In my travels with Shannon last weekend we took our time on our way home. We stopped at a particularly cute little antique store (Shannon took this picture and I’ve shameless lifted it from her site). On our way inside we spied a neat side table for just $35. Shannon squealed with delight as only she can do and announced, "We are in for a treat!" We definitely were. This lady had everything you could possibly want while antiquing or collecting and each item was more than reasonably priced.
Shannon contemplated some Wedgwood dishes and I reminisced over the fact that the basement smelled exactly like my Grandma P’s basement. Shannon nailed it when she replied, "I think all basements smell like a grandma’s basement."
We mosied about and finally decided to leave. (Shannon decided against the Wedgwood.) On our way out we looked the table over a final time. Shannon and I were thinking the exact same thing (as we do almost constantly): one of us needed to leave with that table. We would both feel better just knowing one of us had the table and scored the deal. Of course, in Shannon-speak "one of us" means me. So after she announced that "one of us" needed the table, she promptly took out her camera to take some pictures and walked off so I could further argue with myself about whether I wanted this table for $35.
The owner of the shop came out to strong-arm me into the purchase. (Had you seen this kindly elderly lady you’d know that was written with tongue firmly in cheek.) She told me what a great piece it was, how it just needed some paint, what a great bargain it was. Not one to be bullied into a decision I remained ambivalent.
Now, truth be told, it crossed my mind to ask her if she’d take $20. I’m notorious at low-balling price negotiations. I caught myself this time because I a) didn’t want to offend the nice lady and b) I didn’t want to embarrass Shannon in front of a complete stranger on our first road trip. I had pretty much decided what the heck and I was going to buy it for $35. Then the owner pulled out the big guns: she offered to take off $5 and lower the price to $30.When the lady went to $30, I jumped on it. The table did, in fact, come home with one of us.
As you can see from the photos below, the table definitely needs some work and is not pristine. It has brand new screws under the table top and the top has been repaired. The stripping is not the best job, but I can either finish it the right way myself or just paint it. The detail work, though, is just wonderful. It’s a cute little table and the price was right. I would have been cursing myself if I’d let it go.
Now. Where do I put it?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I know – you can put it right here in my apartment. Oh wait, I guess I don’t have any room in my apartment. Oh well, it was worth a shot…
I am QUITE sure I didn’t “squeal with delight”. Did I?
It is a cute table! Oh, strip it and stain it. It will be worth the effort!
That IS Cute! Great deal! Show us what it looks like when your done.
So, did Shannon really squeal? I imagine her squealing and clapping her hands, but that doesn’t really jive with the Shannon I met in KC.
What an awesome find. When you get if fixed up you will have to post a picture.
Oh pleeeeeeeease for the love of all that’s holy don’t paint that. It’s GORGEOUS! If you can strip/stain it, do so (assuming the patches will cover). It’ll be worth a lot more that way (and will look a billion times better than paint!)
And this coming from a painter.
Great find!
I can look at it and give you my ‘professional opinion’ if you want me to.
Wow, that’s a gorgeous table. And a great price! If Shannon didn’t actually squeal, I sure would have.
$30?
Wow. That’s awesome.