Remember the antique Thebes stool I found a few weeks ago at a local antique store? Well, in that same booth, I found another incredible find at an excellent price – an antique Victorian burnt bamboo shelf. I think it was $85 with an additional 20%. As I picked up the rickety old shelf and handed it to Jeff, he gave me a quizzical look. Trust me. It’s special.
I have seen these antique burnt bamboo shelves go for a lot of money. This one, while just a little shifty from being such a waif-like shelf, was in excellent condition. I normally have a piece in mind where I can use a piece, especially a piece of furniture before I purchase it, but this is the kind of piece you can use in a dozen different places. I imagined it in the kitchen stack with linens and some copper pots or perhaps in the bathroom with jars of Q-tips, folded towels, and rolls of TP. So many good options, but the bamboo shelf ended up in my studio.
As I was playing, I pulled it in as a place to stack some of my antique art boxes, books, and supplies…
I feel like I need to play with the styling a little bit more, but I had such a fun time arranging some of my favorite goodies on the bamboo shelf and I find they suited one another. As I was adding more boxes and small antique painting books, the shelf started to lean ever so slightly. It’s hard to explain…it’s sturdy and stable, but just a little tipsy. So, I added a large nail on either side of the bamboo shelf and anchored the shelf to those nails with ribbons. Believe it or not, that little rigging did the trick.
These for several hundred dollars and into the thousands for exceptional designs. The wood and bamboo are burned to make them emulate tortoise shell. So interesting and creative, but also a funny little turn-of-the-century design trend.
The little cylinder case is a wax Edison record. I found it at an antique store for $7.00 and thought it was just cool to leave on the shelf. I mean, it’s one of the earliest ways of recording sound and here it still is. Just cool.
Above the antique bamboo shelf, I hung some shallow shelves to hold my pigment bottles.
As I sighed over the bamboo shelf, Jeff said he didn’t get it. It’s okay, though. He doesn’t have to.
I get it enough for both of us,
35 Responses
Love the bamboo shelf . It looks right at home where you have it .
It’s a wonderful addition to your studio. I think you have found the perfect place for it with all your fabulous collections.
It is a beautiful shelf & a great find! Your antique art boxes look so lovely on display together! Have fun in that beautiful studio?
Perfect!
I found your website, blog, and Facebook page several years ago. Really enjoy reading your posts and admire your ability and ambition to get all your projects done.
Sometimes I like to be able to zoom into a picture and view a detail better, but am not able to do that with pics you share. Curious to know if that’s a copyright restriction? Maybe you’ve said why and I’ve missed the explanation.
Enjoy your new house and looking forward to the updates!
I have the same shelf, mine was 16 dollars and I use it in my bathroom. I see them for over 200$ and always have to tell my husband what a bargain I found. Glad you found one at a great price, men just don’t get it!
I’ve been wondering about that as well. Even with my glasses on I couldn’t see focus well on those ribbons, and I often find myself wishing I could see an item enlarged for the detail. Ah well, I still enjoy the images just not as much as I could!
This post from the start has uplifted me in how to do my studio. I’ve always gone the cheap plastic way which never satisfied my visual and I just love the pieces you have put in!!! This shelf is glorious and what a deal!!! Bravo!!! I have told many of my antique friends of your posts on VA antique stores and the shows. Thank you for all of this, it is life changing for me!!!
I recently upgraded my iPad and found that most of the issues were because it was older. I can zoom in and out of photos without any problems. You might want to look at the site on a different device . ?
I do love the bamboo shelf and it looks great in your studio! But like you said it can also go in many places:)
I collect Victorian bamboo furniture and have a shelf very similar to yours. It has travelled with me through many moves, initially from a Virginia colonial to a MD beach cottage. Later I used it in a quite modern home and it looked surprisingly good. It now functions as additional storage in my CA Spanish style master bathroom. I have always found a place for it and loved its adaptability and usefulness. Given that bamboo furniture was originally intended to be temporary (the Ikea of its day), it amazes me how sturdy and timeless it continues to be!
