I had a conversation with my husband last night that went something like this…
“Oh! I think I forgot to tell you about the new dining set.”
“Oh no…”
“No, this is really cool.”
“Well, I heard the words dining set, so…”
In case you haven’t been reading my blog for a while, we are on dining set #5 in as many years and this story is about dining set #6. Why so many dining sets? Well, set #1 was given to us for free and I knew I wanted to replace it when we could afford to. (I don’t have a picture of set #1.) I held a yard sale and sold some things on e-bay to buy set # 2 off Craig’s List. The table in Carlisle, PA and the matching chairs in Richmond, VA. I only had the set for about a year and someone coming to buy a sofa from me, ending up buying the dining set as well!
I cried, but I got over it when I found set #3 a few days later.
Selling dining room #2 was a big step in preparing me for the life of a furniture refinisher/antiques dealer. I knew that furniture coming and going was just going to be a part of it and I needed to be okay with that. Well, over the past few years I’ve not only become okay with it, but I’ve embraced it fully. Our house is a revolving door for off-cast furniture that gets spruced up and then sent to a new home. It’s like furniture foster care. So, I made the decision as I was preparing for Lucketts a few years ago that I would sell dining set #3.
This brings in dining set #4…
This one holds the record at 2 years in my possession. While I loved all of these sets, they weren’t 100% what I wanted and I knew that. I would slowly stroll past the dining set, lingering, looking, envisioning and I always knew what I wanted – a farm table and oval-back French caned chairs. Kind of like this…
This is my Aunt Susan’s dining set that I snapped some pictures of when we visited a couple of years ago. Since I knew set #4 wasn’t 100% what I wanted, I put it up for sale. Guess who bought it? My Aunt Susan! She bought it for my cousin who’s getting married this fall.
So, I was without a dining set. I had been hunting for oval-back French caned chairs for years and only managed to find a pair with the cane punched out. I was resigned to the fact that I was going to have to shell out more than I usually do and buy them new from Restoration Hardware. At $199/piece, that was really hard for me. I had the money saved, I had the chairs in my shopping cart on their website, I had the okay from the hubby, but I just couldn’t do it. I looked at Craig’s List one last time and found these…
Sturdy, vintage oval back french chairs for $300 for four. I jumped on those so fast! They were perfect!!
I had them professionally stripped and now they are waiting for me to finish them. Now for a table… the table that’s currently in there (#5) is a farm table that didn’t sell at Lucketts in May. It’s not really what I want, but I had a big hole in my dining room and a table that didn’t sell, so I just plopped it in there for now.
So, this brings me to the really cool story about dining room set #6…
My aunt Susan mentioned to my mom that she was selling her dining set and my mom mentioned it to me. She had two dining sets, so I wasn’t really sure which one she was referring to. I immediately asked my mom to text her to see what set she was referring to. You probably guessed it…it was THE set. The farm table and six oval back cane chairs. The one that was my inspiration all along. I was hoping for something like it. I never dreamed I would get the original. I WANT IT! I WANT IT!!! And she sold it to me at the same price I sold her my old dining set, so it ends up being an even trade. Of course, it’s in South Carolina, so we have to figure out a way to get it here, but that’s a small detail when we’re dealing with a farm table and French chairs.
I’m over the moon about it. And my husband actually thought it was pretty cool, too. I’d like to find some cool chairs for either end, but I don’t quite have enough room for full-sized wing chairs like Susan had. I’ll figure something out.
This does bring my oval back French cane chair total to 10, though. Well…12 when you include the two with the punched out seats in my basement. Oh well. A person cannot have too many oval back French cane chairs.
My husband thinks a person can.
Men!
That is very cool that it is the original!! What a dream!! And no one can ever have too many french caned back or not chairs!! I have 18 currently and I can’t bring myself to part with them… this may be a hoarding issue but they are dispersed through the house so I am hiding it well!!
Oh, I just love you and your blog. You sound so much like me. I am also a foster parent to furniture, painted walls, etc. Luckily is sounds like we both have very understanding (and patient) Husbands. 🙂
So happy for your “trade!” Sounds like a fun road trip is in your future 😉
Woo hoo, good things come to those that wait…thanks for sharing your story. How fun that this super special table stays in the family, for now any way. Chuckle, love you!
