Jubilee Furniture

If two heads are better than one…

2012-03-09T08:22:00.001-06:00

March 9, 2012

Since I got a mixed response to last week’s post asking if you preferred the larger slide show option versus my usual line of individual photos and because I still can’t figure out how to add captions to the slide show – I’ll continue doing both. For those of you who like the slide show better – I’m sorry but you’ll have to scroll down and find the matching photo to learn the price and read my description of the item. If you like the original format – just skip the album at the top of the post (though the album is showing different photos from the first few photos – trust me – they’re the same, just in a different order).

I very much appreciated everyone’s kind comments especially about my “quirky” unrelated-to-almost-anything opening paragraphs of each Friday post. Thank you. This email from Loretta sums up what I’m trying to achieve both on the blog and in the store:

My husband & I unreservedly prefer the original format. Your flavorful commentary lends a sense of humanity & community to the inventory. "Inventory" can be found anywhere--not so for the communal camaraderie we experience both in the brick 'n' mortar and in your blog. That's why we're regulars at both places. Best--Phil & Loretta

Trying to turn a stop at a used furniture store located in a poorly lite cold/hot (depending on the season) warehouse into something you look forward to doing every couple of week (or weekly! :-) is exactly what I’m hoping to achieve.

Why? Because I genuinely like people. I’m interested in who you are and what you do. I think you’re wonderful! I also like knowing my hard work is helping those most in need in DuPage County through your purchases (proceeds of what we sell are helping to support the programs and services offered through Outreach Community Ministries).

What’s “new” this week, you ask? Excellent question. Let’s take a look at some of the things donated:

eggplant color sofa and matching chair – both have issues with piping cord coming through – sofa is priced $85; chair $55

amazing, wonderful trunk – not old but looks it yet has a great feature like safety hinges – priced $195

super nice, Broyhill green corduroy sofa with fabulous nail head trim priced $165

this is a way cool tweed chair and ottoman – couple of issues: one button came off (donor provided the button) and donor had a cat – there isn’t tons of cat hair but a little – priced $185 for both pieces

gorgeous wood and wrought iron end table for $125

denim slip covered sofa for $45

sweet love seat priced $75; matching chair for $40

blue leather recliner priced $95 (has an unusual smell)

amazing brass umbrella stand priced $125

sweet and fun ice cream table with two chairs (table top needs some minor re-finishing) priced $145 for the set

wonderful old teacher’s desk w/Plexiglas protector – priced $135

lovely mission style entertainment center for $155

super wonderful red micro-suede FIVE piece sectional (in other words it comes apart into a lot of nice smaller size pieces) – one piece is a recliner and then one a chaise – priced $235

set of four rolling chairs priced $125 for all; they’re gathered around one of the Hampton Inn tables which are priced $30 each

as I was walking up and down Office Furniture Land looking for un-priced furniture – I came across this amazing, retro laminate desk with all these fantastic curved lines and couldn’t believe the guys dropped it in a line of fine – but functional – pieces! It’s unbelievably wonderful! I couldn’t find any brand name – but Barry, Uncle Mikey or Tom (all regular customers and my go-to people for vintage furniture information) could probably identify it – I priced it $145. How did I do, guys? Can you identify the designer from my photos?

very nice Kimball two drawer lateral file cabinet priced $145

this is a really interesting (in a good way) piece – it’s a four drawer dresser, the top drawer opens down and it’s where you might stash a DVD player and then on top is a TV stand that you can pull out and adjust for your viewing pleasure. Lots of sweet storage plus a spot for your TV – not too shabby! Priced $85

two very nice four drawer black dressers priced $50 each

Remember, we’re open today (Friday) from 1 to 8 and tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 to 4!

I hope you, dear reader, can stop in! I’d really love to see you again or meet you for the very first time!

Blessings.

Tuesday's customer inspiration - Luke and Emily's award winning night of the spinning table!

2012-03-06T16:43:00.001-06:00

Actually the spinning table was a new character and had only a bit part in the annual Oscar party Luke and Emily have hosted for years. This year's party was the largest yet with 64 adults and 46 kids (yep, you read that correctly 65 adults and 46 kids PLUS Luke, Emily and their three kids!) in attendance. The small pine table has a great solid base and the top - for some unknown reason - was designed to spin, like a lazy Susan (on behalf of Susans everywhere I do want to start some type of formal protest again naming something that is highly functional, efficient and sorta cute a lazy Susan) and purchased it from Jubilee just a couple of days before the party when they realized they were short on places to set things.

When one of the kids realized that spinning the top when it held cups full of liquid resulted in flying cups and spraying juice - Luke and Emily might have wished that wasn't one of the table's features but from the photos below - it apparently didn't dampen the party (new character, bit part, flying liquid, dampen the party - am I on a pun roll or what?!).

Luke and Emily and both sets of parents are all regular Jubilee Furniture customers and Luke's dad, Gordon, is a key volunteer without whom we couldn't do what we do (Gordon does everything from help move furniture for the Thursday design team to load merchandise for customers to recycle our broken TVs, empty water bottles and pop cans).

Thanks for a fun peek into the night's festivities, Luke and Emily!

Before I sign off, I also got an email from Monique - another regular Jubilee Furniture customer - with the following plea:

Susan - I bought this chair a while ago at Jubilee Furniture and STILL haven not re-upholstery it. Aside from the funkadelic print, it's covered in what can only be described as Muppet fur. No, really, you can run a comb through it.

Perhaps your viewers have suggestions on where I can take my little monster to get some new skin?

Not sure why Monique wants to mess with perfection - but to each his own! If you have any great ideas for Monique - please leave a comment. She lives in DuPage County.

Have you purchased something from the store and are willing to take photos and email me (sgalbraith@outreachcommin.org) with the hope of inspiring others to see used furniture in new ways? If so, that would be peachy!

The guys have fabulous pickups all week and I'll be back on Friday with photos of some of the funkadelic (what a great word!) furniture that's been donated!

Peace out, dear reader!

“All technology should be assumed guilty until proved innocent.” David Brower

2012-03-02T08:26:00.001-06:00

March 2, 2012

VIEW SLIDE SHOW

DOWNLOAD ALL

In my continued process of trying not to be a complete technologic idiot (or even just a regular, everyday idiot) and based on a very smart volunteer and her suggestion – I’ve inserted this week’s photos as a slideshow for your viewing pleasure. Though the finished product is okay (I don’t know – yet – how to add captions so you know prices) – the behind the scenes was riddled with ineptness. Here’s the humiliating story.

I opened, what I thought was Windows Live Writer – the program I’ve been using for my Friday posts for over a year – and couldn’t understand why when I inserted my photos they were huge and didn’t format the way they normally do. Interestingly – and probably something that should have alerted me sooner – the program bar was also different and I had already decided my lead-in would be something along the lines of…how much I hate when perfectly good programs you’ve been using just fine, thank you very much, are upgraded and changed overnight.

I’m too embarrassed to share how much time I spent wandering around trying to figure out what the heck was going on – but in my defense I do start working on the Friday post at 6:00 a.m. after rolling out of bed and without aid of caffeine.

Eventually, I realized I hadn’t opened Windows Live Writer but Microsoft Word – and everything became clear and I knew the dunce cap was still very securely resting on my head (just for the record – I am not so old that I would have attended school when teachers did indeed sit a student in the corner with a dunce cap on his/her head – in case you thought I was).

Anyway – this fantastic volunteer wondered if some who come to the Jubilee Furniture blog would rather simply view the newest additions to our inventory and skip long paragraphs of words. My goal is to fine-tune the slideshow to include pricing information but until then I’ll also include my normal format.

Remember, the photos are probably 70% of what’s “new” this week and don’t include any of the other 30,000 square feet of inventory.

lovely Bernhardt 3 piece sectional priced $175 – some pilling in certain areas

very nice black desk/table (I believe it’s a Room and Board piece) – some minor scratches on top – priced $165

this is definitely a Room and Board sofa – some fading – priced $165

super nice leather sofa priced $265; bench $50

fabulous writing desk – top needs to be refinished – priced $195

this is also a Room and Board piece – sleeper sofa this time – one rip along one back cushion and needs to be spot cleaned – priced $145

wicked sweet sleeper loveseat by Steinhafels – priced $95

great old teacher’s desk priced $85; chair is priced $18.50

gorgeous Marshall Field’s plaid chair and ottoman priced $225

great executive desk with left return by National Mt. Airy – see gouge on desk top? – priced $125

super comfy leather desk chair by Lane – I couldn’t figure out how to make it go up or down – priced $85

2 piece computer desk with hutch priced $40

I love these rustic nightstands? end tables? priced $65 each

great student desk with chair for $75 for both pieces

true wardrobe/armoire priced $75 and we have three identical (from the Hampton Inn – so match the other pieces they’ve donated)

great end table priced $45 and we have two matching

lovely pine table with two leaves – priced $145; chairs shown are from the Hampton Inn and the arm-less chairs are $20 each and the armed chairs are $25 each

great retro desk for $65

Before you worry too much that I have low self-esteem and leave all sorts of nice comments…actually, that sounds just lovely!

Seriously though, I would love to hear if you’d rather the weekly posts be just photos and pricing information (frankly it would make my job much easier and I promise I wouldn’t get offended).

Grace and peace to you, dear reader!

Tuesday's customer inspiration - Jennifer's jammin' Jubilee Furniture home!

2012-02-28T14:40:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Tuesday customer inspiration where each week I showcase something someone has purchased from Jubilee Furniture and how fabulous it looks in their home - either exactly as it looked in the store - or - how it's been transformed into something even better with the hopes of helping others see used furniture in a new and creative way (and because I'm super nosy)!

This week I have lots of photos to share because Jennifer is a regular customer who has a fantastic eye and knows quality furniture when she sees it. This busy mom of four volunteers each week filling in at the front desk at Wheaton Youth Outreach and Jennifer's husband is on the Outreach board - so they appreciate and value what we do and use key resources - time and money - to support us.

