In the basement

When I first started going to estate sales regularly, and with a purpose other than looking for some cool thing for myself, I tended to avoid garages and basements. They're generally full of dirty tools and lawn implements (the garages) and junk that was banished from the main living area (the basements). I've learned though now that it pays to look through everything.


The stool above was off in a corner of a basement workshop at a rather lackluster sale I hit on Saturday. Covered in cobwebs I kind of looked past it at first, then started noticing it had a nice slender line. Closer inspection revealed some really old turquoise paint with heavy wear. I took it back to the workshop, cleaned it up, gave it a coat of clear polyurethane, and it was ready to go. I think it would be great in an empty corner with a huge urn or figural sculpture. As my booth inventory is sorely lacking in huge urns and statuary, a planter and a pair of old Fitz & Floyd monkey candlesticks are filling in.

At a sale last weekend I picked up the little round stand pictured above. It was dark stained pine and while not in the basement, still covered with dust. After cleaning and deglossing and three coats of ivory paint all it needed was a rubdown with some antiquing glaze and a coat of poly and voila, sweet little table that could fit in anywhere. The old plate tray (in rough shape, it would be ideal for filling with candles, and priced accordingly!) and Homer Laughlin ironstone pitcher are auction finds that have been hanging out on the shelf at the workshop waiting for the right place and time.