Remember the bookcases I found on Craigslist a few years ago and painted? Considering I paid a whopping $20 each for them, I’d say they’ve served us pretty well in our last house. . .
And, in our current living room:
And, most recently, in the nursery.
But, when I found this faux-bamboo-style-pagoda-curio-china-cabinet (I’m actually not sure what to call it) through a Craigslist ad, I knew it was what our living room had been missing.
It was unfinished when I got it and was, luckily, able to be transported in three pieces. I ended up brushing the inside and spray painting most of the exterior.
And, yes, I got it for a steal. To be honest, I could’ve left the bookshelves where they were, but I never felt like our living room was quite finished. Plus, I have a weakness for anything with a pagoda top and a really great price tag.
I used some knobs I already had from Pier 1.
I further validated myself after I got it home by searching the internet for similar pieces. (Do you do this, too?) The closest thing I found was this pair on 1st Dibs, which isn’t exactly like shopping at the bargain basement 
I styled them very much like my bookcases, using most of the same accessories:
And, although there are still a few small things I’d like to do our living room, I feel like I can move onto the next project and let it be for a while. (Or, at least until I find another crazy deal on Craigslist.)
Very cute! Never would have guessed it was bamboo!
Well, you know, the door fronts just remind me of that same look but it’s actually ties. I told you I didn’t know what to call it :) Lots of adjectives swirling around in my head when I saw it!
LOVE it!
I must admit. I am insanely jealous of your latest find. Just my style. Although, my husband would have put his foot down claiming that we already had bookcases that served us well and the new one just a want and not a need. So, I guess I’m also jealous that your husband gives in to your lovely furniture obsessions. ;)
It looks great in your living room. Great choice and excellent find!!!!
Actually, writing this blog helps with that. I just tell him “it’s for my job!” Thankfully, he’s pretty easy-going :)
Wow! That is an amazing craigslist score.
What a great find! I love the styling. It looks perfect in your living room.
So jealous! Love it. How many of us are NOW trolling on CL searching for something this nice? Ha!
Another great find! The pagoda unit is really pretty.
Your affection for a pagoda and Craigslist remind me of a blogger I recently discovered. If you have 10 minutes of peace (I know, I know, 5 kids!), I highly recommend you check out this post (full disclosure: there is one incident of the s-word)–
http://victoriaelizabethbarnes.com/huge-victorian-antique-mirror/
I read that. Hysterical! I totally relate to her determination :)
I love it! I also research my finds when I get home but I don’t know that I’ve ever found something similar on 1st Dibs. Wow. You must be thrilled. Well done!
so pretty! I’m also in love with your sofa table its fab!! :)
Thanks–Craigslist, too. (But, originally ZGallerie, I think.)
That is such a great piece of furniture! I love the change up! {And I totally compare online!} ;-)
gorgeous find! after you spray painted, did you varnish it with anything? great job!
I used two coats of spray paint and my third coat was a lacquer.
Love this look- and for a steal how could you pass?!?
How flipping gorgeous! (Oops can I say that!) I love your new find. It goes so nicely with the rest of your room. It was meant to be. You styled it perfectly! Love all you do!
Great find!
This looks perfect! Your room looks finished I’d say ;).
It’s delish! Faux bamboo is so classic retro, and stunning at the same time.
I love it! The texture of the bamboo, and the size are so great!
I would’ve grabbed this one too Emily, it is a grogeous piece on any angle! Lucky gal!
It’s gorgeous, great find, Emily! It oozes so much style and character, a really wonderful addition to your home. Love it!
P/S: Come by and enter my current giveaway to win a $50 gift cert from Coton Colors (a colorful and chic handcrafted pottery company) if you like.
http://www.mixandchic.com/2013/07/a-product-review-and-giveaway-coton.html
Have a good day!
Jessie
Score although I doubt you are going to leave that room alone. Can’t fool me sister.
Very pretty! What a great find!
STOP IT! Love a great score. It is perfection my friend!
LOVE your find! What a fantastic piece! Great styling too BTW!
Gorgeous! I never find anything good on Craigslist, lucky you;)
Wow! People in your area have good stuff for sale! I never get chic pieces!!! Love it!
Perfect piece…perfect fit and perfect finish!!!!
Ahhhh!!! Looks so good!!!! I can never seem to find anything good on Craigslist here in Wilmington. I need to move to Charlotte or Raleigh, it looks like!
That is GORGEOUS! Seriously…amazing find! Did you consider painting the interior a different color? It looks FAB! Love your styling.
