Monthly Archives: July 2011

By now most of you know that I love second hand furniture.  I love the character that it has, the story, and the challenge of finding great pieces.  Over the course of my life, I’ve had quite a few great finds (Ellie Graye’s bedroom furniture, for example).  It has taken me a while to find my favorite spots up here in Oregon (in LA I knew just where to go), and I now have a particular Goodwill that has become one of my weekly stops, and it rarely disappoints.

On this particular trip, I immediately found a 1950s ceramic lamp that had been re-corded and was the perfect piece for the playroom that I’ve been trying to add finishing touches to.  I held onto it, and poked around, looking for whatever else it was that was going to scream my name.

Cleaned and in its new home in the playroom

I headed to the furniture department and saw a small little hutch that was in great shape but definitely needed a full coat of paint and some TLC.  I wasn’t convinced it was worth the $60, and I really didn’t NEED a hutch.  I called my mother to see if she’d be interested in it.

She didn’t answer, so I poked around a bit more.  I moved a chair that was up on a larger piece of furniture, and it was then that I saw it. Underneath a pile of chairs, tables, and miscellaneous junk was an absolutely GORGEOUS mahogany buffet.  It had obviously been glanced over by many a bargain hunter, simply because it was hidden and the varnish on top was peeling and in need of some love.  I looked at the price tag: $39.99.  WHAT???? A mere $40 for a piece that once refinished would be worth FAR more?!?! I had a few doubts about whether or not I could actually make the piece look nice enough to have in the house, but decided to buy it even so.  I figured that if nothing else, I could use it in the basement for storage – you can’t even buy bookshelves at IKEA for $40!!! I desperately ran around the store to find an employee to help me – scared that someone else would see the treasure I had just discovered!  The hutch was quickly forgotten, and up onto the suburban went the buffet.

Once I returned home, we unloaded it into the shop.  It was then that I really truly saw what a treasure I had found.  Once the piece stood on its own without the piles of broken bicycles, particle board end tables, and laminate bookshelves – it was just simply elegant.  The craftsmanship is incredible, and the lines of the cabinet doors are spectacular.  I love its simple lines, and understated strength.

Just ignore my husbands ridiculously complete gym in the back

complete with removable silverware tray

With a little research, I discovered the same exact credenza, only refinished…for $895.  Yeah, so even if I eventually spend $400 on having a pro refinish it, I STILL got a deal!

I’ll be trying my hand at refinishing this within the next couple days – and will keep you updated on the progress!

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tbs. cider vinegar
• 3 tbs. lime juice
• 1 tbs. chili powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 tsp. corn starch

1. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, chili, cumin, and garlic. Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag and add 1/2 cup of marinade; chill for at least an hour, preferably overnight.  Cover remaining marinade and refrigerate.

2. Heat small amount of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onions, and cook until tender and transparent.  Add peppers, and cook until tender. Remove from pan.

3. Remove chicken from the marinade and add to skillet, and cook until juices run clear.  Add onion and peppers.

4. Whisk cornstarch into reserved marinade and add to skillet, stir and simmer until sauce thickens.  Serve on warm tortillas with sour cream, guacamole, and cheese!

ALTERNATE PREPARATION: marinate the chicken in ALL the marinade before slicing, then grill along side the veggies.  Slice the chicken after juices run clear and just skip the extra sauce.  Just as delicious.