G'day sweeties, it's early Sunday evening here at the Beach Cottage. We spent the morning down the beach, the kids on boards, and Mr Beach Cottage went for a swim while I sat on the side drinking coffee and chatting. There's a storm brewing up as I type, I soooo love that, and if it really starts to pour with rain, which I hope it does, we might go down to the sea with a flask of something hot…
So I thought you would like to see my $5 deck chairs, recently found on a garage-sale-treasure-hunt. As soon as I saw these, there was no doubt they were coming home with me, not because they are particularly special, or a rarity and for sure they held no value to the owners of the home who were getting rid of them, but to me I was attracted by the weathered wood, something I surely cannot buy.
It was Saturday morning and Mr BC and I were out on our own and decided on an impromptu garage sale session. We grabbed ourselves some coffees, the local paper and plotted our route.
We pulled up outside a couple of garage sales next door to each other – newly built homes and I wasn't too hopeful we'd find anything there…I would much rather find an old ramshackle house with an old lady with old treasures waiting for a new home than a young family with heaps of plastic toys on the lawn…but one thing I've learnt of this thrifting journey…you never know, what you will find…where.
There were two of these little beauties, in a bad way, with built-in mould but I thought they could be easily recovered and after a quick look I knew that it would take little more than ripping off what was on there and stapling on some new canvas.
The garage sale holder was desperate to get rid of them she told us. But I wasn't interested in her first price of $20 – when I first started thrifting I wouldn't have even blinked at this price, but now I evaluate much more what the item is worth to me, what I would pay for it new, and then I kinda evaluate the balance between the two.
I've wanted deckchairs for a long time so the worth to me was pretty high, though, to be honest I still want much older ones, with old faded canvas, the proper thick stuff that you don't see any more. They remind me of England and those lovely seaside towns where rows of them are laid out on the promenade and old dears sit contentedly knitting, with their husbands collapsed beside them asleep in full suit and tie. Candyfloss towns with deckchairs where we'd go for a day out sometimes, and eat ice-cream, throw big old pebbles from the beach and drive home, tired, salty and sun-kissed.
Sooo, with all those deckchair romantic memories floating around my head, I got my chief negotiator to wangle the price to $5 each. Done deal.
I've not done any make-over-ing to them yet and in fact as I sit here thinking about this and mused about it a little bit more, I may well move on from my initial thought of using the heavy cotton stripe I already have in my fabric stash…to sourcing some real canvas for a much more durable, authentic feel.
I tried one of them out this afternoon – just stuck it on the deck with a new magazine from England – Period Living and the light beginning to fade, rain in the air…
What do you think? Do you like my deckchairs for a few dollars a piece? I hope you do…but really, who cares? I love them, they're me and thrifting them is saving resources and our Earth for those Beach Cottage kiddos. Gotta love that…
Anyway, I'm going.
There's roast pork in the oven, potato waiting to be mashed and the kids have crashed out watching Grease in the Family Room…I just love that Sunday evening mooching
I hope your weekend was as good as mine was and that you, too, may well have found pleasure in a thrifted thing or two…
blogged for Rhoda's Thrifty event over at Southern Hospitality
plus Susan's Metamorphosis at Between Naps on the Porch
check out their blogs (grab a coffee, you'll be awhile!)
I loved your post Sarah about your deck chairs. They are perfect and so casual and comfy looking.
Enjoy them! You sound like you have the coolest life and I love following your blog which I’ve done now for a year. You’ve been on my blog roll list and I’ve told dozens of US people about your site and they are followers as well. When I enjoy something, I share it with all. Your blog is one of my favorites.
Thanks for sharing your life with all of us in blogland and across the way.
Gretchen
http://mimitoriasdesigns.blogspot.com
You’re a tough cookie to bargain with. wow. Great buy and look.
Amazing bargain!!! wow!!
Ohhhhhhhhh, I love your weathered deck chairs! What a deal! It is only Sunday morning here in the states and I love the fact that we get to interact with great friends all over the world at any time of day. So amazing this little computer thing!
I am still enjoying my Sunday morning coffee.
Enjoy your week. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
~Misti
I adore those chairs. If you were closer, you just might find me snuck up onto your deck and curled up in one! Love the video, although I nearly had a heart attack when you went round that first roundabout to the LEFT… before I remembered that’s how you all drive there!
You are so right! You never know when, where or what you will find. I always look for walkers and adult potty chairs. I love the chair. I have 2 except my daughter took both and put them in her car for the beach. I don’t think I will see them again. She is the one that is like her Mom and likes the look of worn, loved things.
Enjoy your week. I think it’s the next day for you.
Sue-Orlando,Fl
great find! They look so comfy!
