Sometimes the only way to furnish a room is with others hand-me-downs.   I gained a formal living room in my new house, and the decorator in me could not stand to let it sit empty.  But, with a new mortgage and moving costs – there is no money for new stuff.  I especially  don’t want to be stretched too thin in this economy. 

     My Mom generously let me go shopping in her basement.  I picked up a sofa, two wing chairs, two end tables, and a coffee table.  It is a matched set from about twenty five years ago.  It is good quality furniture and in good shape after all these years – just not exactly my taste.  Since beggars can’t be choosers, I am reworking things to my liking.  I made some pillows for the couch and I am in the process of making slipcovers for the wing chairs.  I like everything much better now, but the tables are still too matchy for my eclectic tendencies.   I am thinking of changing them out with a mix of glass or metal, wicker and maybe a re-purposing an antique woodworking table.  I have been combing estate sales, consignment stores and even an architectural salvage shop to find just the right pieces.  No luck so far but the search is most of the fun.  Here is what I have so far.