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Emily A. Clark

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Bye Bye Bookcases

July 22, 2013

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. . .

living room bookshelves via emilyaclark.com

 

 

And, in our current living room:

white bookcases with painted blue back

 

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.

 

white pagoda china cabinet

 

 

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.

 

IMG_6326

 

 

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.

 

faux bamboo

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 Smile

 

Pair of Chinoiserie Style Cabinets via 1st Dibs

 

 

living room furniture

 

 

I styled them very much like my bookcases, using most of the same accessories:

styling shelves

 

 

faux bamboo curio cabinet

 

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.)

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Filed Under: living room, our home, painted furniture

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melanie says

    July 22, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    Very cute! Never would have guessed it was bamboo!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 22, 2013 at 7:47 pm

      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!

      Reply
  2. Barbara Matson says

    July 22, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    LOVE it!

    Reply
  3. decorumdiyer says

    July 22, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    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!!!!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 22, 2013 at 7:59 pm

      Actually, writing this blog helps with that. I just tell him “it’s for my job!” Thankfully, he’s pretty easy-going :)

      Reply
  4. Crystal (theweekendhomemaker.com) says

    July 22, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    Wow! That is an amazing craigslist score.

    Reply
  5. This Sarah Loves says

    July 22, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    What a great find! I love the styling. It looks perfect in your living room.

    Reply
  6. Kate in Vienna says

    July 22, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    So jealous! Love it. How many of us are NOW trolling on CL searching for something this nice? Ha!

    Reply
  7. Stacey says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    Another great find! The pagoda unit is really pretty.

    Reply
  8. Kristin says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    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/

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 22, 2013 at 8:17 pm

      I read that. Hysterical! I totally relate to her determination :)

      Reply
  9. Brenda says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:11 pm

    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!

    Reply
  10. Katrina@ChicLittleHouse says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:14 pm

    so pretty! I’m also in love with your sofa table its fab!! :)

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 22, 2013 at 8:18 pm

      Thanks–Craigslist, too. (But, originally ZGallerie, I think.)

      Reply
  11. Anneke at This, That and Life says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    That is such a great piece of furniture! I love the change up! {And I totally compare online!} ;-)

    Reply
  12. theanatomyofdesign.com says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    gorgeous find! after you spray painted, did you varnish it with anything? great job!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 22, 2013 at 8:32 pm

      I used two coats of spray paint and my third coat was a lacquer.

      Reply
  13. LindsB says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:29 pm

    Love this look- and for a steal how could you pass?!?

    Reply
  14. Brandi says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    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!

    Reply
  15. Simply LKJ says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    Great find!

    Reply
  16. René says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    This looks perfect! Your room looks finished I’d say ;).

    Reply
  17. andrea@townandprairie says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    It’s delish! Faux bamboo is so classic retro, and stunning at the same time.

    Reply
  18. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:43 pm

    I love it! The texture of the bamboo, and the size are so great!

    Reply
  19. Vel Criste says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:44 pm

    I would’ve grabbed this one too Emily, it is a grogeous piece on any angle! Lucky gal!

    Reply
  20. Jessie says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    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

    Reply
  21. SHERRY HART says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    Score although I doubt you are going to leave that room alone. Can’t fool me sister.

    Reply
  22. Carrie @ Cosy Carolina Interiors says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    Very pretty! What a great find!

    Reply
  23. Kristin Jackson says

    July 22, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    STOP IT! Love a great score. It is perfection my friend!

    Reply
  24. The Pink Pagoda says

    July 22, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    LOVE your find! What a fantastic piece! Great styling too BTW!

    Reply
  25. Kari says

    July 22, 2013 at 9:54 pm

    Gorgeous! I never find anything good on Craigslist, lucky you;)

    Reply
  26. Christy plantedandbloominggirl says

    July 22, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    Wow! People in your area have good stuff for sale! I never get chic pieces!!! Love it!

    Reply
  27. Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies says

    July 22, 2013 at 11:28 pm

    Perfect piece…perfect fit and perfect finish!!!!

    Reply
  28. Lindsay, Xo Lindsay says

    July 23, 2013 at 12:02 am

    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!

    Reply
  29. simplymodernhome.com says

    July 23, 2013 at 12:11 am

    That is GORGEOUS! Seriously…amazing find! Did you consider painting the interior a different color? It looks FAB! Love your styling.

