Good Score!

Good Score! is a weekly feature here at Red House West highlighting our readers’ secondhand finds. If you scored a great bargain at a thrift store, found a treasure on the side of the road, or discovered a one-of-a-kind gem at a yard sale, we’d love to hear about it! Please send a picture and a brief description of what, where and how much to redhousewest@gmail.com -OR- use the hashtag #rhwgoodscore on Instagram and each Friday we’ll share a couple of highlights. To see Good Scores from previous weeks, click here.

When I first moved to LA, I threw all my stuff into a Uhaul storage unit as I was subletting for a month. When I moved all of my stuff out of storage, I found this desk in the free pile and promptly grabbed it. I cleaned it up and painted it black. It is one of my favorite pieces in my home. And it is a left-handed desk, a rarity! (I’m a lefty.)

–Stephanie

Black desk 1

Black desk 2

Black desk 3

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A few years ago I was looking for a new table to put beside my reading chair in my painting studio. I’d been using a small stool, and there really wasn’t enough room on it for books and a cup of tea AND a snack. I finally found this table on sale at Pier I Imports. It had a plain top, but I cut out a piece of an old failed painting and fit it into the nice tray-like niche on top, and it has made a very handy and cheerful surface for crumbs and teacups and all the unread books in my book pile.

–Carol C. B.

Tea Table

Tea Table with Tea

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These gems were left at my house by the previous owners. As you can probably tell from the woodsy grandma vibe, the previous owners were in their 90’s. I put them in the Goodwill pile and then removed them because I decided I would try to bring them out of the 1950’s. I purchased some high gloss white spray paint and gave them a few coats. I love the result! I think they now look woodsy-chic with a taste of anthropologie and Spenard Roadhouse. I now want to spray paint all of my belongings, including my dinner plates and my dog, glossy white.

–Leslie

Leslie Good Score Before

Leslie GS after

Leslie GS owl after

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Don’t forget about the giveaway! For each Good Score you submit between now and May 28 – either via redhousewest@gmail.com or the Instagram hashtag #rhwgoodscore – you will receive an entry into a random drawing for a set of Mera’s hand carved and printed avian cards! We’ll announce the winner in the Good Score post on Friday, May 30. This contest is open to residents of the United States (including Alaska!) and Canada.

Expect some variation, as the cards are printed individually by hand. Tolerant kitty not included.

5 responses on “Good Score!

  1. Katy Gilmore

    Oh these are fun! I’ve always loved those school desks and have never seen one painted all one color – and what a find for a lefty (I am curious if you use it Stephanie?). It’s interesting how just paint (and a painting) transform these objects. The painting makes a perfect tea tray for a studio, and the unifying black and white treatments move the desk and the sculptural objects right into 21st century sophistication. Leslie – the dog – the dinner plates – the world is your spray can!

    1. Stephanie Schroeder

      Katy-although I am small enough to fit in the desk, I admit I don’t use it as it’s a bit ackward to sit in. It is usually the place where I pile keys and mail.

  2. Carol Crump Bryner

    A left-handed desk painted black! My daughter and grandson – both lefties who wear a lot of black – would love that. And I like to think of those white flowers and that owl bringing a bit of whimsy to Spenard Roadhouse.

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