Side tables galore

Phew* sorry for the break since Sunday. I've been working on furniture but haven't had anything to photograph quite yet. Instead, we can do a little shopping together. I'd like to get an interesting side table for the landing at the top of the stairs, and a pair of side tables to go on either side of the new settee. Side tables are so fun. They come in every shape and size imaginable. You can get them for very cheap, and then you can paint them bright exciting colors!!
Here are some fun ones that I like:
First the single table for the top of the stairs.

I've been working with a lot of teal for a couple custom projects in the last few weeks. I'm really digging teal right now. This side table is such a rich shade, and the details are beautiful.

Wow oh WOW this is gorgeous. The faded powder blue is just amazing with the red top. It's such a nice small size too.

A nice simple oak table with a white and chipped surface is appealing and versatile. It would go with all my seasonal decor quite nicely. 

I like the scale and dimensions of this sweet little table. The white is fresh, and the bright hit of color on the drawer really ups the ante. Also, the hardware matches our nightstands.

yummy yummy. This side table is my favorite shade of mint green, and the antique drawer pull is stunning. If I came across this at the flea market it would be the hands down winner.

And look at this little treasure. The website refers to this color as 'Marigold''. It's such a cheerful energetic color! 

My husband would never go for this, but if I were a single gal in a house full of cats (because it's really only my husband's admirable self control that keeps me from adopting every kitten on craigslist), I would definitely have a go at a bold floral side table!

Another teal option, with a good size and pretty lines.

And on to the pair of side tables for either side of the settee

Aren't these sweet! I've never seen anything like them, very interesting lines, and the color is fabulous. They kind of remind me of antique architectural columns.

Full on drama and swag here. Probably not quite right for my little cottage, but we should take a moment to admire the mastery of design and construction that this pair of tables demonstrate.

A little more my speed, these would be perfect for the bedroom.

I love the bold retro feel of these. The gold dipped feet are so cool.

Simple and straight forward, but if you look closely, these tables have some very nice details on the legs.

Classic Oak Dining Set

I've been wanting to work on a dining set with a bench for some time. I finally came across one available for purchase, in my own town, a few weeks ago. The entire set is solid oak and wicked handsome. I sanded the bench and the table top, then stained them english chestnut and gunstock, then sealed them. I painted the table base and the chairs with my favorite black enamel. Such a pretty classic dining set that would fit with so many styles of decor. This one's available and listed on craigslist. so let me know if you're interested!

Farm Table Dining Set

As I work on furniture, I have favorites. Some pieces really appeal to me and I'm so tempted to keep them myself. This solid pine dining set is one of those cases. I picked up the set from the original owner about a month ago. Everything was in flawless condition, she'd taken good care of it, and it just needed a new look. I sanded the table, stained in a layered mix of English Chestnut, Red Chestnut, and Dark Walnut to get a nice depth of color and dimension. Then my standard tabletop finish of six coats of poly, sanded between each coat until the table top is smooth as glass. I painted the table base and the chairs a fresh antique white, and recovered the chair cushions. I should also mention these chairs happen to be particularly cushy and comfortable, always a bonus.
Can we talk about the legs of the table? Those are some of the nicest, most bold turned legs I've seen on a table in a while. Before and afters below!

Settee Success!!!

If you're a regular reader you might remember a couple weeks ago when I posted that I really really wanted to find an antique settee for our soon to be finished master bedroom. You can read the post here.
Well I spotted the PERFECT one on craigslist on Friday and was able to go and pick it up yesterday. I loved it when I saw it in the listing. I loved it when I saw it in person, and I loved it soooooo much when I saw it in place in our bedroom. My husband had forbade me from purchasing any other furniture for the upstairs until we completed the renovation, but I knew this deal was too good to pass up, and when he saw it in person, he agreed. I know the fabric is a little retro, but look at the lines! Look at the detail! It's so comfortable too. I will trade someone a dining set to reupholster it for me (I'll buy the upholstery fabric too). I think eventually I'd like to put a more modern floral with a slightly more pastel undertone, slightly less earth-tone. And I'll paint the frame. But for now, it will work.
What do you think?

So we still need to tape and mud the walls, redo the floors, and install the ceilings, but we're getting there!

Love the detail of the legs. Just imagine this painted an antique white with a tinted wax on top to bring out the detail.

Beautiful carved handholds

Carved detail on the bottom

Spool Turned and Barley Twists

Last fall I drove up to Manchester, Connecticut to purchase two beautiful antique sideboards. The guy had been a kind of novice antique dealer, and along with the sideboards, he had several other pieces of furniture including a spectacular 19th century dining table with four massive barley twist legs. I can't remember how much he wanted for it, maybe about $100. At the time, it was more than I was allowing myself to spend speculatively on furniture. If given the opportunity now, I would snatch that table up in a heart beat. It's one of those missed purchases that will haunt me, sadly, for many years.
Lately I've been seeing a lot more barley twist and spool turned legs on new furniture at Pottery Barn and the likes. It's such a gorgeous detail, and you don't need to buy a new piece of furniture to get it. There are many many wonderful examples from c.1870-1930 on the market today.
I think I'll eventually buy myself a spool turned bed for either the master bedroom or the guest bedroom.
I hope you're Thanksgiving was pleasant, and that you all go out shopping tomorrow to support small business Saturday!!

I absolutely adore this spool turned bed. If I could find one like this for a reasonable price, I would definitely swap out my boring old maple bed in my master bedroom.

A sweet spool turned whatnot shelf painted a fresh white is creatively decorated with color vintage accessories here.

A gorgeous reproduction spool turned bed with matching nightstand here would like right at home in any cottage bedroom

This is a spectacular kitchen and the barley twist barstools compliment it nicely.

A massive antique barley twist refectory table. be still my heart.

Such a gorgeous antique desk made all the more handsome with intricate and bold barley twist legs.

A perfectly adorable coffee table with dove gray base and barley twist legs.

Love this barley twist lamp!

Such a sweet spool turned chair.

Look at this gorgeous daguerreotype of a little girl in a wool dress lounging in a spool turned chair.

Wisteria is obviously fully aware of the trend, pairing a spool turned chair with a barley twist desk!