(OR THE BIG FAUX BAMBOO BARGAIN REVEAL!)
This is the thing, see. I read a lot of American blogs. Well, ya know, there’s a lot of them out there, right?Β And there’s so much CHOICE in the States in terms of the trends and styles that I find myself longing for on a daily basis.Β It seems that beautiful things are prevalent and yet, they are only just beyond the ends of my fingertips, like a huge ocean of gorgeousness that’s just that too far away, too far from reach.
 |
| Jonathan Adler via House Beautiful |
More than frequently, these items are just not available here in my little edge of the world.Β I can search all I like for certain furniture pieces, certain fabrics, certain accessories and unless I want to pay top whack for shipping (I don’t), then it’s just not possible for me to get these items.
But there is some good news in all of this – as I alluded to in my last post.Β Yeah, I seemed to have gotten lucky in the faux bamboo stakes.
 |
| Yes that does say $699AU.Β via Adore. |
Ya see, every once in a very great while, I hit gold.Β And it’s those times that I am more than grateful that I live on this gorgeous little island with the fantastic dark sense of humour, the rain, the beautiful countryside and at times, the bargains.
 |
| Jonathan Adler via Decorpad |
And I say this because I know that many people here in the UK aren’t saturated daily with the same beauty I see in blogland.Β And sometimes, they have no idea of the value of the things they have.
| Windsor Smith via Burciaga |
Craigslist isn’t quite as popular here as in the States.Β I have to rely on eBay to pick up furniture bargains.Β But I know that original Eero Saarinen tulip tables are listed for Β£100.Β That I could get a mid-century modern console for about Β£30 (Or maybe this one for almost half of that).Β You see where I’m going with this right?
| Lonny Mag |
Now what I have been looking for and longing for (if you haven’t already figured it out which I’m sure you have being the clever clog that you are) was a set of faux bamboo chairs for the dining room.
| Pereira Associates via Lonny Mag |
If money were no object and practicality wasn’t an issue, then I’d probably go for something velvet and tufted but well, you are looking at a shitload of money for that particular dream.Β Money that I won’t have for a while (maybe never).Β So my mind was turned to these lovelies…
| Rovin Raven |
And when I somehow, miraculously found these beauties (not in their current state, mind you, but beauties nonetheless) on eBay, I knew I’d struck gold.
 |
| via ebay, the original listing |
While I am sure you can find bargains in the States as well, I do remember reading that these go for anywhere between $300-$600 EACH in the States.Β Now let’s just bear in mind, I couldn’t find these ANYWHERE in the UK – for any price, nevermind inexpensively.Β (That link right there is a google.co.uk search for ‘faux bamboo dining chairs’ – you will see the choice is just less than inspiring.)
In fact, the only place I knew I could get them was on Jonathan Adler‘s UK site.
For Β£550.
Per chair.
Uhhh.Β Yeah.
Back to my bargain…. The listing was for a set of 8 side chairs for Β£180.Β Seriously.
Now, let’s be practical here.Β I didn’t need nor do I have room for 8 chairs.Β My table fits 4 – I can probably fit 6 in a pinch but I didn’t really want to clutter my room unnecessarily so 4 would be fine.Β I sent the seller an email about a month ago asking if she’d consider splitting the set.Β I already knew the answer but figured it wouldn’t hurt to be cheeky.
She responded saying she’d rather not but if she got another buyer wanting 4, she’d let me know.
I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t hold my breath.Β I mean, she had them listed as ‘Shabby Chic’ – WTF?Β Who else would want these chairs if that’s what they were looking for?
Well, last week, I got the email.Β She had another buyer for 4 chairs and was I still interested in buying the other 4?Β (Does a bear shit in the woods?)
 |
| Come to mama. |
Now, I admit it.Β I fretted a bit originally (if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you’d have read my panic pleas to help me make a decision) –Β I mean, it’s nearly Christmas, I don’t NEED chairs… and I really need to save my pennies.Β But oh god, what a deal.