I love this story! I like how the very thing which inspired you will now be in your home.
I am working on our dining room set literally right now (a chair is sitting on the kids’ play table as I type this) because I was inspired by your dining room sets. How fun to read this will the paint dries and I get a break.
Lovely ending to the story! I’m wondering if you’ll leave it as is, or paint the apron and legs? It looks beautiful natural, but I have brush-putting-down issues myself.
Give us a wave if you come down I-77 to get it – I’m in SC too!
I want the blue chest, the white dishes on top of it and the cow picture!!! I’m in love and now in search of a cow picture!!!
Seems patience pays off after all 🙂 So happy for you! And that farmhouse table really is a stunner!
That is so awesome! So happy for you. My husband has asked me what my “thing” is with dining room tables/sets. He said we have too many. lol I just got rid of one set and replaced it with one I refinished last summer. Still not satisfied with the look….yet. 🙂
Yay! You got the set you wanted!! The chairs in set number three are THE best! Love those.
tina
I know what you mean about changing furniture like you change shoes. As a recent addition to the antique/furniture refurbishing family, I’m finding that I’m looking around the house for things I want to add to my booths – took a truckload over yesterday of those items that dont’ get used too often anymore. Now how do I convince my hubby that that sofa has to go?
Congrats on getting what you REALLY wanted all along! Just wondering if you’re thinking about ‘Mustardizing’ them or leaving the chairs and table ‘as is’ when you get them home?
Your adorable!
Men don’t have the vision! So if they stop fightit,as my husband has 24 years later! All well be happy and beautiful! 🙂
What a great story!! And even more awesome that the dining set has some sentimental value. I bet your aunt is so happy to keep it in the family 🙂
Shawna
Wooohoooo! I love this story! Congrats to ending up with your inspiration piece after all. It was fate. Can’t wait to see photos of it sitting proudly in your dining room! I love cane back chairs, as well….if only Houston’s Craigslist was abundant with furniture with great bones versus IKEA or particle board
All things in time! SO excited that you’re finally getting the “original”! There’s no such thing as “too many” cane back chairs…at least not before they number 36 or so. Congrats!
Nice set.. I liked all of them… I live in SC and can’t find anything like that to buy..
the original set is gorgeous!! so cool how it all came to be! if you come across another beefy legged farm table like that let me know!! we have a very long dining area off to the side of our kitchen and that’s exactly what I want. we’ve discussed trying to get some thick barn wood to make one ourselves.
This is an awesome story!! I love it. Those oval back chairs are so beautiful and I agree that you can’t have too many extra dining room chairs–you’ll use them for big gatherings!
Wow, that is amazing that you are getting exactly what you want and it’s staying in the family, even better. You can’t have too many chairs… put one in every bedroom, or in the bathroom holding towels or in corners… perfect when you have a big crowd!
We must have some of the same genes, my husband says, I have the table of the week, I’m always changing, I gave one away and now that’s the one I think I should have kept But always more out there, Always changing because I thought round would be good, small eating area, now not so sure, one day it will be right. I love this set and wicker chairs at the ends would be nice.
My husband is not a fan of change and would flip if I changed things that often. I have to sort of sneak things in a bit at a time.
Can’t wait to see your new dining room set after you add your genius to it. I’m searching for a bench with casters to be used in the dining room and sometimes at the kitchen table. I know three little ones who will be excited to sit on grandma’s new bench.
They were meant to be yours!! What a fantastic set- and those chairs… *sigh*. I LOVE LOVE LOVE cane back Louis chairs and I agree ~ you cannot have too many! 🙂
Love your story about dining sets…..I would have trouble letting those go. My Queen Anne set is looking so dated.
I live in sc and hope you get to stay when you work out the details of getting the set!
I love that you got your aunts set. I’ve been searching for a farm table too but it has to be small. And you have inspired me to find cane chairs too since I was just focusing on the table. Love your new set. Have fun with it. Off to Craig’s list I go!!
