Let me back up. It started as a normal day several weeks ago. I had my two children and the children of a friend who was stuck in a bind and needed a babysitter for the day. Since her youngest is a very active 3 year old, I figured I was not going to get much done around the house. So, I decided to tackle the mountain of things that needed to go to the dump.
I piled the car full of our old furniture, lamps, etc., and headed with all four kids to the "swap shop" at our dump. Do you have that? Where you leave your usable items for the first takers? Well, ours is quite popular and things disappear within minutes.
I pulled in about 20 yards from the swap shop when my 6 year old daughter started screaming, and I mean screaming, "LOOK! LOOK! LOOK!" She then literally jumped out of the car and started running away before the car had even stopped moving.
This is what she had seen:
An old desk with a matching chair. It was hard to tell from the car if it was any good, but that didn't matter to her. What also didn't matter was that there was already a man inspecting the desk - opening drawers, etc., clearly inerested in it. Well, as I said, my daughter had jumped from the car before it was even fully stopped (don't worry, she got a big saftely lecture, but really can you blame her?) I was busy yelling out the window "Wait for Mommy! Wait! That man is already there! Wait your turn!"
I got the toddler out of his car seat and ran over just in time to hear my daughter saying
"Please Mister! Please! Please please please let me have this desk! Oh please! It's my dream desk! Please! I need it!"
OMG holy mortification. I jumped right in of course and said, "NO honey! He was here first," and to the man, "I'm so sorry - I know you were looking at that and of course it's yours if you want it." Well, he barely even acknowledged me, turned and walked away, got in his car, and left. I suspect that he really wanted the desk but couldn't say no to the begging little girl who was now sitting in the chair AT THE DUMP and opening the drawers of her new desk and putting the crayons that she had brought to the dump with her into it. So, we scored a new desk. For free!
But then there was the issue of getting it home. Let's just say mega-nightmare and leave it at that.
Even though the desk was a mess, it was so heavy and well made - quite a good piece of furniture -- and it fit perfectly in her room, so I was thrilled. Here it is in it's sorry "before" shape:
Sanding, primer, paint, and some new hardware, and here it is now, minus the seat cushion, which still needs fabric:
So, to the man at the dump who apparently couldn't say no to my sweet-but-sometimes-pushy-daughter, THANK YOU!! You made one little girl (and her mommy) very happy!
Thanks for reading!!
I hope you'll visit my store for Rugs, Lighting, Art, Furniture and more:
,Must See Daily Deals at One Kings Lane!
That's how we got our daughter's now TV cabinet! Well, not exactly how... we were making a trip to the dump, spied the piece in the 'free shopping' section, and sent our daughter (she's a teen) a picture before whisking it away!
I love your daughters tenacity - good for her! And if I could wish one thing for this story, it would be that the man reads your blog ;-)
Nice makeover on it too!
Your little girl has her Mommy's eye for interior design! You certainly can't blame her for wanting it so badly. What a gorgeous desk and chair! I love the paint color you chose, Stacy. It really does look perfect in her room.
Have a lovely evening!
~ Wendi ~
She is so cute!! How COULD you say no? Love it, and what an outstanding job you did, love the color and crystal knobs, its perfect!! Well done.
haha! That is so cute. Your daughter is going to be a tremendous asset to you in the future!! I have been to the swap shop in a few of the towns I lived in, and each time I moved I loved donating to it, because I knew someone would take it and love it, like your little girl and her dream desk! It came out fantastic in hot pink. You two make quite a team.
Oh Stacy, That is the cutest story ever! I can just imagine the mans face. Your daughter is a born negotiator.Tell her I love her new desk. The color is amazing!
I'm in love! You did an awesome job! You daughter has already got a great sense of taste and an eye to spot potential!
What a funny story! The man was an obvious gem and spotted a woman who meant business! LOL! Looks great in her room, she's obviously got mummy's 'eye'!
x KL
Haha, I really enjoyed this post! I could see it happening before my eyes, you really write so funny! And it seems your daughter has an eye for great furniture! :-) Love the makeover in pink, it looks fantastic.
Love, Inge x
Love it!
Glad she got her "dream desk"!!
Wow ! The dream desk looks beautiful... A wonderful makeover... The desk now looks like every girls dream... Beautiful pink !!
What a cutie! I'm so glad she got her dream desk! It is very adorable; I see why she had to have it.
-Keri
Sometimes complete mortification is totally worth it!! Great color for her room, I love it. She's got a great eye. :)
I'm seeing a mother/daughter design team in your future! Well done on her part spotting the diamond in the rought and on your part having the patience and talent to revive it! :)
THAT DESK IS WHERE IT BELONGS!!!
HOME WITH YOU.
GREAT PAINT TOO.
ANTIEDEB
I think it is incredible that she spotted it and cared so much at 6yrs old. there is no way I could say no to that adorable face. The desk looks perfect in her sweet room.She will always remember that desk and you getting it into the car. This will be a story that is told at many Tday dinners in years to come. Thanks for sharing it with us,
xo Kathysue
Ha, the apple didn't fall too far from the tree. She has already cultivated your design eye!
After reading all the previous comments, I agree, "the apple does not fall far from the tree"...However, I feel most importantly, she knows what she wants and goes after it.."you go girl"!!! Thanks for sharing such a great story!!
oh my gosh, the girl's got a good eye, lol. i love the legs on that desk, that really makes it for me. what a fun color you painted, and it totally works in her room.
What a great transformation! Your daughter has good taste. And such a fun story behind it too!
really cute!=3 and so is the finished product!
Lol! I love this story. You have to hand it to your daughter for getting what she wanted :)
The desk turned out amazing. No one would ever guess you found it at the dump!
super cute desk. the colour looks great. c x.
What a great desk. Love the story. I don't think I could say no either. I love your blog. I'm your newest follower.
Would love to see you DIY Home Sweet home.
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
P.S. I have a linky every Monday. Would love for you to stop by and link up.
Oh Stacy, that's a great story! You realize she'll be following in your design shoes! lol Her room is beautiful. I'd love for you to share this at my monthly link party on Tuesday. It's for all ages of kids decor and held first Tuesday each month. Have a great weekend! Nan
PlayfulDecor.blogspot.com
She has great taste! The desk is gorgeous, especially after your paint job. I absolutely love it. I wish our dumps worked that way.
ohhhh I feel so inspired!! adorable!! love pink!!
Your daughter has good taste. Your daughter is going to be a tremendous asset to you in the future!
Lol I will have to try this with one of my god children next time. Who can really resist children. Even though one time a pregnant lady tried to convince my sister to give up a dresser to her, but it was too later my sister was committed to it and had already paid for it. I love the pink!
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