Random Debbie Sightings...

Just a little update on my search to find Debbie.

 Apparently, she's been spotted.
 It seems that she likes to hang out at the antique mall. 

Yep. It's true. I may not know much about my style, but there's one thing I do know. I have liked old stuff for as long as I can remetmber. It goes beyond just liking it. . Actually, I prefer it over most new stuff.

I can't remember the last time I browsed through a furniture store for inspiration, but I am prone to spontaneous antique store adventures at random moments. It doesn't even have to be an antique store. A second hand store will do. The only thing better than finding a wonderful old piece is finding one at a bargain.

And that, my friends, is the inspiration for this post. It's all about my dining room furniture, the Queen Mother of all bargains.

This furniture was what my older sister who doesn't like old stuff might possibly call junk. It had been in a storage unit for years so when she moved to Colorado a few years ago, she gave it away.

I took it.

Now folks, this is not what I call junk. The pieces are solid mahogany with dovetailing. I told her so as soon as she reached the Rocky Mountains. Once a baby sister, always a baby sister...

All it really needed was some gentle cleaning and a furniture doctor.

Just call me Dr. Debbie.

The hardware was a red hot mess, but  I still wanted to use it. 

Ewww...

 I soaked those suckers in vinegar and baking soda for two days and even tried a little elbow grease and polish, but they were not coming clean.

So I played with some bronze and glaze 

which made them look like the original.

The problem is, I wasn't sure the original looked like Debbie....

Isn't that what this whole adventure is supposed to be about? Yeah, I thought so too.

 So I tried them with oil rubbed bronze instead.

I couldn’t decide.

Well, of course.

I tried to play  Annoy the Husband to get some feedback. I showed him one… and then the other… and then both side by side… and then separate again but attached to a drawer. It didn’t work any better than the game of flamingo I play when I can’t decide on a pair of shoes. 

He told me for once in my life to pick what I preferred.

I preferred neither.

Instead I dinked around with more glazing until I got this look.

I think it looks nice against the fiinish. . 

I think my wedding china looks nice against it too.

 I know this because I felt the need to stop and play with it. 

... and I wonder why I never get anything accomplished. 

But finally, the china cabinet is just about to cross the finish line.

 ...and the side board is tagging along a close second.

And that’s where we stand.

Stand, being the operative word. You might notice that we’re missing a table.

Details, details…

Actually, there is a table. It’s just still in the garage phase. As for chairs, well, that’s going to have to be another post all its own,

Sharing this with Laura at Decor to Adore fall her Fall In Love With Your House party.