Thursday, November 8, 2012

Looking For Some Cheap Style? Our Friend David From The Great White North Wanted To See What I Could Suss Out Of The Toronto C-List. I Found Some Decent Pickings Up There. Wanna Take A Look? Status: Not My Turf.

Greetings from Toronto, Canada - Large Letter Postcard

First let me say this about the Toronto craigslist: It's everything I think that the St. Louis craigslist will become if we should ever be "blessed" with an IKEA. Eeeee-Gaaads. You know how you can search C-List with key words? IKEA makes me wish there was a way to sort OUT listings with key words!

Toronto is the craigslist you are looking for if you are in want of a year or two old piece from

IKEA, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, IKEA or IKEA.  The list is LOUSY with used contem-

porary modern furnishing...which is great if you are on a tighter budget, aren't possessed of a love

for vintage and want some super stylish filler for your digs.  Of course, I try to stay away from that

and look for those few and far between vintage modern diamonds in the rough.

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I don't know...is it old or new(er)? I dig it either way! It certainly is priced to move (I don't think the Toronto c-list will ever be known as a bargain hunters paradise!). "Wood Coffee Table with 2 Drawers - $80"

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This looks to me like a black vinyl Overman swivel rocker recliner that locks in the recline position.  Looks like it's in decent condition from this, the only picture of it in the ad.  "One old black chair $ 25"  Bargain!


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Now ain't this just grand?  Rarely do I envy others and their access to an item that's off my turf but I'd have this so fast...  It' just so much more sleek and sexy than the average danish inspired console stereos you see.  And cheap?  Just look: "Beautiful Teak Buffet / Sideboard / Credenza - $30"

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Not a crazy bargain but still affordable and quite stylish if you are in need.  Seller says it's teak but I'm not seeing it.  I'm thinking walnut.  Anyway: "VINTAGE TEAK SURFBOARD COFFEE TABLE - $100"

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This one might just be a long shot because the bed pictured is not of the bed for sale but the seller says "Drawers connected to headboard. Low profile. Like the one in the picture."  I'd say it's worth finding out. Queensized Teak Bed - $300

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Sorry, I've got a weakness for '80s boomboxes.  And JVCs were always my favorites.  This one is so rad in Darth Vader black. "JVC BOOMBOX VINTAGE - $120" I'd pay every bit of $120 for that even though that's about what it cost new!

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Got a nice set of chairs but need a great table to put 'em round?  The nice simple lines of this Scandinavian style table might be just what ya need.  And yep, it's a bargain!  "Beautiful Teak Dining Table - $40" Same seller as the console stereo above I think. Also, I doubt that it's teak. Why does everybody in Toronto think there stuff is made of teak?

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Oh...Dear....God. Can this be saved? "Unique vintage armchair - $70" Or is an assisted suicide in order?

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This borders on office waiting room furniture but I'm down with it.  I like the subtle scallops on the ends of the top.  Looks like it could use some Restore-a-finish.  It might be a bit too pricey.  Maybe do some haggling.  "VINTAGE COFFEE TABLE - $120"

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And for those of you who just HAVE to have something in your joint that stops guests in their tracks: "Aquamarine/Silver Accent Chair (Made in Italy) - $75" Um...YIKES!

7 comments:

  1. That "unique vintage armchair" looks pretty nice minus the seat from a car and the castors. Though it does look like a few inches were hacked off each leg in order to add castors.

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  2. Well done. The market for mid century is crazy in T.O. so everyone is trying to cash in on it and not educate themselves first. I spotted the exact coffee table in your 1st pic about 80 km south in a Stoney Creek,ON Value Village for $24.99, it looked older and was pretty cool but like you said IKEA has flooded the market so who knows..Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Hey Mr. Mod, That first cocktail is definetely new crap...pass. the Overman chair...worth taking a look at least. Stereo console...need right now, no matter if the guts work or not! Cocktail and bed not so much...no money in cocktail and looks like the bed wouldn't draw me without some real pics. I don't do boomboxes but the little danish dining table would be worth a peak and although not for $70, I might go take a look at the "assisted suicide chair". Looks kind of comfy for going out in. The scalloped coffee table may warrant a peak but probably newer and those chairs? Blech!!

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  4. That stereo console for $30. is cool.

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  5. We are rife with Ikea here. Plus people way to clued into mid-century. I feel your pain.

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  6. Slim pickings out in Toronto. I'd go for the dining table (its Mahogany) and that stereo console in a heartbeat. The scalloped table warrants a look but does look a bit 90s office contemorary. You should try a Los Angeles C-List post, It's crazy out here too but if you know how to look you can find a needle in a haystack anywhere.

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  7. Sorry for chiming in again. I have to agree with everything everyone before and after me has said..Down with IKEA and there cheap build it yourself JENGA crap. The Dining table likely is mahogany, I have almost the exact same with a scissor leaf made by KRUG (quality) and this looks like one of theirs....If you look in the right places and are patient you can find good pieces though....I don't think Craigslist is as popular here in Canada anymore, KIJIJI(free online classified) is big though. The last few months I've seen sets of glasses, West German Vases and everything else for that matter double in price at all the Thrift and Second Hand stores so you can tell everyone is getting on the band wagon. I'm seeing a slow change towards repurposed or upcycled (some very creative) which I've always been interested in since it allows me to work with my hands and be creative and thus charge more since there are no comparisons or fewer at least, but you still want to at least begin with quality items. Sorry for rambling. Happy hunting Mr Mod and all others.

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