Tuesday, June 1, 2010

No Antiques Road Show for You!

A blessed gentle rain was falling yesterday morning so I had to postpone finishing the plant repotting. (Still not done; the green house has a whole wealth of amaryllis and orchid cactus and Christmas cactus in need  of roomier accomodation.)
This inside job was calling me. The blue paint on the  doors of our corner cupboard has been bubbled for some time now and it was time to repaint.

Yes, I know that collectors prefer the original paint. Anyone who's ever watched Antiques Roadshow knows this. You've seen it happen: the expert takes a look at the piece and shakes his head a little sadly.
 

Ah . . . yes . . . a lovely example of work by Silas Turnipseed -- a well known itinerant cabinet maker who worked in Massachusetts before the Civil War. With the original milk paint on the interior, it would fetch anywhere from five to fifteen thousand dollars at auction -- Turnipseed is enjoying quite a vogue with collectors just now. However -- since some vandal has repainted the interior -- well, you might get fifty to a hundred dollars. Really, though, why not just use it for firewood. . .

 But it's too late. This is a nice country piece,  probably from the 1800's. John's parents bought it back in the 40's -- and they painted the interior green. John's sister inherited it and she painted the interior white. Then she gave it to John -- and we opted for our signature blue.
Once that act of vandalism was done, I got the creamy white paint and started on the walls of the dining room and then on to the living room.  Taking down pictures, hauling furniture around -- generally tearing the place up -- oh, it felt good!

 It was a wonderful day of Getting Stuff Done! Or partially done -- still more painting to go!


Eddie, on the other hand, took it easy most of the day.
   ( The monthly post on my other blog -- The Goodweather Report -- is up now. )
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20 comments:

Martin said...

That's one lovely corner cupboard. Your activities reminded me of my grandfather's reaction, when I told him I'd been decorating during a gap in a hectic schedule. He frowned and told me, "painting is a 'wet day' job." He'd have been pleased to see you getting your priorities right!

jennyfreckles said...

Gosh Vicki, you really have the spring-cleaning bug! Sadly it hasn't bitten me yet. Sadly, because there are innumerable jobs in my house that need doing - including some decorating.

Brian Miller said...

i think eddies got a great idea...lol. you have been busy...

Pat in east TN said...

Boy, you sure weren't kidding when you said you had things to do and were tearing into them!

I'm still deciding if inside colors should be freshened up, but outside jobs beckon me first.

Subby said...

Many pieces of furniture I've seen become this fate...the refinishing I mean. Even I've done it, heh. But then, one can give it a new character, of a sort. Nice blue :)

Hoping the recent t-storm didna do more damage to me garden. A small green-house would do well, yes ( writes that down... )

Vicki Lane said...

Martin -- the folks from whom we bought our farm were so much of your grandfather's opinion that she even saved doing the laundry for rainy days -- and hung it to dry on a covered porch.

Jennyfreckles - During the long months of finishing the last novel I was absolutely LUSTING after some spring cleaning. Hope this energy continues.

Eddie's more the adviser type.

Boy, it feels good, Pat!

We love our little green house, Subby. It's a shed built on the south end of the house -- using sliding door glass. Not elegant but most useful.

Tammy said...

The Antiques Road Show quote cracked me up. I got quite a bit done over the weekend too, but nothing on the scale you did--mine was mostly just sorting through clothes and such and bagging up stuff for Goodwill. Also lots of outside work (woo hoo got my tomatoes finally planted!) in the early a.m. before it got so blistering hot. As for Eddie--he has the right idea! My clan are still so young that they think they have to 'help' with everything.
Tammy

Tess Kincaid said...

Ah, who cares. I love your signature blue. Paint away, my friend!

It was raining here, too. I painted my little vintage record cabinet black over the weekend. It looks terrific, and is now worth about $15. Heehee. The painting bug must be going around!

Folkways Note Book said...

Vicki -- you are off with a roar! Repotting, painting, and generally tackling what ever gets to you. You'll feel like you've moved into a new home when yu are done! By the way -- what is your diet like to pull on such energy sources!!! -- barbara

Friko said...

