It’s been a long while since I’ve been in the thrifting game (obviously when you’re eyeball deep in renovations you’ve got other priorities. Like not eating at McDonalds again.)  I was cruising Craigslist last night and feeling like every good thing ever was gone. Man this world of instant gratification! So instead of feeling sorry for the lack of cool vintage leather and the overabundance of microfiber, I took a trip down memory lane at all of the great things that I’ve scored and I thought it would be fun to look back over the years at my favorite secondhand finds.

My ultimate #1 favorite thing ever was the card catalog that I found on Craigslist. This thing was in rough shape. You can read all about how I saved it and see the original ad here! The previous owners used the little pullout shelf to spray paint on. Just typing that feels like someone stabbed me in the gut with a shiv. But after some serious TLC it is to this day my best score. It’s hanging out at my SIL’s until I’ve got a spot for it at the Merc. And honestly it makes me throw up in my mouth a little when I think of how I almost sold it. More in this post!

#2 on the list has to be The Nugget. What started as a knee jerk craigslist search on my birthday turned into one of my favorite DIY adventures. This cute vintage trailer came home with me for $1000 and after 4 months of hardcore renovation was completely unrecognizable! You can fall into the world of The Nugget here!

The next thing on the list is one that might make you green with envy. The pair of green leather chesterfield sofas that I found for $400. I somehow convinced Court to drive to the middle of nowhere Nevada to pick them up. They still need a heavy cleaning but I’m feeling pretty great that I’ll be able to find a home for them in the Merc.

#4 on the list is the vintage Michael Arnoult sling chair. Oh how I love this chair. Unfortunately with the leather being almost 60 years old its starting to tear. It’s one of those look but don’t sit chairs.

#5 is a basic midcentury staple that I just can’t quit. The vintage Brasilia dresser that I thrifted for $65 way back in 2013. It is just the most perfect simple guy that looks good in any space. I loved it in Brem’s Nursery!

Last but not least is a set of 6 chairs that I’ve never shown, aside from one instagram back in 2016. I am DYING to get phase 2 done in the Merc so that I can get them upholstered and moved in!

What is the best thing that you’ve ever thirifted?!!

The post My Favorite Secondhand Scores EVER! appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Holy cow, it’s been a bit since I’ve found anything super amazing at the thrift store. (I am 100% convinced its because I haven’t been going as much. The amount of great scores is directly related to the time you invest into finding them.) But still, who likes to leave empty handed every freakin time?! No one.

Well, maybe my husband, but he doesn’t count.

Last week I made a super last minute trip inside as they were closing (like at 8:56 and they close at 9) and found some pretty great stuff! Finally!!

All of these little candlestick holders and vessels were $.50 each!

The frame on this is not awesome, but any photograph of Southern Utah is a must have. ($5.00)

This wicker basket ($4.00) will be the perfect plant holder (I’m picturing a bright colored pot inside it!)

The last treasure is this solid wood mid century desk for $30. I LOVE the drawer fronts and handles. Its just so good. You could leave it as it, or paint parts of the drawers, I mean the possibilities are endless!

Have you scored anything amazing lately!? Make sure to hashtag #colddeadfingers on Insta so we can all see (and be super jealous!)

The post My Latest Thrift Store Scores! appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

I mean. Did you think that it wouldn’t happen?

The living room is being turned into a loft! (Well obviously not an actual loft but a totally loft-like space!!)

Now I know what some of you are thinking. Already?! I loved your living room! etc. etc. Well the truth is that my living room looks nothing like it did 2+ years ago when I shared it with you. The orange couch was the star, and with it’s demise, is now having a child actor moment in the storage unit. Almost all of the other furniture was sold at the last Hoard Sale, and dang it, I wanted a change.

I know when I start to get antsy (like looking for another house) its time for something new. I have been utterly consumed with living in a warehouse space, the problem is that Court doesn’t love old things. That will never happen in my marriage. So I had to find a way to make the space we have feel loft-ish. The good news is that we have really high ceilings so its totally doable.

The plans include:

1. BRICK! Ok so I am just going to say this so that you know how entirely obsessed I am. Brick is the new Leather. I feel like that wraps it up in a neat little package no? After seeing how it transformed Durango’s it was an easy choice.

2. Lots of new lighting to brighten up the space.

3. A settlement on the couch debate (still haven’t decided, I need to move everything in and try it out)

4. Art of course, but not just any art. If the plan actually works it is going to be FREAKING AMAZING art. We’ll see.

5. Plants and lots of them.

So what do you think? Do you support the loft movement?

The post Turning The Living Room Into A Loft (!!!) appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

You know when you see a beautifully styled picture on your favorite blog or in a magazine and you look at it and you are like “Yeah, but HOW?” I feel like I do that all. the. time. (Emily Henderson I am looking at you.)