Marian,
I live how you found your way back to your dream. I still would put money on a bet that you will be painting some diningroom furniture.
It sound like your trip to South Carolina may need a tutorial or large funiture delivery to make it worth the trip. Of course getting your dream dining set may be all that’s needed.
Happy for you,
rick
omigoodness! so excited for you. I was excited when you found the oval cane back chairs that you stripped, but to have SIX MORE! wow…very exciting for sure. I’m with the others on this….good things come to those who wait (and to those who give so freely!). I’m also with Leah….my hubby cannot stand change. I always have to ask myself “is this purchase going to throw me into divorce?” If the answer is no….I buy it. If the answer is yes, then he’s not a keeper. And since he’s a keeper, he’s had to put up with alot of change that he hasn’t liked. And since we’re in the pre-planning stages of building our own home, I am certain I’ll have to fight tooth and nail to get the look I want. But really, I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else. However, I think when we move I’ll sneak a paint job on our dining set and feign ignorance. Ha!
Congratulations, Marian – I just love it when dreams come true!!!
I love it! Furniture Foster Care! As a former foster parent (children) I can now embrace furniture foster care! I get to jndulge my love for furniture and then pass it on to another deserving home. A lot less heartbreak…thanks for another great idea MMS.
It’s a Festivus MIRACLE! (or something like that) That is just the best kind of happy thing to happen.
And your husband is DEAD WRONG. You can never have too many of any kind of chair. What if you want to have a dinner party for 12 people? You’d need all of those pretty chairs. So THERE Mr. Nay-sayer! LOL
I could see a pair of narrow, tall-backed, tufted parsons chairs at the ends of that table…I think I saw them on the Thistlewood Farms Joss & Main event this morning…
I love it when something works out like that. Perfect. You gonna do anything to that farm table or leave it as is? You think you’ll keep that one for a good long while or will it get sucked into the revolving door of dining room furniture?
🙂
Furniture Foster Care – that’s hysterical!!
Breida
And how much do you want for your table? lol.. I have been eyeing that table since I saw it didnt’ sell at Lucketts! I had high hopes once I saw it in your dining room that maybe, just maybe, it would stay a while and need a new home! ha! Well, I too love to constantly move furniture in and out, in and out.. its a revolving door, but so much fun!! Nice score on the new set! It’s funny how we woman just KNOW when we have found “the one” in something.. (men just don’t understand it!). Awesome, can’t wait to see it in your dining room and what chairs you put with it! (And let us know if the current one goes up for grabs, I may live in Indianapolis, but I’ll drive over to pick it up! lol) 🙂
Yes, the current one is up for grabs. I’ll be selling it for $450.
hi Marian,
Where in SC is your aunt?
I am in Raleigh NC and will be traveling to Syracuse NY – straight through where you are this coming weekend.
I would love to see if I could help you out and get a chance to meet you in person.
Let me know!
Thanks!
Kerri
This is such a great post… agree with all that this story is awesome, and I’m so grateful you shared it!
I got so giddy to see mention of South Carolina in this post! What part of SC does your aunt live in? I’m in Charleston!
She’s on an island right near Kiawah, so I don’t think she’s too far from Charleston.
You must be my long lost twin lol! I cound have written this except my table and chair sets are different. And I just sold a set of 6 of these round back Louis chairs. I am now wondering if you would have bought them and put them in your chair hoarder pile, kidding!!! ;):):)
you are one lucky girl! must be all that clean living you do….see it DOES pay to be a good girl. And having a great family doesn’t hurt, either!
It’s going to be awesome in your dining room, but tell me….because I’m curious to know…..how soon will you be looking for dining set #7….? LOL
Ha! I know. We should take wagers to see… 🙂 I’ve wanted this set for so long, I think it stands a good chance of being here 5+ years!
This is my favorite stiory in 3 years!!!!!!
