Emily A. Clark

design. simplified.

Bye Bye Bookcases

Jul222013

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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Comments

    • 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

  3. 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

  9. 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

  14. 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

  33. 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

  38. 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

  41. 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

    • 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

  50. 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

  53. 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

  58. 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

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