BETTER THAN CRAIGSLIST FIND

So you guys know I'm supposed to be working on my bedroom for the One Room Challenge, but things come up, and I get distracted and project hop.

Last week after picking up the kids from school, we turned on a street we don't normally drive down in the neighborhood to drop a friend off at home.  And it was big trash day. And I spied a pretty chest amid a pile of boxes on a curb.

We took our friend home, and I circled back around the block to get a better look.  After hopping out to take a look, I wrangled my daughter into helping me hoist it into the back of the truck (it was HEAVY for these two girls!).  Thus, the better than Craigslist... it was FREE!

I can tell it's old, antique, and a friend from Instagram suggested it might be a German design.  There was a box on top filled with a marble slab all wrapped up that fits across part of the top, but it was broken and only 1/2 of it was there.  The back half of the top has a wood piece across it, and it looks like there was something attached there at one time, but it's missing, too.  Also, the two back wheels were broken, but those are are pretty minor things.  

I originally stopped to look because my parents and sister have booths where they re-sell furniture, but by the time I got it loaded up I knew I'd be keeping it.  The handles and detail on the front are gorgeous.  It just needs a light sanding and re-coat of stain to restore it, and I think I'll pop what's left of the top off and replace it with a piece of marble for the entire top.  The front wheels that were ok are wooden casters, so I'm not sure if I'll replace the back ones or just remove them all.  

So, I've spent the past few days searching town for a marble remnant that won't break the bank.  Not much luck at stone yards, but I think I've come up with a solution.  Stay tuned...

I've had an eye out to replace this small dresser that's been in the living room, 

and I think this is just the piece.  I was ready to put a wood piece back in amidst all of the other painted furniture in the room.   A vision is forming in my head to make this corner really special.  I'm thinking something along these lines...

via

Collins Interiors

via

West Elm

I wish I was as talented as my friends Sarah and Julia at DIYing an abstract painting, but I might have to play around with it anyway and see what I can come up with.  

That's what happening, although I really need to get busy on something for my bedroom for this week.  Haven't done a thing since last week!  What do you think of my curbside find?

**EDITED... click here to see this piece refinished!**