Wednesday, September 11, 2013

My Best Ever Op-Shop Find




Last year, when my littlest girls were getting ready to move out of their cots, I set to work to find them some big-girl beds. I had my heart set on a pair of matching antique wrought iron frames and, despite many hours trawling eBay and Gumtree, my efforts were futile. There were plenty of one-only beds that fit the bill, but not pairs. And the pairs I did find were not quite the right style. I decided to find something new but of a similar style, and I fell in love with these beds. I would have gone for it if I'd had only one to buy, but needing two, as well as mattresses and bedding, the budget just wasn't going to stretch. In the end, I settled for a pair of very affordable reproduction antique beds that did the job, even if they didn't set my world on fire.



Then, earlier this year, I wandered into an op shop and spied a bed. A single bed. One wrought iron antique bed that was EXACTLY what I had been looking for. It was all there, hiding against a back wall, with the price tag of $25. I couldn't pass it up and decided to buy it for Lola. Life had taken a turn and big decisions were being made, and I knew I'd be needing some new furniture soon anyway. I paid my money and arranged to pick up the bed in a few days time.


When I returned later that week to collect our new-old bed, I went to the back wall to pick it up, only to have the volunteer on duty say that no, my bed was out in the back room where the on-hold items are kept. "So what's this?" I asked, pointing at what I thought was my bed. "That's the other one," she said.

So that's how I came to find my pair of matching wrought iron antique beds, exactly - EXACTLY - the style I had envisaged. They're in beautiful condition, with just enough paint chips and rust to look entirely not-brand-new. They have so far withstood a lot of bouncing and jumping. And at $25 each, they might just be my best op-shop find ever.


We still have a long way to go to finish this room - bedside tables, a rug on the floor, pictures framed and on the walls. Slowly, slowly...

21 comments:

  1. They are stunning little beds. and finding the matching pair: very lucky.
    x

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  2. OH my!! I am INCREDIBLY jealous!! These are exactly what I'm looking for too!
    I think we might just go to the same op shops so I'm hoping and wishing someone else might let something like this go!! And with a 3yo and 1yo I'm also hoping for matching beds in the next year or so! :) Wish me luck! ;)
    In the meantime I'll drool over your delights! x

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  3. I am on the search for a bed for Jarvis. Like you looking through Ebay and Gumtree. So far nothing in my price range 'does' it for me. Next step the ops shops. Fingers crossed I have as much luck as you do.

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  4. A truly great find. How awesome that there were two.

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  5. omg you have made my mind up, i am re doing the kids rooms! They are hopeless at the moment and these are divine! i bet you fell over yourself to buy that second one! what a day...the stuff of thrifting dreams....and adore the bed linen!

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  6. A matching pair! How wonderful. Such a pretty room. Funny how life delivers things to us sometimes. Be it people, opportunities or beds! xo

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  7. This post made me smile. I am so glad you found the matching pair! What a find. Perfect for you two sweeties.

    Sometimes we need these little affirmations in life in physical form. I love when the world opens up like that, even if it is for only a second. xo

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  8. They are perfect! What a seriously great find!

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  9. O my, I have to agree. The BEST buy ever.
    I trawled ebay and gumtree too, but I never found the pair I wanted. I got one in a garage sale in Noosa on holidays, despite only being $40, it was the unplanned trip home with an extra bed that made it not such a good buy!
    I love it though, just wish I had a second one.
    xx

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  10. Yes, best buy ever! Tell us the secret of how you keep your kids room so tidy? I can only aspire to such greatness!

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  11. I bet your girls love them Greer, as much as they love you for finding them!! Gorgeous post!

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  12. Amazing! The thrifting gods were with you that day for sure.
    Also, I am sorry I missed your post about your marriage.
    Virtual hugs to you and your sweet girls.

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  13. It was meant to be! They are beautiful! I'm currently in the big girl bed searching stage, as Everly is still in a cot and growing taller by the day...

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  14. They are perfect! Definitely the find of the century!
    I am currently beginning to look for a big boy bed...I too have visions of perfectly chipped wrought iron or even mottled brass...but I am thinking that a mattress on the floor will likely be what we end up with.

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  15. ah ... sometimes ... just SOMETIMES ... thank you, Universe. Celestial hugs come in mysterious ways from never-woulda-thunk-it places xx

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  16. cute beds and how wonderful that the stars aligned and you were able to buy not one but two that match :)

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  17. And they lived happily ever after...what a wonderful story.

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