garage sale

I’ve heard about finding treasures garage sales, but I’d never experienced anything major. Until…..last week!

I had just dropped off the kids at their schools and had my vente iced nonfat latte in hand. I was driving home when I spotted them sitting out on the driveway of a garage sale. I screeched to a stop and parked. I tried not to sprint over there. My designer’s heart was pounding. Could they be real? Even if they’re not, I’m interested.

There they were: 3 yellow chairs. Chrome bases. Dirty. Fine. I tipped one of them over.

HERMAN MILLER! Be still my heart.

(no way, are you kidding me?) I’LL TAKE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There they are: my Eames chairs in a gorgeous yellow. Welcome home chairs!

I bought these chairs from a woman who had received them as a wedding gift in 1954. I told her I would love the chairs and remember her story. She was happy. So am I.

The next day I received the DWR catalog. And here are the current Eames chairs in all of their mid modern glory.

Vintage Furniture Shopping

Factory 20 and a Michigan connection

I saw a decal on a great big pick up truck in metro Detroit the other day that I think said Factory 20. I liked the name and wondered what it was. And then I moved on.  Just today, I was checking out the always stunning  Remodelista and they mentioned Factory 20 as a resource for a fabulous chair that I was dying over. It turns out that the vintage chair was made in 1938 for the Ironrite Ironer Co.here in Detroit. Factory 20 has one for sale.

I couldn’t resist checking out the Factory 20 site. Uh oh.  Way too much amazing furniture to absorb. I had to narrow it down to one category.  Here are a few of the tables I’ve been coveting.

I happen to be on a table kick right now. I think I must have looked at every table on the site. There are loads of things to look at! Have fun!

All photos from Factory 20.

Great Big Farm Table

I blame this all on Le Pain Quotidien. Those gorgeous great big Belgian tables are haunting me.  I have dreamed of having one of those very tables for years.

(Photo via yelp)

I guess others have a similar dream because there are versions available in lots of places now. I love that there is nothing precious about them. It’s a comfortable table where life can happen and you don’t worry about it.

So now that I don’t live in a NYC apartment, I want a table to seat at least 10 people. This is a crazy dream after living in a studio apartment for so many years. I want people to gather together in my house! Sit, eat, drink, talk, play!   I even have a board on Pinterest dedicated to farm tables. These are just a few beautiful tables in wonderful settings.

(Photos via desde my vantana, remodelista, houzz,  coco + kelley)

Here are few tables that are in the spirit of those at Le Pain Quotidien from some of the big retailers.

This Trestle Tablet is from Restoration Hardware and is made from salvaged wood. It comes in sizes from 72″ up to 240″ !

This is the Distillery Dining Table from the Sundance Catalog.

Hamilton Reclaimed Wood Extendable Dining Table from Pottery Barn.

Willams Sonoma has a Reclaimed Wood Pine Table.

Now, actually buying one…….Maybe soon. I’ll keep you posted.