Tuesday, October 11, 2011

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.


38 comments:

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Lucky you to be given such great stuff to work with. Hope you keep on showing each piece as you get it ready. Good job on the handle decision.
- Joy

Karen said...

Debbie!!!!!
It is beautiful. Love it.
You knew just what to prescribe on this one.

Chatty Crone said...

Your furniture is gorgeous to begin with - you have so much nice furniture and I love the handles. You are a talented girl.

Love,
sandie

Ruby Jean said...

Oh I am a LOVER of Old Furniture...Your Dinning Room is coming along Beautifully and I do love the final outcome of the Handles.... Looking forward to seeing the rest of your projects and work in this room redo of yours.... :)

Patti said...

Oh, Debbie, it's gorgeous! Your sister had no idea what a treasure she let go. (Lucky for you!)

I'm with you on preferring the old to the new. I wasn't always like that, however. When I got married in 1986, NEW was the only thing I wanted. At that point in time, black lacquer furniture was all the rage. My entire house was black lacquer. YUCK!!! Within 15 years, I was SICK TO DEATH of black decor.

I have since outgrown my obsession with fads/trends.

By the way, do you know about Pinterest? (In case you don't, it's a virtual pinboard of all sorts of great things you find on the web. There's a link to my Pinterest page under the profile section on my blog.) Anyhow, just letting you know, I "pinned" your beautiful china cabinet to my page. (The link will show where I got the photo, so all credit goes back to you.) Make sense?

Anyhow, I love your beautiful china cabinet. You did an awesome job!!

Love,
Patti

Barbara F. said...

Debbie you are superb at refinishing furniture! I love that piece. Can't wait to see the whole room!! xo

Kathleen said...

Well, looks like you've found yourself and a worthy replacement for your old dining room furniture. The hardware looks great with the finish you decided on.

By the way , draughts is also known as Checkers perhaps you've heard of them?

Bye for now, Kathleen.

At The Picket Fence said...

That is absolutely gorgeous Debbie! I think the hardware looks perfect against the dark stain and you done good my friend! :-)
Vanessa

Terra said...

Solid mahogany and gorgeous. Can you believe your sister didn't want it? How wonderful for you. This piece of furniture will last forever.

no spring chicken said...

Free? Free? You are a wise, wise woman waiting until your sis was too far away to turn back before telling her she had passed on a treasure! It looks just beautiful. As for the table, it seems to me that standing is probably better for digestion. No stops or curves, just straight down...

Blessings, Debbie

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

You make it all sound like so much fun! Of course, antiques are what I do... and if you ever come to Dallas, you and Janette and I will HAVE to go to either Canton or Round Top... where antiques and good bargains abound!!

It looks gorgeous!!

Denise said...

I'm so glad I stopped by your house yesterday to see your finished work. I must say...ABSOLUTELY beautiful. The sideboard is beautiful as well. I can't wait to see the table. You have obviously found Debbie. Is this sort of like "Where's Waldo"?

BTW, you did forget to mention that the older sister already had cherry dining room furniture, and really didn't need two sets. (lucky for you) She also hasn't much interest in refinishing furniture. (lucky for you) However, she, like me, doesn't have a lot of interest in old pieces. (again, lucky for you) Looks like you scored all the way around.

I can so see you doing the pelican leg thing to decide on a shoe. Just sayin'...

Trish said...

It looks fabulous!!
You've done a brilliant job, Debbie!
The final finish on the handles goes so well with the cabinetry.
A lovely piece of mahogany furniture can really make a room look wonderful!
Your wedding china has found a beautiful new home :-)
blessings..Trish

Christine said...

Wish I had a sister who had "junk" in her garage.
You have the touch and gift to make it look beautiful.
Can't wait to see the complete set, table and chairs.

Lynn said...

Looks great, love that the recess behind the leaf detail seems to match the wood! Just wait until she comes to visit:@)

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
Beautiful! I like the old better than the new, too. It's going to be fabulous when it's all in the dining room. Wow.

xinex said...

Oh my gosh! This is gorgeous, Debbie. You are so good! You know I love old furniture too....Christine

Tanna said...

I'm so glad you are on an adventure to find Debbie!! I am enjoying learning about the things you love. My mom has almost that exact buffet and china cabinet. Saw it up close this past weekend. Mahogany is a beautiful wood. Lovin' it! blessings ~ tanna

Mevely317 said...

Are you sure you're not my mother's "real" daughter, once removed? (Tee-hee)
Wish I had you nearby to help me decide what to do/create with sooooo much recently-discovered memorabilia.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Debbie, I just like listening to you Yak, it does not even matter what you say! But, this cabinet is fabulous and the knobs, I think for once in your life you got it right..Just channeling your husband here LOL!

Carol

Red Couch Recipes said...

I agree with the Polka Dot Closet -- I just like listening to you yak also! Lovely piece -- love the "annoy the husband game" comment too. You did a wonderful job and if you are like me you will keep on looking at your new piece over and over again. Joni

Sue said...

