Furniture Rescue

We allll know how much I love a challenge, but I love a challenge even more when it makes you think.  Emily Henderson (who I’ve gushed about before) issued a challenge/contest/request for instagram pictures-

“What piece of furniture would you save from a fire?”

Of course I just HAD to throw my hat into the ring.  I’m always so indecisive, so it’s lucky that Emily’s allowing multiple entries.  Here goes!

I’m sure that once my secretary desk is done, it’ll be on the top of this list, however, since it’s current state is still in shambles, it’s not quite the prized possession yet.

Once Clark is done, this desk is priority numero uno!

But what would I save from a fire?  Can I save my future sofa?

In fact, can I set my current couch on fire so I can get my future couch? …….probably not a good idea…..

Seriously, though, back to the challenge-

The first piece of furniture that I’d save is probably my $30 vintage Craigslist settee.  Although it’s a newer purchase, I don’t think I could have imagined a better piece of furniture for my office.  I adore the tufting and the unique color (and the price I got it for!)and my furry roommates love it too, which makes it even better.  Although I got it in lieu of spending the money to reupholster our other vintage settee which has been living in the basement, I think both with be sticking around for a very long time.

The second piece of furniture that I’d save in a fire is our red antique chair.  This we adopted (along with its matching settee that needs reupholstering mentioned above), when a friend’s aunt passed away.  The set had been in our friend’s family for as long as he could remember and he was really pleased when Hubby and I gave them a good home.  Although Hubby’s not as enamored with the Craigslist settee as I am, this red chair is one I’m sure he’d be saving in a fire too and it’s so rare that we agree on design pieces!

With my estate sale/tag sale fixation, it’s a wonder that my furniture list isn’t longer.  I have several pieces awaiting rescue/refinishing in the dungeon basement that I’m sure will move swiftly up the list when done, but until then, I don’t have a ton of prized pieces.  Space is limited in this tiny house, so I usually find myself taking home smaller pieces when I go treasure hunting.

What furniture would you rescue in a fire (assuming that strength is no issue and you can throw any piece over your shoulder)?

future sofa image via Circle Furniture

Greetings from 1938

Now that I’m going to be my own boss in less than a week (it doesn’t seem real yet), I’ve refocused myself on fixing up my antique secretary desk.  I’m going to need to be super organized and I’m always more organized with a ‘home base’ to work from.

I don’t have any desk updates to show you just yet, however it did have a few more surprises for me.  When I first started working on the desk, I shared with you my discovery of this lovely vintage note card.

Well, it turns our that the desk was a bit of a time capsule.  Wedged in between the top of the desk and the shelving, I found this collection of treasures from the late 30s.

The treasures include….

A coupon for dance lessons- 3 private lessons for $1!!!  Deal!  I especially love the phone #- Devonshire 6850

A 1938 railroad schedule from the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Co.

Don’t you just hate the drudgery of washing your clothes yourself?

A trading card from Dick Tracy Caramels signed by “Eunice” on the back

The king of diamonds from a delightful deck of cards.  This makes me wonder what made this card so special to keep.  Did the king of diamonds represent a special man in Eunice’s life?

and my personal favorite:  a photo of Clark Gable and Constance Bennett from the 1935 movie After Office Hours.  Oo lala.

I love finding hidden history and imagining the people and stories that went with it.  Finding these treasures in my secretary desk makes it all the more special and I’m really excited that I can give it a new life!  Sorry, my inner antiques dork is showing.

Behind the Objects: Israeli Art

In the land of design blogs, we talk a lot about things.  Furniture, art, accessories… material objects.  What really makes a home’s design special to the occupant, however, is the meaning behind the objects.  In this series, I celebrate the personal significance of the things I surround myself with.  The stories of my home.

Today’s object is a piece of art that I ‘inherited’ with Hubby

He brought this original artwork home from a trip to Israel as a child and we got it reframed a few years ago. The colors are so vibrant, the picture really does it no justice.  The gold background is tough to capture, but in person it just glows.  I just wish I knew what it meant!  Hubby claims that he used to have a piece of paper describing the meaning of it, but it disappeared along the way.  So if you have ANY inkling of what it says, by all means, share – I’m dying to know!

With such a variety of colors, it could really live in almost any room of our home.  It’s current place of honor, however, is in the dining room where we walk by it daily.  It’s a beautiful piece, but beyond that, I love that Hubby feels so connected to it.

Behind the Objects: Getting Catty

In my last post, I tried to hammer home the concept of personalizing your space.  But what does that really mean?

In the land of design blogs, we talk a lot about things.  Furniture, art, accessories… material objects.  What really makes a home’s design special to the occupant, however, is the meaning behind the objects.

In this new series, I’ll be taking the time to celebrate the personal significance of the things I surround myself with.  The stories of my home.

Without further adieu (and in no particular order whatsoever)….

Object #1: Brass Cat

My parents came across this cat about a year ago while cleaning out my great aunt’s house.  She was, to put it nicely, a collector.  It needed a serious scrub, but what an outcome!  Maybe it’s because I dabble in being a crazy cat lady, I love this little guy.  So regal.

I still haven’t found the right spot for him yet (I really need to style some vignettes around this house), so currently he guards over our computers from his perch on the bookshelf.  I’m not sure of his age (certainly not new) or origins, but he feels like he has a story to tell.  Maybe it’s a story of my great aunt.