Now. I am not claiming to be any sort of styling expert but I thought it would be fun to show you guys what I go through to get a shot.

One of my most favorite projects as of late is the Sherwin-Williams 2015 Color of the Year wall.  Also, I just need to put this out there, some of you guys are diehards. Yes this is in my house, not that is not my floor. It is actually the gorgeous Millstead Vintage Oak flooring that I got to put in The Nugget before I realized that it just wasn’t a great idea. I love it. And if I didn’t already enjoy to flooring we have (and my marriage) I would be tempted to put it in my entire house.

So here is the process of the shoot!

Cool right?!

I found the AMAZING settee on Craigslist a few months ago for $50-ish. The faux leather that is on it is in the worst kind of shape. Its moved past being beautifully worn to being just gnarly.

When the leather was too dark, I thought it would be fun to give it a paint job. (Because it needed to be reupholstered anyway, and so what have I got to lose?) I didn’t use my fabric painting technique because it was leather, and yes it feels painted but look at the color!! Its so good!

The giant print on the wall is one that will be in the shop (opening this week!!) I had it printed at my local copy store in black and white for $3 and then colored in the lines with colored pencils.

One of my favorite last minute touches is the wind farm throw from Crane and Canopy. It is SO soft and graphic and just all around amazing. They are known for their inexpensive high quality bedding, but have so many other great things too! (Christmas gifts anyone?!)

I have a cool story about the green square painting. A few years ago I found a really good couch (this one) and dining room chairs (these) on CL. When I went to pick them up the seller had 2 mid century paintings that were so pretty. This green one and a rust and orange colored pinwheel. I loved them both, but only had enough cash for one. I chose the pinwheel and had kicked myself ever since for not going back for the green one. Fast forward to a few months ago, guess what was at the thrift store for $8? The green painting that was left behind! Cue freaky music.

Anyways, I love seeing stuff like this, so I thought that maybe you guys would too! Questions? Leave them below!

The post Behind The Scenes of a Shoot appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Happy Monday you guys!!  I hope your Thanksgiving weekend was awesome!! 

So we have a really fun thing happening next week that I get to chat about today.  Have you ever seen the TV show Chopped?  I will admit, having been a contestant on TLC’s Craft Wars, reality competition show are really hard for me to watch, and Chopped just so happen to be the first one that I saw after making a fool of myself on national television.  I have a little Craft Wars PTSD about it. Its fine.

The premise is that the contestants get a basket of randoms and then they have to one dish using all of them.  Sounds simple right?  Until you get Chocolate Mousse, Mustard, and Goose Testicles.

Well, I have teamed up with a few of my DIY girlfriends for a DIY Mystery Supply Challenge.  We all go and buy the same 4 supplies and then flex our creative muscles and make something awesome. 

Our ingredients are Clear Glass Ornaments, Fake Snow, Ribbon, and a Sharpie Paint Pen and ornaments are the name of the game.

Definitely not goose testicle horrible. I’ve been working on the project idea, and I am pretty excited about it!!  I was a little stumped about it, and just kept thinking to myself “Snow inside the ornament, give it a little doodle, and hang it by the ribbon.  Keep it simple stupid.”  But OF COURSE that cant happen.  Should be fun!

Posts are going live on December 8th so stay tuned!!

The post DIY Mystery Supply Challenge appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

You guys!! I am super excited about the latest room makeover that is cooking! It is for my 16 year old sister in law Ashy. Ashy is such a fun and awesome girl. Ashy is probably the most carefree person that I know. This girl is fearless. She is also very (very) opinionated about the room design. There have been a lot of ideas tossed around and I am happy to announce that we have finally found just what she is looking for. The style that we are going for we’ve coined Desert Nomad. It is going to feel really laid back and comfortable, super collected,  erring on the masculine side, and have a little bit of 70’s retro.

The space that we are working in is pretty fantastic. It is a really big room,  with a big window and lots of closet space.

The furniture that was in there previously (the white buffet and the tufted headboard) doesn’t reflect her style at all. In fact, you know that a teenager is excited to get rid of something when they willingly help you move it out. Here is the thing, if you don’t love something, you can always sell it and use something different. Just because that white piece is probably someone’s dream piece of furniture, doesn’t mean that Ashy has to like it, or that we need to keep it in her room. Remember, it’s your house and you can do what you want!

The colors that we are using are going to be a really good mix of rich tones and beigey neutrals.

The biggest design dilemma is that we need a lot of comfy seating. Ashy has friends over all the time, and so we really need it to be a functional space for the way she uses it.

