Tuesday, July 15, 2008

You work--I'll do the pretty stuff.

Yawn. I'm worn out from helping my husband put his new office together...quick!

He has more important things to do than shopping the government surplus warehouse.

I had always imagined it as the best kind of treasure trove, where oddities abound and everything is free.

No conference chairs, but we almost requisitioned this rug. It turned out to be a 25' red carpet!

(Incidentally, anyone can bid on Metro Nashville surplus online!)

We replaced his predecessor's slick cherry finish with the 1950's desk that's original to the office.
Now I need to round up a rug, 5 chairs and a side table--cheap.

Because I don't think taxpayers need to foot the bill for overpriced office furniture.

13 comments:

An Adventurer in the World said...

Very cool desk!

When I was re-doing my hubs' space last we found 10 black leather modern Herman Miller chairs for $100 at a used office furniture warehouse. Great places to shop, we picked up everything from wastebaskets to a 7ft. whiteboard. No doubt your finds will be impressive!

deb m

Julie Clark said...

"Because I don't think taxpayers need to foot the bill for overpriced office furniture."

Meredith. I love you.

Meredith said...

10 Herman Miller chairs? Oh, to have such luck!

The pickings are pretty slim, though I think I've surfed every website and tromped through every used furniture store within reasonable distance.

I may settle on some super-clearanced outdoor chairs instead. I can always use them around my bistro table when we find something better.

Jane said...

Have you tried putting a wanted ad on Craigslist? My principal has gotten lots of nice furniture for the office when companies learn of the need.

Alyssa @ KeepingTheKingdomFirst said...

How do you do it? Back from vacation, blogging, and redecorating already.

Meredith, you are my new hero!

Unknown said...

Meredith,
you are such a treasure! As a taxpayer, thank you!
hugs
mel

Anonymous said...

If there is an university near you, (and I am sure there is one) check into their used office furniture etc. My sister works for the University of Texas at Austin. From time to time they have re-done all of the offices there and the things went to a big wearhouse where they were sold for pennies on the dollar. Leather chairs, desks, etc. My sister got a beautiful oak console table (sorry if that is not spelled right) that she uses in her entry way. It is near perfect, cost her less than $50.00 and is a great storage piece. Roxie

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

Love the desk!

You know... what I've learned by years of surplus shopping is that you'll very rarely, if ever, hit a jackpot. Surplus shopping for me usually looks like this -- consistently checking what is for sale, finding a lamp here, a desk there, some chairs another time... and over time eventually acquiring a nice collection of surplus items.

But, it sounds as though time is not on your side! Wishing you the best.

Anonymous said...

if you know anyone who works for a large company, let them know....everywhere dh has worked they have a dead room...

you know when the scrap 2 month old desks because they want all the desks to have maple finish instead of cherry....even if they arent on the same floor...

celina in canada

An Adventurer in the World said...

If you were closer I'd share some of those chairs! Bought all 10 because such a good deal and I HATE to bust up sets, but only half in use right now.

deb m

It's a Mom Thing said...

Congrats to your husband on his new position. My mom is thrilled. She is here visiting this week and we read about all the switch-ups online.
I know you'll help him make the perfect office.

AmyU said...

I love the pulls on this desk. How do you know that the desk dates from the 1950s? Did you happen to find a manufacturer's label? I'm researching a similar desk for a restoration project...

Meredith said...

Amy, the desk was apparently bought new when the building opened, which was the year 1959.