Hello 2015

I realize it has been months and months since I have written. I want to get every caught up. Its a little difficult to refinish furniture in Texas in the middle of summer so I put it off until fall but then I got lazy and we were dealing with sickness in the family.

I ended up picking up some new pieces of Brasilia and I couldn't be happier with them. The first was the round cathedral coffee table. 

This is a mix of different styles but it feels comfy and homey

It's not in terrible condition but eventually I might haul it out to the garage and refinish it. 

The next two pieces I found at our local Savers store. (Like Goodwill but a bit cleaner and better cared for) They were given to Savers after sitting in a warehouse for years. Before that they were floor models at at furniture store. I will admit that the color was not my favorite. I sent my husband pictures and his first response was, "Don't bring that home." Well, it was in such good condition I just fell in love with it. I had to convince him. Meanwhile, I was fighting off a few other women who were interested. It was getting so bad I had to send my nephew to find an employee so I could tell them I wanted to buy it. After that I convinced Russel that we could flip it if he absolutely hated it. It turned out to be a Kroehler couch but I couldn't find a production date.

Schumi trying out the new chair

When I found my round Brasilia coffee table I also found the smaller Brasilia china cabinet and I had to have that too. It would work perfectly for our DVD's and BluRays. So we made a trip to Dallas and picked up both pieces. I was in Brasilia heaven!!!! The smaller china cabinet has some scratches on the top of the bottom piece but I am willing to live with it for now. Its a beautiful piece. It really is. 

Then one day I am searching the innernets and came upon this small Brasilia side table. It has a pretty big ring on the top but I was certain this would be my next piece to refinish. Then things got a little busy in the real would and I put off all of my extracurriculars. :-(

So along the way, I inherited my grand mother's desk. Now when you look at this desk you may think....oh this is nothing special and it doesn't even have matching drawers but it's pretty special because it belonged to her. I never met her but my sister was spoiled by her and she seems like a really cool chick. I hear stories of her racing her '57 Chevy convertible down long stretches of highway between Austin and Colorado City. Sounds like someone else I know. But this is what I am working on now. I started yesterday. My arms are so sore. 

After 2 hours of sanding this is as far as I got. 

So, now that I am being productive again I feel much better. Plus I have some things that are waiting to be refinished down the pipe. 

I sold the couch and chair I bought at Savers for quite a bit of money. I think even Russel was surprised. It took a few days to get a bite but I think the amount was reasonable considering it was a Kroehler and it was in outstanding condition. 

Russel and I took the plunge and ordered some custom furniture. Well, it was mostly me kind of begging Russel to take a chance. We ordered the Hughes sectional and chair through Joybird Furniture online. We are supposed to get it in early to mid February and I can't wait. 

The sectional looks green but its actually blue with green accents. I think its going to be absolutely beautiful in our house. 

I am still on the hunt for the Brasilia lingerie chest. One day the mythical chest will be mine!!! 

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. 

More decorating

I have a very patient husband.

We were in Lowes the other day and I put a pretty funky floor lamp in the basket. When he looked at the display I could see concern on his face. I told him to trust me and if we hated it we could put it in the spare bedroom and force our guests to look at it. When we got it home I promptly began putting it together. When it was all put together I was even more pleased. It looked absolutely great in it's space. It reminded me of a Verner Panton Moon Pendant lamp. Of course nothing could be as fabulous as an original Panton piece it made me happy and that's all that matters!

Verner Panton Moon Pendant

My fabulous lamp from Lowes



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been looking for an original piece of Verner Panton fabric to hang over the bed. It's nearly impossible to find something in my price range. I am cheap when it comes to decorating. My sister used to make fun of me because I never decorated my apartment. Now that I have a fabulous room with completely awesome furniture that I love it's hard not to want that vision in my head to come out to the real world. So, though I am drawn to Panton's Kurve piece, I will have to do without. I found a pretty fabulous piece of fabric from Holland that is going to absolutely rock that furniture to the next level. I can't wait for it to come in.

 

Verner Panton Kurve

 

 

We also hung Russel's ship painting that I felt completely guilty for taking down when we moved the Brasilia dresser in. It looks so great over the door chest. It looks vintage to me because every man I ever knew growing up had a picture of a ship on the wall. I love it.

 

 

 

I also hung the Brasilia panels I found on that old headboard. I think they look great next to the new Mardella night stands.

 

Bella is hiding on the bed.

 

 

The room is coming together. I absolutely love it. One of my fun projects is to paint something inspired by a mid century modern art piece. I am contemplating a Panton inspired piece but let's be realistic. I am only in the kindergarten stage of painting. While we were at Michaels I found this vintage inspired puzzle that looks great on the bookshelf. $3.00 was right in my price range.



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. :-)