Here's Jennifer's email:

Hey Susan - I finally am sending you all the pics of my Jubilee purchases. I LOVE MY STUFF from there! Wow - I have a lot of stuff from there and hope to get some more great finds. Jennifer

got this bar high table and chair set for the basement to use as a game table

fabulous Room and Board couch for our basement - great for watching TV or playing the wii

this is an awesome outdoor bench we got from Jubilee - love benches

got this amazing Room and Board coach for our bedroom and the little leather ottoman (also from Jubilee) makes a great little side table for the couch

I got the rectangular table plus four chairs from Jubilee - two of the chairs I put with this round table I already had and the other two I added to four chairs - I also already had - around the rectangular table. All the table and chairs needed was a new coat of black spray paint

a great little dresser that I got for my seven year old's room - she is a little pack rat and this is filled with toys and junk. Wanted to send you a picture soon and I didn't even have a chance to get new hardware - that will happen eventually because one of the top drawers came without a knob

we love this side table between the two chairs that we got at Jubilee - the top flips over and on the other side is a checker/chess board and if you take the top off there is a backgammon board. The drawer stores all the pieces that came with it - great little game table in our computer room

love this bistro table and chairs - they make for great extra seating in my family room (plus my kids like to eat snacks there while watching TV)

There's not much I don't LOVE about Jennifer's lovely - and - kid friendly home! Pretty wall colors. Fabulous kids' artwork on the walls. Framed photo shelves. Beautiful patio. Clean lines. No drapes or blinds. Hardwood floors. Jubilee Furniture in almost every room...

A huge THANK YOU to Jennifer!

And thank you too, dear reader, for stopping by! Hope you'll come back on Friday for my weekly update post!

Birds of every feather are welcome at Jubilee Furniture!

2012-02-24T08:43:00.001-06:00

I’m a backyard bird watcher and received my first birdfeeder easily 20 years ago as a birthday present. I’m on my second – or maybe third – feeder since then and it’s a fairly heavy-duty affair which includes a squirrel baffler (not that I have anything against squirrels though they can be piggish creatures who empty a feeder in record time).

I may, or may not, be known to talk to the birds as I’m filling the feeder (and I have a secret fantasy that includes a bird alighting on my finger a’ la Cinderella – or is it Snow White?) and I’ve always faithfully kept it full year round (birds get dependent – or so I’ve heard). That is until recently.

Five weeks ago today, my husband and daughter arrived home from work to discover a frozen water pipe had burst and brought down the ceiling (and insulation and lots of water) on both levels of our split-level (in the kitchen and family room) and my normally neat and organized life abruptly ended.

Please don’t get me wrong – compared to the problems so many people are facing – this is NOTHING – but it’s had a huge impact on me and on my birdfeeder.

As I type this, I’m looking into my backyard and my extremely forlorn and empty birdfeeder. Yep, in the chaos that’s ensued since the burst pipe my feeder has been empty for weeks.

However, empty is not a word you’d use to describe Jubilee Furniture! Wow – we are packed with amazing furniture finds! You’ve got to come in either today from 1 to 8 or tomorrow from 9 to 4 and see this stuff for yourself! Seriously.

Here’s a small peek at some of what’s been donated this week:

lovely – if a little faded – camel-back, floral, C.R. Laine sofa priced $195; blue velvet ottoman is $15 (something’s broken inside the ottoman and needs fixing)

fantastic color to this surprisingly good condition vintage La-Z-Boy desk chair (see rip in second photo though) – who knew La-Z-Boy made desk chairs? Priced $75

another cool retro piece – this time a swivel/recliner (recliner part needs some work) priced $85

lots of vintage pieces this week – this time it’s a Lane cedar lined bench/table. The bench part opens and then there are two cedar lined drawers. The vinyl on the bench has been dented by something (those aren’t buttons or anything like that) – not sure if you can soften the vinyl and those dents would come out (but the top is screwed on so you could take it off and re-cover) – this gorgeous piece is priced $145

fabulous dining set by Marshall Field’s which includes: buffet (it has a glass insert top) priced $325; table, 1 leaf and 8 chairs (6 armless and two armed – the two armchairs are on either side of the buffet) priced $475; one piece lighted china cabinet for $425. Can you see the beautiful inlaid wood on the dining table? Sigh. Love.

gorgeous Nichols and Stone chair for $65

beautiful old trunk priced $195

lovely moss green love seat for $95

small writing desk priced $30 (needs some TLC)

super nice two piece china cabinet – maybe ditch the top and use bottom piece for your flat-screen TV? – priced $195

two piece micro-fiber sectional/chaise (maybe from Sam’s Club?) – needs to be completely cleaned and some reinforcing done to one part of the back frame – priced $95 (cleaning could run you $150)

another great old trunk – this one priced $65

it may be be snowing – but spring and sitting outside are just around the corner (or I hope they are!) – this is a well-build, solid, heavy oval table with four chairs for $175; two extra chairs are priced $35 each

two cool retro chairs priced $20 for both – table top spins! and is priced $40

king-size head board, foot board and side rails priced $165; king mattress and box springs are $325 (super nice set)

lovely oak pedestal table, one leaf and four chairs (two with arms, two without arms) priced $225

gorgeous queen-size sleigh bed (head board, foot board and side rails – missing some hardware to put together) priced $325; matching, stair-step night stands priced $145 each

pedestal table, two leaves and four chairs for $65

gorgeous retro chair – no, not designed for someone with extremely short legs – it’s missing the seat cushion (easy fix) priced $50

white painted cedar lined chest for $40

As much as I wish I could say the dust, disorganization, loss of being able to walk into my kitchen, general confusion, workers in and out, and did I mention the dust. Which. Is. Everywhere. hasn’t impacted me, I can’t. It has.

It’s not that I haven’t had time to fill my birdfeeder – though I was out of birdseed which compounded the problem – but I felt tired and a little depressed whenever I was home.

Thankfully, we’re in the final stretch of putting our house to rights and I have a 50 lbs. bag of sunflower oilers in my van! Do I want to handle chaos in my home better in the future? Yes. Do I recognize having a fairly neat, clean and organized house are important to my mental well-being and I’m okay with that? Kinda.

Now if only I could get the birds to help me dust!

Hope you have a fairytale weekend, dear reader!

Tuesday's customer inspiration - Kari's marvelous chairs!

2012-02-21T16:23:00.000-06:00

Hello! Welcome to this week's customer inspiration where we showcase something someone has purchased from Jubilee Furniture in order to inspire you to see used furniture in a new and creative way.

This week's inspiration needed minimum work to turn a ho-hum set of chairs into a beautiful dining experience!

Here's Kari's email:

Hi Susan! I'm a big fan of Jubilee Furniture store and check your blog like clockwork every Friday for the latest goodies to come in. I made a special trip out to you in November after spotting these chairs in the background of a photo on the blog. Happily, they were still there - and a bargain at $55 for all 4. I finally just got around to recovering them (and painting the table they are paired with! It's like having a new dining room!). Here are some before and after photos.

Thanks & we'll see you soon I'm sure!

Kari

What a cozy place to gather for meals! I love all the different elements Kari's gathered together. It makes for such an interesting - and lovely - space!

Many thanks, Kari - for taking the time to take photos and email me!

The guys have a wild, very full week of donation pickups - so I hope you'll be able to stop by on Friday to get a sneak peek, dear reader!

Until then...

Spring is in the air?

2012-02-17T07:27:00.001-06:00

Having lived in Illinois most of my life I’ve seen a good number of seasons come and go. So as the days get longer (it’s still light at 5:00 p.m. now!) and the sunlight begins to change, normally the next thing I’ll notice is the smell of something dirt-like and moist in the air and I smelled that smell yesterday!

I’ll admit it was very faint but a couple of my Thursday design team volunteers noticed it too so I’m not totally crazy – or – not alone in my craziness (you pick!)! Oh, how my spirit quickened at that smell!

I know, I know, we certainly can’t complain about what a hard, awful winter it’s been – since it hasn’t been any of those things – but still the slight smell of the earth thawing and lovely green things opening their sleepy eyes and thinking about poking their heads above ground again (that’s scientific, right?) is so amazing it makes me smile.

When I mentioned my whiff of spring smell to my husband last night he warned me to be careful since bitter cold and massive snow could still arrive on the scene. Though that’s true, it’s encouraging to know that even if it does, it won’t last too long! Yay for us optimists!

I’m also very optimistic you’re going to find amazing furniture this week at Jubilee Furniture! We’ll be open our usual 1 to 8 today (Friday) and 9 to 4 tomorrow (Saturday). Let’s take a look at some of the new-to-us things available for purchase!

nice Rowe sofa – minor wear – $95

lovely Harden brand wingback and ottoman for $125 (for both)

sweet, painted older desk priced $55

matching micro-fiber loveseat and sleeper sofa – definitely more wear on sofa – loveseat is priced $125; sleeper sofa is $135

cool greenish/bluish leather sleeper sofa – very faded along top – priced $85

super amazing Harden brand side chairs priced $125 each

fabulous small pedestal table for $135

king size head board, foot board, side rails for $155; king mattress and box spring for $125

IKEA sofa with denim slip-cover priced $125

comfy loveseat for $60

black metal base with glass top and four chairs (seat cushions all need to be cleaned/replaced) for $95; matching baker’s rack for $85

massive, gorgeous two piece Bernhardt lighted china cabinet priced $495

tannish/grayish two piece Room and Board sofa and angled chaise from their metro collection (originally priced $2,598 for both) priced $395

Room and Board sofa and over-sized chair and ottoman – this time from the kendall collection (which doesn’t seem to be online any more but was in last year’s catalog) – chair and ottoman need to be cleaned (can you see some funny spotting on the ottoman in the last photo?) and sofa shows some wear and needs some spot cleaning – sofa priced $275; chair/ottoman for $175

We’re still working on the details of the DIY contest around the large donation of hotel furniture but hope to roll it out within the next couple of weeks. I’ll keep you posted!

No matter when spring actually blooms forth – you’ll always receive a warm welcome – AND – free cookies at Jubilee Furniture!

And honestly, does life get any better than that, dear reader? I think not!

Tuesday's customer inspiration - Jessie's spruced up dresser!

2012-02-14T15:40:00.000-06:00

Today's customer inspiration is an excellent reminder that much of what you'll find at Jubilee Furniture needs only a small investment of time/work to take a piece from fine to fabulous!

I immediately saw the potential of this chest of drawers when it first arrived in the store even though it was missing some hardware. Thankfully, the dresser was donated with a matching nightstand that was beat-up but had all the necessary hardware to complete the dresser. I don't remember what I priced the dresser ($65? $75? $85?) but I do remember pricing the nightstand $15 and writing a note that whoever bought the dresser might want to buy the nightstand just for the hardware (since it's amazing vintage hardware well worth $15). And the rest - you might say - is history!

Here's a before shot (note missing pull on top drawer and missing pulls on both doors)

Here's an up-close of the amazing hardware and the dresser looking all shining and wonderful!