    Reply
  30. Linda {Calling it Home} says

    July 23, 2013 at 12:14 am

    I’m so jealous of that! It looks great in your home.

    Reply
  31. Beth of designPOST Interiors says

    July 23, 2013 at 12:16 am

    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 :)

    Reply
  32. Laurie Jones says

    July 23, 2013 at 12:24 am

    What a beautiful piece it’s perfection!!! Seriously I’ve yet to have any luck on Craigslist!

    Reply
  33. Kris L. says

    July 23, 2013 at 12:58 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 23, 2013 at 11:37 am

      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

      Reply
  34. Carmel - Our Fifth House says

    July 23, 2013 at 1:53 am

    What a great find! You totally scored!

    Reply
  35. Katie Neer says

    July 23, 2013 at 2:27 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  36. Kimberly Lemmon says

    July 23, 2013 at 2:45 am

    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!

    Reply
  37. pam {simple details} says

    July 23, 2013 at 2:54 am

    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! :)

    Reply
  38. Gwen, The Makerista says

    July 23, 2013 at 3:10 am

    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!

    Reply
  39. iheartorganizing says

    July 23, 2013 at 4:16 am

    Incredible find! So jealous! It looks incredible in your home! <3

    xo,
    Jen

    Reply
  40. Little Cottage on the Pond says

    July 23, 2013 at 4:32 am

    Lovely find! Perfect for the space and classic!

    Reply
  41. Anonymous says

    July 23, 2013 at 5:08 am

    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… :)

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 23, 2013 at 11:39 am

      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.

      Reply
  42. Pat@Life At Lydias House says

    July 23, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    Oh my goodness!!!That is gorgeous!!! What a treasure you found!

    Reply
  43. Janna McCalley says

    July 23, 2013 at 1:34 pm

    Awesome find! It looks perfect in your home!

    Reply
  44. mom23 says

    July 23, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    You sure have amazing CL karma! Lucky duck ;) Beautiful!!

    Reply
  45. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    July 23, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    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.

    Reply
  46. Kristin@bliss-athome.com says

    July 23, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Emily! That is GORGEOUS!!! I never get that lucky in our area finding anything pagoda-ish…xo kristin

    Reply
  47. LilyBiscuit says

    July 23, 2013 at 6:27 pm

    It’s perfect on that wall. I love it!!

    Reply
  48. Amber says

    July 23, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    I am dying! That is an awesome piece!! I know it’s wrong to covet…but that is awesome. Nice find!

    Reply
  49. Kristen Forgione says

    July 23, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    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.

    Reply
  50. Kristy says

    July 23, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 24, 2013 at 2:06 am

      It’s Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams. I would definitely say it’s a gray-gray.

      Reply
  51. ~JaBe says

    July 23, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    What happened to the painted ones?? Are they on Craig’s list?

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 23, 2013 at 9:04 pm

      No, we’re using them in the kids’ rooms.

      Reply
  52. Diane Haynie says

    July 24, 2013 at 12:45 am

    What an improvement! Gotta love Craigslist

    Reply
  53. Jill says

    July 24, 2013 at 11:42 am

    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!

    Reply
  54. www.carolynsmithdesigns.com says

    July 24, 2013 at 2:35 pm

    It’s the perfect piece for that spot! Great snag! The thrill is in the hunt! ha.

    Reply
  55. BeColorful says

    July 24, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    So envious. :D Great score
    Pamela

    Reply
  56. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    July 25, 2013 at 1:36 am

    Love that piece! It’s absolutely gorgeous!

    Reply
  57. Mrs. DeVore says

    July 25, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    It’s beautiful! It fits perfectly in your space.

    Reply
  58. Stephanie Crandall says

    July 26, 2013 at 2:38 am

    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!

    Reply
  59. Julia Konya says

    July 26, 2013 at 10:03 am

    Drool! I love it! What a fabulous find!

    Reply
  60. sarah m. dorsey says

    July 26, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    Such an incredible find!! Looks AMAZING in your space!!

    Reply
  61. Jessica Plattner says

    August 2, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Great find! Your house is just beautiful!

    Reply
  62. bridgette hunt says

    September 2, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    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

    Reply

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