Let’s start the year out right – giant antique card catalog.
I like my New Year’s resolutions to avoid any whiff of self-evaluation. I am already the best at what I do: irritable, controlling, whimsical, hoarding, weird grammatical choices… there is no room for improvement.
As validation that I am doing life extra right, the universe has sent me yet another giant piece of furniture that I do not need… practically for free.
Thanks, universe!
Paul and I were both home… We had an out-of-town event and were planning to leave around noon.
By 11 o’clock, I still hadn’t taken a shower. Or packed. Or generally done any of the things I needed to; but because there is never a time when procrastination is not appropriate, I decided I should look on craigslist.
And? This is why you always, always, always, always check craigslist.
No. Matter. What.
I already said this in the Victorian Wardrobe post but it bears repeating:
When there is something on Craigslist that you really want, and it is listed for a ridiculously low price, you must contact them correctly.
To stand out from the 400 emails the seller is going to get, you must be the one person who requires nothing. You must be a beacon of simplicity and straightforwardness:
Hi,
I want that.
I can come anytime.
I can move it myself.
I don’t need your help.
Here is my phone number.
My social security number.
My bank account number.
Then I went and said to Paul– small detour ahead.
Paul said – you know, we need to leave pretty soon.
And I was like – yes. I know. THIS IS WHY I NEED A CREW.
He looked at the pictures and said – I thought you didn’t like oak?
I said – true. I do not like oak. However? For $50? I REALLY LIKE OAK.
It was not even 10 minutes away— in the loading dock of an office park.
It’s not in perfect shape, but for $50? It’s in FANTASTIC condition.
In the craigslist photos, I could kind of see that something was off about the stacking… if you look above, you can see that there is a thin, chipped board sticking out; but it turned out to be no big deal– at some point they had split up the sections and made a makeshift top.
It’s missing two strips of the decorative molding… one of which we found in a drawer. We’ll hold off on reattaching it until we figure out what side needs to be the “good” side.
**random transition**
This post has been sitting, (unfinished) for over a month now…
I have tried to end it a couple of ways: speculating on what I might use a 55 drawer card catalog for. Gibberish about repurposing it for the kitchen. Trying to think of new and ridiculous ways to stage it.
But what does it really matter? I’ve acquired it, it is awesome, eventually its purpose will be revealed.
The End.
OR
It will serve no purpose, and it will just take up a giant chunk of space and become yet another unusable area of the house.
Based on my research conducted over the last weeks, this is the likely outcome.
I’ve moved it from room to room to room to room to room… stood back and thought – that does not look right… then after a few days, I start stacking other unused furniture bits on top.
If I reach the ceiling, I win some kind of disorganized/hoarding prize.
see all my favorite Craigslist finds
January 7, 2015 @ 2:55 pm
Ive wanted one of those my whole life! You have the best luck, I think I need to move… what a treasure, a million uses… enjoy!
January 7, 2015 @ 4:46 pm
I say fill each and every drawer full to the brim with glitter of every shade and color. FIFTY SHADES OF GLITTER! The sparkly loving raccoon in you would be VERY happy!
January 7, 2015 @ 8:28 pm
So many drawers… You can fit like gazillion dwarfs into them!
January 8, 2015 @ 4:50 am
Yep. Totally woulda bought it, too.
January 8, 2015 @ 9:26 am
If you separated these again, and added cushions, would they work as cool window seat benches?
January 8, 2015 @ 1:34 pm
OMG, love your treasured find and your funny post! I can so identify with your story. Recently, we were on vacation, and I came across a vintage sewing machine table, in good condition, for FREE! It was tough convincing my husband why I NEEDED to take it home even though we barely had room in the car for it. Now following you!
January 8, 2015 @ 10:20 pm
Jesus, Mary, and Jerome…. look, I am all for moderation and clean, open rooms with minimal clutter and a few simple, stately pieces but I would give my right eye for that find!!! Admittedly, my right eye isn’t my favorite eye. But I never wanted to be an airline pilot anyway.
