KayT's Lost and Found

It’s been a while since I finished a project and this one was a doozy. This is a glider that came from Carson’s house again and probably was not a project for a novice furniture rehabber. But free furniture is hard to pass up. I started by sanding it all down then put on a coat of primer and then painted. As a glider, it had a lot of moving parts and nooks and crannies that made doing a good paint job challenging. I owe a huge thanks to Elizabeth’s mom, Colleen, for the amazing job sewing the cushions. They really finish the look of the chair and help to hide some of the results of my painting adventure.

Because of the challenging nature of this project, I am asking $250.

[sold]

Carson had a coffee table that had served its purpose, the glass insert was broken/gone so instead of getting glass to fit the space, I thought it might make a nice bench. Some black spray paint and fabric from Hobby Lobby, we now have a bench. I think this can be outside on a covered porch or patio, I wouldn’t put it outside in the sun and rain.

Dimensions: 50” long, 28” wide, 18.5” high.

Asking $125

Finally finished another project and ready to move to a new home. This little hutch was in Archway Properties 31st Street house - the house I started with. It was filled with glassware - some of which was sold, some given away. This has been a bit of a pesky project. I sanded and primed with a vision to make it navy blue but the paint was more dark gray and I didn’t like it. So I primed again and repainted and painted again. Then lots of scraping and cleaning glass because despite taping, I am not a tidy painter. But I think it turned out ok and hope it finds a new home.

Dimensions: 58” high, 44.5” across, 15.25” in depth.

Asking $125
[sold]

Found on the side of the road waiting to be hauled away. No pics of what it looked like but the boards were rotting and broken. The base was solid and after all new boards, screws and a coat of finish, it’s ready for someone’s July 4 picnic.

Asking $125
[sold]

Indy needed a dresser, I had a dresser available. We brought this up to Hudson and I put Tarah to work sanding, priming and painting. The drawers never opened and shut smoothly and it was worse after painting. I learned that the top edge and sides of drawers don’t need to be painted. After sanding and more sanding down by Tarah’s dad, I think they work. Well good enough anyhow.

This was my biggest project so far. This started as a bright green workbench in the basement of one of Archway Properties houses. By the time we could get it home, the top and the legs had been removed and it was missing a drawer. Mark made new drawers, legs and the top. I painted it and stained the top and added a coat of polycrylic. The weather is warming up and it’s about time for some garden parties. Not enough room in my house so I am selling this hutch for $125. It has its quirks but it’s served a lot of roles and continues to evolve into another role.

[sold]

“Let’s Stay Home” has been a popular saying for over-scheduled, over-worked, too-many-places-to-go people who have tried to say “yeah let’s just stay home.” Right now this has taken on new meaning as governments, health officials and people in general have said “stay home” as the world deals with a virus that shows no discrimination or mercy. But someday we will gather together in groups greater than 10. Until that day let’s get outside on our porch, listen to nature’s song and wave to friends and neighbors from a distance.

Table: A left behind item
Chairs: Mine from the 2019 Good Makers Market with cushions made by me.
Flowers: Hyvee floral
Candles: Old jars
Sign and tray: Made by me
Wine: Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery, Carroll
Glasses: Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Gift Shop last year

[table has been sold]

Here is a really nice mantle that could be taken apart and used as parts or paint it and modernize a home. It has the insert and the screen that moves well. First picture is what it looked like in the house, second is after it was removed.

[sold]

I’m always interested in what people do with the items that were left behind. Here are a few ways people are repurposing:

Remodeling and like a mid century look? Or just need cabinets for a rental property. I have a set of good kitchen cabinets available with some unique features. It’s an all or none deal and asking $400 for all.

Base cabinet sizes:
30” x 2
18”
12”
24”

Wall cabinet sizes:
39”
30”
21”
48”
42”

[sold]

Desk, pretty rough cosmetically but solid enough to make a nice piece.

Asking $20

[sold]

Patio table and 4 chairs

Asking $50

A lovely settee with a solid frame. With some upholstery updating and bottom support, this could be quite lovely. Approximately 4 feet long, seating for two.

Asking $40

Very nice music box. It works with a nice sound. It’s a record player, a radio aaaaand a cassette player. Could fill a home with music. Asking $75.

[sold]

Step ladder and 9-rung ladder. Asking $10 each.

Mid century molded chair. I love the color. I only have one available. Asking $5.

[sold]

Small desk. Paint this thing and it could be a handy little item. Asking $30.

[sold]

Two tall table lamps, just one shade. Asking $10 for both.

Floor lamp. $10

[sold]

18 salad size forks. Asking $10 for all.

[to the scrap metal bucket]

Hoover vacuum. Works really well. Asking $40.

[Donated to Goodwill]

Another mid century stereo from The Music House. This one still has the components but does not work. Asking $40.

[sold]

Nonworking stereo with the controls removed. I wish I could keep this to repurpose into a bench or drink station but time and available room say no. Asking $50.

[sold]

Electric mantle clock for sale. Keeps time well. It says there is a chime but it may need to be taken to a clock shop to get that in working order. $40

[Sold]

Why this is called KayT’s Lost and Found. Kay is not my name and it’s not Katie or any combination. My name is Linda with a middle name of Kay and last name beginning with T. So that’s the first part.

The Lost and Found is the important part. As I look at the items left behind, it causes me to wonder about the people who owned them. A hutch filled with beautiful glassware, a car driven into a garage and left there with a child’s list of spelling words still inside, windows with children’s stickers all around the frame and a large hutch with a note inside explaining its background and ironically to be used as a special family heirloom. Stuff that at one time meant something to someone and now covered in dust and cobwebs.

Just like these items there are people who feel abandoned, lost and waiting to be found and restored. As I work to keep these abandoned items from being discarded, I’m reminded to be aware of people in my world who may feel as if they are being tossed aside and want someone to find and restore them.

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity.
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see.

Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath

Large hutch asking to be made pretty and elegant again. Top doors need a key to open and no key was found. Also doors need glass panels. But this could be a lovely piece for someone to restore. Asking $350 but as always reasonably negotiable.

[Sold]

Brushed nickel light fixture dining table or island light fixture. $25
[Donated to Habitat for Humanity, Urbandale, Iowa]

6 chairs with red velvet seats and approximately size 4x5 table. Lots of ornate detail on the table and chairs with red velvet cushions in decent condition. Asking $25/chair and $50 for the table. (Cobwebs included)

[Sold]

Faith based picture with outdoor pictures. Asking $15.
[Donated to Goodwill, Urbandale, Iowa ]

Lots of old windows available, various sizes. Asking $1/each.

9 large windows still available]

Pontiac Bonneville. Probably does not work, no key, no registration. As is. Asking $300 but negotiable.
[Sold]