I did a little switcheroo in the living room area of our great room this past weekend. I gave our dinky bookcase, that housed our DVDs, the boot and replaced it with the card catalog, that was living happily in the dining room area of our great room. And so far I’m loving the bookcase eviction action plan.
I didn’t think to take a before picture, so I scoured my computer in an attempt to find a photo. Here’s the best one I found of the bookcase… lightly decorated for Christmas 2009, our first Christmas in this house. Doesn’t it look sad and alone? I’m happy to report that the bookcase is enjoying its new home in our closet, where it’s housing my shoes. (Can you spot the lazy dog?)
The size of the card catalog is perfect for this area of our living room. We have vaulted ceilings in our great room, so the card catalog provides good height. It’s going to be hard to take down this set up when I get around to redesigning the card catalog, but I’m already planning the card catalog’s replacement in this space.
Most of you know that I scored the card catalog for $85 from Craigslist (read about that here and here). I also purchased the blue chair from someone off Craigslist for $40 almost two years ago– a little pricey, but it’s a great chair and was barely used. Buying from old people has its benefits: they take care of their stuff. I stole the chevron pillow (purchased from Home Goods earlier this year) from our guest bedroom.
I adopted this adorable elephant from Home Goods yesterday. His name is Percy. He was free to me because I used a gift card, but he came with an $8 price tag in case you’re wondering. The Readers Digest book was a Goodwill Outlet find from yesterday ($.69). The pink and white book is a thrift store book I covered with fabric leftover from my fabric covered message board.
I’m calling the white wire basket the Goodwill Outlet score of the month. I came across 10 The Container Store elfa wire baskets (5 tall and 5 short) at the GW Outlet yesterday. Score. I brought home 5 tall and 3 short (two of the short baskets were too rusty for my liking). The tall baskets were about $1.75 each. My original plan was to use them in the garage, but I think I’ll put them to use in our master closet.
I filled one of the tall wire baskets with my great-grandmother’s quilt and the afghan my great aunt knitted for Brad and me. It’s the softest blanket ever. I have to fight to keep Jack off it when I use it.
Kroger keeps spoiling me with $.50 tulips. Seriously, who turns down half a dozen tulips for two quarters? I put these beauties in one of my thrifted hobnail milk glass vase. I may or may not have three of these same exact vases.
What do you think of the new set up?
Isn’t Percy adorable? Love that little guy.
Could you say no to fifty cent tulips?
DecorandtheDog says
October 17, 2012 at 12:38 PMOooo, me likey! It’s styled quite lovely as well. Percy is totally hogging the card catalog’s spot light.
Liz Marie says
October 17, 2012 at 12:55 PMLoooove the switcharoo! It looks amazing!! Hope you are having a great week 🙂
xx Liz Marie
MommaG says
October 17, 2012 at 1:11 PMLove it. I also love all your great finds. I REALLY need to start frequenting thrift stores. Oh and Percy is pretty cute!!
Suzan says
October 17, 2012 at 1:18 PMAwe! I love Percy. 🙂
Country Essence says
October 17, 2012 at 1:37 PMI so LOVE the card catalog…wow…where did you score that find! You have me wanting to contact my local libraries now to see if they still have any of these around that they are not using and would like to sell…wow…I am excited to try and find one! : )
popcornonthestove.com says
October 17, 2012 at 2:04 PMI love card catalogs – I had been looking for a loooong time before I finally spotted an ad on Craigslist. We had about a two hour car ride to pick them up but I love them! Totally worth it 🙂
Samantha {Moody Mama} says
October 17, 2012 at 2:29 PMLove the switch! I wouldn’t be able to pass up those tulips either!
annebronkema says
October 17, 2012 at 2:37 PMI looove that elephant on the book! A Homegoods needs to come to my city asap. At least we have thrift stores–I got a ton of reader’s digest books for $.25 each that I just blogged about today!
http://annebronkema.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/readers-digest-books-as-home-decor-in-which-i-basically-sell-my-soul-to-keep-up-appearances/
Recreate and Repin says
October 17, 2012 at 3:07 PMI love Percy!
[email protected] says
October 17, 2012 at 3:13 PMDefinitely better! Let’s talk about that blue chair next…
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
October 17, 2012 at 8:44 PMDo you mean “let’s talk about that blue chair next…” in a good way or a bad way…?
reilly @ JourneyNorth says
October 17, 2012 at 5:41 PMUm. I LOVE Percy. When you get sick of him (how could you tire of that cuteness though?!?) please send him to me.