This shot shows the three pull-out shelves behind the two doors and the way Jessie accessorized the top (extra appropriate given today's Valentine's Day!)

Here's Jessie email:

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the service you provide. I have been putting the word out to all my friends and family that Jubilee is the best place to finds amazing thrift pieces. Knowing I am not only shopping responsibly, but helping others is a great feeling.

Take care -

Jessie

Wow - I couldn't have said it better myself!

Thank you so much for sharing photos, Jessie! The piece looks amazing!

To learn more about Tuesday customer inspiration and see previous posts, click on the Customer Inspiration tab (you probably already knew that - eh).

I'll announce a contest we're going to hold showcasing the Hampton Inn fine-but-generic furniture with my weekly update post Friday morning. Stay tuned, dear reader!

Update: contest is on "hold" while details are hammered out! I'll keep you posted!

Fabulous furniture @ great prices = wonderful sales!

2012-02-10T08:23:00.001-06:00

Sales continue strong at Jubilee Furniture – for which I’m extremely grateful. We’ve had six weekends in a row of total sales of > $8,000! That’s a lot of used furniture being moved through our doors.

As thrilled as I am – there’s a part of me that’s worried that $8,000 weekends are soon going to be expected and not the exception and can we continue to deliver?

I think I feel the pressure more keenly since lives are being impacted through the programs and services offered by Outreach Community Ministries of which Jubilee Furniture is a division of and where our profits go.

I also worry that as more and more people find their way into the store we won’t be able to offer the same level of care as we have in the past. I used to be able to connect with every single person who walked through our doors – but I can’t any more. Granted, I’ve trained great volunteers who are providing exemplary customer service (which is extremely important to me and – I believe – something Jubilee Furniture is known for) – but the micro-manager in me frets.

Thankfully, no one need fret wondering what’s been donated this week since I’ve got a lot of photos to share! Remember, the store is open today (Friday) from 1 to 8 and tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 to 4. The following photos do not represent every item donated but probably about 75% of it. Let’s take a look:

This is a beautiful mirror by John Widdicomb of Grand Rapids priced $75 (we have it laying on a table but it’s designed to be mounted on a wall)

beautiful desk chair with nail head trim – needs some work in order for chair to rotate up and down – priced $85

gorgeous, quality leather sofa – two issues: 1.) large rip in one cushion; 2.) came in without legs – which is why this originally very expensive couch is priced only $45

here’s another super nice, beautiful leather desk chair – has same issue with needing work so the chair rotates up and down – priced $125

lovely computer hutch priced $125

fabulous lines on this small end table – two doors open for storage – missing some trim, priced $45

someone’s kitty did a number on this sofa – but it’s comfy – priced only $20

three drawer painted metal dresser for $65

Rowe chair and ottoman priced $125

fantastic Craftwork Guild two piece sectional – one section is a sleeper that was never used and the other section has a recliner – minor fabric issue on one cushion – priced $425

beautiful Henredon queen size bed includes: 2 towers, lighted bridge, mirrors, headboard and bed frame – all for $185; matching armoire – with tons of storage – is $165

bad photo – super cool folding chairs all three for $75; folding table for $20

gorgeous oak media/TV unit includes: two towers (each with four adjustable shelves), connecting bridge and in-between base cabinet all for $345

sorry – you can’t see all the pieces included in this Thomasville bedroom set but they are: armoire for $125; dresser w/mirror (dresser top needs to be refinished) for $75; nightstand for $45 (there’s only one nightstand); queen size headboard, footboard and side rails for $95

lovely corner TV entertainment center priced $75

gorgeous antique white finish queen size headboard, footboard and side rails for $245

lovely peach color settee priced $95

red microfiber sleeper sofa – fabric worn in many places – priced $35

this is a 7’ high rolling, adjustable, round, twirly shelving unit (shelves spin around)that was designed to hold 3 ring binders but – come on, be creative! – priced $85

lovely chaise – puppy chewed one corner (bad puppy!) priced $45

If you do stop in the store, please introduce yourself to me. Just look for the middle aged lady with curly hair, somewhat fretful look in her eyes, trying to do 15 things all at the same time!

Blessings and peace to you, dear reader!

Tuesday’s customer inspiration is short on inspiration!

2012-02-07T17:28:00.001-06:00

We’ve had a fairly good run of wonderful customers providing me with lots of photos of their amazing purchases from Jubilee Furniture…but, alas, our run has run out. I’ve got nothing for you today but a thought.
The Hampton Inn in Carol Stream has been going through a complete hotel remodel which started last fall and will eventually result in 107 pieces of different furniture all in the same style/finish being donated to Jubilee Furniture. There’s actually nothing wrong with the furniture as is – except it’s a little, ahem…hotel like!
Though we’ve priced the furniture incredibly low already, what if we offered you an even better deal – like 50% off – IF you agreed to do something creative with the piece and email me photos by the end of April. Would you be interested?
Here are photos and the prices of the pieces:

one drawer night stand priced $18.50

one drawer chest priced $25

writing desk for $30; chair for $20

mirror for $10

upholstered chair for $30; ottoman for $15
This isn’t a fully formed idea – I’m just wondering if there might be interest.
Thoughts?
Update - still working on details around this contest! Stay tuned...

In the story of my life, the current chapter’s titled, “The used furniture years.” Thankfully, it’s more interesting than it sounds!

2012-02-03T06:32:00.001-06:00

Last night I was invited to my church’s single moms group to share my story. I’m not a single mom but I was raised by one.

My parents divorced in 1973 – when it was still a somewhat uncommon thing to do – and my mom was left to raise five kids ranging in age from 10 to 19 (the 19 year old got married that same year – so technically she was all raised). There was little money and it was challenging for all us kids (we moved from NJ where we’d lived for seven years to Libertyville, IL where we had family) and I’m sure my mother had many sleepless nights – but I wasn’t aware of her struggles.

I mentioned last night that I don’t remember ever hearing a negative comment from my mom about my dad – though she had lots of reasons to be negative and angry. Still thinking about it this morning, I wonder if I would have been as positive and un-complain-y if I had been in my mom’s place and I think the honest answer is “No.”

There’s certainly nothing to complain about regarding this week’s inventory – though I realize I forgot to take photos of a couple of my favorite pieces so you’re just going to have to come in either today from 1 to 8 or tomorrow from 9 to 4 and take a look at everything yourself!

Here are photos of the furniture I did remember to take!

nice, one large drawer, coffee table with glass top (drawer can be opened on either side) priced $50

gorgeous micro-fiber sofa – looks brown in this photo, looks green in the store – fabulous nail-head trim priced $395

get your funk on with this three piece vintage sectional – sits very low to the floor – priced $45

hand-crafted retro tile-top coffee table for $40

cool slatted coffee table (a little too low and not sturdy enough to be a bench) priced $55

pea-green slip covered IKEA sofa for $95 in very good condition

dark blue IKEA side chair for $45

great sofa – VERY FADED ALONG BACK AND TOP OF SEAT CUSHIONS – priced $45; matching loveseat (not faded but needs some spot cleaning on arm) for $85

amazing, comfortable chair (arms need to be cleaned) priced $75; the matching two piece sofa had slip covers and is gorgeous priced $195

great tan velvet sofa – needs some spot cleaning – priced $45

lovely white tile-top square table for $125; four chairs for $100 (for all four)

seen better days but still a nice Homer’s sofa for $35

fabulous round glass top table with marble base (one small chip in the glass) priced $145

fun – and actually pretty comfortable – metal and brass (?) retro chairs – all five for $75

Craftwork Guild greenish wingback chair that is also a recliner – priced $195 – fantastic condition

black metal futon with black covered futon mattress for $125

amazing lines on these two brown-cloth vintage chairs – probably need to be re-upholstered – $45 each

I love the raised detail on the doors of this HUGE end table (there’s a drawer and a shelf inside) priced $45

nice sofa for $30 – low, low price reflects the fact I couldn’t get either of the reclining ends to recline. Maybe you can and then this would be a steal!

My mother’s no saint but I do hugely admire her courage and fortitude in the face of incredibly difficult life events. She’s also generous, non-judgmental, has few regrets and is happy with her life. Plus Tuesday is her birthday!

So, Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you.

Love and well wishes to you too, dear reader – and special grace if you’re a single mom!

Tuesday's Customer Inspiration - Jennifer's sunny chairs!

2012-01-31T16:10:00.000-06:00

Jennifer grew up with a mom who is incredibly talented around design and re-purposing pieces with "good bones" and obviously - based on the following photos - has developed that muscle herself. Here's Jennifer's email:

Hi Susan, My mom, Amy, helps out at Jubilee occasionally (and alerts me of any great deals she sees when helping out/shopping...not sure what she does more of!). Anyway, she bought a table/chairs set and she only needed the table...so I lucked out and scored the chairs! Yay! So I thought I'd send you some before and after pics.

They were a little beat up and the fabric was definitely not for me, but I loved the sleek style and thought the unique "squiggle" backs and medallions gave them such personality. I had originally planned to lightly sand and stain these, but they had some kind of super gloss finish to them and rather than spend hours sanding I opted to paint.

I used a mustard yellow paint (to coordinate with some artwork and other accents in the adjacent living room) and several coats and a topcoat later...here they are. I added some new foam for padding and picked out a neutral (but interesting) fabric for the seats. I'm loving my happy "new" dining room chairs.

Sincerely,
Jennifer
P.S. I also bought a children's table/chairs set for my kids and I plan to use the leftover yellow paint on those chairs. My husband is a little concerned I'm going to paint all the wood furniture in the house...haha, I just might!

Wouldn't it be fun to gather around that great looking table in that sunny spot on those amazing chairs?! I absolutely love what Jennifer did!

A big THANK YOU to Jennifer!

Have you purchased something from Jubilee Furniture that you've transformed - as Jennifer did - and you'd be willing to take some photos and email me at sgalbraith@outreachcommin.org with the thought of inspiring others to see used furniture in a new way? Or, have you purchased something from Jubilee Furniture and done nothing but dusted it off and gave it a new home in your house and you'd be willing to take some photos and email me at sgalbraith@outreachcommin.org with the thought of inspiring others to see used furniture in a new way? If so - that's great! Whatchawaitingfor?

Enjoy this good day, dear reader!

Restoring hope. Providing opportunities.