Awesome trade! Love French canebacks, too. It seems like Aunt Susan is more like your fairy godmother these days with the fabrics and now the dining set! 😉 I just started my antique booth & I’m still coming to grips with what to keep and what to sell. As we go around the house, my hubby keeps pointing to my favorite things, “How about this? Or that?” and I keep responding that those are for us. Then when I go junking, it’s so hard to fall in love with something and then put it in my booth. But, I want my booth to have lots of really cool things, too, and for my customers to know they can count on me offering really cool things. Sometimes I wish I could sell stuff that isn’t my style so then I wouldn’t go through so much angst. But, then I wouldn’t be passionate about what I’m doing if my booth was filled with items that weren’t “me.” I’m seriously having sooo much fun, yet, it’s such a Catch-22! I am counting on the day when I have made peace with it, too!
Yes, I had that struggle, too. Sometimes it was painful as I cleaned out my house and sold things I really loved, but I found it liberating, too. There are only a few things in my house that I will never sell. Just about everything else is fair game for the right price! I figure I’ll always find new things I’m excited about.
My poor boys will become hoarders because mom is always selling things from their house! 🙂
MMM love it!!! your though process. What a husband you have. I have a hard rock maple round dining table that i’ve had for a long time, i’d had though to get rid of but now it’s going to get MMM treatment, painting this fall. It’s already “destressed” from years of use. so will dark wax it, i know it will look great. thanks for sharing your home with us
You have made an awesome find just exactly what you have always desired. Now, I’m sitting back to see how many years you keep this and how your taste might change in the future. I’m just being silly really, but so glad you have the exact look you have been wanting. Very very handsome.
So amazing that you now get your inspirational dining set. I love how you’re so willing to change things around for something you love more. Have fun with it!
” furniture foster care”
I love this! I think I might also like to use it (with all a link back to you of course). hahaha
Isn’t it great how things happen this way? I’m happy you’ve found #6 so close (family close not miles close).
Cindy
What a cool story! I am glad you are getting the exact dining set you wanted all along.
I just love your stories & decorating antics! I’m still smiling about you husbands response to too many oval chairs. You brightened up my lunchtime reading 🙂
Wow. I’m on our 7th dining table in four and a half years. I really hope the one I have now is our forever table. It’s a chunky farmhouse table with a deliciously warped top. I’m about to bleach the top with wood bleach! Have you ever done that? I’m scared but I don’t like the orange in the pine. I don’t do orange. Wish me luck!
Well, when my husband rolls his eyes at my rotating dining room sets, I’ll just use you as an example of how lucky he is! 🙂 I haven’t used wood bleach, but would love to know how it works. I don’t do orange, either!
What a great story! So happy you’re getting your dream set.
Jeanette
Wow! How lucky you are! If you should happen to decide to part with any of your chairs, let me know!
ROFLOL
The last couple of lines cracked me up!! I’ve got a few too many chairs (according to my 12 year old son, actually) sitting in my great room right now. 🙂
This may be my favorite post yet!! Love it! I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
You are so funny! And I love that you came out even on your swap. Of course you can’t have too many French cane backed chairs – what is he thinking??? LOL
I love your posts. Today’s was so funny! I agree with you…and just wish I had the nerve to switch out as I am forever seeing really cool furniture in thrift stores and envisioning what they can be. So, I will continue to live vicariously through you and your posts! You have a dear husband who goes with the flow! What a JoY! How fun is that!
How wonderful!! God is good. He always knows our hearts desire and sees fit to give it to us when we don’t even ask or even need it. :o)
God is good, but I think He might have bigger concerns than our furniture choices. I’ve read Marian’s blog for a long time and have seen some people respond to her posts in, what I thought was over sensitivity, but I have to say I was genuinely hurt by Marian’s comparison to her furniture as being in foster care. Foster care has touched my life personally. Believe me, the children who have come into my life are by no means cast offs. Sorry if I’m the one who seems over sensitive now, but that one really hurt.
Carol, I am truly sorry if what I said hurt and offended you. Of course I think that the children who go through the foster care system are much more precious and valuable than a piece of furniture and the people who give those children a loving and safe temporary home are doing work that is much more important than refinishing a piece of furniture. My comparison was only that I have the furniture for a period of time, love it and then watch it go to a permanent home. I don’t view any human beings as castoffs, but beautiful people created in the image of God.