I’m so jealous of that! It looks great in your home.
Aw, I’ll miss your bookcases but they are such great pieces I am sure you can find a place for them in another room…I am sure you have already started moving things :)
What a beautiful piece it’s perfection!!! Seriously I’ve yet to have any luck on Craigslist!
Lovely piece, Emily! Would you consider (or have you already?!) doing a blog post on tips and tricks for how you find/search for items on Craigslist? I’ve had a great deal of luck selling unwanted items, but not nearly as successful finding what I want or need in the furniture department.
I think the key is just to look often, really. No huge tricks here but here’s a post I did a few years ago: http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-find-best-deals-on-craigslist.html
What a great find! You totally scored!
Love it!
I was about to get upset because I really like your book cases. That Pagoda cabinet is a once in a lifetime find. I’d love to have it for myself!
Those details are killing me, I love the sides on your ‘piece’ – what I call things when I don’t know what to call them! :)
isn’t craigslist just amazing? as long as you have some patience, time to go look at the thing, and someone to enter into the unknown with you (i’m a grown woman and my dad still tells me that he’ll always go with me to look at something if my husband can’t :) ) you can get the best deals! i recently got a brand new kitchen table with 6 chairs and a leaf for $100! i sold our old table for 3x that! i actually just blogged about the space tonight. http://www.themakerista.com/2013/07/the-living-and-dining-spaces.html
thanks for sharing this beauty, emily!
Incredible find! So jealous! It looks incredible in your home! <3
xo,
Jen
Lovely find! Perfect for the space and classic!
That’s a gorgeous book case Emily. Not that I want to be rude, but the wall somehow looks like its missing something. I am sure you will add more to the wall.. slowly but surely. Perhaps something on both sides of the book case… A wall art… or two chairs on each side or something I dont know…but… Love your home though… :)
Hi Anonymous :)
Yes, agree and it’s on the long to-do list–just not a priority. I figured you all would like to see along-the-way progress instead of waiting til 2016. I’m debating between having my kids do a few small canvases on either side or even using some photography.
Oh my goodness!!!That is gorgeous!!! What a treasure you found!
Awesome find! It looks perfect in your home!
You sure have amazing CL karma! Lucky duck ;) Beautiful!!
I’m a CL junkie too, but you really have the best stuff in your area! They shelf is gorgeous, I love all of the detail.
Emily! That is GORGEOUS!!! I never get that lucky in our area finding anything pagoda-ish…xo kristin
It’s perfect on that wall. I love it!!
I am dying! That is an awesome piece!! I know it’s wrong to covet…but that is awesome. Nice find!
GOODNESS I am speechless I love that piece so much. Pagoda, say no more. GREAT FIND #everythinglooksbetterspraypainted
xo!
Kristen Forgione
THE LifeStyled COMPANY
http://www.thelifestyledco.com
Interiors. Events. Wardrobes. Blog.
I adore your house… what color is your LR? Mine is BM – Silver Fox and I’m having a horrible time picking out a color for the kitchen. I wish it was more of a gray gray like yours! :( Enough pouting… Love the new piece!
It’s Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams. I would definitely say it’s a gray-gray.
What happened to the painted ones?? Are they on Craig’s list?
No, we’re using them in the kids’ rooms.
What an improvement! Gotta love Craigslist
Emily! It’s darling! Honestly, I love it so much and it’s perfect there! Have you thought about adding lights inside like the ones I used for the hutch I refurbished? It was super easy and I got the lights at Home Depot. I have them on a timer so they are on when I come home and then go off at midnight. Plus, I can see the pretty things inside so much better. What do you think? Regardless, it’s a stunning piece and a great find! Way to go!
It’s the perfect piece for that spot! Great snag! The thrill is in the hunt! ha.
So envious. :D Great score
Pamela
Love that piece! It’s absolutely gorgeous!
It’s beautiful! It fits perfectly in your space.
i LOVE THAT!! So beautiful and you’re right, it just makes the space! I wish I found steals like that on our Craigs List.. faux bamboo is nowhere to be found in Utah =( I’ve been out of the blog world for a while, I’m glad to be back and catch up on your blog and your home!
Drool! I love it! What a fabulous find!
Such an incredible find!! Looks AMAZING in your space!!
Great find! Your house is just beautiful!
Beautiful piece of furniture. great score. I found a similar piece on CL for 40 bucks. your home is such a beautiful inspiration. thanks for the photos