2012-01-27T08:51:00.001-06:00

What a difference a week makes! Last Friday after I left for the store and before my husband returned home in the evening – a water line to our refrigerator – which had been incorrectly installed through our attic and had frozen – unfroze and burst bringing down both our kitchen ceiling and our family room ceiling and soaking the wood floors in the kitchen and the carpeting in the family room (which had been replaced about a year ago due to another water related incident).

My normally optimistic outlook first kicked into high gear (This won’t lick us! What’s a little water damage in the big scheme of things!) but then deserted me last night and I found myself feeling incredibly sad and hopeless.

Thankfully, my husband was feeling hopeful enough for both of us but it really hit home how important hope is and how it impacts…everything!

Which is why I love working for Outreach Community Ministries. Outreach has this beautiful tag line – restoring hope and providing opportunities (to those most in need in DuPage County, Illinois).

You’ve heard this many times – but it’s worth repeating – the proceeds of everything we sell at Jubilee Furniture are helping to support the amazing work of restoring hope to men, women, children and families who are feeling hopeless, through the programs and services offered by Outreach. By shopping at Jubilee Furniture you are helping others. Simple concept. Life-changing results (to read some of the stories of those impacted by Outreach’s work visit our sister site – Hearts of Grace).

So, you ready to shop? Good! Here are some of the things you’ll find in our 30,000 square feet of warehouse today (Friday) from 1 to 8 and tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 to 4!

gorgeous Empire style antique chest and highboy – had been in donor’s family for over 100 years – some minor veneer damage on both pieces – highboy also has a mirror but there’s some missing hardware (which we hope to replace). We’re selling each piece for $395

Klaussner sofa w/chaise – chaise can be flipped to other side of sofa OR replaced with a spare seat cushion and you don’t use the chaise part at all – all this versatility for only $145

lovely wingback chair priced $75; matching love seat for $65 (love seat seat cushions are worn and there’s some spot cleaning that needs to be done on love seat – thus the lower price)

oval coffee table for $50; matching oval end table for $40

this fabulous retro sofa is tied with the antique highboy and chest as my favorite piece this week – great low lines, actually very comfortable, amazing button back, tufted style, excellent condition (second photo is trying to show you one small rip on arm) priced $195

this sofa is covered in a lovely muted color fabric – appears to be reupholstered by a novice – looks okay but when you sit on it you sink pretty far down and I’m thinking either I need to lose a ton of weight or there might be some structural issues – so priced only $30

Lazboy leather/pleather (some parts are real leather some parts aren’t) sofa – both ends recline – some wear but not bad – priced $95

the guys made several trips back to the Hampton Inn in Carol Stream which is under-going a complete remodel and donating their old furniture to Jubilee! We have more of the green upholstered chairs – priced $30 each – and matching ottomans (not sure why the ottoman in my photo looks like a different color from the chair – it’s not) priced $15 each. Further down you’ll see several photos of more of the dining room style chairs we picked up in early December which sold out very quickly

Bauhaus sofa priced $85; matching over-sized chair for $50

sofa with two ends that recline – needs a thorough cleaning – priced $25

as promised - here are photos of the Hampton Inn chairs – chairs with arms are selling for $25 each and the arm-less chairs are $20 each – fabric is green. In the last photo the chairs are gathered around an oval table with three leaves and table pads (pads are a bit larger than table – but workable) priced $65

did you ever in your wildest dreams think you could purchase a leather sofa for $3? Structurally great – needs to be completely reupholstered – if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at reupholstering but were afraid – this sofa is for you – minimal cash out-lay (actually now that I think about it I think we have a couple of other sofas that are structurally sound but need to be reupholstered and have incredibly low price tags on them)

photo does not accurately capture this gorgeous square glass coffee table – it’s beautiful and I normally don’t like this style – priced $135

sweet striped side chair priced $55

Smithe Craft sofa – need some general cleaning – priced $65

wing back chair – I noted some pet hair on it and overall it’s worn – priced $20

great retro pleather chair priced $35

I’m still struggling with the massive repairs it will take to put our house back together (order is very important to me) – but I’m thankful for insurance, sunshiny days, fulfilling work, an upbeat, caring husband and the knowledge I’ll connect with fabulous customers later today!

Maybe you, dear reader? That would be super nice! I’m suddenly feeling much more hopeful.

Tuesday's Customer Inspiration - Wendi's lovely sofa/hall table!

2012-01-24T13:05:00.001-06:00

I love so many things about today's customer inspiration. First, that Wendi was introduce to Jubilee Furniture by her sister (love when happy customers tell others about us!) Secondly, that her transformed hall table was inspired by another Jubilee Furniture customer inspiration (Rachel's). Sigh. Smile.

Here's Wendi's email:

Hi Susan! My husband and I had the good fortune of being introduced to Jubilee by my sister, Kari, and have had such great experiences every time we walk through the door thanks to you, your staff and the amazing finds there. We moved from Tokyo to Chicago recently and are decorating our very first American home from scratch and on a budget, which is where Jubilee has shone.

We've picked up chairs, amazing artwork, frames, an antique lamp, Christmas ornaments and books, as well as this gorgeous sofa table. It features great quality and craftsmanship, and was a steal at just $65. It was nice as is, but we wanted to add a modern touch that would pop against all the wood and bright walls in our living room.

I love the finished product, which cost about $10 in paint supplies. I threw a stack of beautiful hardbound books and a fresh flower arrangement on top and it's pretty perfect.

Thanks for your wonderful store (which makes me feel good about supporting such a good cause) and staff. See you next time!

Sincerely,

Wendi

In additional email exchanges, Wendi shared that the wall color is Benjamin Moore's Mountain Laurel (picked on a whim without so much as a test sample. But it was a winner; I love how it changes with the light, sometimes green, sometimes blue...) and she got the black and white idea from an earlier customer inspiration post that I fell in love with.

The crisp white paint on the great lines of the table against that gorgeous wall color is a winner! I also love that Wendi used the original hardware but painted it black. Fantastic!

If you've purchased something from Jubilee Furniture and would be willing to take a photo (or three) and email them to me at sgalbraith@outreachcommin.org with the details - I'd be grateful and you just might inspire someone else!

I hope you have a great week, dear reader, and I'll see you back here on Friday!

Verbal ticks and fabulous furnishings!

2012-01-20T08:30:00.001-06:00

I was driving with a friend recently as he was telling me a story about something that had happened to him that week. He very much wanted to get the day this event happened correct and kept backtracking – No wait, I think it was Tuesday night. No, no, Monday evening. Then again it WAS Tuesday because I had had tacos for lunch and that was on Tuesday! – and the whole time I sorta wanted to laugh.

Don’t get me wrong – not at him – at myself! This is something I do all the time! Though the actual day/time whatever I’m talking about often doesn’t matter at all to my listener – somehow it’s super important to me that I get it right – like there’s some accuracy police listening in ready to bust me!

I also find it virtually impossible to leave a one sentence voice mail message. Seriously, I explain why I’m calling – in detail – and then often run through it a second time before I can hang up! No wonder most people simply phone back and ask what I wanted instead of listening to my message! Is there some kind of name for that? Like when you check to make sure a package or envelope REALLY did go into the mailbox?

Thankfully, my many quirks aren’t as noticeable when you’re simply reading the blog. Unless I point them out – which now that I think of it – I do often! Oh well – they say recognizing you have a problem is the first step toward change!

Speaking of change – there’s a lot of new-to-us furniture in our inventory since last weekend! Let’s take a look!

amazing mission-style double rocker priced $175

sweet black computer desk (drawer opens and front panel folds down for a key board) priced $65

very dark, dark, dark brown four piece leather sectional – one piece an armless chair which could be used to make either side longer or as a separate piece – leather torn in two places – one not visible, one on one of the seat cushions – otherwise in excellent condition priced $295; leather ottoman priced $75

fabulous leather chairs – badly stained – priced $45 each

bluish purple loveseat in so-so condition that opens to a bed – priced $45

great leather sofa with nail-head trim – back seat cushions were originally attached to the back part of the sofa and they have come away (ripped – but it’s not noticeable) priced $195

fabulous old teacher’s desk for $65 (not original hardware which is too bad)

wonderful IKEA Varde kitchen island/cabinets (probably technically NOT an island since there is no overhand to pull stools up to – isn’t that part of a kitchen island definition?) – drawer hardware never installed but included – tons of excellent storage and counter-top space – priced $325

fabulous Guzzini rolling cart – each tier has a lift out server – priced $65

here’s another IKEA storage piece – narrower than the Varde one – but again provides excellent storage and counter-top space – priced $165

though chairs need some refinishing/cleaning – this is a very nice oak table with two leaves (when both leaves are installed – there’s a noticeable bow – some added leg support is really needed) and EIGHT chairs – all for $225

sweet wicker sofa with five throw pillows – priced $75

lovely painted writing desk priced $50; matching wall hanging shelf for $20 (shelf is on it’s side on the desk – couldn’t stand it up properly without actually hanging it)

crappy photo of a very nice Lexington full or queen head board, foot board and side rails priced $125

sorta butcher-block style twin head board with foot board, side rails, and under-mattress support rails – priced $95

amazing dressing table with sweet mirror priced $125

very nice sofa priced $65

Schweiger sofa for $75; matching love seat for $85 (love seat is in better condition than the sofa)

Room and Board 80” Clarke sofa in “ink” – excellent condition, no fading that I could see, really no issues at all! R & B original price $1,999 Jubilee Furniture price? $425 (that’s a little more than 78% OFF the original purchase price!)

I hope whatever snow they’re predicting doesn’t stop you from coming out to the store either today (Friday) from 1 to 8 or tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 to 4!

Again, drive carefully if we do get all the snow they’re predicting for the Chicagoland area and remember our hours are 1 to 8 on Friday and 9 to 4 Saturday.

Yikes – my repeating is spreading!

I know, embarrassingly corny and somewhat predictable, eh.

Take care, dear reader!

Tuesday's customer inspiration - Cherri's beautiful home!

2012-01-17T15:04:00.000-06:00

Cherri is a regular customer with a discerning eye and so much creative ability that it doesn't seem quite fair (that she has so much and I have so little - that is!). She gravitates toward classic line pieces and antiques and has purchased tons from Jubilee Furniture over the past few years.

Every time I see her I gently nudge her about taking photos and emailing me and she always smiles and say - "I know. I'll do it some day!" (maybe our new Jubilee Furniture tag line should be "quality used furniture with a liberal dose of guilt!").

