Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Krate and Barrul

One of our favorite stores to browse is Crate and Barrel. Both Meredith and I love a lot of their furniture, but a lot of it is also out of our league financially.

What's the solution? Knock-offs! Our strategy now is to find some great designs there and make it ourselves.


Project 1: Bathroom Floor Mirror

The Target:

Parsons Floor Mirror
$429

The Solution:

White Wooden Floor Mirror
$80 for mirror, $40 for wood and paint = $120
Savings: $309


Project 2: Dining Room Table

The Target:


Hawthorne Dining Set (Discontinued, similar Provence set pictured)
Table: $1,999 + 6 Chairs: 6x$399 = $4393

The Solution:

Breadboard Style Dining Set
Wood + Supplies: $100, 6 Chairs: $800 = $900
Savings: $3493

We bought the chairs from Unfinished Wood Furniture, and had them finished. (Chairs are still above my skill level) The table is solid pine, somewhat distressed, and should continue to distress with use.

The best part of the table project was the source of the wood. All the wood in the table except the legs came from the stash of wood my grandpa had collected over the years. My grandma recently sold her house, and there were stacks and stacks of wood planks left in the garage. I took some of the less warped pieces, and used part of it to make a table that should be in our house for years and years.


Project 3: Office Armoire

The Target:
Hideaway Home Office Armoire

In progress. This one will be more different from the source than the others. We want the style to match the dining table, since it's in the same area, so it'll be more rustic than the pictured one.

6 comments:

Meredith said...

Like the title, Dave. Our house is really starting to look lived in. Y'all should come over sometime and see it (call first, of course). :)

Unknown said...

wow, dave. my grandfather was a woodworker and would often make furniture. i really respect people who can do this sort of work with their hands. i'm really impressed.

Anonymous said...

I am most impressed!!! with your woodwork. Your great grandfather Wherry would be proud. In the 1920ies he made a bedroom bed and vanity, (which your mother has) a library table, a tea wagon and a lawson chair. He had the advantage of using the High School's shop.

G'ma T

Anonymous said...

Great job! They look professional.

Val said...

Scott says, "I'm impressed!" So where do we get to sign up our wish list for you to do, Dave? ;) We want a teak, pedestal table and....

Dave said...

Well, I don't have any teak in stock at the moment, but we can talk... :)