Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Chair That Almost Got Away

Don't forget about the great giveaway. It ends Friday. Go HERE to enter.

My inspiration chair is found at French Dressing for $1095.  B. would never pay that much for a chair. Not even half. 

Fast forward to a GW jaunt. Behold, there's a sweet little barrel chair.  I circled the store, stalking it at least 3 times.  The price tag shouted, "I'm only $15!"  I don't need a chair right now.  Borrowed House has furniture stacked in the garage. yada yada 

Brain overrules heart.  

That evening, I told Doc about it and he asked, "Why didn't you buy it?". He always wants me to have what I want.  (One of the reasons I love him so.)   At that moment, I became a lovesick girl all over a chair.  Do you ever get that "knot in your stomach, just passed up a steal"  kind of feeling?  

Call me silly but the next morning, I prayed like this. "Lord, I don't need that chair.  You don't owe it to me but it'd be alright if the chair is still there. If not, I'm still grateful and will not be upset."  Disappointment preparation.  There was no way a $15 antique chair, in decent shape, was still going to be sitting in GW 24 hours later. 

I could not get there fast enough brushing past all the shopping carts and people, all the way to the furniture section in back.  At first, I didn't see it.  But there on the last row, sat this little lovely, just waiting on me.
I jumped and screamed browsed a little more before casually making my way to the register.
"I want a chair in the back."
"The only way I can hold that chair is if you pay for it."
"Okay. I'm ready."
"I have to go see how much it is."
Seemingly out of nowhere there were a huddle of people standing around the chair.
"I'm sorry.  It's already sold."
awww..music to my ears.  Those words can make or break your day.

When the reciept was put in my hand, I felt God smile and wink at me. He's cool like that.
After scrubbing the fabric, I was pleased. It's really in good shape.  



I know all you white spray paint people are having fits for me to cottage-fy it, but I'm really liking the soft blue and french vibe. No place for it now, but it'll go in my future larger master bedroom.  Going for a french antique/beach style.
To change or not to change? 

Posting to 
Three or More Tues @The Gypsy's Corner
Twice Owned Tues @House of Grace  
2nd Time Around @A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words 
Thrifty Thursday @Tales from Bloggaritaville 
Vintage Thingy Thurs @Colorado Lady 
Furniture Feature Friday @Miss Mustard Seed  

31 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

I think the chair is beautiful as is. And I love the story about how you came to own it. It will be a great one to tell years from now!! Congratulations!

XO,
Janie

Karen said...

I love the chair too. Bet, it just wraps around you when you sit down. I don't know I might like the idea of the paint on this one. I'm your newest follower, so I've not checked out too much of your othe furnishings. Going off your inspiration chair though.

malia said...

What a great find! I don't think you can go wrong either way (-:

Julie Harward said...

I like it a lot..I can' see into this room so I don't know how it fits but I am sure you know. It looks like it is in great condition..what a find! :D

RicKaren said...

I think it all depends on where the chair is going. I love the cottage look, but I'm not following it to the death--someday it will be sooo out and all these people will be hard at work to scrap off all the white paint and reveal the beautiful original stain underneath. ;)

Patti's Artful Design said...

That chair has such great style...I think it would look great white or left alone. Now...I need to check out your giveaway! Stop by my blog....I am having a great giveaway too!

Ellen aka Ellie said...

Agreed, it all depends on the where. But it looks, wood wise in good shape, so part of me thinks, if it's not marred, don't fix it!

Donnie said...

I love the cottage look but it wouldn't work for me because I love the look of wood. That is a lovely chair and looks like it would fit in any room and not be in the way.

Nita Stacy said...

Very pretty. I'd paint that baby white and recover like your inspiration photo. It looks comfortable too. Great find.

Kim said...

Aw such a great story. I've been there many times myself. It sounds like the two of you were meant to be!
xoxo,
Kim

Patti's Artful Design said...

Hi Tammy..could not find your email icon. Thank you for becoming my 100th follower! Please email me....I have something for you! Also...you are entered in my "NOEL" seashell letter giveaway for four chances!

Donna said...

I think it's a great find and it's a good thing you saw it before ME!!

Bethany said...

When you told this story, you could have been writing it about me, I did the same thing recently! I did the black coffee table make-over, and in the corner of the picture is a chair with that wicker/caning stuff. I saw it one day in a thrift store and stared at it for a while, left, then spent 12 hours in an anxiety filled state - shoulda got the chair, shoulda got the chair..luckily it was still there! It's painted now, but I still need to reupholster..

From the Kitchen said...

I keep promising myself to go inside Goodwill. I'm the one who keeps dropping off "stuff" that I no longer treasure but know someone else will. When I keep seeing finds like yours, I realize that I could benefit as well. Keep encouraging me please!!

Best,
Bonnie

Cindy said...

Hello my friend,
I'm so glad God was on your side that day at GW!:) It is a really lovely little chair, and I say, go with your heart and you will not be sorry, paint or not, recover or not, follow your heart.
Love and hugs, Cindy

Jeanne said...

You did good. A chair for 15. like this one, is really a great buy. A great decision on this one.
Hugs, Jeanne

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Personally, I LOVE it as is!!

Debbie @ A Debbie-Dabble Christmas

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

what a lovely find!
God is sooo kind & generous ~
Provision...

Mary Bergfeld said...

The chair is really beautiful since you were able to clean it up. I hope you'll leave it as is. I love to visit with you. There is always eye candy and good company here. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

Brittany said...

What a great find! It's beautiful!!

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

Just became a follower. Love the chair. I don't know where your Goodwill is but I went to three today and I never saw a piece of furniture this cheap! IN FACT A PLASTIC PLATE WAS LIKE TWO BUCKS-GET REAL! Anyway I know you will make this lovely.

Anonymous said...

I vote keep it as is, well, as after cleaned. However since it is your special treasure, the decision is up to you.

Pam Kessler said...

That chair is much too pretty to have been only $15.00. I would live with for a while and then decide which way to go with it - paint or not. I'll go over to the other blog and look around a little when I get a second.

Paulette said...

It looks really comfortable, the kind of chair you could just tuck right into with a good book. Painting it? Flip a coin. I think it's nice either way.

Unknown said...

A very cool chair! I like that you are not going after with the white spray paint, lol. It seems so warm and comfortable in it's present state! Great buy!!

Blessings!
Gail

Coloradolady said...

I love the chair!!! It is so pretty. Happy VTT!

Lyneen said...

LOVELY chair... what a steal. Wonderful story to go with it! I am sure it will be cherished for years to come!

very merry vintage style said...

Nice find! Enjoy it how it is for now and see what you think in a month or so before deciding whether to paint it. It's a beautiful shade of blue... love those curvy legs!

Southwest Cottage Designs said...

How exciting that you got the chair! I love it. It's beautiful.

Sweet European Dreams said...

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....this is a sweeeet find! I typically paint everything, but I like the combo of the dark wood with the shabby blue. It's fab just the way it is! -diane

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

What a fabulous find!! So happy it was still there for you.