took off the skirt and made the cushion slightly less inflated, it would be good for our French country client. That plumpness of the cushion reminds me of how I felt after Christmas dinner and for most of my teens. Blub. $795.
This DISGUSTING find is from Goodwill. It was $99. But get this, it’s a sleeper! And guess who has been looking for a sleeper for, like, ever? ME! So I’m the proud new owner of a revolting sofa! I literally made barfing noises for three minutes when I saw it because it was so dirty and disgusting. But don’t worry, it’s at the upholsterer right now getting new foam, new down filling, a new mattress, and then being covered in uberglamorous peacock blue velvet. Purr!
This is from Ikea. $299 and not bad, right?
How cute is this wicker chair from Ikea? Emily is much more of a wicker hoarder than me, but even I think this is cool. And it’s new, ready made, and $119.
This is also from Ikea. Another sleeper. The secret about most sleepers is that they are totally ugly and gross, so when you find one that’s not bad it’s kind of exciting. We’ve been looking all over and they’re either 5 million dollars or they look like gargoyles inside of the Michelin Man inside of a hot air balloon. Uglez McGee. This one is $849.
This we found on Craigslist for a happy client. $500, super comfy.
I’m kind of obsessed with these chairs from CB2. I want them to go with my new sofabed. They’re kinda steep for CB2 ($399), but they’re way sturdier than most versions of this chair and the leather is a good color. Gimme.
I think this CB2 pendant is cute too. $249.
And I can’t tell if I love this one or if I just love that it’s brass. $179.
And finally, both of us liked this white sconce from West Elm. It’s cute and basic. Why not!?! And it’s $79. HOW?
So yeah, that’s what we’ve been shopping for. Pretty exciting, huh? Everybody calm down!
Love,
Orlando
I thought I was the only one who talked about “your momma” all the time. hehe.
Thumbs up on the ugly brass floor lamp. Thumbs down on the ugly brass pendant. It feels as if some of the parts are missing. Maybe if it were even less complete looking I’d get a better feeling about it–you know, if that was the point of it.
Congrats on the new pull-out. Show the new upholstery when its back!
I love it all, especially the sleeper you are having re-upholstered! I have a giant drum which is used as a side table and I cannot recommend it enough – it provides both entertainment and a place to set your cocktail.
oh the ASSYMETRICAL DESK my heart skipped a beat when I saw the pic and even now remembering it I start to hyperventillate…ok, I’ll calm down…fab finds and so cool to go shopping with a friend and spend someone else’s money!!
The wood sofa with the brass legs would be so amazing reupholstered. I would buy that in a second. I love brass so, so much.
Ohh seconded on the desk. It’s beautiful and I would cherish it forever…if only I was good at finding places to buy old furniture at in London (besides pillaging a castle)! What happened to your dollhouse? I’ve been seeing other bloggers slowly revealing their I’m a Giant progress but haven’t seen anything from you for awhile! I have high hopes for you….you have awesome taste, and I’m sure your dollhouse will be impeccable.
SIMILAR TO THE HAPPINESS PEOPLE GET FROM EATING ICE CREAM IN THEIR PAJAMAS ON THEIR NEW SOFA IN THEIR NEW APARTMENT WHILE WATCHING TODDLERS AND TIARAS, THEN USING ALL CAPS AROUND MIDNIGHT AFTER EATING SAID ICE CREAM WHILE TYPING A BLOG COMMENT, THAT IS THE LEVEL OF JOY I GET FROM YOUR WRITING.
You had me at: “I literally made barfing noises for three minutes.” I’m still cackling over here.
Great finds!
I would love to read more posts like these! You sound like a lot of fun to shop with.
I used to spray paint live bugs and caterpillars gold and give them to my brother. Sometimes I’d freeze them first, but most often not.
In other news, I want that file cabinet!!!!
you’ve got good taste: that desk is paul mccobb.
hahahahah. i can read you every day!
Cool sleeper sofa. Please post a photo when it returns in its peacock blue velvet clad glory. Can you recommend any good sources for upholstery fabric in LA at which regular, i.e. not “to the trade,” peeps can shop?
Ditto Rachel’s request to see the sleeper sofa “after” shot. And if you wouldn’t mind (I know it’s rude to ask), please let us know how much it cost to reupholster it. The cost of reupholstering a sofa seems daunting after having paid to have a couple of wing back chairs done, but maybe it’s not so bad? I hold out hope.
Dear Orlando,
Your sleeper is going to be gorgeous! Please share photos when you get it back. Also, sorry to be so demanding, but can you recommend a good place to buy upholstery velvet? Emily talks about its cheapness on her blog, but I’m having trouble finding good options online (I don’t live in or near LA or NYC). I dream of one day reupholstering my sofa in blue velvet!
Thank you for being hilarious.
I went to Wertz Bros yesterday (West LA), the asymmetrical
desk is still there, as is the disgusting sofa with brass legs (but did you miss the “1” in front of the “399”? Yikes!). Anyways, I found a desk straight out of Mad Men that I fell in love with, but at $700, it’s a bit pricey. Orlando, does Wertz Bros have regular sales or a schedule for marking down prices?