Blast from the past, anyone? TROLLING CRAIGSLIST IS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. And by popular demand, we actually mean DEMAND. Any chance you guys had to ask us to bring this baby back, you took. Truthfully, I have no idea what even took us so long, but pish posh, no bother, here we are again. Digging through pages and pages of horrendous office furniture castoffs, chunky wood bed frames carved with baby angels, and the occasional gem. Emily Bowser, one of our stylists, is also insanely handy and loves a good furniture rehab/reenvisioning, so she volunteered to be our go-to Craigslist troller. Our plan is to do this once a month, on a Friday, and change cities each time. We’re starting with LA because well, it’s our backyard and had to scratch that itch for ourselves personally, but we promise to go somewhere more “challenging” next time (any suggestions welcome, though we have some ideas from the comments in this post).
I’m going to hand it off to Emily B. (who we just call Bowser to avoid confusion) now, who found some pretty great things, even if they need a little TLC. Take it away, Bowser:
- Antique Oak Table with 4 chairs, $400: This is beautiful and functional (comes with 2 leaves!). Sure, it could stand for a sanding and the seats need reupholstering, but it’s a DIY I could handle on a Saturday morning and wouldn’t cost much.
- Modern Floating Credenza, $250: It’s simple and I like it. Paint if you like, maybe just the doors? Although I hear that brown is having a moment. I’m into the minimalism and love that it’s off the floor and has lots of storage. Wait. Do I need this?
- Vintage Trunks (Side Table/Coffee Table), $40: These trunks are an awesome scale and SO cheap! Sure, you could use them like the listing mentions as a side table or coffee table, but they’d also just be a pretty cool “installation” in a room as “art.”
- Amazing Vintage Drafting Drawing Table with Flat Files, $1,800: This isn’t cheap, but it’s very cool. Use as a desk, sure, but what about as a kitchen island? Maybe with a vintage sink put in the left side with exposed pipes? I DON’T KNOW, JUST A THOUGHT.
- Set of 2, Michel Arnoult Brazilian Sling Chair, $450: I feel like I would be so cool if I owned these and when people asked, I’d casually say, “Oh yeah, I found them on Craigslist or whatever.” They’re pricey, but not really for what you’re getting. Plus these seem sturdy…pieces you’ll likely have a very long time. $225 per chair is far better than you’d ever be able to score at full retail.
- Mid-century Wider Wood Coffee Table, $60: Good shape, good price! Hard to see in this pic, but there’s some pretty detail in the wood. Would be great for a narrow living room.
- Queen Size, Black Iron, 4-Post Bed Frame, $339: Dreaming of ways to achieve the look of the Portland master bedroom? Look no further! You could probably talk them down a little…I’d shoot for $300 here.
- 1800s Oak Drafting Chair, $175: Probably needed if you’re going to get that awesome drafting table (but if you’re not ready to drop $1,800 on that, this would be so cute styled against a wall with an offset piece of art, maybe a stack of books.
- Tiger Oak Coffee Table, $350: I wish I didn’t love my coffee table because this one checks all the boxes for me: Over 100 years old, solid wood, and sort of weird. The price is also SO right, so right I wouldn’t even argue about it.
- Fog & Morup Hammerborg MCM Spun Aluminum Light Pendant Lamp, $100: I love a hanging light to bring the eye up! I like how this one is simple while still having vintage charm (and other similar pieces from this designer can run 3, 4 or 5x the price). HURRY AND GET IT BEFORE I DO.
- Rattan Chair, Set of Two, $275: All these need is a simple reupholstering of the two cushions and these guys are ready for your boho beach patio (or living room).
- Arthur Umanoff Walnut Side Table Mid-Century Danish Modern, $250: $250 is more than I want to spend on a side table but, I mean, it’s Arthur Umanoff, it’s walnut, and more than that, it’s interesting (and reminds us of the table we used in the Portland foyer).
- Mid-century King Headboard, $200: I don’t have a king bed, but man, if I did, I would be ALL over this. It’s solid wood but missing pieces to make it a platform bed. French cleat it to the wall, buy a cheap frame and call it a day.
- Mid-century Brass Five Globe Table Lamp, $295: Put a dimmer on this thing, in an eclectic space, I’m in.
- Custom-made Swivel Chair and Ottoman, $160: Call me crazy but I’m INTO this chair. It’s not for everyone or every space and I am NOT into the Barney purple but for real, cover this thing in white shearling nd try to tell me it doesn’t belong in the Goop x CB2 collection! Plus is swivels, has an ottoman and is only $160. You can probably talk them down to like…$125 and if you’re handy with a sewing machine, could probably handle the reupholstering yourself (and if you can, let us know…we have some projects for you).