I have some massively fun projects in store that might give you some elementary school flashbacks (in a good way!)  and the entire room is being reconfigured.

Here are a few of the inspiration ideas that we have for the room:

Remember this type of string art from Elementary School? Picture this on a much grander scale…

Did you know that Nate has a new fabric line out in Joann’s? Life.Changing. I bought the entire roll of this gorgeous diamond print.

This retro painting by Kenneth Noland is a major source of our color inspo and overall vibe.

I cant wait to show you the first project that we tackled…it has something to do with that fab window seat.

I have been having a really great time blogging The Nugget in real time, so I think I am going to try my hand at that this makeover too. Inquiring minds want to know,  would you rather see it real time or the big reveal first with the projects after?

The post Ashy’s Bedroom Makeover: Before and a Game Plan appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Hi guys!!   Labor day weekend is upon us (holy cow where has the entire summer gone?!!).

We are having a massive girls weekend at the Gubler residence.  My sister Amy is staying with us for a few weeks (it is the best thing of my whole life, she is forbidden from ever leaving).  We took a quick jaunt to Cara’s house and Amy got her very own Maskcara makeover.  I will make sure to let you know when the full reveal is on Cara’s blog, but here is sneak peek with little Gertie Girl.

The fun doesn’t stop there.  Jamie, who you all know and love has also taken up residence and we have some major projects happening while she is here too.  At least that is the plan,  so far all we have managed to do is eat every yummy thing that crosses our path.  But we will get there.  She has also promised to do a behind the scenes/real life at Mandi’s house in next week’s newsletter,  so you might want to sign up if you are itching to know how things REALLY are at Vintage Revivals…or not, if secondhand embarrassment is not  your thing.  (form is in the sidebar, make sure it is the newsletter that you are signing up for, not the email subscription!)

Because everyone loves celebrating the end of summer, here are lots of fun sales happening!  Here are a few of my favorite things! (a few of the links are affiliate, just a heads up!)

Check out RugsUSA for 80% off  this is the best sale that they run the entire year.  The overdyed purple rug that I used in the BHG shoot is on sale for $61.50.  And they have about a million colors.

Wallpaper Direct for 15% off everything.  My current fave is the white brick wallpaper that I am using for some of my small project shots

15% off everything at Furbish Studio!  I am really loving this rug:

And this pillow needs to live in The Nugget.  I can feel it.

Target has up to 25% off select home decor,  like this mid century coffee table (sooo good!!)

This entryway bench by Blue Dot for Target is freaking amazing.  Don’t need an entryway bench?  Picture it at the end of your bed!

Remember the Herbal Essence commercials where the girls were screaming “Yes! Yes! Yes!”?  That is how I feel about this barstool

.

I hope you guys have a great Labor Day weekend!   See you on the flip side with a fun giveaway that has a lot of somethings to do with this project.

The post Weekend Plans & A Few Labor Day Decor Picks!! appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

I cannot believe it is already Wednesday! Holy.

I will be the first to admit that I have been a lackluster thrifter for the last few months. Buying everything in sight for The Hoard Sale will do that to a girl. Not to mention summer, and The Nugs,  I just needed to take a little break.

Hope you folks in St. George enjoyed the pickins, cause I am back.

I feel like the thrifting gods have missed me, as evidenced by the great things that I scored at the DI (Utah’s version of Goodwill) on Saturday.

Dish Holder $2.00,  Footed Mid Century Enamel Bowl $3.00, Teacups $1.00 each

Tomato Suitcase $2.00,  Ceramic Vase $1.00,  White Bowl with Lid $2.00

This chair is one of my favorites ever!! I couldn’t believe that it was only $10. It has a little damage on one of the arms, and as soon as I figure out how to repair it I will let you guys know!

Ivie is going through a phase where she wants to know all about everything that I loved when I was her age. Saved By The Bell is topping our Netflix queue right now, with Full House a close second. So when we found these Trolls it was safe to say that we were both extremely excited about it.

Have you scored anything amazing recently? Pretty please hashtag it #colddeadfingers so that we can see it!!

The post Thrifting Finds from the Weekend appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Happy Friday to my favorite people!!

I cant believe that it has been 2 weeks since the Hoard Sale. I feel like I am still trying to recover!

Every year I go through the same cycle. Look at all of the stuff. Feel good about the amount of stuff I have. See how many people sign up for the info (588 this year!) Freak out because I don’t have that much stuff. Eat a cookie about it. Decided that it just has to be good enough. Unload the stuff. Think that my garage must have Mary Poppins like qualities, because there is NO WAY all of that stuff could fit in such a small space. Enjoy the heck out of the actual sale, like its in my top 5 most awesome things. Die. (Repeat every year)

I am so glad that Brooke loves furniture as much as I do. There is not a better friend to team up with for an event like this.

