Did I will this to happen, or am I clairvoyant? Remember my post at the beginning of April, gleefully sharing my classifieds score: a vintage bar cart, found almost one year after announcing I wanted one? I joked that I’d probably find so many, because I have one now and (my) life is like that. I didn’t find another bar cart, but I found a mid-century cabinet that fits the dining room so perfectly, that the bar cart has been displaced.
 |
| Please ignore Hubert the Hibiscus. He is very ill and I am trying to find him the sunniest spot. |
I didn’t think it was possible to find something narrow enough for the dining room. Although the traditional place would be under the painting, as you know there’s no room so I thought a piece of furniture like this was out of the question. But this slim cabinet doesn’t get in the way of chairs and because it is the
exact length of the wall, looks like it was meant for this room.
This teak cabinet was purchased from the same seller who sold me the apricot tweed chair and ottoman.
The chair and ottoman were a great price and so was this unit, at $160. It’s tough to find Ikea furniture for that price, let alone something mid-century (although it’s still quite a few $20 bills leaving my wallet). My only issue was that it has been modified and the legs were added. I’m not surprised because the seller tinkers, but I was a little disappointed by the lack of full disclosure. She’d already moved it to her entryway when we arrived, so it was impossible to look under it in the cramped quarters. We didn’t notice the alteration until we got it home and flipped it over to figure out why it wobbled (we fixed it!). Truthfully, at first I was peeved! But then Hubby and I decided we’d never find something in the perfect size with a clean-lined mid-century look, for that price, again. A little update shouldn’t bug me, because I’m a furniture lover, not a furniture collector. I buy what I like (and can afford) and make it look as fabulous as possible in the townhouse. I don’t tend to go ga-ga for famous designers and I don’t want my house to look like a museum. Hubs and I want a fun, stylish place to call home but have time and money for living, instead of spending both questing for furniture. My Dad always says, “Do we live for the furniture, or does the furniture live for us?”
Now I have a perfect place to display my growing Iittala and turquoise glass collections (thanks Mom!), plus there’s a handy surface for party snacks or buffet-style dinners. I’m so excited to have a new piece of furniture to style. I already have something up my sleeve . . .
And don’t worry: the lovely bar cart has found a new home. It can still be easily wheeled into the dining room or living room for drinks and snacks, but is now a workhorse in the front hall. Although it snowed last week, I’m hopeful I can spray paint soon (this feels like the Dans le Townhouse motto).
I am so envious! I love this style so much and a perfect fit. I understand being miffed about the legs and lack of disclosure. But it is great that it was affordable and the right size.btw- your dad is a wise man!
Haha, yes my Dad prefers to enjoy furniture than look at it. Luckily my Mom is around to pick out stylish AND comfy pieces!
It's perfect!!
Thanks Shannon!! I'm a lucky duck!
What a great find! It looks fabulous your dining room.
Thanks!! It's amazing how it looks bigger, even with the addition of more furniture!
it looks like it was built just for that room! love it 🙂 I'm itching for spray paint weather too– hopefully Sunday! woot woo! I'm seeing aqua in my future….
Thanks!! Oooo, Sunday would be swell!!! I am loving that you're planning some aqua projects. I'd love to see!
slowly but surely aqua-fying: http://sandpaperandglue.com/2013/04/24/glazed-diy-sunburst-mirror/
That looks gorgeous!! I love the glaze technique – such a sweet added touch to the finish.
Ahhh I love this! What a great find! I honestly never would have guessed that the legs weren't original.
I've been thinking I should ask the seller where she bought the leg because it's such a clever way to update furniture – this had that kind of funny looking base of wood that can look a little 70s. I think mid-century legs would make all kinds of furniture look more sleek . . .
i love mid century modern furniture and am from ottawa – do you remember who your seller is and if they still sell in ottawa?
It was a random person on kijiji – just happened to be the same person twice! She's a collector herself and sells pieces when she runs out of room/buys something new. She isn't an actual dealer and I don't have her contact info. I just always kept my eyes open for kijiji ads with key words like "teak," "vintage," "mid-century". You can set up alerts, too, but sometimes they are delayed. Happy treasure hunting, hope you find something great!