I went to my first estate sale of 2011 last weekend — and stumbled into a jewel of a 1970s time capsule home. The lighting fixture above the kitchen-dining room table was mod-meets-70s-kitschtacular, and I kind of went crazy photographing it. The house itself — the layout, size, scale, location and even price for our area were darn sweet, too! Onward for 26 more photos!
Yes, the light was one of those that moved on a track along the ceiling.
A view to the kitchen. This table and light were in the area transition to the living room. The area was open concept — but in an “L” so you had some separation.
Dig the pinch pleat draperies in the background. What a lovely design — and color.
Straight on into the kitchen.
I am seriously in love with woven wood shades like this.
I was even digging this backsplash tile. I think it was tile, rather than some sort of vinyl. The laminate countertop looked like pressed leaves – a very faint design. It suited the kitchen perfectly.
The slider door by the refrigerator led to this sun porch. In retrospect, I wish that I had bought this vintage plant stand. It was marked $5. But, you know my problem with acquiring More.
Another plant stand, this is heading into the living room — look close and you can see where the kitchen floor ends and the living room floor begins.
A lovely living room.
I am really truly kicking myself that I did not buy this teeny Victorian fainting couch. I coulda woulda upholstered it in something mid mod and made it a daybed for Astro. I am going to call Teresa — who ran the sale — and see if it is still available. Drats and double drats! Sometime I just go to far in my mood swings. Buy everything! No — buy nothing! I am always black or white, high or low, all or nothing, will I never learn moderation?
I didn’t buy this smallish modern coffee table — the glass was amoeba-shaped — either. The prices were good, too.
I tried to buy the kitchen light and this hall light, though. Fortunately — or unfortunately — they were not for sale.
This couch did not sell. My friend Ron from Berkshire County Used Furniture picked it up at the clean-out. Dig the draperies. I am using the word “dig” a lot, did you notice.
The basement was jam packed. $5 for this set of cannisters.
The vintage GE refrigerator and freezer also did not sell. They seemed to be in fantastic shape.
Remnant flooring. Luv.
What a lovely house.
Melanie says
Kitchen back-splash looks to be Daltile. We have a version of that pattern in our gray bathroom…
pam kueber says
cool! thanks for the info, melanie! i’d love to see photos of your bathroom! send them to me at retrorenovation [at] gmail [dot] com if you’re game!
Mr. Modtomic says
…Oh yeah, and the cool light fixture. Sweet! Was it not available? I hate finding amazing fixtures and built-ins at Estate Sales that just can’t be had yet you know will likely be trashed by the next home owner. We can only hope that they pack them off to the local ReStore. I’ve picked up a number of great light fixtures at our local ReStore. Some of them we are using now but I just sold this really cool “sunburst” kitchen light a few hours ago…using our friend: Craigslist!
pam kueber says
i DID try to buy the lighting fixture cuz i woulda had a place for it.
Dana Perez says
I picked up an Adrian Pearsall sofa with built-in end tables at a recent estate sale for $125 and sold it 24 hours later for $600, and my daughter got a Pearsall end table and coffee table at the same sale for $4 each! I probably should have asked more for it, but it went to a very appreciative home.
Nina462 says
Wow – as much as I don’t like 70’s stuff this was great! We had the kitchen flooring – in the kitchen & bathroom of the house I grew up in. It was installed in 1979 when my Mom had the kitchen remodeled.
I would’ve for sure bought the fridge & freezer!
I did pick up a metal plant stand (like the one by the couch) this summer at an estate sale – it was free. Needs to be repainted – but hey, it was free 🙂
hillary says
Pam, I really hope you open a vintage furniture/home goods store someday! You have an amazing eye and I’d love to visit a store that you curated.
pam kueber says
Thank you, Hillary. I’d LOVE to do it… maybe someday…gotta make a real living off the blog first. Still not there…
Maryanna says
I never see that sort of furniture at estate sales. It’s always ugly mauve or country 1980s-style stuff. Blergh!
TappanTrailerTami says
Pam, Pam, Pam! Rule # 1 of estate sale shopping, antique store shopping, flea markets, garage sales, Goodwill, Salvation Army shopping – *Especially* when you are in a “no, don’t buy anything” mood:
Ask thyself: Will I ever see this again?
LOL
That one question has cost me a ton of money, but saved me from some regrets!!!!
Heather S. says
OMG, I *want* that coffee table and the yellow sofa! :swoon:
John says
I didn’t catch that the estate sale was LAST weekend. The price on Craigs list for the couch was probably Ron although it doesn’t list as a dealer.
Gavin Hastings says
You have your hands full, but you really could make some $ as a “picker”- the folks who go to sales with the intention of flipping items. Maybe become an agent of Ron?
“Diggin'” the house- but the only things I would have grabbed are the fainting couch and the Karastan rug.
pam kueber says
Yes, Ron and I have already talked. Now that he has an NYC dealer stalker, he will let me become a picker for him!!!!!
Gavin Hastings says
I have begun farming out “finds” at a shop in Northampton. You get the thrill of the finding an item, a short honeymoon of ownership, and then pay-ola.
A win-win.