New to Me Vintage Drop Leaf Table Styled for Fall
There she is, in all her glory. I tend to gravitate to “well loved” tables, but have never actually purchased one for myself. I have the little side table that used to sit in my childhood home, which was very much loved and has all the scratches to show for it. Something I can’t fix, because I’m nostalgic and don’t want to lose the subtle reminders on those wonderful times. This one has me scratching my head though, about trying to fix it up a bit, or loving the wear and tear as my own. I’ve decided to live with it as is for a while and come back to the decision in a few months. Maybe sometime into the new year when I don’t have as much going on.
Have you ever refurbished a table of your own? I don’t want to lose the character in any way, though the design has enough to carry its weight if the table were to be sanded down and refinished, I think. Also, I bought it with full knowledge that it was a bit beat up, and I really liked that character at the time, so that’s weighing heavy on my mind as I consider my options. Oh, and did I mention that I paid $50 for it on Facebook Marketplace? A total steal in my opinion!
Design Observations
The pandemic has brought out a desire in me to hunt for special pieces for my home. Things that not everyone has. I’ve noticed that the delay in imported materials has lead to many designers taking a step back and reevaluating their design choices. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get creative, rather, more creative, which I think the industry needed. If I’m anything, I’m observant, and I’ve noticed the most beautiful and unique designs being presented, and it has filled me with joy. Refurbished, refinished, newly upholstered, unique vintage furniture are all key ideas I’ve seen come to life over the past year. How exciting, and I can’t wait to see how this translates once all of those containers get unloaded and all the mass produced stuff makes it way to the shelves. Will the community revert back to its previous ways, or will it continue to tear down walls and impress the crap out of design enthusiasts like myself?
The Hunt for Vintage and How I Styled My Finds
The table was posted on FB Marketplace. Something I sadly never utilized until this past summer. The finds I missed out on! Gah! While on an outing to a local antiques mall I came across this beautiful piece of art (below). I didn’t hesitate to pick it up for myself, and good thing too, because at checkout I was told there were other shoppers waiting to see if I bought it, so they could have their chance. It’s the perfect scene for fall decorating!
The gourds were also found over a few visits to different antique shops. They are huge, and until we set the table up in its place, I wasn’t sure where I’d display them, but I still had to have them. Layering all of these pieces with my existing fall floral display, coffee table books, and mirror that were previously on the cabinet that used to be in this spot has given this corner of my home a whole new life.
In my opinion, two of the top benefits to shopping for vintage pieces at antique malls, vintage shops, junk yards, marketplace etc. are the deals you’ll come across, and the satisfaction that comes when you’ve found this treasure amongst all of the other items being sold. When you find something for so much less than what it’s worth! That’s a rush! I estimate that I spent just a little over one hundred dollars for all of the new pieces. That’s a table, art, and decorative gourds. That definitely makes me want to continue hunting for treasures!
Well friends, we’re getting close to finishing phase one of our living room makeover, and I have a few ideas on how to decorate this space for the new year. I’ll be sure to share those ideas with you all in a future post. In the meantime, tell me, what sort of good finds have you come across for your home lately?