Well, Cherri was in on Saturday with her daughter, Jaclyn, and it turns out Jaclyn is the photographer in the family and all it took was a quiet - but whinny - plea from me for Jaclyn to go home and take lots of photos and immediately email me (seriously, she did it super fast!).

A lot of what's in the following photos looks familiar to me - but I'm not totally sure what came from Jubilee and what didn't - though you might remember the curved armed chairs that we received from the Glen Oak Country Club - originally had green upholstery and were pretty dinged up - well Cherri re-finished and re-upholstered the ones she bought and they look amazing!

I also love how Cherri cut down a full-size mattress (it was a foam one from IKEA) to fit an antique spindle bed!

Wow - I'm completely in love with Cherri's home! It's beautiful! Many thanks to both Cherri and Jaclyn!

And thank you for stopping by, dear reader!

Mama Jubes & Auntie Jubes

2012-01-13T08:13:00.001-06:00

today’s guest blogger: Abby

Hello again! I’m so glad many of you liked my last blog post! It was fun to write, as I’m sure this one will be as well. I’d like to formally thank my parents, my 7^th grade language arts teacher Mrs. Volkmer and my high school English teachers for teaching my how to write. (In case you were interested, if I ever publish a book, something like that last sentence is going to be on the dedication page.)

In my previous post, I recall talking about how great it is that the employees and volunteers of Jubilee Furniture generally remember customers and are so wonderful and friendly. Other things that make Jubilee awesome are the employees and volunteers themselves! So without further ado, I present to you the star staff member/volunteer of the week: general manager Susan Galbraith aka my mother who will from now on be known as “Mama Jubes”, and Connie K. aka my mom’s friend who will from now on be known as “Auntie Jubes”.

You have no idea how much time, planning and energy go into making Jubilee Furniture run – because Mama and Auntie Jubes make it look easy! Calls, scheduling, pick-ups, pricing, arranging, talking, cashiering… obviously they don’t do all of this alone, but they do a lot!

Mama Jubes and Auntie Jubes work well together, kind of like Laverne and Shirley, Lucy and Ethel or Romy and Michelle. Only more awesome. Next time you come into Jubilee Furniture say hi to Mama Jubes or Auntie Jubes and remember that you are in the presence of awesome!

I hope you find some good stuff today at Jubilee Furniture!

Ahh shucks, Abbers – thanks for naming me staff member of the week! By chance does the title come with an engraved plaque? A loving cup? Academy Award type statue? Just kidding – the sweet words are enough!

Abby mentioned she hopes you’ll find some good stuff today (from 1 to 8) or tomorrow (from 9 to 4) and there’s no way you wouldn’t find – not just good – but AMAZING stuff since the store is chocked full. Seriously. Let’s take a look at just some of what you’ll find:

four Pier 1 dining chairs for $200 (for all four); matching bench is priced $75; table for $135

these two micro-suede pieces are more rusty in color then these photos make them look – both in excellent condition though the sofa is a little more worn than the love seat – sofa is priced $145; love seat $125

truly lovely plaid side chair – one arm has been fixed and you can see where it was broken – priced $85

McCreary over-sized chair $85

lovely art-deco side chair priced $95

amazing like-new, blue checked, two person recliner (wall-hugger so it can sit super close to your wall) priced $185 (very comfy); Room and Board sheepskin 2 x 6 rug for $95 (also like new, retails for $219)

very nice tan micro-fiber love seat for $135

amazing Crate and Barrel golden/tan micro-suede sofa priced $425 (the LAST of Olga’s afghans is shown on the sofa – cost for this lovely hand-crafted afghan is $25 and goes directly to Olga – one of our seniors)

mid-century Hooker walnut desk (top needs some minor refinishing) priced $495 (found same desk on ebay selling for $949)

fantastic, amazing, two piece sectional in a lovely sunny yellow fabric with wood trim – some spot cleaning needed – priced $295

truly fabulous library ladder – brass hardware, each step has leather insert with brass nail-head trim, top rolling hardware adjusts – I could go on and on about this amazing piece – library ladders are selling on ebay for up towards $1,000 and aren’t nearly as wonderful as this one – Jubilee Furniture price? $625

two piece sectional – one section opens to a sleeper – priced $125

gorgeous golden yellow silk curved love seat – two small rips on back – wood trim needs some minor repairs – priced $175

cool round table with white metal pedestal base, one leaf and four white metal chairs – priced $195

sweet greenish love seat for $75

antique white finish on this table, two leaves and four chairs – whole set needs to be refinished and seats need to be reupholstered – priced $65

gorgeous, rumpled-look fabric Craftwork Guild sleeper sofa priced $425 (one small tear at top back corner) priced $425

lovely floral sofa for $125

very nice Plunkett chair priced $85

tweedy sofa – needs to be thoroughly vacuumed otherwise in great condition – priced $95

over-sized chair for $65

table, one leaf and four chairs priced $125 for the set

creamy yellow 8’ long one armed sofa for $55 (fantastic deal if you don’t mind that there’s only one arm, originally was probably part of a sectional)

neat-o retro 7’ long sofa priced $95

suitcase coffee table (drawer pull out for storage) priced $55; matching end table (also with one pull-out drawer) priced $45

super nice Mobilia desk priced $245

I sorta think Connie and I are like Cagney & Lacey – minus all the police drama – and me and my Thursday design team are very much like The Golden Girls (though none of us are as witty as Bea Arthur!).

Regardless, Good Times are always had when shopping at Jubilee Furniture and Happy Days are whatever day you stop in and even if your taste runs to Diff’rent Strokes you’ll almost always find something that fits the bill at the store where we’re upfront with you about the condition of our inventory though leave The Facts of Life discussion to someone else!

Ack! Stop me, dear reader!

Tuesday's customer inspiration - Christen's creative kitchen corner and re-purposed TV stand!

2012-01-10T17:24:00.001-06:00

It's a bit late in the day so I'll get right to today's customer inspiration! Here's Christen's email:

Hi Susan, I promised (more than once) to send some photos of some of our recent purchases. I've attached a few here.

The table we purchased was such a lucky find! We were in the middle of remodeling our kitchen and had added bench seats in a corner near the windows. We came into the store in hopes of finding a small round or square table that would fit the corner benches. Imagine our joy at finding a table that fits like it was made for the space. We painted it a lovely, pale aqua blue to coordinate with our white and vintage-y kitchen feel and we love the results!

The second piece of furniture we purchased from Jubilee recently is a former buffet, which we've turned into our "entertainment center" or tv stand. We cleaned it up, punched a hole through the backside and removed one drawer so we were able to house our cable box, dvd player, etc., inside without cords overflowing everywhere. We love the way if fills up the space and fits our tv perfectly. (And it's sooo much more attractive than our old tv stand).

Thanks for all your incredible work at Jubilee and for always greeting us with a smile! I'm sure we'll see you soon, as I'm always on the look out for more interesting and unique finds!

Christen, Frank & Crosby

Wow! I LOVE the painted corner piece (which was really awkward in the store and yet works perfectly in Christen's kitchen) and how she and Frank re-purposed a buffet into an entertainment center! Well done.

Have you purchased something from Jubilee Furniture that you'd be willing to photograph and email me with the hopes of inspiring others to see used furniture in a new and creative way? If so, please do so at sgalbraith@outreachcommin.org.

Until Friday then, dear reader!

Tuesday's customer inspiration - Lisa's lovely home!

2012-01-03T13:45:00.001-06:00

After a few weeks without a single email from anyone with photos I was beginning to think Tuesday Customer Inspiration was dead. Truthfully, we've arrived at this place several times in the last year and a half I've been trying to get customer inspiration off the ground and though there have been times when I've had three - and once even FOUR - emails w/photos ready to go - those have been the exception not the norm.

Yet, each time I've been ready to throw in the towel, some wonderful customer comes through - as Lisa did this week!

Before showing you Lisa's great photos, please allow me to remind you of the point of customer inspiration. By showing you photos of what Jubilee Furniture customers have done with their purchases - either how an item has been transformed - or - just how amazing it looks in a customer's home exactly as it looked leaving the store - my hope is you might be inspired to rethink whatever you currently think about used furniture (unless you already think used furniture is fabulous and you'd never buy anything new even if you life depended on it - well, maybe if your live REALLY depended on it but you'd still have to think long and hard before consenting).

My further hope is you'd be inspired to specifically shop at Jubilee Furniture (we're open Fridays from 1 to 8 and Saturdays from 9 to 4) where the proceeds of everything we sell are helping to support the programs and services offered through Outreach Community Ministries (restoring hope and providing opportunities for those most in need in DuPage County, Illinois). However, if Jubilee Furniture is too far from where you live or work - that you'd stop in at a local resale store where, chances are, their proceeds are supporting an equally wonderful not-for-profit.

If you've purchased something from Jubilee and have been meaning to take a few photos and email me, since Lisa has saved Tuesday customer inspiration for another week - you're in luck and can still do so (sgalbraith@outreachcommin.org) - but please don't tarry!

Here's Lisa's email:

Hi Susan! Happy New Year!!! Thanks for all the wonderful work you and your team do at Jubilee! We LOVE Jubilee Furniture and have found some great pieces of furniture we love and use all the time! So I have been meaning to email you and finally I am, not sure how to format it but hopefully the attachments work..or what to say, so you can add anything else but we love all the things we've found!!

The first is the long mission style cabinet we put our tv on (purchased for $60)

Second, are the Crate and Barrel couches with an ottoman we bought and then I found some turquoise flower pillows at Home Goods that matched perfectly!!! I think the couch set was around $150

Third is the office chair and the table with books and drawers. The desk we got from a neighbor but I've seen identical ones at Jubilee and it makes for a great little office (I think the chair was $20 and the table $30)

And lastly, our kitchen chairs!!! They're a light turquoise (which is the color they were when we bought them) and add a fun touch of color to our table (purchased for $75 for the four of them)!

Jubilee is amazing, thanks again!

Grant, Lisa and Jaedalyn

Wow - I love how Lisa re-purposed a dresser to put her TV on and how great it goes with the rocker! The Home Good pillows really turn a somewhat nondescript sofa and chair into something fabulous! Their home office makes me want to sit down and work knowing I'd work well in such an attractive and organized space. And the light turquoise chairs add a touch of whimsy to their dining space. Love. It. All.

I also love the number of exclamation points Lisa included in her email! Makes me smile.

Thank you so much, Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope to see you, dear reader, back here on Friday for my weekly update post!

