Reclaimed marble slabs for our kitchen countertops. (AND another grand piano) *video*
So. We got another square grand piano.
(Here is the first.)
Somehow in my world, this is not really a big deal and what I’m actually writing about are the marble slabs that were also headed to the dump.
But the piano is how we got there, so I guess requires some explanation.
This was the umpteenth free antique piano of this style on Craigslist… It was nearby. And it was made in Philadelphia.
I saw it on Craigslist on a Friday. By Sunday, I had annoyed Paul so much that we went and got it… To be fair, I think Paul was correct: we do NOT need another piano. But I think I was also correct: this is not a piano that should go to the dump.
Shoenbacker is a fantastic piano, and it says Philadelphia– both on the front in gold leaf, AND inside on the plate; the sort of detail I become obsessed with.
Besides, we are practically professional piano movers by now!
IT’S WHAT WE DO.
I know that some of you will wonder: but what did you plan to do with it?
And the answer is: I didn’t think I’d DO anything with it!
I thought: here is a free Giant Fancy Thing!
I should get it.
And yes, I do understand that thought-process is how people end up living in houses filled with free grocery circulars.
So:
Guy getting rid of this piano was rehabbing and needed it gone immediately.
+
I am someone who is comfortable with the possibility of having a piano in every room.
= a match!
Although, it turned out that the actual equation was:
spare grand piano ÷ funding issues for CLOGS = sold piano.
(The person who bought it is restoring it to play!)
Now for the exciting part:
The day we went to get the piano, Paul and I spent some time talking to the guy about his old-house restoration, and he ended up giving us a tour.
Upstairs in the second-floor hallway, there were three LARGE slabs of solid marble shower walls.
The guy gestured to them and said how he was going to have to pay someone to cut them up to get them downstairs. Because MARBLE SLABS ARE HEAVY.
And I was like – my friend! We can help you with that!
It’s hard to say if the marble shower was part of the original home, (built in the first part of 1900.) Shower stalls existed, but they were not common or popular until later in the century… but on the other hand, this part of Philadelphia has some extraordinary houses and it is likely that builders were using these materials, so anything is possible.
If you enjoy reading about this sort of thing, the history of American plumbing from 1840-1890 is fascinating. And also the evolution of modern convenience.
Now.
I hate this part of a Craigslist pickup.
There is something deeply uncomfortable to me to be in someone’s home, taking something from them, in the most vigorous, potentially-stair-destroying way possible.
There is simply no way to unobtrusively dismantle a grand piano, or wrestle three giant slabs of marble down a flight of steps… And I end up feeling like not only are we intruding in their home, but also like we are hosting a circus ON THEIR STAIRCASE.
Adding to the weirdness, I am now a person who scurries around taking pictures and video of the circus… I assume my behavior is completely inexplicable to the homeowner, and that they must think I imagine myself the Werner Herzog of Craigslist.
So, please enjoy my latest cinematic masterpiece: a dark (sorry! the house was really dim!) and gritty (sheetrock dust) film exploring the cultural landscape of free stuff on Craigslist.
Bravura! Realism! Suspense!
see all my best Craigslist finds!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:28 am
Beautiful and totally jealous! Make it WERK!! Free marble.. Gah, who does that!!#Lucky
May 11, 2016 @ 10:30 am
Your blog is once again making commenting an arduous task. Maybe too much running at once? Anyway, I’m getting it done, so I expect an extra sticker.
Have you ever seen the guts of a piano used for a table with a glass top? Stunning, and would make a really cool dining table, in my humble opinion.
I love the marble, and how you acquired it. Shouldn’t you guys slow down a bit? This kitchen renovation is going to be over before you know it! 😀
May 11, 2016 @ 10:30 am
In the video I noticed that you have dance shoes in the side pocket of your car (that you are filling with stuff no one else finds) sums up everything I love about your blog.
May 11, 2016 @ 10:40 am
The glorious, giant, fancy and free stuff you find on Craigslist….I am genuinely in awe of the bounty in your neck of the woods!!
I would have probably draped my body across those marble slabs, and likely reveled like a cat!!