I do agree that the furniture in my home is not God’s primary concern, but I think it’s awesome that he cares about the smallest details of our lives and desires of our heart. This blog is about decorating, DIYing and my home, so that’s why I’m sharing it here.
Again, Carol, I am so sad that I hurt you and sincerely apologize.
Marian, I believe your heart belongs to the Lord and of course I accept your apology. Just as refinishing furniture is your passion, taking care of little ones is mine. It’s very unfortunate that fostering has such negative stigma. It is God’s work here on earth. Perhaps your DIYing is in some way also.
Thank you, Carol, for understanding that I didn’t mean to offend and for your forgiveness. I think it takes a very special family to open their home to foster children and I’m sure God has used you in mighty ways in the lives of the kids you have ministered to.
Yes, our God is good and He can use anything for his purposes. I think that’s pretty awesome. 🙂
Very cool tale of the turnabout tables Marian! I love to watch and see how God provides not only for our needs, but for our ‘extra blessings’ as well! I have had to work really hard to be thankful for our table for such a long time! It was given to us and it’s quite solid and it seats 14 when all of the leaves are in, so I’ve felt like we just have to live with it! It’s where we eat all of our meals and do our school work, so it’s getting pretty worn out. It’s oak and I am wondering how hard it would be to refinish the top and stain it a warm color like your pretty tables and paint the double pedestals and chairs to too! Of course I’ll have to convince my husband …
When you go to Alabama you just take a little detour down to SC to pick it up. . . PERFECT!
Love the set! The table is like mine so I’ll be watching to see how you’re going to paint/stain it. 🙂 🙂 🙂
OMG!!! I can’t believe all of this falling into place. I had NO idea that you were all over this set, and then I fell in love with your set and then you were selling your set and then your Mom wanted a different table for her dining room and then I mentioned selling mine and then you guys talked and then and and then!!!! What a HOOT!!! Well, I can’t wait to see my old set “in lights” as it were. Have fun with it and when you tire of it, sell it or pass it along to someone else. With lots of Love, Aunt Susan P.S. I got rid of the cushions on the chairs when we moved, but I think I purchased them pretty reasonably from Ballards mail order, (I think) size small.
how exciting to see a post from “the” Aunt Susan! the whole time I was reading this I was thinking ‘I hope there’s a way she gets the original set’ Yeah for Aunt Susan! 🙂
Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either! I’m so excited about it and I think this one will be a keeper for a long time! No problem about the cushions. You know me…I like to fiddle with things, anyway. It gives me another project. Thank you, thank you!!!
See. Good things do happen to good people. That’s karma for ya! Can’t wait to see how giddy you are when it’s finally in your diningroom. Love that story!
Hello my name is Karen and I have a chair problem…lol! Yeah, mean just don’t get it! Current quick chair count in this house – 31, which doesn’t include seats on the inside or outside lounge suites – just chairs. Doesn’t include the 11 in my workshop that I am refinishing, either. They all have their place, and purpose. Or maybe I DO have a problem!
I love you dining suite story Marian, that is so cool. Hope this one is a keeper!
xx Karen
LOL! Well, I suppose there are worse addictions out there. I always hunt for chairs. I just can’t help myself! 🙂
🙂 See the old saying, ‘Be careful what you wish for’ didn’t scare you !
Home Goods has a ‘habit’ of having small-ish chairs that might work on the ends. Good Luck
Drool drool drool! Love your new dining set. As for my personal chair count, I am at 32-both dining and assorted living room chairs. I literally have no more room–almost!
Ha! I’m afraid to count all of the French chairs in my house. I’m sure it’s borderline obscene.
Oh happy days! Congratulations on obtaining your reality dream set. It is the beautiful keeper for sure and I am looking forward to seeing the photos of the set after you put it all together.
Too funny! Great set and hilarious tale but what I really love is that as much as you love nice things, you don’t get too attached to them. They are just things as you noted earlier when your sofa got a little rained on. 😉
I love how supportive your husband is of your dreams even when he fails to see the value of a few more French cane chairs.