Oh Marian, thank you so much for that phrase “I get it enough for the both of us” – I will be using that line with my husband in the future LOL. The bamboo shelf looks great and I think the styling is perfect.
❤️
Love, love, love it! Always keeping my eyes on the lookout for one…and you’re right, they’re usually pretty expensive. Your styling, on point, as always!
Oh, Jeff, you are like Kirk in so many ways! Marian, I love the bamboo shelf!!
To Deb C: I have no problem zooming in. Maybe you’ll be able to figure out why you can’t soon.
I love your find of the bamboo shelf! A great deal and so useful. Years ago I sold two vintage bamboo plant stands. The wax Edison record is also such an interesting find! Men don’t seem to understand our penchant for searching and finding treasures. I guess we just have to accept that.
I love elements of antique bamboo in any room. I have a plant stand that I love that I found on FB marketplace for a really fair price. Your shelf is terrific, and like you, I totally ‘get it,’ as well. Your studio shelves are also styled very nicely so they are interesting to look at.
I have a bamboo shelf in my bathroom with a tray and makeup brushes in a silver cup, soap in a silver lidded glass jar, an etched jar with lavender blooms in it, etc. I got it after seeing one with Majolica and small paintings on it in a kitchen and fell in love with it many years ago. The other three shelves hold white textured towels we use. Great buy! Love what you did with that for your own needs. Great styling!
Beautiful bamboo shelf. What a great find. Enjoy!
Love the bamboo shelf. Always wanted one and there hard to find. Great price too!♥️
Another great find! I love it in your studio.
I love the bamboo shelf. I bought a bamboo planter this summer. Bamboo is definitely a favorite. I hope yours is okay by the vent.
Well now, another “corner” that relates and has come together beautifully! Yay!
Also, am glad your poor foot is doing better + cool, perfectly shaped shoes for the situation!
Terri. 🙂
I have a bamboo washstand with a marble top & a little door for a pot. Love it, but unfortunately I don’t have a place for it, so it is in storage.
With two great finds at the same shop, both for great prices, I don’t imagine you want to share the name of that shop with me. ?
I had a similar bamboo shelf a while back. I was told it was a Victorian music stand to hold sheet music. If you email me below, I’ll send you a picture of it. It was in excellent condition and I painted it. And sold it.
Love it! I’ve been looking for one for several years…such a lucky find!
You had me at the Edison record – $7.00. Gosh, I wonder how much my whole box of Edison records are worth, along with the Edison record player. This was my grandparents and has only been in my family. I am currently the proud owner and will not give it up.
I can remember as a child, we were able to make it work, however, I think the needle is the original and the rubber tubing that connects the record player and the large horn has disinigrated. Otherwise, it is in great shape.
You definitely have a treasure! The records aren’t worth a lot of money, but the machines are worth quite a lot. I bet the entire collection together makes it even more so. 🙂
Spectacular find.
I have my great aunts bamboo shelf. After she passed 20 years ago, someone had put it in the “garbage” pile, I instantly grabbed it and put it in the back of my SUV. It’s made many moves with me and I absolutely treasure it.
It now lives in our small hallway, where I’ve layered it with Nantucket baskets, seashells, and blue and white dishes.
* I also anchored it to the wall, she has a tendency to lean forward.❤️
My first thought after reading all the comments is that if these bamboo shelves are so universally loved, this would be a great item to put into reproduction nowadays! I would imagine it would be even easier to recreate these simple designs and finishes now than it was back then.
I love your bamboo shelf. It looks perfect where you have it. I sooo love bamboo . I would find it hard to pass up , especially at a discounted price.
That is a great find ! So versatile.
Perhaps one day when you are stacking your shelves you could do a tutorial. I might own similar items but could never make my shelves lookk that good. It is an art to style like that.
oooh, that could make a great video, showing as well what you try first and decide against! your end result is always so “Marian” that we tend to think that you get it first time out.