Huge thank you to everyone that came out and joined us (except the guy that stole our signs because we wouldn’t let him in early). Meeting people that love this kind of stuff the way we do is the best feeling in the entire world. AND it shows Court that I am not the only crazy person that loves old furniture. I couldn’t believe how far some of you had come. Blogging is a little solitary so it is amazing to be able to put a face (and a hug!) to some of you.

We had Waffle Love join us all the way from Provo (4 hours away!) and it.was.life.changing. Have you guys tried a WaffLuv waffle? It is the stuff dreams are made out of. I am seriously excited/nervous that they are opening a truck in St. George. My girls are already asking about it.

The Dance Off was EPIC, and totally got everyone excited to party (at 8:00 in the morning!)

People who don’t take themselves too seriously are my favorite kind. And old people. I love old people.

There were a few pretty awesome things left so I have a really fun makeover series planned. Think Jenny Jones…

If you are planning a yard sale, totally check out these tips to maximize the success (and see the very first Hoard Sale, in all it’s tiny glory!)

Cant wait to see you all next year!!

The post The Hoard Sale 2014! appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Hey guys!! I have a story to tell you, but you have to promise that you wont get all judgy. Deal?

Every once in a while you find something while thrifting or Craigslisting that slips through your fingers, and no matter how badly you try, you just cant get over it. I haven’t had something like this happen since the couch,  but I think I am through the grief cycle and can finally talk about it.

I was heading to pick up some stuff from a store on the other side of town for the Hoard Sale. As I was pulling out of my driveway, I had a nagging feeling to stop at the DI (the main thrift store in St. George that owns my heart and 25% of my life). I was like “Nagging Feeling (proper noun because it is a real thing),  I’ll stop on the way back. I have to get to this store before they close.” The nagging feeling was all “Hmph,  fine then. I guess you don’t trust me. You will regret this for the rest of your life.” and then it disappeared. In my defense, usually the nagging feeling that comes when I pull out of my driveway is telling me to go and get a Swig sugar cookie. I am used to telling it shush.

Like planned, I picked up my goods and stopped at the DI on the way home. I walked in, feeling pretty great about the way things were going. I had had a shower that day, the store was air conditioned,  I was going to go and get a snow cone after. Just down right content,  ya know? I dropped my phone in my bag and looked up.

Have you ever witnessed something that makes you feel like your uterus has fallen out? Just right there on the ground? Welp that’s what happened.

There in front of me was an adorable lady with her two teenage daughters waiting in the check out line.

Do you know what they had in their cart? (Of course you don’t because I haven’t been able to speak of it until today.)

In her cart was a perfect condition vintage hanging rattan chair. Super similar to this one my girls at A Beautiful Mess have:

The nice air conditioning that I had just praised, all of a sudden felt mighty cold as all of the blood was draining from my body.

Gulp. Think Mandi, THINK.

I couldn’t run up to her and beg for a chance to buy it. I couldn’t drop to my knees and wail in horror,  all I could do was mentally pick my uterus back up and calmly walk past them….

…into the nearest clothing rack. (By into I mean intentionally, not like I ran into it. But I can see how one might think, that because of my current mental state we actually collided.)

I had to watch. Because I just wasn’t ready to say hello and goodbye that quickly.

The problem? The line was sort of long and in order for it to not get reeeeally uncomfortable I had to pretend that I cared about the men’s xxxl button up Bermuda shirts that I found myself in.

I just couldn’t stop staring. So I blindly moved, while I stared. Sometimes closer, sometimes further but I was not taking my eyes off that thing for a second. Our love story and what could have been flashed before my eyes. It would have been so perfect in Ivie’s room, with a cute pillow and serape blanket tucked in.

Phew. Keep it together girl.

Finally it was the cute lady’s turn to check out. By this time I had not so casually meandered over to the children’s clothes and was in earshot of the entire transaction.

I mean, I don’t know what I expected to have happen? That she would turn around and say “You haven’t blinked for the last 6 minutes, that is quite the feat. Here let me give you this chair to buy as a reward.”?! But.I.couldn’t.leave.

She paid for the chair, and my world darkened. I felt like Maleficent when she discovered that her wings had been cut off. (Pssst. such a good movie!)  But alas, it was just not meant to be. I hope her daughters love that chair the way we would have loved it. Fully. Completely. Eternally.

I found out later that the chair had been at the store for 3 hours and it was marked at $20. *#$(&#.

Nagging voice 1  Mandi 0.

The post The Time I Left My Uterus At The Thrift Store appeared first on Vintage Revivals.