A lovely cupboard, never mind what the 'experts' say.
Did you really get on with painting all day? I'd be shattered. I can barely do a wall at a time.
Would you like to come and help? I can offer you a brand new paint brush and some gorgeous old-fashioned colours.

Suz said...

What a sweet looking kitty

DougVernX said...

I love your post. It's true about collectors liking the original finish. That reminds me of an old desk of my grandmothers that my sister wanted me to refinish. Well I just could not being myself to touch that original finish, not because it would be a collectible, but because of the memories the desk gave me. I ended up keeping that desk and not refinishing it. My sister would ask occasionally how the project is going and I would give her some weak excuse about it. She finally gave up hounding me to refinish it. lol. I think she knew I couldn't change it. That desk now sits prominently in my apartment. Thanks for your nice post and visiting my crazy blog.

Kathryn Stripling Byer said...

Hi Vicki, I'm trying to get back to blogging a bit. I get the spring cleaning bug, too, but then I feel overwhelmed by the mess--all that stuff--around me. So I flee to the garden!

Vicki Lane said...

My closet is on the list too, Tammy! Time to get real and admit that there are some things I'll never wear.

Willow - Painting stuff is great fun! Something 'new' from something old.

Barbara -- I am, by all accounts, a hearty eater -- but it's will power that keeps me going.

Friko -- I do take frequent breaks. But I painted most of the morning and when the rain stopped, got on with the re-potting.

Would love to come help if a plane ticket was included. ;-)

Suz - I had to laugh at your comment. This morning Eddie was attacking our other cat, Miss Susie Hutchins (who really is a sweet cat) and I yelled at him and told him he was a bad cat. Upon which he puffed up, began to lash his tail, and started for me. My husband was there and when he yelled, Eddie backed off. Eddie is an interesting and usually sociable cat but sweet? Nah.

Hi, Crazyasa!

I'm glad you ended up with the desk!

Hey, Kay -- Mornings outside, afternoons inside. But none of it ever gets completely done. Glad you're back!

Vicki Lane said...

My closet is on the list too, Tammy! Time to get real and admit that there are some things I'll never wear.

Willow - Painting stuff is great fun! Something 'new' from something old.

Barbara -- I am, by all accounts, a hearty eater -- but it's will power that keeps me going.

Friko -- I do take frequent breaks. But I painted most of the morning and when the rain stopped, got on with the re-potting.

Would love to come help if a plane ticket was included. ;-)

Suz - I had to laugh at your comment. This morning Eddie was attacking our other cat, Miss Susie Hutchins (who really is a sweet cat) and I yelled at him and told him he was a bad cat. Upon which he puffed up, began to lash his tail, and started for me. My husband was there and when he yelled, Eddie backed off. Eddie is an interesting and usually sociable cat but sweet? Nah.

Hi, Crazyasa!

I'm glad you ended up with the desk!

Hey, Kay -- Mornings outside, afternoons inside. But none of it ever gets completely done. Glad you're back!

Victoria said...

Lordy Vicki, I get tired just thinking of all you've been doing for the last several days! My willpower and energy seem to be on a vacation right now. Hopefully, they'll come back soon because I have a ton of stuff to get done.

Poor Miss Susie Hutchins! Add another 'bad cat!' to Eddie's list, lol.

Vicki Lane said...

To tell the truth, Victoria, it wasn't easy after all winter of sitting with the laptop. I'm woefully out of shape. But I'm finding that my energy is returning.

maría cecilia said...

I love that hutch, just the way it is, and with all the color family has put in it, great!!! Such vandal acts are the best ones for me!!! because, maybe "nobody don´t buy it" not even for 500.
Cariños,
Maria Cecilia
p.s. I hope I make myself understand!!

Tipper said...

Changing things up always makes my house feel nicer!

Vicki Lane said...

I adore color in my life, Maria Cecilia and I can tell from the pictures of your home that you do too!

Getting ready to make some new throw pillow covers for the living room, Tipper! Almost like total redecorating!