Ebay Score . . . Dr. Willarton Phrenology Head

My Ebay score. You'll be home soon, my sweet!

So . . . this is a bit on Decoratus Absurdum side. Too much? Should I have gone with the less horrific white ceramic one at Jayson Home? Both are cool, but the extra creepiness appeals to me somehow. What do you think?




Subscribe in a reader

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Ebay Score . . . Oh Crap

Oh my Lord. What have I done?

Am I alone in my compulsive behavior on Ebay? I could try to explain this, but I just . . . there are no words. It's three feet tall - what was I thinking?

So, I beg you (in all seriousness); please outbid me on this before it's too late. Your kids will love it (or maybe a niece or nephew).

And if it's already too late by the time you read this, will you please say a little prayer for me? Because I'm going to have some explaining to do.

A Tale of Three Blogs (and some great stuff for sale)

Raul has 2 of the Eames plywood chairs for sale for $500 each.

This is a story about coincidences, writers, unexpected friendships and the best neighborhood in the world. It started when I emailed Porcelain at Design Boner about her excellent blog. She and I knew that we both lived in Chicago. No big deal, right?

But wait, there's more. We quickly discovered that we also both lived on the north side and in the same neighborhood, Edgewater Glen (which is, empirically, the best neighborhood in the world). Strange, huh?

But there's even more. We actually live on the same block and across the alley from one another. Whoa! (BTW, if you haven't already, check out Design Boner. It's smart and beautiful and interesting and gentle somehow (with great weekend photos every Monday).

So when Porcelain's friend, Raul, wanted to sell the vintage Eames DCM he bought at Scout (for the killer price of $100 - exactly what he paid for it), she remembered a post I'd written about my Ebay DCM score, and she asked if I wanted to buy Raul's so I'd have a pair.


An Eames table in good condition - $80.


A Hans Wegner daybed. Available for $2000. In person, it's really really great.

I setup some time to visit Raul and his wife, Molly's apartment. Immediately, I was intrigued by the space - bold colors, classic mid-century furniture, an actual typewriter (!) and best of all, the entire space was bright and sun-shiny with a gorgeous garden view out their large living room window. When I complemented them on their taste, they told me that their house had been featured on Apartment Therapy, another one of my favorite blogs. So there you go, three people brought together by blogging.

Raul is selling some amazing mid-century furniture pieces, but he'd rather not go through Craig's List or Ebay, so here are the goods. If you're interested, email me, and I'll introduce you to Raul.






The Eames DCM. Originally purchased at Scout, this chair is for sale for $100. The chair has been used, so it needs a little work, but it's a great opportunity to own a classic piece for a relatively small amount of money.


The Jacobson side table - $300.

Ebay Score . . . Eames DCM Chair (yes, another one)

On a whim, I used Ebay's "Make an Offer" function and was surprised to find that it was quickly accepted. The result is that I finally own the killer vintage 50's Eames DCM chair I've been coveting, and I got an even killer deal. It's gorgeous, in great shape, with just a touch of grit that gives it character.

The seller was local, I called him immediately and had it back home and in my office within a couple of hours. We're both adjusting nicely, and I think it'll be very happy here.

Have you used Ebay's "Make an Offer"? How has it worked out for you? And send in your Ebay scores to be featured in Strange Closets.

Ebay Watch . . . More Chairs (HELP!)

I was on Ebay yesterday, and I came across these. Aren't they fantastic? I'm something of a contrarian (well, not really), so I'm not sure if they're really great or if they're just different. That green is definitely not an "it" color, and that may be why I like them so much.

What do you think? And how do I combat my recent Ebay-mania? My grandma had a basement that was filled from ceiling to floor with "stuff." I vowed that would never happen to me, but in some ways, it's begun already. It's madness. Help.

Ebay Score? . . . Blue Vinyl Herman Miller Shell Chair

I really really wanted this, but after winning, I began to have my doubts. It's most definitely a score price-wise, but as my friend pointed out this weekend, when I have parties, literally everybody has a seat. I'm the cat lady. Only I'm a guy. And chairs don't shed.

What do you think? Cool? Or was it a mistake?

Ebay Score . . . Cowhide Rugs for Less

I think cowhide rugs are on their way out (or gone) as a design trend, but if you are looking for one, who cares? We should live with things we love, even if they aren't "trendy."

While buying a cowhide rug in upscale retail boutiques will typically cost anywhere from several to many hundreds of dollars, Ebay is a surprisingly good (and cheap) source.












Ebay seller proinleathers has listings starting at $9.99 and Buy It Now prices as low as $183.

For a different take on cowhide, check out the vintage director's chair at Chicago-based Jayson Home & Garden. They've upholstered this fantastic French mid-century piece with Houndstooth patterned cowhide (I guess that's one way to get rid of extra inventory). I love it and think it would make a fabulous and unique accent chair. There are only six available, so hurry to get yours.

Ebay Score . . . 70's Era Italian ITT Phone

I've always had a mild obsession with vintage phones, radios and cameras, but the standard forties / fifties-era black, rotary phone got played out when Pottery Barn mass-produced it a couple of years back (I'm not saying I don't have one in my basement).

I was in Chicago's Zella Brown last week (a terrific store and a topic for another day), and they were selling very hip, restored vintage phones. With a little self-restraint, I left the store and decided to check Ebay and Craig's List.

This is a common sense way to save money (and find something a bit more unique). Buying vintage is also better for the environment and puts money into people's pockets instead of big companies like Williams Sonoma (but I do love Williams Sonoma Home oh so much).

Is this a score or a snore? What did you find on Ebay that's far more expensive in trendy boutiques?