Vintage Settee~

 

I have a very rambunctious 4.5 year old.... Most of the items in my home aren't precious to me, which means if something breaks, I don't have a major melt down, usually I can move on. I do however, have my quarks, like dirty hands being run down the walls in the hallway, or climbing on the ledges in my house....or jumping on my couch, which happens to be one of my punks favorite past times.

I found this Vintage settee on Craigslist, and I fell madly in love with it. After a few text messages back and forth with the owner, I had cut a deal, and the settee was to be mine. I tried to get the best price for her, as I knew it would have to be recovered...and when I went to get her, there were a few minor cracks in the frame, and she was more beat up then I had thought...

I managed to get an even better deal for her....and as I loaded her in the back of the pool man's truck, he actually admitted to me that she was a purdy piece of furniture. This could have been a first for the pool man commenting on my vintage furniture...and probably a last!

The sette sat all through Christmas behind my dining table as a bench...it didn't get used and I actually, **gasp** forgot about her...until the other day, when I pulled her out to gaze at her beauty... the moment I took my camera out to take a few photos of her... out of no where comes my 4 year old...playing games with me while I tried to shoot photos...belly laughing cause he was being such a pistol...he is if nothing else, his own biggest fan and loves attention like a new puppy dog! Of course I indulged him for a bit...

A few minutes later, and some sorted smiles from me as my punk climbed over my furniture to get in some photos....I stood back and looked at her...trying to decide what fabric I should purchase to recover her and make her purdy again...and all of a sudden my punk jumps up on a piece of furniture that sits right where she would officially be going...he did some silly dance stomping all over my fluffy white pillows, and checked out the window to see if any of his neighbor friends were outside to play with...and it dawned on me...

In all her tattered, beat up glory, she is beautiful...she is perfect for my 4 year old rambunctious punk to climb on..and even though she isn't perfect, I think I am going to keep her in her raw state for a while...after all, she seems to feel comfortable just the way she is, and that....that is something I long for....

She went in her new spot today, and I look at her often as she is a good reminder that even though I am not perfect....I need to learn to be comfortable with who I am...comfortable in my own skin....tattered, raw and quarky.

She will make a good perch for my punk as he watches the rain fall out the front window and she adds so much personality to our front room! I think she is my favorite piece so far in our nest...but like always this momma has something else up her sleeve! {she snickers}

Cheers to learning to love what lies before you in the mirror...tattered and raw...not perfect but YOU! And Cheers, to rambunctious 4 year olds...who like to steal the show!

Before I go, have to say "Happy Birthday" to my momma, my best friend! Love you!

Muwahh...

 

Comments

[rachel @ gilly grey]

Love it! And I have to laugh about your mention of the pool man. Sounds just like my husband when he begrudgingly helps with me with my vintage furniture.

[Michelle]

Okay I love her!! LOVE! you are right, she is so perfect as is :) and you are too ;)
xo

[Amy]

So I'm reading through your post and thinking.....just leave it as is! So happy to get to the end and see that you did, indeed leave it in all of its glory. Absolutely fantastic -- I am wanting just one side chair that looks like this to put in my bedroom. You remind me why I am looking for it! Gorgeous!

Amy

[Kacey]

I want one!!! I was thinking the whole time how awesome it is in its current state, so I think you made a great decision to keep it as-is. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season! Happy birthday to your mom!

[A Facebook User]

Loved your story.

[shannon]

I love her!!!! She is so perfectly worn and tattered, definitely perfect the way she is. What a great find Tara :)

[Denise]

yep, love her just as she is! The pillows are perfect!
In answer to your question earlier (sorry, I couldn't find a place to email you this info)
I have found that listing my bigger pieces from my booth on Craigslist has helped them to go quickly! The shop I'm in advertises on TV and bill boards, and it's well known, but the ad still brings people in who've never been there! The shop still gets the commission, but it saves me from carving time out of my schedule to meet up with someone. (or price haggling) That's the one tip I'd give for your stuff :) Just make sure you have back up stock- a lesson I'm learning quickly!
here's my email if you have any other questions: pinkpostcard@comcast.net

[Mary]

Yay!! Blogger (or Typepad, whoever!) is actually allowing me to leave a comment on your blog!! It ALWAYS kicks me out! Anyway, I LOVE the settee...and by the way, does she have a name? I think she needs one.

I tried to comment the other day about your new business endeavor! So happy and proud for you! You NEEDED a space like this...you have so much creativity to offer, I only wish I lived closer to get some goodies for myself! Be sure to keep photos updated for us, ok??

Hope you had wonderful Holidays, I haven't 'talked' to you in a while!

Mary

[Isabel ~ Maison Douce]

Tara, I am speechless! What a beautiful piece of furniture, you got lucky, girl! I agree, leave her just like that, it looks gorgeous... She is flawed and beautiful, just like all of us!!
Isabel