Replies

I have a beautiful mahogany carved antique bed that I have in my guest room that I found at a flea market, paid $65 for it. It was dusty and full of cobwebs and spider nests. I cleaned that all up, and it’s gorgeous. We had to strengthen the side pieces up, but once we did that, it should last easily for another 100 years. It’s only a full size bed, but perfectly comfortable and so beautiful. Nobody carves wood these days like they used to. So elaborate.

That is so cool. No, you don't find solid wood furniture with elaborate carving any more. There is a certain salvage warehouse in my area which is always offering the masterpieces of yesteryear, great-grandma's exquisite furniture. They also have furniture of every era from great-grandma to contemporary. If you want a 1967 sewing machine on its own table, they have it. If you want stained glass windows, cast iron radiators, old growth lumber, vintage appliances, gorgeous lighting fixtures, granite countertops, bikes, ceiling fans, several generations of hand and power tools, etc., this is the place. I usually go every week and come back with stuff to fulfill specific needs in my house. Found a 12' red oak handrail already outfitted with the wall brackets--$20. To buy the equivalent at Home Depot would have run $185. Long may we thrift!