First of all Debbie, you made my day with your visits to my blog. We would have so much fun over a cup of coffee, I just know.

Anyway, you have some serious talent in the refinishing department! That piece is stunning ~ and I can't wait to see the rest. Your dining room is going to be beautiful.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

What a fabulous piece at the best price. That would be a big fat zero! Is your sis regretting it yet? I consider it to be the best compliment when one of my friends say, "that looks just like you"; when I find an old treasure!

elizabeth said...

So far Debbie has great taste!!! :)

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
You really have a knack for turning something old into something "new" again...meaning new to you! I'm glad you played around with the hardware because the final finish looks great. Can't wait to see the complete dining room. By the way, your wedding china looks similar to a set of Noritake china I had. You have good taste. :)

~Jean

The Decorative Dreamer said...

That most definitely is not junk! It is a gorgeous piece of furniture for sure and just the right size if you ask me. I love how beautifully you have restored it. Do you mean to tell me you have a sideboard and table as well? Wow! Your dining room is off to a beautiful start and I cannot wait to see more!

Miss Char said...

Oh my heart be still...that is a beautiful piece Debbie. I sure hope you give your sister a hug for giving you her "junk". Makes me wish I had a sister! I think your final product with the hardware looks perfect.

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Debbie done got her glam on! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these pieces, girl!

And how DO you do that? With the hardware, I mean? Your finish is PURRfect on there! Seriously!

And did you notice how the back of your hutch fits perfectly along your chair rail? HELLO! Was it meant to be in your house or what?

Give me the old. Old gold, that's what I say.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

So glad you're finding Debbie! Your dining room's looking great, and your wedding china is beautiful. (Can't wait to see it in a tablescape one day.) My heart pitter-pats to old stuff, too, so this post makes me smile!

Anonymous said...

You are a treasure, Debbie! I WISH we lived closer! What adventures we'd have!!!

Now, as to your new dining room furnishings - what is up with your sister? Some folks just don't know what's good! That can only be a blessing for people like you and me!

You have a lovely set there - looking forward to the buffet I think I saw in the first photo - and you probably can date the pieces to the 1920's or early '30's going from the hardware. Which, by the way, your journey with and perseverance certainly paid off. A totally Debbie look now after all your glazing and "flamingo" acts.

Love the flamingo metaphor relating to shoes.

You MUST publish something with a spine so I can put it on my bookshelf!!

Anyway - I'm settling into the life of one grasping the fine rewards of a surrendered life. Not that I've mastered anything - but, I am getting it - the world system will NOT change for my Godly principles. That knowledge alone is tremendous power - and with that I can trump every nasty look and resentful remark.

I am NOT wrestling against flesh and blood. Once I really got that firmly entrenched as seeing how that truth related to my situation, submission of my prized reputation and vision - though stinging like that thorn in the flesh - has been empowering!

Laughably - everyone else's work load increases now, and mine decreases. And, they never wanted to DO my work - they just wanted to tell me how to do my work. None will ever see because the world system and its ways are blind. Ya! Can't take it personally anymore.

So - I'm putting in my 9 hours three times a week and coming home to enjoy my HOME without so much hanging over me as before. Seeking a lightened heart so I can float and not sink - and have more time for Antique Malls and blogging!!
Joy!
Kathy

Ann said...

GORGEOUS! And, I LOVE your finished hardware. I thought I liked it best at the oil rubbed stage but then you took it one more step. SO NICE!

Way to go Debbie! I like this version of you. Seems real! : D

Cheers!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

You are veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy veryyyyyyyyyyyyyy good...what a talent and how inspiring. I can't wait to see the table. You know between tablescaping and furniture re-do..you have a business, if you wanted it...but then sometimes that takes the fun out of it.

Beautiful piece. I can tell when you got married just by the china....so many of us 30 plus years married, look the same...still beautiful.

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

This is gorgeous Debbie!! I love it!

Unknown said...

I am stunned at the outcome of this piece of furniture. It is simply, utterly beautiful. Lucky you that your sister gave it to you. You really do have a way with furniture, my friend!
oxo
lynn

Decor To Adore said...

Quick someone get me a couch because the swooning has begun! I had to laugh at how you had to stop and play with your china and that is why nothing gets done. Guilty here too. :)

I really appreciate you linking this gem up!

Sharon said...

You continue to amaze me. You are a "miracle worker" in my opinion. Loved how the handles turned out. Well, the whole project was a resounding success.

Will you come and do my makeup?

(Good to see some Debbie *mojo* back in Blog Land - just sayin')

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Debbie, what a great restoration! This reminds me so much of the china hutch that I inherited from my grandmother. It looks as great now, as when she had it! I am now your newest follower; and I hope you will follow me, too! Blessings to you!

FrouFrouBritches said...

How in the world did I miss this???? Oh my gracious! I so envy your patience. It is just about the most beautiful piece of furniture I have ever seen. I love the finish of the hardware you came up with. The shape and curve of the cabinet is gorgeous!!!! I love every single thing about it!

By the way, what is your china pattern? It looks a lot like my mom's china.

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