Hardware Obsession

I completely fell in love with this credenza posted a few weeks ago on Design*Sponge. I love the blue painted finish, but I really LOVE the amazing brass hardware. The image was filed away in my brain for future reference...


Every Tuesday and Friday here in Dover, there is a flea market called Spence's. It's a lot of junk - plastic knock off handbags and shady toiletries aplenty - but there is a healthy vintage/antiques section. Every time I go to Spence's I've picked up one or two fun knick-knacks for around a buck each. Then we hit up the Amish food market for beautiful fresh produce and out-of-this-world baked goods. It's been a fun weekly thing for our family.

Most of the flea market area is full of smaller stuff, but there is a tiny furniture section that's never really tempted me before. Today though, I spied this guy under a pile of old table linens...
Hmm. Looks very familiar...


$40 later and he was mine.


So exciting, right? A couple coats of glossy oil-based paint and a little Bar Keeper's Friend on the hardware will do wonders here. The plan is to put it in my office to hide my fax machine and giant printer/scanner. Can't wait to show you the 'after' pictures!
on

43 comments:

  1. Jessica @ Lavender and LiliesSeptember 23, 2009 at 6:22 AM

    It's great that you found something so similar. I love that color of blue.

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  2. ZoeBSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:32 AM

    I m very jealous of you folks in the US. Every blog I read the person is off to a flea/junk market. It just doesn't happen in the UK. It used to but now everyone is wised up.We just have occasional auctions, Shops that get real junk, slap Farrow & Ball paint on & charge whopping prices ,and Car boot sales (these tend to attract traders rather than householders). I feel like I'm getting my 'fix' when I read the american blogs but I am REEEEEEAAAALLLYYY jealous! ZoeB

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  3. HomageBlogSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:36 AM

    What a great find! I can't wait to see the finished product! ~K

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  4. MFAMBSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:13 AM

    jenny- do you know what color the Dsponge reader used on that piece?

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  5. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    Um, pretty sure that is the exact same credenza!! Just the drawers are switched around in order.

    You are SO lucky!!!! I love your blog so much...

    Gabi

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  6. Jenny at LGNSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:02 AM

    My favorite and my best (Jenny, right?) - I WISH I knew that paint color. It is so, so pretty. I bet if you were really interested though, you could email Grace at Design*Sponge and she would put you in contact with the dresser owners.

    Gabi - I know! Looking closely at the d*s dresser and mine, I'm 99% sure they are from the same line/furniture co. I'm so excited to clean up the hardware if the result will be something like that!!

    ZoeB - Are you kidding me? You live in EUROPE!! There have got to be some fantastic flea markets somewhere near you! If you ever take a field trip to Brussels, check out the Jeu de Balle. Cheap and amazing!! It's open every day but Monday, I think.

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  7. UnknownSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    Great find!

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  8. TriciaSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:31 AM

    What a fabulous find! Can't wait to see it once you've given it some love. Great hardware too.

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  9. AverillSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:32 AM

    That is exciting! I can't wait to see the "after" pictures!

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  10. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:36 AM

    Love it! Can't wait to see what yo do with it!!!

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  11. Brooke @ Blueprint BlissSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    Oh my gosh- great find for $40. I can't wait to see the afters.

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  12. UnknownSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    Great score! Talk about law of attraction. Maybe you could give us readers a lesson on paint. I'm curious about your decision to use old base vs. laytex.

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  13. MeganSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    LOVE it! and for 40 dollars who could pass that diamond in the rough up?? I am SO jealous! Your inspiration picture is wonderful! Can't wait to see your version!

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  14. L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoysSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:46 AM

    Great find! I can't wait to see what you do to it.

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  15. High-Heeled Foot in the doorSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    Jenny,

    I love it! I've been on the hunt for something very similar for my office! I was out searching for it yesterday, but came home empty handed.

    Great, great, find for $40!

    I think I'm going to Delaware in 2 weeks to visit my SIL at the University of Delaware. Are you near there we should meet up!

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  16. MilySeptember 23, 2009 at 10:15 AM

    What luck! I love the trim on the credenza, especially.

    I'm usually a lurker, but I wanted to finally comment and say how much I enjoy your blog and all the creative projects that you do. You've given me a lot of inspiration. Thanks!

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  17. Paddywack DesignsSeptember 23, 2009 at 10:35 AM

    how exciting... too fabulous.

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  18. SusanSeptember 23, 2009 at 10:36 AM

    oh i can't wait either, it is gorg! i am new to your blog, but i love it here, very inspiring.

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  19. MegSeptember 23, 2009 at 10:42 AM

    I love seeing furniture makeovers like this! I actually painted a $50 armoire a grayish blue color a couple of months ago and love it. May I recommend Behr Ultra paint and primer in one? It's amazing and it only took me one coat.

