The Broyhill Brasilia China Cabinet is really mine!!!!!!

I finally have it in my kitchen. The Broyhill Brasilia china cabinet. I found one in my price range and I am 100% happy with the price I paid. Something told me to check good ole craigslist early one morning when I got to work when I usually wait to get to my console and get set up before I do any surfing. I saw that it had been posted at midnight so I almost started shaking thinking that I could be the first to respond. I sent an e-mail immediately and then followed up with a text. I was really nervous because I #1 hadn't talked to Russel about it and #2 I wouldn't be able to pick it up until later in the week and we all know what happened last time I had someone hold a piece for me. I sent an email to Russel with links and all of the "Pretty Pleases and Cherries on Top"

I received a text message back and we discussed a time frame and a promise to hold. I ensured him that I was 100% committed and I would be there. I checked with him throughout the week and what a nice guy. He held it for me, helped us load it and after talking about mid century modern for a while he agreed to be on the look out for more Brasilia furniture for me. I love it!!! Meeting people with the same goal. I was so excited bringing it home. 

When we got home we were fixing to unload it and carry it in the house, our neighbors across the street walked over and actually volunteered to carry it in the house for us. Wow. We rarely talk to people in the neighborhood because we are kinda hermit-like. These guys were really nice and helpful. It would have been very heavy for me to carry it in. They really liked Russel's arcade and were very impressed with his carpentry skills. 

The next day I took off from work and I convinced Russel to go vintage shopping with me. We visited a shop and were talking to the owner about my recent purchase. He knew the gentleman because he offered to sell it to the shop for resale but he only offered him an obscene $300.00 for it.  I thanked him for not offering him more because the price would have more than tripled if he sold it in the shop. While we were there we met a couple and started talking about Brasilia. He recognized my craigslist post attempting to locate more Brasilia furniture to refinish and also from the woodworking website. I was excited because I wasn't sure anyone had even seen it. Russel was laughing at my new found fame in my rather small circle of Mid Century Modern fans in a Retro shop. LOLOL. 

Schumi posing with the Pyrex

 Here is our new kitty Schumi hanging out in front of it. He is a ham. I love the way my Pyrex looks in it. So, what a great way to spend my tax return. I can't wait to find more pieces. I just need more money.

The Search Continues....

I am so disappointed that the deal with the Broyhill Brasilia 9 drawer dresser didn't work out. I received a text message from the person at midnight the night before we were going to drive to Houston to pick it up. We had the truck washed and fueled. We had cash ready to go. I was greatly anticipating this trip. His text message said that he had to go out of town for a family emergency for a few days. Gut feeling said it was hokey but I wanted to be nice and give him the benefit of the doubt. So, I waited a few days then sent another text asking if they were available for a Sunday pick up. I received no response. I noticed the ad pop up again briefly and then it got deleted again. I sent another text just a few days ago and I asked if the dresser was still available and explained my intention was not to be a pest, I just didn't want to get my hopes up if it had been sold. I figured this would give them the best opportunity to come clean and say they sold it for more money. I received a response and it just asked which dresser. I said the Broyhill Brasilia and the price we discussed. I received no response. 

I was hoping against my gut feeling that this person was nice and just honestly had a family emergency. Come on people, just be honest. I am sorry, I sold the dresser for more money than you offered. Ok fine. I am good with that. I am not good with being lied to or avoided. Its rude. 

So, people who sell items on Craigslist, ebay, etsy. I understand you want to get the best bang for your buck. I know someone may offer you more down the road. I understand all of that. Just use some common courtesy. Remember back in the old days when a handshake was your word and people never went back on their word? How about a gentleman's agreement? Why are these things not applicable today? Why do we need to be reminded to be good people?

So, my purpose for today's blog entry was to say that I am still searching for a project. I want it to be another Broyhill Brasilia piece. I really don't want to work on anything else. If you see something that needs a little loving I would love to hear about it. The only way I am going to perfect my skills is to keep working on it. 

If you see something on Craigslist for a reasonable amount and its in the vicinity of Austin or Houston I could probably convince Russel to take a trip with me. 

Here are some of the pieces I would love to find....

Mid Century Fabric Turned into Wall Hanging

I am so excited that the finishing touches on the bedroom are getting done. Russel and I went to Michaels and purchased the stretcher bars for the fabric I purchased on Etsy from Dutch Details.

We purchased two 48 inch bars and two 40 inch bars. Unfortunately, Russel had to adjust them so that we would have enough fabric to wrap all the way around. 