There was no way I was going to pass these up.Β I would regret it for ever.
So I have now purchased 4 chairs for Β£95 in all.Β So soon, these lovelies will be mine.Β Excited much?Β You bet I am.
Now comes the fun part… what colour?Β what fabric?Β Oooh give me some good ideas, people because my mind is swirling!!!Β The comment box awaits!
PS. If you want to see what my dining room looks like currently, you can see it in this post.
Lol I cant wait to see what you do with them!
To say you got a good deal would be a huge understatement – and this is why I am not allowed on Ebay! I'm thinking paint them stark white with a navy/dark patterned fabric to match your walls?
yippeeeeee! i love em i love em. the first time i fell in love with bamboo dining chairs was a long long time ago when mary engelbreit built a house in st. louis and had amazing white ones! the fun part is as long as you're going to paint them, you can keep changing your mind, yes? black, hot pink, turquoise…they're going to be fab no matter what. what a joy to paint them! just got done
I'm dying of jealousy right now. Someone send a medic. You are so lucky!!! I have been scouring everything from cl to gw looking for those exact chairs!!<br /><br />Love!!! Can't wait to see how you transform them!<br /><br />Xx. Patience
Wow that is brilliant!! I totally love them – I read loads of american blogs too and they are so popular there. Cant wait to see what you do with them too<br /><br />Rachie xo
SQUEEEEAAL! What.a.find. And for so little!! Excitement overload. Of course you HAD to get them, this kind of stuff only pops up once in a blue moon. <br /><br />Well done on this AMAZING find, and have fun picking a colour and fabric! :-) <br /><br />Meera xx
Ooooh yeah, baby! Well done! And I soooo agree with you about people labelling things as 'Shabby Chic' when they're just not. But maybe her doing that kept these chairs unsold as a set of 8 – all's well that end's well!!<br /><br />The padding looks a bit hard and square to my eye so I might switch ot for something a bit softer-looking. And surely, for you, it has to be
What a great find for you. These chairs are lovely – and a bargain too. We'd love them in pale grey (Farrow and Ball Pavilion Grey?) with the fabric in a colour that ties in with your kitchen. <br /><br />But we can't wait to see what you do.<br /><br />The Relics Team
Congrats!! The lines are perfect. Those are so hard to find. Usually you come around odder looking faux bamboo sets. Anyway! I'm so excited for you.
The chairs will look awesome in your dining room! With the dark walls and dark table, a bright color is a must! Red would be awesome, especially with the pops of red in your kitchen. Yellow, kelly green, chartreuse, turquoise, cobalt blue, coral … I could go on … would be great too! For the cushions, I suggest a pattern that ties in the color you choose for the chairs (say, red), plus a
She shoots! She scores! What a brilliant find. Can't wait for the reveal!<br />Z xx
ha have loved reading this post, i certainly feel your pain with regards to finding certain items at a reasonable price in the uk, my want for a geometric print/morrocan tile rug very much continues:) chairs are fab btw and what a bargain!!!! ps; im so tempted to go buy a white treee lol xx
Okay…I found you from hellolovely and yes we who are outside the US do have frustrating moments! I completely agree. It all looks so easily available and doable in the American blogs but when you actually go to find such a thing, you see the enthusiasm going low by the store. <br /><br />And yes, here people would throw away a rusted tin can or old toys. They don't value things they have. <
"Does a bear shit in the woods?" That cracked me up! I'm so jealous! I want some bamboo chairs. Even though I don't need them I would definitely find a place to put them. I can't wait to see what you doing with them.
So funny I came across your picture — I was searching for a picture of my ebay purchase…which happens to be the other 4 to yours! Small world!<br /><br />Got them last week and have already painted them a glossy lavender, upholstering them with a Designers Guild striped lavender/white linen and a Saarinen white marble top table. What did you decide??<br /><br />Check out my blog..I'm a bit
Yay!! Found your post on View Along the Way. I posted on these same chairs today on my blog! I found some, too. So excited.