    Here's my armoire:

    http://megsewell.blogspot.com/2009/07/tangled-up-in-blue.html

    I can't wait to see your results!

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  20. Cheryl @ a pretty cool life.September 23, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    It's amazing that you found such a close match! I never am that lucky...

    Can't wait to see how it turns out!

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  21. Michelle HughesSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    I love taking unloved pieces and painting them! Can't wait to see what yours looks like when it is finished!

    SMiles!
    Michelle

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  22. The Glam LambSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    Hi! Do you think that when you start the painting process - you could do a step by step blog post? i really want to learn how to paint a few pieces of furniture - especially when it comes to sanding, or if it needs it, or if it needs to be primed... Thanks!!!!!

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  23. Salsa MamaSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:55 AM

    Why are you going with oil based paint? How do you know when to use oil vs. water based?

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  24. LindsBSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    Bar keepers friend is the best stuff on earth, I didnt know you could use it on hardware like that?!? You just made my day, I'll be cleaning dirty hardware forever now :)

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  25. Kasey at Thrifty Little BlogSeptember 23, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    Ooh. Great inspiration. I'm excited to see how yours turns out!

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  26. blackandtanandwhitealloverSeptember 23, 2009 at 1:11 PM

    Good god you have a good eye woman. I cannot wait to see the results.

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  27. paulaSeptember 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM

    oh my, this is going to look amazing! cant wait to see.

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  28. MeredithSeptember 23, 2009 at 2:33 PM

    Amazing that you would find something so incredibly similar! BTW, nice reference to your blog at Apartment Therapy San Fran:

    http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/bedroom/high-low-and-diy-boldprint-upholstered-headboards-096425

    (Not sure if they shoot you an email before they post.)

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  29. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2009 at 2:44 PM

    such a lucky find! I was inspired by that same piece and am looking for a project of my own. It's nice to see brass getting a little love too. I love brass and decided to buck the antique nickle trend and get brass drapery rods and finials, etc. It makes everything look a bit more regal in my opinion.

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  30. WendySeptember 23, 2009 at 4:24 PM

    That is an awesome find! The after pictures will be incredible, can't wait to see them.

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  31. SarahSeptember 23, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    Jenny,
    Wow that is a really close match, very excited to see what you do with it. I enjoyed ZoeB's comment about slapping the F&B paint on and marking things up. They do that here though, but there is a lot of junk to be had here in the U.S and A.

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  32. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2009 at 4:52 PM

    Beautiful!
    Would you post your 'in the process' pics? I would love to know how to paint furniture in a way where it would be long lasting...the primer...the paint, etc! Thanks and can't wait to see what it turns into:)

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  33. Design*ChampagneSeptember 23, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    Ahh love that color of blue! And what a find! Can't wait to see the finished product!

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  34. HeatherSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:19 PM

    I can't wait to see what you'll do with this!
    Glad you internet is working again!

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  35. Tracy WatierSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:22 PM

    Good eye! They most definitely came from the same family. I'm sure yours will look just as fabulous as its inspiration.

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  36. EmSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:32 PM

    what a great credenza. i'm jealous! we just moved into a 1920s-style house in new jersey and have soo much furniture and stuff to fill it. i'm wondering how you find good flea markets. do you just try out everyone or is there a secret way to weed through?

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  37. Hello Lover...September 24, 2009 at 1:30 AM

    I've never posted before but I've been a follower of your blog for sometime. I saw your daughters windows on Apartment Therapy today and just wanted to say congrats!

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  38. CarrieSeptember 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    I can't wait to see how it turns out!

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  39. Marcy TateSeptember 24, 2009 at 11:47 AM

    Awesome job, smakes me want to run out and shop around for a perfect piece.

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  40. Re:Fresh Design StudioSeptember 24, 2009 at 4:51 PM

    oooo, great find! I can't wait to see after pics if you're willing to share!

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  41. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    I'm so thankful to a dear friend of mine for turning me onto your blog. I have the same problem as ZoeB. The flea markets here are filled with just that...fleas and junk. I've tried them all but never seem to find those jewels like so many other people do in different parts of this country! *sigh*

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  42. ShelterSeptember 30, 2009 at 4:02 PM

    Love - The color is great. What an amazing find.

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  43. MarchyMarch 19, 2012 at 2:43 PM

    like ZoeB i am so jealous of u location wise, though i actually thought the UK has a lot of vintage stores and flea markets...? Well im in sunny South Africa, and there's none, or i'm just not looking in the right places!
    Thanks for sharing, i love to experience through you guys!

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)