Fine Fine Diamonds

Ok dudes, no time for a biggo long post because K-Dawg and I are going to check out some chairs for her patio. Exhibit A:

These are advertised as "Hanry Bertoia" chairs and they're priced at $140.

Say what?

For reals. And here's the scoop: if these are actually Bertoia Diamond Lounge chairs, they be worth MAD skrilla. Like, almost a grand EACH. At least that's what DWR is listing them at. But is the price $140 for each chair, or $140 for the set of four? Dunno. And I'm not calling ahead to sound the "oh shit, maybe I underpriced these" alarm. Also, are they just knockoffs? Because, according to the interwebs, knockoff chairs are priced at $140 each. Hmmmm, very suspicious. Also, I don't know whether to expect the real deal from a seller who can't spell Harry. Seriously, man... Hanry? Were you confused as to whether it might be Henry or Harry, and just decided to split the difference?

Cross your fingers and hope that Karly is about to score the deal of the century. And don't forget to tune in next week to see what happens.

Oh, and while I'm nagging you guys, be sure to leave a comment here by next Monday for your chance to win a super rad recycled tote bag from Poketo. I already have my jealous stink eye ready for the winners.

Happy weekend!

Sofa So Good

Remember how last week I decided I wanted a new sofa? And remember how you all (especially one extra kind New Yorker) were nice enough to give me all sorts of feedback on the CB2 Bolla I was considering? Well, I decided that since I didn't get 18 million comments screaming about the couch being the most comfortable thing known to mankind combined with the fact that I couldn't test drive it in person, i just couldn't bring myself to order a couch I haven't sat on. So, Erin and I went on a wee baby little trip to the haven otherwise known as furniture row in Austin. Ok, it's 2 stores in a strip mall, but doesn't it sound good when I call it furniture row?

First we fell in love with this $3,000 gem at Copenhagen Furniture (a decidedly 80s-esqu store specializing in leather sofas fit for Patrick Bateman's condo). What can I say, sometimes white leather just works. Oh, and did I mention that it was like sitting on a cloud made from baby tears and angel kisses?

Apparently baby tears and angel kisses are expensive to manufacture, so I had to be responsible and just say no. Everyone, please give Erin a round of applause for her nearly successful attempts to convince me otherwise.

A couple stops later we found ourselves at crate and barrel. I originally stopped in for another look at the petrie but one glimpse of the Oasis washed the memories of the tufted trendsetter right outta my hair. Oh dear Oasis! J'adore!! You are the one for me. Please tell our dearest Design Crisis readers how you look so different in person than you do in this picture. Be sure to let them know that your narrow arms and your knife welts add just the right touch of bohemian mod to your most heavenly comfortable downy filled frame. Will you also tell them that your linen slip cover is machine washable and (le sigh!!) totally pet friendly? Oh will you?! Tell them of our love!

So, yeah, I'm totally buying it. Like any woman who wasn't raised by wolves I knew it best to go home and sleep on a (ahem) $1999 purchase. But it's been nearly a week and I'm still giving my old sofa the evil eye while visions of the Oasis dance in my mind.

I plan to make the final purchase next week, which should have it in my hot little hands by mid-May. I'll send you pictures as soon as it arrives.

Oh, and one last final note: unless you have some god awful story about how this particular sofa literally ate your niece's leg, I don't want to hear any bad mouthing.

Also, a second last final note: AB Chao recommended this AMAZING LOOKING site for sofa purchasing. I highly recommend you look at every beautiful piece in detail. I almost went for it, but I just have to sit in it first.

Austin Craigslist: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Also the Just Plain Stupid)

I like Craigslist. A lot. Ok, this much:

See there? That's my bookmarking system, and its wee arteries are clogged with cheap lamps and tables that I cannot possibly squeeze into my home. So I'm just going to go ahead and toss a few gems your way. If you live near Austin, wheeeee! Enjoy some bargains. But first I have some gifts for those of you who live elsewhere -- I'm going to call this selection of junque the Craigslist Razzies. Because this kind of crap annoys the hell out of me.

Gosh, who am I kidding? I am just dying to own this golden console overrun by chubby cherubs, complete with a matching cherub studded silver mirror. Apparently the artist also designed Pope John Paul II's throne. Wow! Bonus! And it's only $4000.

I am something of a spelling nazi, so when I see "rod iron" I want to smash an anvil through my computer screen, because it's wrought iron, people. WROUGHT, as in forged. Also, wtf is a "mirrow?" Only through context have I gleaned that it somehow means mirror to a scarily high percentage of people out there. But "provintial" is a whole new trainwreck.

Sigh. This has been posted for months and months and months. Maybe it's because that fabric + that chair = utterly and completely wrong. I feel bad about dissing it because I know that someone actually put effort into this project, but then I feel angry that such a lovely chair was maimed beyond recognition. It kind of makes me want to claw my eyes out.

Ok, this person has highly questionable taste in sofas, which is FINE. Sometimes I like to listen to Moby. We all have our flaws. But when you advertise your fugly crap like it is the shiznit for months on end, and never ever lower the price, well then you, sir, suck. No one is ever ever going to buy that pea green poo for $800, so don't act like you're doing someone a favor by being "willing to part with it, to a good home." I'm sorry, I meant to say: let me just hustle on down to your house so I can submit my application!

Speaking of people who are batshit insane, let me just give you a little background on this sofa -- Crate and Barrel's Petrie. It's a lovely couch, and Karly was thinking about purchasing it new from C&B, so hey, why not try to score it for less on CL? But of course the seller wants $1500, and WILL NOT BUDGE on the price. So, lemme see, that's $100 off of C&B's price for a new sofa that can be ordered in your choice of fabric, will not be covered in someone else's cat hair and popcorn farts, and could be paid for on a credit card.

SCORE!!!

Awww, I have a special place in my heart for this beauty. And I quote, "Carmen electra has the exact same bed, you can see it on cribs. hand forged by famous craftsman, with blue velevet & candle holders go into posts, sweet for setting the mood:)"

So. many. wrong. things. But hey, guess what? It's only $700. The post states it does need cleaning, though.

Yes. I'm quite sure that it does.

Ok, enough with the scary stuff. I'm no SusieQ over at Eye Spy, but from time to time I do find a few goodies. I usually harass Karly with 800 emails enticing her to buy them, but she is highly resistant. It kind of hurts my feelings. I mean bargain goods are like my baby children (no offense to Ike... there's enough love to go around for everyone). Anyway, I hope that someone out there can love these little guys as much as I do.

Teak loveseat and TWO matching chairs for $399. Snatch it up before Room Service does, because as much as I adore them, their entire inventory seems to be coming from Craigslist these days.

Lamps for $10 each. $10 for that gold mid mod eyeball lamp! TEN.

I know it's not for everyone, but I think this sofa is so awesome. Love the tribal print and the wrapped legs. $200, but it's been listed for a while, so offer less.

Pair of Pace tables for $250. Offer less. If I didn't already have that behemoth of a coffee table, or if there were a pair of end tables, these would be MINE.

Sweet little chrome and glass dining table for $50. Offer less.

Lane walnut two tier coffee table for $90. Offer less.

This isn't really my style, but it's pretty insane. Awesome 50's king sized lacquered mahogany bed. It also separates into two twin beds. $550, but yes -- you should offer less.

Ok, that's it for my marathon run through Austin Craigslist. If anyone out there buys any of my finds, let us know and send in a picture of it in its new home, and I'll post it. Nothing would make me happier than to disperse my addiction elsewhere. Because I just can't keep storing stuff in the garage.