January 8, 2015 @ 10:30 pm
I just discovered your lovely blog this week and it’s officially my new favorite. My husband and I also fell in love with an old house and bought it almost one year ago (all brick, 3 stories, built in 1895). Thankfully, it was rehabbed once already so it’s liveable, but it was a horrible job done with lots of cheap shortcuts so we’re going to fix it back to what it should be. Eventually. When expensive stuff stops breaking, the recently discovered raccoons get kicked out of the attic (the hole in the roof gets fixed), and the kids get a bit older. But it will be done. Your “after” pictures are gorgeous.
Anyway, I was craigslist shopping tonight and found the wardrobe you need for your kitchen. It’s in St. Louis.
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/atq/4799284047.html
January 9, 2015 @ 12:23 am
You soooooo scored. I search “card catalogs” on CL everyday!! Took me years but I finally scored 2-15 drawer sets. I split them up. On one I did a custom made oak herringbone top and hairpin legs and sold it. For a lot. That one you have would make thousands!! (can i just please have the bottom fourth?!! pretty pleaseeeeeee) I have a metal one I’m working on now. And the other oak 15 drawer one is just sitting until I find the time. Anyhow,,,,yours is fab-gorgeous. That is the score of decade.
January 9, 2015 @ 10:43 am
You are so hysterical! I love your frankness and the way you are totally unapologetic for your nature. I just found you from Miss Mustard and have completely neglected the laundry, feeding my children and getting dressed while I read many more posts. Next, I’m going to add you to my blogroll. I will live vicariously through you and adore your ornate stuff with you.
January 9, 2015 @ 1:45 pm
Its a giant jewelry box that Paul must fill…
January 9, 2015 @ 2:21 pm
You are the QUEEN! What a find!
January 9, 2015 @ 5:09 pm
Mercy! I can’t believe what a SUPER BUY you got on that stunning card catalog! My husband and I paid over $400 for a probably 1960s vintage one at a school auction. You can read my blog posts here about how we’re using them and how we “unstacked” it and he made a new top for one of the sections. http://lasthomebeforeheaven.com/treasures-from-a-schoolhouse-auction/ and
http://lasthomebeforeheaven.com/update-on-card-catalog-and-schoolhouse-maps/ .
Sue
January 9, 2015 @ 5:56 pm
I love it. My house is full but I would definetly find room for that treasure. And $50!
January 9, 2015 @ 8:50 pm
You are awesome and very brave. What a great find. I have always loved any type of furniture with lots of small drawers, but the size of it would have scared me away. Please post any redo that you make of it. Lots a luck!
January 10, 2015 @ 12:19 am
that’s a fantastic find. i’d have beaten you to it if i were anywhere close.
if you are a makeup addict, you will know right away where to put it and what to store in it. just sayin’.
January 10, 2015 @ 11:47 pm
Uh, why repurpose it? The raccoon really needs a library to go with the catalogue.
January 11, 2015 @ 1:32 pm
What a great find!
January 12, 2015 @ 1:22 am
The Library catalog drawers are fabulous! I have a set, and love them! I kept the alphabetical card labels on the front of the drawers, and only things that match the letters can go in the drawers. For example, in the ‘a’ drawer are little wooden handcarved ‘A’frican animals in a cute box that my sister brought back from me from her safari; as well as goofy joke postcards I bought at a gift shop in ‘A’rkansas. Every once in awhile I pick up something specifically for the drawers, but surprisingly there are lots of odds and ends from my childhood and life to fill up the drawers. I’m vastly amused when I go through the drawers every once in awhile, and the drawers keep nieces and nephews entertained.
January 13, 2015 @ 2:26 pm
Wow, I love that.
January 13, 2015 @ 1:22 am
I love everything you share about yourself and your adventures! You are totally my subconscious speaking out loud.
Regarding the card catalog… I love it! I picked up a metal one years ago for about the same price only it held tall cards for gas or electric customers, but the drawers *almost* hold standard file folders, placed sideways. I think it’s fab, but it was practically the end of my marriage. I always had to move it myself and the thing is about 6x5x1 with over 50 drawers.
You are a lucky girl to have Paul, who loves you so much! Happy New Year! 🙂