Marin, my second question about your bamboo rug: I ABSOLUTELY ADORE IT, and wonder where you found it? Still available somewhere? Is there some way I could get a picture of the words in case I had to DIY a copy? Or would you drum me out of the blog for that?
….I so enjoy your day to day stories! Tell your Aunt Susan’s daughter that you know who will be in line to buy your old dining room table/chairs( when she is ready to get something else! I would travel from TEXAS if I could afford to buy it!!!!!!!!
Marian…I hope this is okay and if it’s not…feel free to take it down! BUT, Barbara I have this rug and it’s still in the box…I opened the box, unrolled it, didn’t fit in my space, rolled it back up, put it back in the box and put it in my garage. I keep thinking I’ll put it on Craig’s List or Ebay, but haven’t…if you’re interested I’ll sell it to you- CHEAP. BTW ~ I ordered it when Marian had a Miss Mustard Seed pick on a website that I can’t remember the name of! Cathi
That’s awesome, Cathi. Let me know if Barbara doesn’t want it and I’ll let other readers know. I’m asked about that rug ALL THE TIME, so I know someone will take it off your hands. 🙂
That is just fabulous! See? Good things come to he who waits…or she…or whatever! Enjoy. Maybe this set will last longer now that you really found what you wanted all along.
Love this!! And, I do live in SC!! Come on down, and I will show you around! Thanks for a great post.
Hugs!
Ohhhhhh, how I love it when someone really wants something (bad enough to save up for it) & looks, looks some more, looks again, & almost buys one thing… then looks one final time & BOOM: it all works out!! Whew… that just made my day. 🙂
Oh gosh, that ending made me laugh so hard. You’re like a good friend I get to visit every day. What would I do without you in my life. Even though it’s a one-sided affair. lol
Oh, hugs to you, Kathy. I do read all of my comments, even though you don’t hear from me personally. When I write my posts, I’m just chatting with all of my friends. 🙂
I laughed when I started to read your post, and even had to share with my husband. You see, I am on my 8th ‘comfy’ chair. He and my friends constantly tease me…haha. So, I’m determined to make my current chair the grand finale via a slipcover. It’s a recliner, which presents some issues, especially since I’ve never made a slip before. But alas, I have watched your tutorial numerous times. I started yesterday….but my sewing machine of 41 years bit the dust. Oh well…..
Ha! Yes, I’m sure that many husbands and wives have had that conversation. 🙂 I’ve actually seen some amazing slipcovers made for recliners. They made separate pieces that tie and velcro onto the footrest pieces. It looked awesome.
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website thus i came
to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve
my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!
!
hey!we can change our mind we are women ….with out us there would be no men:)
I am happy for you, but a little bummed for me. I would kill for your hybrid barn door farm table, but I probably could have made a trade instead. I have a 5 legged antique farm table that extends to 12 feet (JUST like the one Sarah Richardson used in her farm house). I actually took the legs off (and some table leaves) and use it as my headboard, with binder clips holding fabric in place to give it an upholstered look. I know that sounds crazy but it works, and protects the table.
If you ever sell the table please send me an email. I would be seriously interested in a couple of months when we hopefully move into a new house (fingers crossed).
Dear MMS…… When I read the dining room post (yayayayayya for YOU)…and the extra chairs…thought I’d let you know that I knew nothing about recaning and did two of mine.
My small grandson got a scizzors and cut from the bottom to the top of two chairs. They wanted $125 many moons ago to redo it. It’s a snap. You buy the size and style of the cane already in sheets, and wet the trim cane to make it plyable. You put it on and nail the trim in place and spray the whole thing with water and it tightened. When I was done, you couldn’t tell which ones I did or the original ones. Give it a shot, you’ll be a wiz. Not expensive either. Just a shop on-line.
Well, unfortunately, these chairs need to be hand caned. They don’t have the channel for the sheets, but holes for individual strands of cane to be woven through.
I need to beg forgiveness for the insane jealousy I have right now. I really can’t wait to see this set in your home. Are you going to strip those to match?
