Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Look What I Found

I love wicker furniture and look what I found on Saturday at a yard sale! We had finished doing the grocery shopping and were driving back home around 10:00 and drove past a yard sale just around the corner from where we live. It looked like they were selling old boards and stuff from an old storage shed they were taking down. Since it's very hard for me to resist a yard sale, especially one right in my neighborhood, I went back, taking the Jeep just in case I found something. Look what I found! It was partially hidden under some old draperies. There should be a shelf near the bottom attached to the legs, so it is a little less sturdy than it was originally. But I love the shape of it and it was very old! So I asked the man what he wanted for it. He wasn't sure and asked me what I thought it was worth. I jokingly said $5.00 and he went to discuss it with the boss, which I presume was his wife. He came back and said $7.50! I came home with a very large grin on my face!
The paint on the top is really badly cracked and peeling. I'll try scraping as much as I can but will probably have to use paint stripper . Any other suggestions of how to get the top smooth?
The first old wicker I owned was a loveseat, a chair and a rocker. It was stored in the rafters of our neighbor's garage when I was young. I don't know how many years it had been there. It had belonged to my friend's grandma, so I imagine it was 50 or 60 years old. Anyway when we bought our first house, I asked them if they still had the wicker and if I could buy it from them. They said it wasn't in very good condition and they gave it to me! It wasn't very sturdy but we glued it and fixed the springs as best we could. I lovingly painted it white and made covers for the seats out of a green with white polka dot fabric. (All these years later I still love polka dots!)
Now I have to decide where to put it and what color to paint it.

Rhondi xo

32 comments:

  1. I love your old table. Don't you just love it when that stuff happens? I have no idea what the best way to get it smooth would be but I would imagine it will be well over $7.50's worth of elbow grease.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Rhondi!
    Gr-r-reat find! Y'know, people pay good money for crackled finishes like that. My 1st thought is to leave it! And then go get a tempered glass top for it, you would get to enjoy that sign of old age. First see if it is a standard size that you can buy already made glass top. Otherwise get one custom made. I don't know how to properly secure it but was thinking that the picnic tablecloth clips they have out because it is Summer would be cute (I have a set that is ants). How fun!!!
    Blessings, Shay

    ReplyDelete
  3. Now you will keep checking out yard sales to find matching pieces to this buy you made.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a lovely find...I just love old wicker pieces like that! Keep it white maybe...or a palest, petal pink? Lots of possibilities...Happy Dreaming! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! You found a wonderful treasure. It's got such character. I think you're on the right track for the top. Let us see it when it's finished, in place and decorated. Please???
    ~Adrienne~

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Rhondi-
    Love the table. I just bought a wicker loveseat and rocker off of Craigslist- $35 for both! I'll show some pictures of them soon on my blog. I just love the old white, shabby chic wicker stuff. Definitely let us see when it's done.
    Have a great day!
    Kimberly

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy day! What a great find. I think I would use paint remover, too.

    I can't wait to see more pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a find! And an unbelievable price to boot. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
    Holley

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fabulous find Rhondi. Old white wicker is one of my hot buttons. I just love it and can't seem to have enough of it. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  10. That's a great find. And I love the song you have playing! You've changed it haven't you??
    Great version.
    Diane

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a treasure Rhondi...perfect for any place in the home.
    Now to figure out what you want to do?
    Just remember the sealer you choose needs to be non-yellowing for any white pieces. The manufacturer labels their products as Non-Yellowing....necessary for any white furniture. You wouldn't want it to turn amber or yellow with time.
    Have fun...it's gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a precious table! Aren't yard sales just the best for treasure hunting?!
    Congrats on the find!
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rhondi, this will be perfect on your front porch. I bet you are going to make it shine. It's wonderful when you find the perfect treasure. Karen

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Rondi, I love that table just "as is"....The peely top has characer. However, I have to tell you, my daughter & I are hanging out here at your blog, really, for the music! Fantastic! TFS!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi, What a great find! It will be fun to see what color you paint your table. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love your wicker table, Rhondi!!! If you like the vintage old chippy look, perhaps you could have a piece of non-breakable glass (acrylic) cut to place on top? That's assuming you're using it outdoors... If you're using it inside, you could probably use real glass... What a steal for $7.50!! ...Donna

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a wonderful find Rhondi! Whatever you do with it, I am sure it will delight all of us readers!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Rhondi.
    Thank you for stopping by my garden for a visit. I love meeting new friends.
    Your wicker table is lovely. A little paint on top and it will be good as new. I love wicker and have a love seat, chair and planter all of which I have found at garage sales. Wicker to me says romance no matter where it's placed or what color it is. Enjoy your new table.

    ReplyDelete
  19. OHH what a find!!! Love the pink chippiness of it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Rhondi,
    What a great find! I love the wicker table, and I know it will look wonderful when you're finished with it. Don't you just love a bargain!

    Hugs,
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a score! The table has such an interesting design with the legs. I kind of like the chippy paint on top. One option would be to put a piece of glass over it. I know you'll enjoy this piece.

    Hugs,
    Lallee

    ReplyDelete
  22. Soooooooo cute! (And those pink cup cakes on your awesome Shelley
    are just a sight to behold!).

    M ^..^

    ReplyDelete
  23. It looks like it needs a very good sanding on the top. I know you will work your magic on it and also find the perfect spot. I will look forward to seeing the end result. You could perhaps even replace the missing little shelf to make it sturdy once again.

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on that wonderful old wicker table. I think you got yourself quite a bargain! Lovely.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love the wicker.... but again I adore the mosaic floor on your porch... did you do it ...if so you must share the story... it is stunning
    Hugs
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great find! I love it... you're a lucky girl!. :) xoxo, Joanna

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love the table you just bought, and the price! It looks so fabulous on your front porch that is very beautiful too. I think it is very graceful without a lower shelf...I hope you take pictures when it is all decorated! roxanne

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a great deal, I love wicker too and I am always on the lookout for another great piece at a steal of a price! Will you repaint it white or a color?

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love this wicker table! It reminds me of the wicker my grandmother had at her lake cottage, but it was all sold with the cottage. Oh what I would do to have it all now!

    You got a great buy on it! Lucky you!

    Kady

    ReplyDelete
  30. I just love the name of your blog! How sweet! I am glad I found your site.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Rhondi,
    You lucky little 'devil'....that table is so unique....I LIKE it....Betty

    ReplyDelete

Hi
Thanks so very much for taking the time to leave a comment. I always read every one. I am glad you stopped by for a visit. Hope you'll come again!
Rhondi