Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Have I lost my mind? (This post now has an unfortunate postscript)

This isn't a mini, it's a "standard human size" old, battered cabinet with a bin. Clearly it's seen better days but I love it. It was rescued from the workshop of an old house that my cousin has just bought. She was with me when I bought the old sideboard (below) that is now in the New Zealand cottage bathroom after some repair and painting so she knew that it would appeal to me.

I won't be painting the old green cabinet though, it's great just as it is, well I think so anyway although there are others, perhaps saner than I, who do not agree. 

The green cabinet isn't the only thing she rescued from the old house - she just managed to get this old chest of drawers out of the clutches of her husband who was going to chop it up for firewood!

There will definitely be some 'upcycling' work to do here - for a start only two of the handles are intact, but it's generally in good condition (look at the beautifully shaped kickboard!) and it looks to be just the right size for the cottage upstairs bedroom, perhaps replacing the bookshelf in the corner...

Thank you Dot for coming to the rescue and saving these beauties for your perhaps slightly insane cousin :)  I won't get to see them 'in the flesh' until our summer visit which is some months away - I hope she can keep Trevor and his axe away from them until then!!

Postscript

I just heard that the old bin is no more :( 

It disintegrated when it was moved so my love affair with it has been somewhat shortlived.  It wasn't in the dry workshop with the chest of drawers but in a laundry and had been damaged by the damp, unfortunately that didn't become apparent until they went to move it.  Oh well, it is the demise of many of these old pieces that makes the ones that survive all the more valuable - there must be another one out there somewhere...

16 comments:

Caseymini said...

Norma, you are so lucky to have a cousin that knows what you like. I love both pieces. And I am with you. The first piece is perfect the way that it is. I can't wait to see what you do with the second one.

beachcomber said...

great finds..definitely lots of potential there!
cheryl x

lamina @ do a bit said...

I LOVE the green cabinet... just as it is! Such great rustic paint finish :) The chest of drawers have got great potntial too!

Anonymous said...

Well you certainly aren't alone and I think it's the best kind of insanity to have. Those pieces are lovely.

x

Maru said...

Creo que es una locura maravillosa. Todos deberíamos tener algo de locos para que algunas cosas no se pierdan. En mi casa también hay algunos muebles rescatados y quizás sean los que más me gustan.
Un beso de una nueva seguidora.

Catherine / Mooghiscath said...

tu as tout à fait raison de laisser ce vieux meuble vert ainsi , il est très bien .

Caseymini said...

Norma, so sorry to hear of the passing of your cabinet.Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. It might be that there is another one out there just waiting for you to find it...One that is even better.

Sans! said...

:(

I am as disappointed as you Norma, that piece is really great. I agreed with you that you should not repaint it but well, all that is academic now.

The 2nd piece is also interesting. I too wouldn't repaint it . But you may have a better way of reworking it. tell us what you do with it eventually ok?

Cinderella Moments said...

That's so sad! I wouldn't have painted it either. You still have the other piece. Maybe?? LOL!
hugs,
Caroline

Glenda said...

And you didn't even get to lay hands on it :(
Chics that pass in the night, hehe!

Unknown said...

Norma, Thank you for the wonderful gift that now is in Norway. I really appreciate the gift!!!

Sorry to hear that the cabinet couldn`t be saved. But I`m sure the chest will look great.
Mona

Love 'n Light said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Love 'n Light said...

Hi Norma

I'll try again lol...third time lucky...I've forgotten how do this.

It's been a while, I hope you're keeping well!
Tonight out of the blue I remembered I had a blog and immediatly thought of you!

I agree with you, this piece was beautiful, it had lots of character!

Loving wishes
Nat :)

Piikko said...

Norma, you have found something very beautiful. I think that many of us would love to have pieces like those. Would that mean that we all a bit insane?:DDD Hugs, piikko

Caraloo said...

Too bad the second piece didn't survive!! I love old treasures, as well. So much character!!!

Lucille said...

How disappointing, Norma! It certainly was a special piece!