Buying Classic Furniture that is Kid Friendly, Affordable

Buying antique classics is unrealistic for us.  

Jon and I wandered around a beautiful antique store in December when we were getting ready for our anniversary bedroom decorating.  We were awe-struck!  We were in Anthony's Antiques in Salt Lake City, which is famous anyway for their incredible (valuable) selection and knowledgeable staff.  We wanted to buy several pieces, and admired many many beautiful things in that museum of a store.

Anthony's Antiques and Fine Arts, Salt Lake City, UT

And yet we knew, carefully wandering around with our almost 2 year old and energetic 4 year old boys clenched in our fists, that we would be foolish to buy such historic and perfect furniture.  These children ARE more important than the mahogany bow front corner cabinet that we were looking for.  I let them ding the $30 bookcase from the local thrift store instead and invest into their college fund and we seem to get along fine.

savvyma.com, getting crayon off the wall

But, there are still affordable beautiful traditional classic reproductions for sale on Craigslist, your local thrift store, and at yard sales.

craigslist, Washington DC area, $150, 2/7/2011

craigslist, San Diego area, $25 each, 2/11/2011

craigslist, Philadelphia area, $500, 1/25/2011

I think about buying beautiful used pieces like these all the time.  These are affordable, they look like they are quality construction, and really only the couch could use a spiff up with some new upholstery.  In the right interior, the fabric is actually quite cutting edge.  Gold and green are become huge! Anyway.  I'm one of those people that loves to rescue beautiful things and bring them back to life.  I'll be posting about some French-style chairs that I bought six years ago at a thrift store for $2 each.  That was such a thrill, and we are still enjoying the chairs today at every meal in our kitchen--two more boys and a new house later!