Well, maybe we will see some of these chairs at the Chapel Market in Pike Road:) Congrats on getting the set of your dreams.
Blessings,
Linda
It is so much fun to be so excited reading your post and wondering where it is going! I was hoping for a happy outcome for you, and yea it came true! What a wonderful story, and the best part is it’s all in the family, which makes it even better! Each dining set met your need and ending up being a blessing at the right time for someone else. I have a feeling, as wonderful as this story is now, that the perfect end chairs will just fall into place at the perfect time too making the perfect happy ending 🙂 And having lots of chairs is a good thing! If you like to entertain lots of people, everyone can have their own chair and they can be moved anywhere .. storing them, a different story .. but still ..
As another retailer for MMS, all of these people “walk the talk”! I’m proud to be part of the group, in some small way! Great people, great story. Continued blessings to you all!,
Barbara
OMG, I’m SOOOO excited for you! What amazing timing… and you get the set you were dreaming of! woo hoo!
Marion, You can learn to cane. I taught myself. I’ve seen what you can do, and, while time consuming, caning isn’t that difficult ( even the chairs that have holes instead of grooves ( : ). MUCH easier than stripping, painting, and distressing furniture, lol! And you do that so well, this would be a piece of cake! Much thriftier to do it yourself than to pay someone else to cane, or horrors, cover the seats with a solid cover…..and then you can find homes for your forlorn chairs! ( I too have a chair addiction…can’t pass an interesting one up wherever I shop, and I have a penchant for rockers)
Love love love! I am in SC too! Looks like you will need to come down here to visit and rent a uhaul.
I think its so special your dream set is your aunts, and its now yours! Love the history!
I am looking forward to seeing it in your home.
I also have a thing for chairs, and selling them @ our booth is the way I have of rotating them in and out!
Wow! That is so wonderful!!!! In fact, meant to be. And I’ll bet your Aunt Susan is delighted, too! I can’t wait to see photos of them in your house!
I had to chuckle when I read this post and your dining room table set saga. You sound as excited as I did when I bought set # 3 from you! There is something about the thrill of the hunt when an item that’s been a wish, a dream is actually found. The one thing I have learned is that, if you find something that seems perfect, grab it instantly. I still remember items that I hemmed and hawed about and returned to the tag sale, garage sale, estate sale and it was gone. It’s also very nice to have a connection in some way, in this case, your aunt. It gives value that is emotional and priceless. Congratulations!
You need to join a “dining sets anonymous” support group!! hahah Keep going Mustard – your vision just keeps getting better and better and BETTER! : )
I love that story! A completed circle….seems like it was meant to be! I wish my husband was okay with the home changes that your husband accepts so easily….
Hello Marian,
I am the lucky lady who bought your original table and chairs and your slipped sofa! I still treasure them- but all your dining sets have been so beautiful!
Pop your head in over at my blog as they are both in a post on my home today- I still LOVE them!
Best,
Mimi
A House Romance
Wow! The shopping Gods have surely smiled upon you. Once, my daughter found the perfect pair of pale pink pumps, in her size, at Goodwill for $4. They were her favorite shoes and every time she wore them she got a ton of compliments. Then a year or two later, our new dog got a hold of the shoes and destroyed them. She was crushed. She held on to them in the hopes that they could be repaired but during one of our moves, I convinced her that no amount of repair work could replace her beloved shoes.
Fast forward two years later and she is out shopping at Goodwill and what does she find? The EXACT same shoes IN HER SIZE at Goodwill for $4!!!! How does that even happen to a person? It’s like lightening striking twice. Needless to say, she snatched those babies up and keeps them far away from our dog, even though her first pair of pumps was the last shoes he ever chewed up.
Your story is just as awesome of the tale of the magic pumps.
Marian, Comments about how many chairs don’t just come from men but also from daughters. My daughter helped us move and every time she tells the story the number grows! I’ve threatened to leave every chair I own to her in my will. However, I really want to find a bunch of chairs at yard sales and fence in her yard with them when while she’s at work. I thought of painting them beautiful colors and planting some lovely flowers in them. That should take care of my Drama Queen! Congrats on the new set!