I’d love to kick up my feet and relax in these babies! Great bargaining on the price too!
You are a very talented decorator and bargain queen!
Loving the look of much loved, worn and weathered things, I of course NEED chairs just such as this…
Just great! I have bad memories as a young teenager of having deliberately unsettled my cousin’s deck chair so he fell off, but he actually pinched his fingers really badly so the joke went sour and… well, there you go… Maybe I need some beautiful deckchairs like yours to dispel the memories!
Love your deck chairs! What a great find!
Oh…they are absolutely gorgeous!!! Reminds me of English seaside towns as well…… Eastbourne, Hastings and Brighton. Walking along the stonebeach in Eastbourne – to the Pier…….memories…….
W
Great find!!! I admire your chairs! They are such cool construction and you are right, you never know what you will find and where!
I just picked up four chairs via CL and love my price of ten each vs. what pottery barn would have asked for similar ones!
And, mine are weathered, have lots of history…
love your post!
Love them! what a deal!
Love the chairs. What a great price! Mr. BC did a great job of narrating the video when you left to find more treasures. Hmm…shouldn’t he be in the credits?
Like Sue I too was jarred for a moment when I saw the car traveling on the left side of the road till I remembered… lol
Have a great week Sarah.
Great finds this weekend, no fancy painting technique can replace that preaged look.
Too funny video of garage sale tours. Mr BC did well with his debut.
Hi sarah, they are great and if you spray them with exit mould , leave them for a day then hose them they will be lovely and white again, Mel xxx
I love them! They invite sitting, reading and nodding! Great purchase, friend! Happy Sunday!
Hi Sarah,
Well, I’m always envious after I visit you….those chairs are great, although I seem to recall they are a bit tricky to get out of once you get to a certain…ahem….more mature age!!
If you want thick, strong canvas you might try using drop cloths – the kind pro-painters use. They are inexpensive and big, and work great for projects like this because you can use the good parts, and cut away the bad. Plus they are just your color and the fabric is very strong – I made a sling for a couch for my first apartment when I was very young, and some curtain panels for the work room, and a slip cover once with some, so thought I’d throw that out there to you…
Just a thought.
Anyway, have a great week.
Until next time
XO
Heidi
(ps -finally got the button for my site made – did it all myself – whoohooo!! Just hope it works!)
LOVE your *new* chairs, Sarah!
What great finds!
Smiles,
Rachel
Cute chairs, Sarah! Love the video too, you’ll have to check my beach vids out. Glad you got the chairs, they were a bargain. Fun to see you thrifting all the way over there!
Be sure to come by tonight around 9pm (Eastern time) for the announcement so you don’t miss out. I promise-it good-really really good.
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri
Sarah what a great bargain those deck chairs were. Welcome to Blogland Mr BC!!
Alison
Loved your chairs! And good job on the price! Did yo get your storm? The sea & a storm… Nights in Rodanthe… did you see the movie?
I went to something called Antique Alley today. 15 miles of Antique booths set up & garage sales all on one road. “Honey” & I looked for a couple of hours & then the humidity got so high we headed for home. My treasures were old crochet items & Mother of Pearl Buttons. Thanks for sharing & enjoy your chairs.
Those look great! And that price is awesome!
Love your new chairs….And what a great price..
xoxo
Julie
Hello ~
Great find and so perfect for your beach cottage !
Kammy
I love the worn wood! Great find and price! ~Ashley
Love them! I’ve been on the look out for some for ages
everytime I stop by your blog, I want to drop everything and get to decorating!! love what you have done here. My bedroom is still a non beachy mess, thanks for the inspiration, now all I need is the time!
Yes, I would have bought them too for their weathered wood.
Sunday afternoons are wonderful like that although I wish we’d get some rain around here.
LOVE your ‘new’ chairs! Looks like a comfy place to RELAX.
What a steal! They look great!
SMiles!
Michelle
Sarah,
You are such a good eye…. love them. I have one that my son brought home from his life guarding day’s. Mine has blue canvas. I just need a spot to put it
Your story about the little ladies knitting in beach chairs w/ their husbands sleeping in full dress beside them makes me want to go to England right now. Sigh…
I love your new chairs.
Hi Sarah! Oh, I love your deck chairs and what a price! Your photos are so pretty! Have you ever considered publishing a coffee table book with your lovely photos?
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
I love those chairs–love the look of the worn wood!! I am wondering how comfy they are? Your hubby is a great sport (and you can tell him I said so—he will some day be famous
I love your chairs too! Your right, the worn wood makes them perfect! Like they’ve been loved and stood the test of time. Have great fun using them! Thanks for sharing!!!
love the chairs, they look so comfortable!
