Happy Monday!!! When I had an important birthday a few decades ago, my mother (you saw her tasting wine here, her great garden here and her quilts here) bought an antique armoire for me. When we down-sized, I sent it back to the antique shop to resell because I didn’t think we had room for it. It had some problems so on the way to the consignment shop, the owner dropped it off at a furniture maker to fix it. And that’s where it stayed till two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, I decided that if I shifted some furniture around, I would have the perfect spot for it in the great room. I felt kind of guilty that I had not brought it with us to this place.
I knew that I could move this highboy to Mr. Right’s office and open up this space for the armoire.
A few months ago I tracked down the armoire and found out the furniture maker had not yet done anything to it. It was built in the 1880’s, and when it is moved, it must be taken apart. The back section was in horrible condition, and I asked him if he could rebuild it and add some shelves to make it stronger and provide some more storage. When he delivered it, he brought it into the house in sections.
It took him about an hour to put it all together.
At my request, he made the new back out of beadboard which he primed. As you can see, the new shelves also need to be primed before I paint just the new shelves and the beadboard white. The old parts of the armoire will not be painted. I will store the formal china that gets little use on the left side, and at Jordan’s suggestion, the table leaves and pads will work well on the right.
Originally, there was another piece on the top that gave it a Victorian vibe. I didn’t want it put back on. I prefer the straight lines.
I think this is the only walnut (it’s a lot darker than it looks in this photo) piece in our house, and I love the burled walnut inserts in the doors. Do they even do this anymore???
George, the furniture maker, told me he ordered 300 old keys from ebay, and he had one to fit it. How about that!! And it has so much character!!! I think a little tassle hanging from it would add a pop of needed color and softness.
Since there is so much dark wood on this side of the room, I am going to be on the look-out for two chairs that I can paint and put next to the dining room table turned library table. I love the Ralph Lauren wood look, but it just needs to be lightened up a little. So, what about you? Have you added any new furniture, any new/old furniture, or shifted around any furniture lately? We would love to hear about it.
Take care.
Linking to Between Naps on the Porch.
What an impressive piece and the tassel is a great idea. Maybe a table runner would add more color and help break up all oft the dark wood? Your mother is so talented. It’s easy to see where you two get your sense of style & creativity!
I am so happy to see that this gorgeous piece found its way back to your home…by him not doing the repairs so quickly, it was then meant to be, as it belongs in your home!…I love the Ralph Lauren look, but then again I also want bright interiors too…so I am slowly painting some inexpensive pieces of furniture…It has been “suggested” that I not take a brush to the Ethan Allen pieces that we saved our money for through the years….Love your idea about the chairs!…The furniture maker did a spectacular job!
Thanks you Shirley. I know about painting the good stuff. We have what I call some investment furniture that might not be my tastes anymore, but they will never get painted.
What a gorgeous piece of furniture. And now so functional for your needs. This looks like a magazine photo, fantastic!
What a wonderful piece! I love the burled walnut….you rarely see that now. We are putting built in cabinet/shelving in our dining room this month but I was very tempted to use a piece similar to this that I saw in a consignment shop…do you remember “Of things past” from when you lived in Toronto? But, it came down to storage….I needed a wall full 😉
Lovely photos….I so enjoy your blog.
Oh, my goodness! This piece is gorgeous. I’m so glad you brought it back home and glad your hubby could put it back together – the beadboard on the back looks great. Your room is so lvoely.
be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Thanks for the compliments!!!
That is a wonderful piece….I’m so glad it you have a space for it. It really compliments the height you have in that room too…
Beautiful!
Thank you Christine. Thank goodness for tall ceilings!
Beautiful piece, love this room! So great seeing you both at Haven!
Blessings,
Cindy
I have a piece that is almost identical to this! Ours has a piece that goes on top as well, but I prefer it without like yours is shown. It looks lovely in your home!
That is gorgeous! So glad you were able to make it work.
Wow it is really a beautiful piece!
Hi, I came by from another blog to see a more recent post of yours and this one caught my eye. I’m so glad you kept the armoire, it is a stunning piece. Yes, the burled wood is very attractive and you don’t see it very often. Your entire room looks lovely. I will have to stop by for more tips as I, too, have some furniture that’s been in the family awhile and I’m wondering what would be best in the way of updating….