Favor from the Lord Marian!!!
That’s great how that worked out. It was meant to be. I have to laugh tho’ when you said your husband thought you had enough Oval Back Cane French chairs. It’s true most men don’t seem to get how we end up there. My friends and I were sitting round the table last night trying to explain to the men that just because you have a bunch of projects waiting in the garage doesn’t mean you stop buying something great when you come across it. You buy it because you may never come across it again. They thought you should buy one thing finish it and only then would you buy the next project. Men!
Is this the same aunt that the corner cabinets came from? Good taste must run in your family! Wow! You are one luck girl.
Yes, it is! She has given me so many wonderful pieces of furniture over the years. Both of my aunts are very generous (and have great taste!)
Congrats on scoring the set.
LOL! Chairs are like a large accessory. Can add a nice punch of color or finish the room. Not tooo expensive when used and small enough to haul around or stash.
And….why pull out a horrible plastic folding chair when you can bring out a fab – u – lous one when company comes?
I have a chair fetish. Even started a pinterest board for them 🙂 Dining chairs mostly. In our home there are 8 for dining and then 14 stashed for projects. Recently acquired 6 upholstered club like chairs from Craigs. We are adding some to the family room and replacing others. I’m afraid I am passing it onto the next generation too. My oldest loves to read and has her chair and floor lamp. She is on her 3rd reading chair in 2 years. Luckily I have sold the castoffs for more or even money.
I look forward to seeing the set done!
Tam
I found your blog a few years back and look forward to your posts almost everyday. I love the way you write, your insight in everyday life and your style of home and furniture! If I could, I would make my home look just like yours! You are at least helping me zero in on what I would love my home to look like and the colors I want.
I don’t think you can have too many chairs! Keep collecting and enjoy the ride!
Thanks for your inspiration and for always making my day!
OMG! That farm table rocks! I love the whole thing, but my house is small. I have a round table with 2 rattan wingbacks that I sewed pillows for. I have 5 farm table chairs holding in a spare room if I need more chairs. So, I will print a picture of that table for when I get a larger house. Lucky you!
Love all the ideas – do you have a how to on the
slipcover pleated seat skirts? I have been
wanting to do that for a long time .
Thanks – love your paint and blog!
Well that would explain why you didn’t find anything at Lucketts. I think it’s amazing how we try to accomplish our goals and dreams and get frustrated when they don’t work out. And then God hands us our heart’s greatest desire instead. I’m always stunned how much greater the things He plans or us are in relation to what we hope for ourselves. I am always havin o talk myself into bein patient and waitin for the Lord’s solution. Congrats on a very happily ever after.
The Other Marian
Love your new dining room set from Aunt Susan. That would be my choice too!
Gorgeous set! I would love to have a set like this for my own dining room!
This is exactly the farm table I have been looking for…..and missed out on one while on a trip!! I am so happy you finally found The One !!! and if I was your aunt Susan, you may twisting my arm !!! I pray many happy family meals for you and your loved ones. Enjoy!!
Marian,
You don’t know me, but we ARE kindred spirits. Thanks for the affirmation that my dining table/chair quests aren’t completely insane. 🙂
This is the beauty of real wood furniture. If you get bored with a specific design, you can always strip the table and refinish at a fraction of the cost of buying a brand new dining room set. Or, like Marian had a lot of luck with, scouring Craigslist and second-hand stores to find pre-loved dining room sets and customizing to your needs.
I am still on the dining table quest! Be thankful you did not press the button to buy the RH chairs though. I bought four of their chairs and they all came damaged. I tried an exchange and not only did it take three weeks but they came damaged also. I wanted to cry. I had hoped to buy a table from them but not any more. I returned them all. Now I am searching Craigslist 🙂 save some money and see what I am actually purchasing. Oh, the elusive perfect dining set!
I would LOVE to know the dimensions of your table… if you don’t mind.
I’m searching for this exact table!!!! I have six chairs and I want them to have enough elbow room for their visitors when they come to visit and sit at her. Thanks!
I have the exact same wing back chairs & would love to use them at the dining table. Need to have them recovered.