Apparently I live in a ‘too new’ part of the country, and will likely never, ever, ever find the giant fancy stuff for free, but in the meantime, I can only admire your finds from afar…..and be slightly covetous and jealous(ok, VERY covetous….)
May 11, 2016 @ 10:47 am
Same here, Nicki!
June 2, 2016 @ 5:53 am
I am very covetous of your husband! ….He not only LET’S you do this, but accompanies you in the process…????? INCONCIEVABLE!!
3 doors down from our house, I spotted a VERY NIVE mattress set outside the front door with a note indicating they were free for the taking. We fought over the fact that he wouldn’t immediately come LOOK at them, much less bring me the truck to haul them off!! (Sigh)
Are you aware of how lucky you are? HE is your greatest find!! ?????
May 11, 2016 @ 10:42 am
I really understand you. I love you and your blog. Thank you for being you.
May 11, 2016 @ 10:45 am
My, how lucky you are! That would NEVER happen to me! First of all, our local Craigslist never has anything so fantastic for free – just furniture that has been left out in the rain for 3 weeks, or something like that. ( Greedy, money-hungry people here!)
I would die to have that marble for my yet to be built house. It is exactly what I would choose when shopping for marble. Seems I will be settling for quartz, as that is all I can afford, and my husband is not tidy enough to own marble. Still, I would like to get a hunk for baking purposes.
The piano will be a money-maker for you, I’m sure!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:45 am
Just saw the post regarding ANOTHER piano and marble for kitchen countertops. Fantastic! You are my shopping guru!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:46 am
We are cut from the same cloth in our scavenging-turned-fabulous remodeling exploits. Except I don’t mange to document it. And you’re thinner. And sparklier. But! Brava! Stellar finds!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:47 am
1. Love young Wayne Newton more than almost anything!!! Thanks.
2. Have you thought about writing a “Craigslisting for Dummies” book? I know you’re in a city that has a lot of fabulous old stuff opportunities and that others of us might not have the same overabundance of good fancy things (free or otherwse), But how do you find this stuff??? Seriously. Do you spend every minute that’s not spent loving up Elvis on Craigslist? What search terms do you use? I need to know everything!!!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:49 am
I bow to you, Oh Goddess of Craigslist! You, in one swell foop, saved a GFT, scored free carrera marble (OMG!), funded further clogs, *and* supported the arts. I feel so inadequate. I must go Accomplish Something Important.
June 1, 2016 @ 4:12 pm
OMG, someone else who says “swell foop”! Jinx!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:50 am
Free Piano AND free marble?!?!? Winning!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:51 am
Oh my goodness, you find the most amazing things! You should offer a class on how to become a Craigslist guru like you!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:53 am
Wait! People are giving away pianos for free on CL? I know what I’m doing with all of my free time now.
I love the marble. I was wondering what you were going to use for the counters and this is perfect.
May 11, 2016 @ 10:57 am
I can’t wait to see what you do with your new finds!
Who is singing that version of Lazy River?
Bambi
May 12, 2016 @ 9:40 am
Bobby Darin. (I think!)
May 13, 2016 @ 1:21 am
Thanks!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:57 am
What a great find on the beautiful marble slabs. Congrats! Thought of you yesterday when Architectural Digest showed up in the mail and there was Pilar Guzman’s new country home! Check it out if you haven’t see it already. It’s pretty sublime.
May 11, 2016 @ 10:58 am
As always — Elvis stole the show! So glad to see the clip of her playing!
May 11, 2016 @ 11:07 am
Me too! Elvis Photo Bomb cameo was the best!
May 11, 2016 @ 11:31 am
Fabulous to see Elvis enjoying herself!
May 11, 2016 @ 10:59 am
The stars aligned, and all was meant to be.
Hugs and pets to Elvis.
May 11, 2016 @ 10:59 am
Absolutely marvelous, as usual. Hi Elvis!
May 11, 2016 @ 11:00 am
FREE spare marble. Free. Spare. ORIGINAL. Marble.
Oh, I’m jealous.
The lesson here, clearly, is to always chat up the person giving things away. Because they probably have even more wonders and they don’t even know.
May 11, 2016 @ 11:01 am
Wow, that was a trip well worth the gas and labor…a slab of marble you can use for free! Lucky you.
xo,
Karen