 We used staples and wood glue to put the frame back together. It was difficult to wait a full 24 hours for everything to set and cure. 

After that we stretched the fabric and used a stable gun to secure the fabric to the back of the stretcher bars. 

I think it turned out absolutely wonderful. It brings another retro feel to the room and its funky enough to get your attention when you walk into the room. 

Bella Poses hidden in the duvet

I still have one more corner to work on and I am not quite sure what's next even though I have some things in mind. 

Update on the second Broyhill dresser I found on Craigslist. I received a text message from the poster saying that they had a family emergency and had to go out of town. When I woke up at about 3am I was pretty upset about it because we had our trip planned. I sent a text message later the next morning asking them to let me know when they would return so we can make arrangements. I did not receive a message back. A few days later I sent another text and asked if they were available for a Sunday pickup and still received no response. I am pretty sad about it but I guess it wasn't meant to be. Hopefully another piece will come around which was meant to be mine. 

Until then, on with the decorating!!!!! 

Broyhill Brasilia Mirror Attachment

I know it's been a while since I have posted anything about my beloved dresser. I finally got around to putting the mirror back on it. 

Unfortunately over the years I lost the rails that attach the mirror to the dresser. The mirror weighs at least 50 lbs. so I knew it would need something substantial to hold it in place.

So, we went to Lowes and looked around for something which could substitute for the original rails. We found a couple of Rubbermaid Fasttrack rail systems designed for the garage to hang heavy stuff up. It came with a black plastic cover but once removed it would be perfect.  We also got a couple of bags of #10 screws

 

 

photo courtesy of rubbermaid.com

 So, I pulled the dresser out from the wall to see what I had to work with as far as existing holes. I found this:

So, I tried some pliers first and just got frustrated. I didn't want to mar the backing anymore than it was. Google how to get a broken screw out: Use Visegrips!!!!!!!! Keep in mind, Russel was unaware I was piddling around with it and I am sure he would have just got it out in a jiffy. 

Proud moment

 












After I was feeling all confident and ready I put the mirror on the bed and lined up the rails. I couldn't tell if they would line up with the existing holes or not. Around that time Russel comes in and is kinda forced to help me. YAY! 

 We attached the rails to the back of the mirror and then put it on the dresser to see where the holes would line up. 
Unfortunately Russel had to drill some additional holes. He also drilled an additional hole at the top of the mirror. We had to be careful not to attach just to the backing of the dresser as this would not hold the weight of the mirror. 

 When we were all done. It looked amazing. I was very surprised that the mirror stain matched perfectly. 

I will admit that once we got it cleaned up and in place I got a little misty and could almost hear the dresser say, "Thank you for putting me back together."

Upcoming Broyhill Brasilia Project

I just made an offer on a Broyhill Brasilia 6 drawer dresser and made a deal to pick it up Sunday. I am so completely excited I can hardly contain myself. I can't wait to start working on it and post pictures. I am not sure what I am going to do with it when I am done.

Here is the rough rough picture from the ad. I just hope everything works out and the deal goes smoothly. 

Retro New

We received a beautful retro inspired duvet for one of our wedding gifts. I finally got to pull it out and display it with my beautiful furniture. I can't wait to get something up on the walls. I have started missing my furniture when I am away at work. :-)

 

Broyhill Mardella: A beautiful homage to Broyhill Brasilia

It is finally here. It is the perfect Christmas gift. 

I saved the best pic for last. This is the old and the new next to each other. While the Brasilia has a special place in my heart the Mardella represents my new life with my husband. It's a beautiful homage to the past. 

I have to say thank you again to retrorenovation.com for sharing the information about the Mardella line. Thank you also to Russel. He is brave enough to endure my decorating quirks and oddities.
 

Broyhill 51 years later....

True story. Back in 1962 my dad just graduated from high school and was working at Gage Furniture. 

He bought my mom a beautiful bedroom set of furniture. It was from the Broyhill Brasilia collection. 

Thank you Retro Renovation for the photo.

I wasn't born until quite a few years later but every memory I had growing up at home had this furniture in it.  

Today, over 50 years later my husband bought me a bedroom suite of furniture. 

Yes that is vintage Pyrex design on my wedding cake!!!

It just so happens that the makers of that original set made a new line of furniture to update but still be reminiscent of the Brasilia line. It's called the Mardella line. I read about it on Retro Renovation's website. Thank you for such an awesome website! 

 

I am moved by this beautiful significance. Thank you Russel I love you. I can't wait to get the furniture in my house.