Craigslist Made Easy

As you probably know by now I'm a huge fan of Craigslist, I bought our dresser on there, an old coffee table, our dining room table and even our wedding photographer!! Yep I'm a huge fan, living finding unique pieces for our home, and sometimes just go on there to look, lol. What I'm not a huge fan of, is looking though every single post { after narrowing down my search } to look at every single page, to find icky items and no gems. Well, I pretty sure my Craigslist dilemma is finally over. I was recently contacted by the founder of CraigsEasy, which helps people like you & me avoid wasting precious time { looking though countless pages to locate the gems faster } he thought I would enjoy using this FREE tool to make my searches easier. I should also note this is local company based in Palo Alto...which is cool so close to our hometown of Sacramento.

They offer a free tool called a booklet from their site, Craigseasy takes all the images from the listing and places them all in one page, so you able to see all the pictures upfront and then click on the listing your interested in purchases the item.

It was so easy to add to my computer, since its only a booklet { no need to download anything } for more information on getting a booklet for your pc click { here } I did a simple search using CE - aka Craigseasy, looking for a dresser for under $75.00 in less then a few minutes, I found two dresses. The first one is for $70 the second one is only $50!!

Isn't this an amazing dresser for only $50 bucks, look at the detail. This dresser would look amazing painted a pretty shade of blue or Kelly green.

Nest I did a search for mid century under $75 bucks. I found this cute mid century modern side table for $ 55 bucks, over priced yes. Next I came across the super cute mid century modern desk, for $60 a little steep for me for such a simple desk, that I often see at Thrift stores for h much less

My final search was for coffee tables under $50 bucks, I came across two the have promise. The first one is $35 dollars and would amazing spray painted - white or black. The other coffee table I like was only $30.00 and was practically screaming out to be painted a crisp clean glossy white.

For those of you out there that are new to shopping on CL - remember to look past the ugly and so the potentail your find has.

Do you use Craigseasy, to make your Craigslist searching easier? If not add the booklet and let me know what you think.

** I was not compensated for my review on CraigsEasy, just glad to spread the word and hope you find amazing pieces for your home.

Craigslist Dresser Goes Chic

Way back in December I found a dresser on Craigslist for only $ 45.00. My Craigslist search for a dresser took forever to find this gem. I love it's detail and craftsmanship and its dovetail drawers. They don't make'em like that anymore! Not only was the dresser the perfect size for our room, it reminded me of the pricier Pottery Barn version for around $1100! But I like our dresser more.


Here's the before, images via Craigslist.

The dresser had some pretty detail, on the side panels, I also liked its feet - perfect mix of masculine and feminine.

Since our new dresser is large, I knew a its current dark shade would overwhelm our small bedroom. So I painted it a Delicate White Satin finish by Olympic Paint. I also added new hardware to up its pretty factor. I found some simple shiny knobs for the top drawers and the wow knobs for the bottom drawers. I usually prefer black or brushed nickel for pulls, but I was drawn to the shape of the pulls. I guess you could say they pulled me in (lame pun intended) The shiny pulls also match our newly hung chandelier.

Here's our dresser now { in our bedroom } I love how it looks against of grey walls.

Here's what I did.

I sanded the dressing using a sanding block to help remove the old finish. I applied three coats of primer (Zinsser Primer). I allowed each coat of primer to dry six hours and then lightly sanded between coats.

The dresser during the priming phase.

The new pulls were larger than the ones originally on the dresser. I filled the old holes in with wood filler after I primed the dresser. Then sanded the wood filler away with a fine grit sanding block. We measured the new pulls and then measured the middle of the dresser and found its center then drilled new holes for the pulls.

Old dresser holes.

Sanding down the wood filler

Next, I painted the dresser using a combination of a sponge roller and paint brush (the brush helps for odd angles and drips) . I applied four coats of paint, I allowed each coat of paint to dry 24 hours before applying the next coat. Between each coat I lightly sanded, this time using a fine grit sanding block.

I applied two coats of Rustoleum Painters Coat clear gloss, it worked perfectly. It gave my dresser a nice glossy yet hard finish. The product also promises not to yellow over time, which is very important on a white dresser. Our bedroom is slowing coming along, it feels great to have the dresser and chandelier checked off my to do list. Next up, is making our bed with all the bedding I've been hording.

Budget breakdown:

$ 45.00 dresser
$ 11.88 for the pulls ( $ 2.97 each )
$ 11.96 for the knobs ( 2.99 each )
$ 11.99 Rustoleum Clear coat
$ 12.99 1 quart of Olympic paint

Total: $ 93.82

I love how our dresser turned out, what do you think? What current painting project are you working on?

Craigslist I love you....

In between looking for flooring and knocking off small DIY dining room projects - I've also been stalking Craigslist for the perfect dresser for our bedroom. We wanted something clean lined and not too feminine. You wouldn't believe all the junk I poured over looking for a decent dresser that wasn't crap-tastic circa 1983.



I was seriously thinking of breaking it off with Craigslist and letting our relationship fizzle out. Then two days before Christmas I come across the prefect dresser the detail I was looking for, and it looked well made + Mr. CHL house also loved it.

I quickly called the number provided fearing it might be too late to call it was 9:20 pm - No answer I leave my name and number. No response. The next morning I wait until 9:30 am and call again, no answer, I leave a message. Crap I think to myself they sold it. I start getting annoyed, thinking they should at least take the item off CL when it's sold; - it’s so rude to tease people.


About ten minutes later my work line rings, it’s the Craigslist seller!! I do a little happy dance in my chair. I tell him I really want the dresser, my husband can come pick it up right now (he had the day off) the seller doesn’t recognize my interest and tries to sell the dresser to me! lol - I play along.

CL Seller: It's a really nice dresser and sturdy, but its missing a handle

Me: Yeah it looks nice {thinking: I don't care about handles, this baby is getting new ones}

CL Seller: you can order the handle from the manufacturer company

Me: Um sounds great, do all the drawers work? {thinking: Who cares!! lol j/k}

CL Seller: Yeah it’s a solid piece

Me: What's your address my husband can be there in an hour {I'm already Goggled Map it, once I knew it was the CL Seller}

CL Seller: Did you want to see it first in person?

Me: Nah, your picture looks nice, I trust my husband {thinking: Sir, I need your address now!!}

CL Seller: Ok, here's my information

Me: Thanks! {thinking: You just made my day, and have to clue how awesome the dresser is/will be}

So Craigslist and I are back together again, I guess it was meant to be....Craigslist I love you. Here's the dresser, pics from CL Seller

Oh and how much did I pay for this fab dresser? Just $ 45.00 bucks! Yup a total steal, the drawers are super heavy and well made. Next up new hardware and a paint color possibilties - but that's a whole new post. Have you found any awesome Craigslist steals?