Freegan Chic . . . Alley Find

These were in my alley last week, left out for the trash. I actually think they're kind of cool, although a bit obvious and least common denominator-ish in their general appearance. I hope somebody picked them up before the garbage **(This is the moment I was reminded of San Diego) man got to them.*

*This reminds me of a completely unrelated story. When I moved to San Diego** (temporarily) with no money and no apartment and no furniture, I found a chair in an alley, and after I loaded it into my truck, the owner came out and demanded $10 (which I paid). That kind of sucks, right?

Freegan Chic(ago) . . . Round Table

Available if you pick it up, it has potential don't you think? Well, it's free. That's a good thing, right?

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/zip/596463461.html

Freegan Chic(ago) . . . 4 Chairs

Here's a one of a kind deal, they're free if you take them all; if you insist on breaking them up, they're $5 each (which would be a shame - they're clearly a match made in heaven).

They have some potential. The 3 on the right look like they could coordinate ok if painted and reupholstered. If you can make the one on the left cool, you're my hero. Either way, this is the kind of job you can probably do yourself.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/zip/595168674.html

Freegan Chic . . . Long Sofa in Chicago

Cat allergies preclude me from taking advantage of today's Freegan Find, a long, groovy sofa in Chicago. It's free if you pick it up, and with some work, it would make quite a statement. It has nice lines and interesting tufting. I'd like to see it in a charcoal mohair. If you pick it up and have your way with it, let me know. I'd really like to see this one restored.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/fur/593594042.html

Freegan Chic . . . Room and Board Coffee Table

Freegans don't believe in paying for "stuff" and have found very creative ways to make their way through the world, eat, furnish their homes and generally unshackle themselves from consumer culture.

The freegan lifestyle got a major boost the other day when it was featured on Oprah (much to the chagrin of America's business community and all of her sponsors). Let's face it If Oprah promotes freeganism like she promoted Nate Berkus, they are soooooo screwed. And really, it's a disaster waiting to happen; where would we get more garbage if we used up all the garbage? Ponder that.

I like free stuff as much as the next guy, so here's our first Freegan Chic item of the week, this one from Chicago, a coffee table from Room and Board.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/zip/592102995.html

Are you giving something away? Which of your prized possessions did you get for free? Email me your photos at t8_1974@yahoo.com or tag your Flickr photos with "strange closets".