I totally get the oscillating tool struggle—been there, done that, almost cried over chipped trim. 😂 As for fixtures, I've had better luck online lately. Local salvage yards can be amazing, but honestly, half the time it feels like digging through piles of rusted junk hoping for treasure. Ever tried estate sales or auctions? Sometimes you can snag some seriously cool vintage pieces without breaking the bank...though bidding wars can get intense.
"Ever tried estate sales or auctions? Sometimes you can snag some seriously cool vintage pieces without breaking the bank...though bidding wars can get intense."
Estate sales are my jam—found an amazing clawfoot tub last year that just needed a little TLC. Auctions, though...I always chicken out once the bidding heats up. Too stressful for me, lol.
Estate sales have definitely been good to me too—picked up a gorgeous vintage pedestal sink last summer that just needed a new faucet and some elbow grease. Auctions, though, I get what you mean. I once got caught up in a bidding war over an antique mirror and ended up paying way more than planned. Lesson learned, haha. Now I set a strict budget beforehand and stick to it...mostly.
"I once got caught up in a bidding war over an antique mirror and ended up paying way more than planned."
Ha, been there too. Auctions can seriously mess with your head... I once ended up paying double my budget for a clawfoot tub because some guy across the room kept raising his paddle. Still, no regrets—after refinishing it myself, it's easily my favorite piece in the bathroom. Lesson learned though, now I always remind myself it's not personal, it's plumbing.
I totally get the temptation of auctions, but I'm curious—did refinishing the clawfoot yourself save you much overall? I've considered going that route myself, but I've heard mixed things about DIY refinishing durability. Some say it's great, others mention peeling or chipping after a year or two. Did you use a specific product or method to avoid those issues? I'm still weighing whether it's worth the effort or if I should just bite the bullet and hire a pro...