JUBILEE FURNITURE WILL BE OPEN TODAY FROM 1 TO 8 AND TOMORROW FROM 9 TO 4! REPEAT, JUBILEE FURNITURE WILL BE OPEN…

2011-12-30T08:52:00.000-06:00

As much as I love the holidays, when you manage a store that’s only open two days each week, at this time of the year it’s super confusing for customers to know when we’re open and when we’re not. No matter how many signs I post, how often I mention it here or how many times I change the phone message (“Hello! You’ve reached Jubilee Furniture and general manager, Susan Galbraith…our store hours are Fridays 1 to 8 and Saturdays 9 to 4 and we WILL be open Friday, December 30th and Saturday, December 31st our regular hours.”) – inevitably someone will mention next weekend how they desperately need some piece of furniture that we’ll sell today or tomorrow and they’ll glare at me and exclaim how they had NO idea we were open New Year’s Eve day (or the day before NYE day) and I’ll feel horrible. Failed. Again.

Overall, I’m fairly confident in my abilities and don’t usually feel like a big loser but I hate disappointing people, hate them feeling like I’ve let them down. Yet now that I’m thinking about it – this job regularly lands me in that position. It might be someone who had furniture to donate and didn’t know about us or someone needing to buy something and paying full price when Jubilee Furniture had a less expensive option for a better quality piece.

Thankfully, before I get myself too tied up in knots – I realize I’ll never be able to communicate to everyone who might want to donate or shop about the store (not that I won’t continue to improve at getting our message out) – and I take a deep breath, square my shoulders and mentally prepare my response – “I’m so sorry you didn’t realize we were open on the 30th and 31st! Next time I’ll personally hand-deliver the engraved invitation to you.” Maybe no? *smile*

The worst part is there’s so much amazing furniture for purchase this week! Lots for unaware customers to get angry over! Let’s take a peek:

fabulous Ethan Allen oversized chair for $145

great round, tufted ottoman for $45

Flexsteel chair for $65

fantastic Room and Board sofa – a few fabric pulls on the back cushions – priced $225

nice Bauhaus sofa for $135

unbelievable, retro, chartreuse colored velvet, curved sofa for $195 – in excellent condition

we received THREE sets of bunk beds this week – this first set is priced $145 (does not include the mattresses) and includes two bunky boards

super sweet bedroom set by Pilliod Furniture includes: twin size sleigh head board, foot board and side rails priced $145; one drawer night stand for $35; chest of drawers (taller piece) priced $125; dresser priced $95; twin mattress and box spring is $135. The furniture is a creamy off-white and each knob is different. Excellent condition.

wonderful twin size captain’s bed priced $165; twin mattress and box spring for

$135

older maple bunk beds priced $125 (does not include ladder or top safety rail) – twin mattress priced either $25 or $35 (forgot to write it down – sorry)

final set of bunk beds – oak in excellent condition – this set also includes two bunky boards (and a ladder and top safety rail) priced $225; twin mattresses shown are $95 each

neat Sligh & Lowry chest of drawers for $55; matching desk is also $55

nice Thomasville bedroom set includes: long dresser with mirror for $195; tall armoire (top opens and there are shelves) priced $145; night stand for $50 (only one night stand)

massive oak table with three leaves and six chairs for $135

this Broyhill set includes: table with 1 leaf, table pads and 8 chairs (some of the caning is pulling away from the side of the chairs) for $150; two piece lighted china cabinet for $95; buffet for $45

this is a pallet of brand new boxes that Dan wrapped into sets of five – the smaller banker’s boxes we’re selling one set for $3; larger boxes are $5 for a set of five

very nice Room and Board sofa – only problem the seam in the middle of the seat cushion has come apart – so sad – sofa is priced $85

fabulous Howell retro table with one leaf and two chairs for $60

lovely old desk with leather top priced $145

So, in case you’ve read this far and are still unclear on whether Jubilee Furniture will be open today and tomorrow allow me to clarify. Hot chocolate. Starlight. Orange – both the color and the fruit.

Dear reader, I would never insult your intelligence!

Wishing you an amazing and marvelous, growing and learning 2012!

'Twas the day before the day before Christmas, when all through the house

2011-12-23T08:53:00.001-06:00

Need a break from pesky baking, cleaning, wrapping and decorating? Then plan on heading over to Jubilee Furniture today between 1 and 8 and stroll through 30,000 square feet of warehouse jammed-packed with amazing, quality used furniture! Seriously, we’re going to have to start hanging furniture from the rafters!

Arrive between 1 and 3 and I hope you’ll find a red-coated, white whiskered, jolly gentleman waiting to greet one and all with a hearty, “Ho, ho, ho!” (I had a hard time getting a hold of Mr. Claus – not surprising given all that’s on his plate at this time of year – so I’m a tiny bit worried about him not showing up – yikes).

Remember, Jubilee Furniture will be CLOSED tomorrow – but back to our normal Fridays 1 to 8 and Saturdays 9 to 4 on December 30th and 31st!

What follows is a small selection of what’s currently for sale and some of the “new” stuff picked up this week:

this is a gorgeous down-filled cushioned sofa – with a unique high skirt around the bottom – in excellent condition (the only thing I could find wrong was the hem is coming out along the front) priced $265

this is a five piece sectional – overall needs to be cleaned – priced $135 for the whole shebang

very nice corduroy sofa – only issue is two of the back cushions are pulling away from the back of the sofa (they’re supposed to be attached) – priced $95

fantastic McCreary/Room and Board two piece sectional (two cushion section pulls out to a full-sized bed) in micro-suede for $375 (donor told me they purchased it in ‘07 for $2,800) – needs some spot cleaning

there are two of these amazing side chairs – there’s a cool pleat in the back of each – and they’re a greenish/blue color – by Brayton International – priced $75 each

very nice Smithe Craft sofa for $165

elegant rolling chrome and glass cart for $45

unbelievable McCreary sofa – in like-new condition – a taupe/gray twill (only issue is with one of the legs, the screw got striped and we used wood-filler to reattach) clean lines, sits low to the floor – priced $495

great retro leather and chrome swing chair for $95

lovely table, two leaves, table pads and six chairs all for $235

sweet round oak pedestal table with four chairs for $165

moss green sofa priced $50; matching love seat for $35

wonderful glass and metal coffee table for $75; two retro folding chairs, one is priced $5 and the other $2 (vinyl seat is ripped)

neat retro china cabinet – extensive water damage on one side (side away from the camera) – also missing some hardware – priced $18.50

nice table, 2 leaves and six chairs for $125

fantastic Krueger and Howell fiberglass stackable chairs in black – Krueger chairs are priced $50 each and we have ten of ‘em ; Howell chairs are $40 each and we have five (little oval drop-leaf table is from last week and it’s $25)

nice chair and ottoman for $95

super clean – hardly used – sleeper sofa – faded but overall faded so it looks like that’s the way it’s supposed to be – priced $65

cream leather love seat (wear on seat cushions) priced $45 and there’s an identical one also priced $45

wonderful wrought iron table base with mirror top and two wrought iron chairs priced $75 for the set

two piece Vanguard sectional – on a couple of seat cushions the fabric is starting to fray/tear (rest is in good condition) priced $95

I’m taking a couple of days off next week – so there’ll be no Tuesday post (don’t have anything to share with you anyway – hint, hint – email me photos of your Jubilee Furniture furniture at sgalbraith@outreachcommin.org – PLEASE!) – but I’ll be back a week from today with another Friday update post!

Until then, dear reader –

“But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

2011-12-20T15:33:00.000-06:00

It's a busy time of year - I'm very aware - so to ask customers to take photos of some of the items they've purchased from Jubilee Furniture and email me for Tuesday customer inspiration (with the hopes of inspiring others to see used furniture in a new way and so consider buying used instead of new the next time they have a furniture need) - I simply won't do. No guilt. Everyone who has ever thought to email me their photos - but hasn't - is off the hook. Seriously. Relax. Make yourself some hot chocolate. Top it with whipped cream. Sit down in a comfy chair - maybe one you bought from Jubilee Furniture? - and watch this very fun rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas as sung by the men's a capella group - Straight No Chaser - from Indiana University.

Remember, Jubilee Furniture will be open this Friday from 1 to 8 and a certain jolly ol'elf will be making an appearance for a couple of hours starting at 1:00 p.m. so hope you can stop by with young ones in tow!

I'll be back Friday morning with my usual weekly post.

Until then - ho, ho, ho, dear reader!

All I want for Christmas is…a Jubilee Furniture Gift Certificate, please!

2011-12-16T08:18:00.001-06:00

With just over a week until Christmas some of you might be panicking about what to purchase for a certain hard-to-buy-for person on your list. Well, your worries are over because I’m here with the perfect gift idea! A Jubilee Furniture gift certificate!

Yep, we’re now offering gift certificate in whatever amount you desire and each comes with a handsome mailing envelope! Phone orders accepted (630.337.1467 and have your Visa, MasterCard or Discover card handy) and I’ll mail the gift certificate – with your personal message of good cheer – to the lucky recipient!

To give credit where due – I’ve looked into Jubilee Furniture gift CARDS off and on for several years and was always stymied by the cost when a co-worker (Hi Lynda!) mentioned her stepson had recently moved out and she’d love to give him a gift certificate to the store. After telling her my gift card woes, she said, “No, not a gift CARD but a simple gift CERTIFICATE.” Well, you don’t have to hit ME with a 2 x 4!

Hence, the Jubilee Furniture Gift Certificate was born (and isn’t the world a better place because of it! Okay – maybe not).

But the world IS a better place since my sister, Peggy, used this old photo of us kids as her Facebook profile picture.

I’m guessing this photo was taken around 1964. Mindy is behind me and she’s the oldest, followed closely by Peggy, then Jimmy, me and Betsy. So, was there any question in your mind which one was me? Nope, didn’t think so.