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
October 17, 2012 at 6:39 PMI love it and I love Percy! So cute 🙂
Kylie Helm says
October 17, 2012 at 7:09 PMChelsea, the library card case looks AMAZING THERE! It’s exactly the height that area needed. Absolutely love it 🙂
[email protected] says
October 17, 2012 at 7:34 PMLove it! It looks absolutely perfect there and definitely adds some height to the room!
And the way you have it decorated is gorgeous!
Kelly says
October 17, 2012 at 8:05 PMThe new setup is terrible. You should evict that card catalog right into my living room. Add the elephant too, while you’re at it.
Kelly @ View Along the Way
http://www.viewalongtheway.com
Emily says
October 17, 2012 at 9:45 PMLooks great! Awesome thrifty finds. 🙂 Percy is a cutie!
ElleSee says
October 18, 2012 at 1:38 AMWhat a world of difference that card catalog makes with the space in your living room! I love it! What a great find!
Catherine says
October 18, 2012 at 1:51 AMI LOVE the card catalog, but what about that chair! Another beautiful piece.
Tonya Diehl says
October 18, 2012 at 1:53 AMLove everything about this!! The card catalog is gorgeous! And I’m totally with you on the 50 cent tulips! I didn’t even know you could find tulips this time of year! Gonna check our Kroger the next time I visit!!
Gretchen says
October 18, 2012 at 2:44 AMSo jealous about the card catalog! I keep checking craigslist, and the only ones there right now are $1000!! I’m about to pull the trigger and buy a knock-off from Target, I think.
Crystelle Boutique says
October 18, 2012 at 5:56 AMLove the switcheroo! so much better…..
Hey I paint a LOT more for my card catalog, and it’s MUCH smaller….. 🙁
but I still love it… 🙂
Have a happy week!
Crystelle
http://www.crystelleboutique.com
Val @ Home Made Modern says
October 18, 2012 at 12:39 PMAs a non-working librarian, I have serious card catalog envy. And yours is BEAUTIFUL and styled so pretty, too. Love, love, love it! New follower from House of Hepworths!
Sarah Pratt says
October 18, 2012 at 7:28 PMLove it!! I am from the Indy area and am wondering what GW Outlet do you go to? I have never been to any of the outlets before. Thanks!
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
October 18, 2012 at 9:17 PMHi Sarah! There are three GW Outlet locations. I typically go to the W. Washington location because many of my clients for work are in that area. You can read more about the GW Outlets here: http://www.twotwenty-one.com/2012/05/thrifting-finds-tips-part-two.html
Donna Wilkes says
October 18, 2012 at 8:40 PMLove the card catalog – I have been looking at several this week. i like that yours is perfect for the space and the vignette you created around it adds a lot of character to the room. Great deals on those baskets. You should have gotten the rusty ones – always nice for outdoor displays!
Distressed Donna Down Home
Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says
October 19, 2012 at 7:55 PMI love it all. The card catalog is perfect for that space and it looks so cozy now. I’m really curious what you are planning for the card catalog now because I’m loving it as is.
Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wife says
October 20, 2012 at 1:06 AMLucky duck! I have been searching for a card catalogue for years. Your’s looks great:)
Alexandra @ In Designer Jeans says
October 20, 2012 at 1:36 AMI am totally jealous of your card catalog! I love it!! I have had my eye out for one for almost a year now! 🙂 Everything looks really good!
ferrellgraph-x says
October 20, 2012 at 3:03 AMWow! What luck to find the card catalog! Love It!!!!
Kindest regards,
Jennifer
Doreen says
October 23, 2012 at 3:10 AMI’m absolutely drooling over your library cabinet. And what a steal, even with one drawer missing. Wow! I found ONE lonely drawer on CL recently, which I bought for $15. IT’S A START!
Visiting from Whipperberry’s linky party, and now following you. Hope you can come over for a visit at altered-artworks.blogspot.com and say hello.
Homa Style says
October 28, 2012 at 3:02 PMGreat find on that card catalog, I love it!
Allie says
November 4, 2012 at 7:11 PMThis is craaazy cute! Love it!! It looks so bright and cheery especially with the tulips. 🙂
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vicki says
March 1, 2015 at 4:57 PMI love the card catalogue and actually have one, but very little fits in the drawers, so I feel like I am wasting space. What kinds of items do you store in yours?
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
March 3, 2015 at 12:14 PMIt wastes space in my house too. I plan to put some of my son’s smaller toys in it. But I’ve seen people use theirs for storing wine, napkins, napkin rings, craft and sewing supplies, household items (scissors, batteries, tape, etc.). Hope that helps!