Jun 15, 2012

Mid Century Kijiji

I'm a big fan of second hand all-things-home.  When I lived in Vancouver, there was a high probability of finding mid century lust-worthy items on Craigslist. The general rule of thumb there is to not peruse if you're not in the market to buy. Because you'll undoubtedly buy. 

Calgary is a different story.  In 2 years, scanning Kijiji on a daily basis (for some reason it's the cool buy/sell site here in Alberta), all I've bought is a globe-of-the-world lamp (Scroll down to corner cabinet).  The selection is fair at best and exorbitantly overpriced. 

Yet, nearly the whole city was built post 1947. There was buckets of money here in the 50s-late 60s.  SO WHERE IS THE MID CENTURY FURNITURE?

I have a theory that a city built on new, continues to crave only new.  Infills and shiny new cars are rampant here.  Should I be looking in the dump? I'm starting to think that's where it ends up. 

Anyways, I thought I would share my pain with readers, since I'm inundated with posts/tweets/etc on daily cheap finds on Craigslist seemingly everywhere except for here*

Kijij Calgary:
This unit is lovely - I own one myself.  But I certainly didn't pay $2500 for it.  (it's been on the site for months)
8 of these for $250.  I grew up with something similar in the '70s - maybe there was avocado coloured fruit, I don't know - but $250??



1960s Warming Cart. This is actually priced at $1250. I think you can buy a stove for under that. 
This is a 2 for 1.  $750 for a pair of one of a kind leather horse chairs. Yeehaw!

Brass Shelf - $750!!!!!  Sure, brass/gold is hot right now but come on.... (although, it does have some nice lines)

Imagine this painted matte gun metal grey.  Not bad, right? If it was $50 not $350.... 

Ok, this one is a good deal - $350 for all six chairs and the table.  Kind of Brutalist inspired, which I'm a total sucker for. 
Now, check out this post from Edmonton, which is always more hopeful. 


I adore this couch so much - it's stunning.  They are asking $1000 for it.  If it was lower, I would consider driving up in a heartbeat. 
So there's a snippet of Kijiji life in Cowtown.  I'd love to hear if any readers know any secret spots for MCM or other readers experience with Craigslist in their community.  

LP


*This post is just focused on the Kijiji mid century market in Calgary.  I would have no problem with these prices in second hand/antique stores

Jun 9, 2012

Shades of Summer

Too bad it's like 8 degrees and raining because our trees were finally delivered and planted this week.

Mayday in the backyard - this sucka is about 12 feet. 

Cute little Scotch Pine
Of course with anything new that crosses the prairie property line comes oodles of new plans to integrate it into the landscape.  And luckily, as I am a skilled procrastinator, we have a deadline to complete these elaborate plans. We have invited our street to a Canada Day party in the backyard (July 1st for you non-Canadians). And we're aiming to be done by then. Phase II, officially dubbed, involves adding a new patio away from the house and protected between the garage and the fence for the patio furniture, and creating a fire pit/ sun lounge area.  Hubby will be incorporating the tree into the patio. We (read: hubby) will be trading for some additional 1950s patio stones for this upper patio from our neighbour in exchange for us building them a new patio wall.  We plan to add a long garden along the fence for some tall prairie grasses.  The lower deck by the house will be used for an outdoor table* / chalk roadway for all the neighbourhood kids' trikes and bikes (it's so cute).

We'll also be extending the front garden to incorporate the Scotch pine. So it's pretty much a big fat summer of digging.  Now I just need it to stop raining...  

LP

*Outdoor patio furniture is so ridiculously overpriced that I've decided we're either making a table from the old fence pickets in the garage or buying some fromage indoor dining set from Kijiji.  Remember the floral vinyl seats from the 60s and 70s? Perfect for outdoor, right?