Friday, October 23, 2009

Patience and Persistence Pays Off

There is a little stretch of wall in the walkway between the living room leading to the family room that I have been needing a table for. Because it functions more or less as a hallway, the table had to be narrow, not more than 12-13”.

This is the table that had been there until now. It was too small, and it was wobbly, making it an unsafe place to display much of anything. (The frame was temporary.)

IMG_4096

The last several weeks I had really kicked my search into high gear. Hours were spent on craigslist, special trips made to antique malls, and of course the regular thrift shop rounds. I saw several that might have worked, but it had to be cheap. I saw several that were super cheap and might have worked, but weren’t exactly what I wanted.

This week, on one of my regular consignment store stops, there it was. It was long side-to-side, but it was only 12” front to back. Price check: $65. Doable. I was standing there looking at it and measuring it, and another lady came up like I wasn’t even there and started running her hand across it. As soon as she backed away, I picked it up and took it to the front. Things go really fast at this store, and I couldn’t leave it to chance.

Look how well it fits in the space.

IMG_4295

More importantly, it’s not a hazard to passers-by. You can see how anything much more than 12” deep would have been in the way.

IMG_4293

One of my wishes was a little bit of storage, at least a drawer, at the very least a shelf on the bottom for display. I got the shelf. Maybe I could put some of those displaced pantry baskets there. What do you think? I don’t know.

IMG_4277

Oak furniture is not typically one of my favorites. In fact, when I first got this, I was thinking paint. I still might, but I’d almost feel bad to do it, because it does have a very nice finish, even if it is oak.

Either way, it’s a perfect fit, it’s sturdy, and I can display lots of things on it. Including Aunt Maggie, a family heirloom clock, which I never had a good place for before. I’m so glad to have her familiar tick-tock, tick-tock and on the hour and half-hour her Bong!Bong!Bong! . It sounds like home.IMG_4281

I’m sure I could have found a perfect table much sooner if I had been willing to pay a lot more. In fact, I saw an ideal little chest of drawers at an antique mall, but it was $400. Out of the question.

Time after time, patiently continuing to search has turned up the right item at the right price. I guess that’s why it’s called bargain hunting.

15 comments:

southerninspiration said...

Oh, Holly that's a perfect fit! I am sure it is well worth your $65 and will serve your family well! Good job!

Suzanne

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Holly, this is perfect! Love it! And Aunt Maggie looks very happy there! You did good to wait and scavenge until the right one comes along!

Lou Cinda :)

Jocelyn said...

Oh Holly I love it! It fits perfectly in that spot. And what a great price. I saw a similar table (but not quite as pretty and no secondary shelf) at the thrift store the other day. It was MARKED down to $99. I thought it was overpriced, so I let it pass. Yours is beautiful.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Mindy said...

You did GOOD! The space is more functional with the larger piece. And while I like old oak, I don't think it's sacreligious to paint new oak. As for the baskets...I like the cleaner look without...but, if you paint the piece, the baskets may be more charming. Love the clock! ~Mindy

dixie said...

I really love how the table fits in that space. It looks wonderful!! I would skip the baskets, though. Maybe some cozy blankets would nice folded on the self. Patience pays off, doesn't it?!

Melinda said...

Very nice! Looks great in that area
and I like the baskets too.
Good deal.

Melinda

Anna said...

that's a nice table and a perfect fit for that space. I think it would look really good painted black! I like the baskets there too.

Gwen said...

The table is great and I found myself drooling over your clock!

Barrett said...

That was a great bargain. I like the baskets. I would have them full of magazines in no time.

The Pleasures of Homemaking said...

That is so perfect! It's actually hard to find pieces that aren't too deep (I know having searched for them many times). So this was a great find. It's beautiful and the price was good too. Can't ask for more!

Manuela

Nancy said...

Your new table fits the space much better than that small table. Looks studier too. The baskets on the shelf are a nice touch and practical!

Unknown said...

Hey Holly. That really is a great fit. I'm like you in as oak is not my favorite but that clock is so beautiful and what a perfect space for it. Great job & great find.
Have a happy weekend...Tracy :)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

WOW! I'd say you did really well for yourself. :) It looks great in the space you have for it, and I like the baskets underneath. Maybe leave the finish as is for now to see if it grows on you? If you don't like it in a month, then try painting.

I received my PRIZE this week. Got some bad news from the pediatrician regarding my littlest one yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to blog about my prize last night. Will do that this weekend so everyone can see what I won. :) Thanks again for all the wonderful (!) goodies. :)

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

I have almost the same table. I use it as a sofa table, depending on how the room is arranged. I purchased mine unfinished. I stack books on the bottom shelf or one of those boxes that look like a treasure chest. I'm glad you got the table. It fits the space perfectly.

LuLu said...

It looks perfect, great size,
LuLu