The world is also a better place due to the vast amount of amazing furniture available for purchase at Jubilee Furniture today (Friday) from 1 to 8 and tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 to 4. Allow me to show you some of the new-to-us furniture received for donation this very week!

great old teacher’s desk priced $65; vintage desk chair for $45

lovely sofa or hall table for $65

really nice café height table with one large self-storing leaf and four chairs (love the inlaid wood accents) priced $325

three piece leather sectional (one section the leather is somewhat worn) – both ends recline (hall-huggers) – great dark brown color – priced $325

massive two piece china cabinet for $50 (this is a DIY project just waiting for YOU!)

excellent condition Rowe sleeper sofa priced $125

denim sleeper sofa and matching chair – both very faded and need to be cleaned – sleeper sofa is priced $35; chair $15

super sweet blue plaid love seat for $125

here’s another blue plaid love seat and matching sleeper sofa – this time by Jamison – the love seat is priced $50; sleeper sofa is priced $85

this is a gorgeous plum colored velvet sofa with great lines (don’t you love the swoopy back?) priced $175

this fabulous leather chair has a secret – it’s a recliner! – construction, comfort – it’s a winner in every category…but there are some hair oil, skin oil discoloration. So, the $165 price tag reflects the stain issues

lovely oversized chair and ottoman for $95

nice matching sofas by Sherrill – great color, some fabric worn sections (like fabric is going to tear soon) – priced $85 each

Master Home brand blond wood (photos almost looks like the set is painted yellow and it’s not) table, one leaf and FIVE chairs priced $165

cool square table (top almost seems to be chalkboard paint) priced $125; four folding chairs for $50 (for all four – great extra sitting for the holidays)

brand new, took it out of the box, two drawer night stand/end table by Sitcom – priced $175 (purchase price was $400)

bedroom set by Carlisle Collection includes: dresser (no mirror) priced $125; armoire (shelves and drawers no clothing rod) for $145; night stand (top needs refinishing) priced $30

this retro Bassett set includes: dresser (again no mirror) priced $65; armoire (again shelves and drawers no clothing rod) priced $125

Remember our store hours for the next couple of weeks are: normal hours today and tomorrow; OPEN 1 to 8 on Friday, 12/23; CLOSED Saturday, 12/24; OPEN 1 to 8 Friday, 12/30; and OPEN 9 to 4 Saturday, 12/31!

My hope for you, dear reader, is that you might experience the magic, joy and excitement of the holiday season like you did when you were my age in Peggy’s old photo!

Today's inspiration is courtesy of the Tip Junkie!

2011-12-13T16:14:00.000-06:00

Inspiration comes in many forms. Today's post is from the Tip Junkie site and features 16 second hand furniture make-overs (before and after) and one - or all - is sure to get you thinking about how you can transform something blah from Jubilee Furniture into something fabulous!

REMINDER our store hours for the next few weeks are as follows:

12/16 Friday 1 to 8
12/17 Saturday 9 to 4
12/23 Friday 1 to 8
12/24 Saturday - CLOSED
Merry Christmas!
12/30 Friday 1 to 8
12/31 Saturday 9 to 4 (come ring in the New Year early with us!)

So plan now on coming out to the store real soon, dear reader!

Jubilee Furniture weekly update post

2011-12-08T20:42:00.002-06:00

We received a shocking phone call last Saturday shortly after I’d gotten home from the store from my husband’s uncle. Mark was letting us know of the death of his 45-year old son. Paul had been working in his back yard, apparently fallen down a steep slope, hit his head and died.

After much back and forth with the rest of the family – we’ve decided to make the 11 hour drive to Asheville, NC – leaving early tomorrow morning – so we can attend Paul’s memorial service on Saturday.

Thankfully, I have an amazing team of volunteers to fill in for me. Additionally, Warehouse Manager, Dan Snyder – and Assistant, Chris Jackson – are no slouches and can handle whatever arises.

The only thing I haven’t figured out how to have someone else take care of is updating the blog. So, without further ado – and a good 12 hours earlier than normal – I give you photos of some of the amazing new-to-us furniture available for purchase Friday from 1 to 8 and Saturday from 9 to 4!

lovely moss green velvet-like sofa (some minor stains) priced $115; butler coffee table for $55

this is a gorgeous drop-leaf table (no leaves) and six chairs priced $195

photo doesn’t accurately show the pretty muted colors of this very nice sofa priced $65

this might be the steal of the century…I couldn’t find a tag identifying the manufacturer of this linen-like sofa with down-filled cushions that is amazingly comfortable and classic – but I think it’s Room and Board (that’s my educated guess – but I could be wrong and I was too tired to lift it up and see if there was a tag on the bottom of the sofa). I was also alone when it came time to price it and I couldn’t be sure if there were some bleach-like stains on one of the seat cushions (our lighting is so terrible that sometimes it’s the light and there’s nothing on the fabric – good grief). Also, some minor spot-cleaning is needed on the bottom in the front. So, ASSUMING there are some bleach-like spots on the cushion – and knowing there are some small stains on the front towards the bottom – I came up with the low, low price of $165! Whew

denim sofa for $50 and matching loveseat for $45 (donor does have a cat – FYI)

black leather sofa priced $95; funny ottoman (don’t think it’s leather) for $12.50

retro brown vinyl recliner (you have to push back – hard – to recline) priced $20

look at this cool coffee table! The top raises to dining height – so you’ll never spill a blob of mashed potatoes from your TV dinner on your shirt while watching I Love Lucy reruns again! Sweet. Priced $60; Klaussner red sofa for $30

I am so in love with this retro yellow formica top table priced $65; yellow and chrome chair is actually a rolling desk chair and priced $30; each of the other miscellaneous chairs around the table are $5

here’s another great table – this time priced $135; four fab retro chairs (need some TLC) all for $75 (comes to $18.75 each!)

very nice green leather sofa for $145

amazing corner vintage table for $50; side chair for $20

very nice dining set by Universal Furniture – table, two leaves and six chairs all for $185 (two leaves have some water damage); two piece lighted china cabinet for $145

another fun retro table for $10; four great chairs for $95 for all four

two deep blue velvet side chairs (very worn on the arms) priced $20 each

here’s our third or fourth Room and Board (for sure this time) two piece sectional – it’s dark blue, not gray (you’re going to have to trust me on this – it’s blue not gray) that we’ve received in the last year. This one is in excellent condition – some minor fading but no other issues that I could see – priced $295 (retails for something like $1,800)

fun three piece sectional by Wesley Hall priced $65

lovely seven piece Nativity set priced $50

We’ve been meaning to visit Paul in Asheville for several years now and are finally going. Too bad he won’t be there.

There’s an Eskimo Proverb that states:

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”

Take care, dear reader.

Update: Safely home! Though long, actually a beautiful drive especially once you get out of Indiana! Service was a celebration of Paul's life and afterward his home was packed with family, good friends and tons of delicious food! His work was something he was passionate about (owned Asheville School of Music and taught piano there) and he lived his life focused on connecting well with people. Truly an inspiring and uplifting time - which is sort of a funny thing to say about a funeral - but the warmth, love and graciousness of all we met, was amazing.

Tuesday's customer inspiration - Kari's gorgeous chair links!

2011-12-06T15:04:00.000-06:00

It's Tuesday which means it's time for my customer inspiration post where I show you something someone has purchased from the store and how amazing it looks in their home - either exactly as it looked leaving our store or how it's been made even better!

This week there's a bit of a twist. I received an email from Kari with a couple of links to some very inspiring photos of gorgeous chairs that look an awful lot like some we have in the store. Here's Kari's email:

Hi Susan,

I have been to Jubilee a couple of times and LOVE it!

I saw those black dining chairs you have for $70/ea that came in a few weeks ago... there were still 4 there last time so I thought I'd send you a couple of amazing links I found to them online. Not quite the same as a reader makeover -but inspiring nonetheless!

(note we only have two of these chairs left for purchase)

Sweet and shabby white

(photo from Shanna Michelle Photography of Ashley Russell's beautiful Thanksgiving table)

Gorgeous painted shiny red

(photo taken from Kiki's List by krista salmon of kitchen designed by Windsor Smith)

How amazing are both these photos? VERY. AMAZING.

Thanks so much to Kari for sending the links my way!

Have you purchased something from Jubilee Furniture that you'd be willing to take a photo or two of and share with me at sgalbraith@outreachcommin.org? I'd be grateful and you just might help inspire others to see used furniture in new and fresh way!

See you later in the week with my weekly furniture update post, dear reader!

Another “illuminating” Jubilee Furniture post

2011-12-02T08:59:00.001-06:00

As I was waiting to pull out of the Jubilee Furniture parking lot last night I noticed a car heading west on North Ave. that didn’t have its headlights on. I thought to myself, “Whoa, that guy (coulda been a woman driving – but I thought – guy) is gonna get himself killed or kill someone else.” You see it was 6:15 p.m. and though there are lots of street lights along North Ave. – it was dark. Really dark.

Eventually, I pulled out onto North Ave. and proceeded to turn south onto Schmale when I realized the headlight-less vehicle was going in my same direction.

Typically I pray for green lights on that section of Schmale which is stop light after stop light – but last night I was praying for a red light so I could maybe let the driver know they didn’t have their lights on. Sure enough as I came up on the light at Geneva it turned red and I thought, “perfect”, since the driver was on my right and should have pulled up practically next to me.

Did you notice the foreshadowing with the words “should have” in that last sentence? Yep, the driver in front of the headlight-less driver left a semi-trailer length between him and the guy in front of him (I know, I know a lot of people do that and if I were rear-ended I would wish – and the driver in front of me would wish – I did the same thing). Now there was nothing – short of jumping out of my car and probably scaring the driver behind me – I could do to get the light-less driver’s attention.

Surely you aren’t surprised that that’s exactly what I did (after safely putting my car in “park”)? Turns out it was a male driver though I was surprised it was a younger guy. After a quick, “Sir, your lights aren’t on!” he turned his lights on and we all went our merry ways.

Now you could analyze all the various stereotyping that occurred (why did I assume it was a male driver? why was I surprised it was a younger guy? why was I not surprised that the driver that left so much distance between his stopped car and the vehicle in front of him was approximately 102 years old?) – but you’d be missing the main question if you did.

Why did no other driver – of which there were many on a busy road at a busy time of night – notice this guy was driving without his lights on? And if another driver did notice – why did no one else try to alert him? There was the guy in front of the light-less driver who the light-less driver had been following for a longish time (though we’ve already noted he was one million years old – so maybe he’s automatically excused). Then there was the car behind me who was right next to the light-less driver (and who didn’t seem too fazed when I got out of my car yelling and gesturing) – why didn’t they do something?

Or is the question – why do I care so much? Who am I the headlight police? Is it my job to make our roadways safer? In my defense I really was worried there might be an accident – the guy was almost invisible in his dark colored car – but, really Susan?

So, is it no wonder I come home exhausted most days? It’s challenging being me and feeling responsible for the whole world. Makes you wonder who I put my faith in – myself or God? Grrr…I hate it when it turns out it’s about me and not someone else.