I’m impressed with Mr BC’s bargaining powers – well done. $5 sounds like a bargain to me.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
LOVE them!!
Stunning photographs, and what a deal! Thanks for sharing! Artie (Niartist) Color Outside the Lines Blog
That was great Sarah!!!! Those are perfect chairs for your beach cottage. It was so weird driving on “the wrong side of the road” with you!!! I’m so hoping to get a digital video camera soon!!!
Oh Sarah, don’t look now, but you’re driving on the wrong side of the road! LOL I think I’m a bit dizzy…that was so weird seeing those cars going by on the “wrong” side.
Great snag on the weathered beach chairs…Mr. BC did very well in his negotiating! It was fun seeing some of the town area there and then the beach! 
Susan
Love the deckchairs – beautifully weathered. Remind me of grandads with knotted hankies on their heads, SOCKS and sandals!!!
hi sarah….what a great find on your garage sale weekend..
LOVE your video following your journey…
the deck chairs are lovely…BOY OH BOY!! you would have LOVED my garage sales a few years ago…(before I discovered ebay!!)…..OH MY!! oh well..money i got covered a ski trip for the 4 of us..for a week to falls creek!! YES!! that was HOW GOOD my sale was!!! probably more than i would have gotten on ebay anwyay!!
xx andrea
I think they’re a great find, especially since you got such a deal on them! In my opinion, you can never go wrong with wooden deck chairs. They look so incredibly comfortable.
I just loved your video! Hi Mr Beach Cottage.
Sarah, love how you decorate your house. Looks so laid back, casual and inviting. Thanks for taking us garage saling and to the beach with you. It was almost like being there. A want a score for those deck chairs. Those type of deck chairs here in the states…new ones are pretty pricey.
Your deck chairs are great and perfect for your space. Good find, awesome deal!
Hi Sarah
I have an identical one that I got from a second hand shop about 4years ago. I can’t remember what I paid for it now but it sure wasn’t $5 although it is in much better nic. I have it in my bedroom for the extra pillows etc that come off the bed but I hardly ever sit in it. Unfortnately we hardly have any room on our verandahs. That is one of my complaints with our house that they built the verandahs way too small. I would extend them if I could. Love the colour of your deck as well. We currently have a strong red stain which is worn off in places but I do love your colour and I think it could work on mine. It is really hard to cover with the stain. I have the same cushions as you but mine are a lot worse for wear. How do you manage to keep yours looking so great. Mine have faded from many washes..Time for new ones I think!
Beautiful chairs, Sarah. I understand about the “wants” category. After months of shopping avidly, I’m finally getting down to the “only if it screams ME” brass tacks of it all.
Great post!
I heart the beach chairs! They are perfect!
Sarah, It just tickles me to think that on the other side of the world, you are doing the same thing that we are doing here. Finding a treasure at a yard sale and getting cozy on a Sunday night with the family…perfect..and so are those chairs!
?, Susan
Hi Sarah!
The chairs are definite treasures and the video is too!:-)
Love your deck chairs…in fact, I love the entire deck area (that I could see in the picture). A great find – and a great price!
Love the chairs.. What a find!!
they are soooo beautiful….. I saw some last month and for some reason only later I thought >>>I could have thrown them over my fence while goning to work, as of course in the afternoon while coming back they werre gone
Those chairs- they’re great! The photos made me feel as if I had taken a trip to your deck without the 17 hour plane ride ; ) so thanks for the trip to the beach. It’s tough being landlocked here smack in the middle of the USA.
I didnt know that Australians drive on the left side of the road either. It was fun taking that little ride along with you!
What an amazing story to go along with these fabulous chairs. I think they are very English holiday and should provide you hours of relaxation.
ttfn…
You do have the best husband!!!!
I loved the slightly stalker-ish feel of the video when you walked off to the sale and MrBC narrates…..
Sarah – I was thinking about your recent scrubby window find. No doubt someone has already suggested putting mirrors in place of the glass planes. There is a cute picture of one in this post, I think 4 photos down. http://vtinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/09/beach-house.html
Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
Romana
Your videos are so fun to watch. I liked seeing a bit of Australia and driving on the wrong side of the road. Tee hee…and of course, hearing your accents. Those beach chairs are a great deal, but are they comfy?
Hi,
Glad to see you are posting videos now… That just adds a nice dimention to your blog. Love hearing your and Mr BC’s voices and seeing you in action in your home town. We just did one from Sequoia National Park in California last weekend for the first time; it’s kinda fun! My FB link is on my blog if you want to visit our world…
with love, Barb
Great find! Have been looking for some of those myself; trying to learn how to sew as the perfect yet hard to deal with fabric awaits.
Always a pleasure to read your blog, it was our first link.