- Great Wooden End Table, $100: I think this may be a situation where the bad photography is hiding the fact that this is a cool piece. It’s solid (“very, very heavy” apparently) and looks like it has cool patina with an interesting shape. I may or may not have already sent out an email inquiring about it for myself…
And there you go. Our very first 2019 version of Trolling Craigslist. Yes, we started with an easy pick, LA (but according to our analytics, a ton of you are local). DO NOT WORRY. As I said, we will be sure to spread the love, in “cool” cities and “non-cool” cities. We’re likely headed to the midwest next, but throw out some locations or types of pieces you’d be into us researching, and we’re on it! Have a great weekend (and let us know if you buy anything…oh, and if you do, when you get it home and have it all set up how you like, please do post a photo on Instagram with the #ehdweekendmakeover hashtag…we wanna see!).
Please add Omaha, NE to your lineup!!! Please!
I feel like our CL has gone way downhill and anything decent has been moved to FB marketplace. But I’ve probably just gotten lazier.
Yeah, our craigslist is rough. But, I’d be curious to see what they can find here either way!
I second omaha!
I agree or Des Moines.
I third Omaha!
THIS. YES. Ah! So excited to have this back and to be an Emily Henderson wannabe out here in Tennessee.
Look at me spitting rhymes. Anyways…. Craigslist. Like I said before, YES.
Check out “Curating Craigslist” on Facebook/Instagram/the internet. My friend does this on a regular basis for Nashville’s Craigslist.
Love it! I most definitely will, thanks for the tip!
I subscribe to CC and LOVE IT.
HA yay! I am happy to be bringing it back too
Detroit!
BOSTON pleeeaaaaase I’ve never read one of these but it was actually so much fun!
Yes, Boston!!!
Loved this! And would love to see Alexandria,VA/ Northern VA added to your list too!
Washington, DC, please!
Second this! DC metro area/Alexandria/Arlington/Bethesda
+ 1 DC Please
Yes please!
Yes, please! Especially Northern Virginia.
Yes! Another plea for the Maryland part of DC metro 🙂
+1 for DC area! We have amazing inventory and many interested customers 🙂
Boston! (please)
Second this!
Such a fun, and slightly voyeuristic, read! I’d be interested in an Austin Craigslist please. Mirrors, artwork, entry tables, and outdoor furniture picks would be appreciated.
Yay!!!! Im so glad this feature is back! I’m putting in my vote for Colorado Springs / Denver 🙂 I would love to see some art or rugs, and hopefully at lower price points.
Another for Denver! Especially a vanity mirror and floor mirror
Denver here and very interested in art/smalls.
One more Denver request pretty please!!!
D E N V E R , P L E A S E !
I hope the midwest means Minneapolis! I missed this series and love this post, thanks for bringing it back. I’m doing more of my digging on Facebook Marketplace these days, but still love a Craigslist find!
This is news to me! I am not much of a Facebook Marketplace shopper myself but maybe I should be..
You should listen to Sherry @YoungHouseLove ‘s thoughts on Facebook Marketplace. She loves it!
Maine, please!
I second that! Austin please!
Yes – Austin!! I was a Craigslist pro in Northern Colorado, and instantly HATED the Austin Craigslist – way too many dealers with junk furniture on it!
Springfield, MO pleaaaase!! (True story, we have amazing flea markets.)
^^ Upvote SGF, MO!
One more vote for Springfield, MO! It’s the Queen City – you have to come here!
Pittsburgh!
Pittsburgh x2 for me, too! It’s 2 hrs away from me, but the closest “big” city…Columbus, OH would also be welcome 🙂 Rural areas are soooo tough!!
Another vote for Pittsburgh!!
Adding a vote for Pittsburgh here too!
Cincinnati, OH or Lexington, KY please! 🙂
This!
And Louisville! They’re all within an hour or so of each other.
Yes!!!
This is my neck of the woods as well. Lexington is thrift heaven. Trader’s World, anyone?
I feel like Lexington and Louisville would have some real hidden gems. Maybe not the ever popular mid century but beautiful old wood pieces …
Would love to see and Austin one as well!
Columbus, Ohio please!
+1 for Cbus!!
I’ll say it louder for the people in the back, ATLANTA PLEASE!
Yes, Atlanta!!!!
Yes! Pretty, pretty please do Atlanta!
While you’re there, please check Athens, GA.
I am happy to have this back. it gives one hope that there are yet “finds” to be found.
