Full-priced adult furniture, not for me

Rejoice, for I am finally beyond the IKEA furniture phase of my life (except for the occasional, irresistibly fun kitchenware). The two IKEA items that I still own -- a couple of small white-and-beech colored pieces -- I find myself staring at these days with almost-loathing.


My new predilection: Second-hand furniture. Stylistically a step up, but not yet quite arrived. I'm sorry to anyone who thinks I should have been farther along in life by now, but I just can't bring myself to pay $1600 for one sofa from Pottery Barn. Not now, and perhaps not ever.


Below is an antique writing desk and chair I bought yesterday for $100 from a guy in Glendale I found via Craigslist. Before it really feels like it's mine, I'll need to sand down and refinish the top and stretch some new fabric over the chair pad. But how cool is it? If you're curious, scroll past to see what the same amount of money would have gotten me in real stores.

$100 at Pottery Barn would have gotten me... the keyboard tray in this attractive home office setup:

$100 at IKEA would have gotten me this perfectly functional desk. But the cost to my soul: Another $100. Resale value: $10.