Thankfully, what follows is all about the amazing furniture for purchase today (Friday) from 1 to 8 and tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 to 4. Here are a few photos of some of the new-to-us things donated this week to Jubilee Furniture!

very nice Lazboy sofa in great condition EXCEPT front frame needs repairs (doesn’t look like a big issue) price reflects damaged frame – $95

amazing Moore of Bedford retro chair in excellent condition priced $125

lovely floral sleeper sofa for $125

suede and camouflage fabric Rowe sleeper sofa for $35 (suede needs cleaning)

fantastic Room and Board tannish sofa in great condition priced $225

nice table with one self-storing leaf and six chairs all for $125

here’s another sleeper sofa in great condition priced $75 (there’s a matching swivel/rocker that I forgot to take a photo of that priced something like $35)

wonderful Smithe-Craft rolling side chairs priced $95 each; Bombay Co. petal side table (doesn’t the top look sorta like a flower?) priced $65

nice pine table, 2 leaves and six chairs (only one of ‘em has arms) priced $125 for the whole set

very nice plaid wingback/recliner chair for $85

neat-o tile and glass coffee table for $65

very nice round glass table with four chairs priced $145

excellent condition dark blue plaid sofa priced $145

greenish striped love seat for $35

this is a gorgeous light green velvet sofa the size of a small landing strip – needs some overall cleaning (though surprisingly the seat cushions are spot free and in excellent condition – more the arms and back cushions that need sprucing up) by Shenandoah Furniture – priced $145

very sweet retro maple desk for $45

another neat student desk priced $35

large bookcase/storage/display/room divider piece priced $45

lovely cream colored love seat for $65

What follows are some photos of a fabulous donation that came our way this week of brand new, plastic, shoe-box sized, lidded containers filled with plastic toys. Again brand new.

We have tons of several different kinds (wild world animals, bugs and reptiles) and then just a few of others (fire truck, birds, dinosaurs, etc.). They’re two different sizes – but after examining reptiles which comes in both sizes – I realize both sizes contain the same toys and the same number of toys, one is just packed tighter.

I was told these retailed for $25 each (manufacturer is Awesome Kids – but they are no longer in business). Jubilee Furniture price? $8.50 for the larger box and $7.50 for the smaller.

These toys are suitable for children older than 3 years of age and they were made in China. The donor did some research prior to donating and could not find any recalls or problems with them.

That last photo is sorta gross but I was trying to show you the contents

Would you have noticed the car without its lights on? If so, would you have tried to let the driver know? Please tell me I’m not a total freak, dear reader!

Tuesday's customer inspiraiton - Naomi's stunning chair makeover!

2011-11-29T16:57:00.000-06:00

Wow - what a makeover I have for you today! I'm so excited - obviously so much so that I failed to tell you what Tuesday customer inspiration is all about (in case you aren't familiar with it).

Every Tuesday - if my wonderful customers take the time to snap a photo or two of something they've purchased from Jubilee Furniture and email me at sgalbraith@outreachcommin.org - I show you said photo(s) with the hopes of inspiring you to see used furniture in a new and creative way. Not every post is a complete makeover - many of the things at Jubilee Furniture are fabulous just the way they are - but wait until you see what Naomi did to a very sad chair she found at the store.

Here's her email:

Hi! I had been looking for a cute chair for my "crafting nook" to no avail (I didn't have much to spend, that always slows me down!) - I found your blog/website and was excited to read about what you do for the community AND some of the cute makeovers your customers had done.

My husband and I have a few goodwill finds we had made over - mostly painting furniture - but I hadn't done a chair before - so stepping into the store on Saturday, we were looking for something CHEAP (so if I ruined it it would be no big loss!) - we found the perfect chair FOR $5.50! And took it home for a makeover!

I found some clearance fabric at Wal-Mart, so total, the project was less than $45!

So attached is my picture of the makeover (I saw you were asking for inspiration posts), I hope to come visit again soon for more furniture :)

I cannot believe how someone - with what sounds like no re-upholstery skills - was able to create a multi-fabric job with contrasting trim! Wow. So. Impressed. The chair looks amazing!

Thanks to Naomi for turning our ugly duckling chair into a swan!

Stay warm, dear reader! See you back here on Friday!

Hold onto your hat–’cause I’m planning on blowing you away with Jubilee Furniture’s fabulous inventory!

2011-11-25T08:29:00.001-06:00

No time to dilly-dally this morning. I have tons of photos to share – and they still aren’t every new-to-us item Dan and Chris picked up this week!

Yes, yes, yes – Jubilee Furniture is open today (Friday) from 1 to 8 and tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 to 4.

And yes, we’d love it if you found time to stop by.

And no, we aren’t having any special black Friday deals – since at Jubilee Furniture every time we’re open it’s like a black Friday event – with free cookies!

So, put your comfortable shoes on since you’ll be scrolling through our showroom for quite a while taking in our extensive and amazing inventory!

fabulous green leather loveseat priced $225; coffee table (that needs to be dusted!) priced $30

this is an unbelievably comfortable, expensive leather chair by Baker Furniture – needs some spot cleaning – but otherwise is great – priced $175

this wood trim leather sofa was donated by my brother and sister-in-law and though has some stains and one small hole (see white spot in right photo?) is super cool and unique and is priced $225

gorgeous stenciled drop leaf table with six ladder back cane seat chairs (two chair are out of camera range in first photo) all for $250

beautiful oak dresser from the 1930s (best guess) priced $125

these are really lovely carved pieces that you need to seen in person to appreciate – but there’s a lovely accent chair for $125; matching bench priced $95

this just might be the largest sectional we’ve ever had in the store and though it’s too late for Thanksgiving – many other holidays are just around the corner – and with this three piece beauty in your home there would be seating for ALL! The upholstery needs to be cleaned – but other than that – it’s really a fabulous sectional – fabric is sorta gathered (not sure what that’s called) for a textured feel and it’s a great gray color with clean, low lines – can you tell I really, really like it? – priced $265

amazing retro bookcases – priced $85 each (there are two of them)

leather sofa from IKEA – mint condition – priced $195 (they sell for new for $395)

lovely nesting tables with artwork on top (under glass) priced $95 for the pair

amazing table with inlaid wood and one self-storing leaf – priced $185

two unbelievably wonderful swivel/rockers by Sherrill – priced $145 each

there are four bentwood chairs that look just like these two and we’re selling all four for $100; small oak end table (which also needs to be dusted) is $25 and there’s another one that looks just like this one and is also priced $25 (how weird is that?! *smile*)

two piece United Furniture retro china cabinet priced $125

two cool bar stools – $50 for the pair

words are going to fail me as I describe this fabulous two piece light china cabinet by John Widdicomb – the shape, the metal work that’s in front of the glass – so creates neat shadows and depth – I. Love. It. There are some missing circle pulls (hardware is still there – but the pull to open the drawer is missing) and one of the doors on the lower buffet piece is missing a pulley thing to open it. Also the glass shelves for the middle display part are missing and behind the two doors on the buffet there should be one or two adjustable shelves and those ain’t there (and, of course, it needs dusting and some minor surface touch-ups). The wood color is most accurate in the first photo. Get to the price, you say? $395 which is an absolute steal!

three piece Ethan Allen floral sectional – some fading in the front and some fraying in the back (fraying in the back looks like cat claws – but I didn’t see pet hair on it – so not sure) priced $95

really beautiful glass top, wrought iron base table for $185

denim sofa for $65

table, one leaf and four chairs for $65

very nice round outdoor table with four chairs (and their like-new cushions) priced $75 for the set

hip, retro pink vinyl chairs – priced $5, $10 and $15 depending on condition (and there are two of each style)

The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving last year Jubilee Furniture offered some gorgeous, hand-crafted afghans for purchase and we’re doing the same thing this year – I’m very happy to report!

Here’s the sweet story – Olga, an area senior, loves to crochet. Not only does crocheting keep her busy but – as we all know – there’s great satisfaction in creating beautiful things. Unfortunately, all of Olga’s friends already have one of her lovely creations and – let’s be honest – yarn ain’t free and Olga’s on a fixed income (like a lot of seniors). Olga’s friend, Henny, remembers that wacky furniture store connected to Outreach Community Center (OCC) – where she met Olga – and wonders if Olga could sell her afghans there. The rest as they say, is history!

Olga isn’t looking to get rich off the sale of these beauties but rather is simply asking for $25 each. Cash and checks only (checks made out to “OCC” since the center helps Olga with her finances and budgeting). I hope Olga will leave the 16 or 17 she made this year until we sell ‘em all – but she wasn’t comfortable doing so last year (you know how something you spend that much time and energy making become special and it’s hard to let it out of your sight? That’s how Olga feels).

I bought one for my daughter last year – and she absolutely loves it – and it appears in the photo Abby took of herself that she included in her guest post here – which resulted in more comments than anything I’ve ever written – and yes, I may have had some hurt feelings – but I’ve since recovered. Sorta. :-)

Don’t you love all the colors?

God’s peace to you, dear reader!

Tuesday's customer inspiration - Judy's transformed night stand!

2011-11-22T16:43:00.000-06:00

Gosh, here we are again with another installment of Tuesday customer inspiration where I showcase something someone has purchased from Jubilee Furniture with the hopes of inspiring you to view used furniture differently than you might have before. Some of my Tuesday posts show furniture looking exactly as it did leaving the store and others how the piece has been transformed into something even better!

Today's post is how something lovely became even lovelier with a simple color of white paint!

Here's Judy's email:

Good morning, I have attached before and after pictures of my most recent purchase at Jubilee. I saw this little table while shopping for a couch for my son's first apartment. I fell in love with the shape, and didn't know what I would do with it. I even told the kids don't let me buy it, because I have no where to put it. But bought it anyway and thought is would look better white. So that's what I did. It is now in my bedroom as a night stand and just love it!

Thanks - Judy

I, too, was drawn to the shape of this piece and love what Judy did with it! I wouldn't have thought of using it as a night stand but thinks it works really well in that function.

Hat's off to Judy and many thanks for the inspiration!

Reminder: Jubilee Furniture will be open this Friday (from 1 to 8) and Saturday (from 9 to 4) and I'll have my weekly post up Friday morning as always (my goal is to have it online by 9:00 a.m. CST - and I've made that goal for months with the exception of once when blogspot had an issue and there was nothing I could do about it but groan - and groan I did. A. Lot.).

Until then, may your turkey be tasty and your potatoes mashed just the way you like 'em, dear reader!