I love how you so casually say, “French cleat it to the wall.” So now I know about French cleats and what they can do for me. It’s the little things. THANK YOU!
Seconded!!! I’ve known about this as a fastener since one came with a mirror I bought, but I had no idea what they were called so I didn’t know what to search for when I wanted to use them for other projects. French cleat! THANK YOU!
Boston Boston Boston Boston! If you please. And thank you.
Yes! Boston CL would be great! And maybe visit the local mega flea market/antique fair this summer in Brimfield, MA at some point too? It would be fun!
Little Rock!
Yay! Yes Little Rock or Fayetteville
Cincinnati!!!
Cincinnati, Ohio ?
Phoenix please!!!
I second Phoenix!!
Phoenix!
Yes, Phoenix!!!
Phoenix vote here too!
We moved to Middle of Nowhere, Michigan and I am missing my family AND DECENT CRAIGSLIST!!!
What city?
CHICAGO! It has been -27 here this week and we could so use some love in the form of hot west coast design!
Asheville,NC or Charlotte!
I second somewhere in NC! With our furniture industry history (and High Point Market), some pretty cool stuff can be found. My vote would be for Greensboro/High Point, but Charlotte, Asheville, or Raleigh would be cool too!
I’d like to see what’s in Greensboro/High Point, too.
Yes, Greensboro/High Point!!!
St Louis!!
St louis!!!
+1 for St. Louis!!
West Chester, PA please!
oooh, that would be a good one.
I’m gonna piggyback on that and say Philly Main Line!
Twin Cities, perhaps? ????? The Minneapolis Craigslist scene is my daily digest
Seconded!
Great picks! Wow! Phoenix please!
Atlanta please!
Please do Portland, OR next!
OKC!
Portland! If I was in L A, I would definitely be getting those safari chairs and that side table!
So happy it’s back! I’m sure PDX is in the lineup, but if it’s not get it in there! ❤️
“Cool” cities and “non-cool” cities? Who defines that?
I think that came from previous comments of posters and the way people responded on the survey.
Yes! People were saying they don’t live somewhere “cool” like LA or NY with low-hanging fruit.
So fun! I love all four finds from the third grouping. In case anyone is going for the purple chair and ottoman — I am handy with a sewing machine and have reupholstered a bit. I don’t think that is a quick and easy job. So many curved seams, each pattern piece would be fussy, hard to keep from bunching & pulling… But, if you love it, go for it!
I vote Minneapolis next! 🙂
Seattle!
I second Seattle!!!
Sacramento!
Yes! Or if you want to go “non-cool”, how about Stockton?
Another “non cool” here and in a small one as well, Kennewick, Wa. This could really be a challenge for you to find ANYTHING on our CL worth buying…
Love this! Westchester, NY next, please!
Oh my gosh Seattle if you possibly, possibly could! So that an underpaid medical resident could finally get a coffee table! And a side table! And a hall mirror!
I am SO excited. Detroit! Chicago! Cleveland! Milwaukee! Indianapolis! Madison! Green Bay! Kalamazoo! Grand Rapids! Traverse City! Columbus! Akron! Fort Wayne! Des Moines!
Yes!!!! It’s back!!! Thank you! One thing I liked about OG Emily Craigslist posts was she would tell you – this would cost X in a store…or this is priced too high. I’d love more of that commentary.
noted!
Albuquerque NM!!
Boston, Boston, BOSTON! (Boston proper).
Phoenix!
Houston! 4th largest city in the country HAS to have a great selection.
Yes yes! Houston please!!
Thirding Houston!
Yes please.
Yes!!
Salt Lake City please! Just moved here from Austin so I’m in need of some good, inexpensive furniture. You likely won’t find anything on Craigslist because the Mormons don’t trust it – “KSL classifieds” is where to go. HELP!
My sister complains of the same thing – So many people there pass things on to their families and round and round. If you are willing to look off-line then go to the DIs (Deseret Industries) and there are a couple of mid to large size antique stores in SLC. The names are escaping me but I’ve visited family there and there were two where I really wanted to bring stuff back home to Chicago (one was really large and the guy in charge obviously had a chair hoarding problem and the other was a good size antique/thrift store). I haven’t been up to Park City and I bet their antique stores aren’t cheap but they should have a good DI or Goodwill.
Yes! Salt Lake, please. Our Craiglist does play second fiddle to KSL, but when it’s good, it’s really good. I got a walnut midcentury dresser with brass details for $200 recently.
Adding my vote for SLC! Just moved here and would love to see what your team could find. Show me the way!