“That’s just weird,” is a phrase I’ve heard from family and dear friends in reference to my design style more than a few times. I’m not offended. I know I’m weird, and I’m perfectly OK with it!
I like to surround myself with objects that look like they have a story, they're unexpected, interesting, unusual, or just aren't something others would have in their homes.
The other day, I was cruising through one of my favorite charity shops, finding little of interest. Several times, I thought, “I should go home, there's nothing here for me today.”
But I didn't. I stuck around.
It was on my third trip around the store that a stockroom worker put this out on the sales floor!
I immediately walked over, pulled off the tag without a moment's hesitation, and lined up to buy it! In this store, that's how one purchases large items. You leave it on the floor and line up with just the bottom half of the price ticket. After you purchase the item, someone will help load it into your vehicle.
It was $19.99.
While I was in line paying, very happily turning over my hard-earned cash, a gentleman had picked up the item and added it to his cart. I had to break the news to him that I’d just paid for that very item. He was visibly bummed.
While loading it in the back of my truck, a woman who'd just arrived at the store exclaimed, “Ooooo, what'd you find today? Lucky!” We thrifters do that.
So what did I buy and why did I instantly fall in love with it?
Remember, I like unusual pieces, especially when I can use them in my home decor.
This had all the elements of a one true love for me: rust, metal, and rich dark wood - this thrifter’s equivalent of tall, dark, and handsome!
What in the world was I going to use it for, and where was it going to go?
Hmmm...I knew I’d put it in our main living area. The living area is big and could definitely accommodate such a large piece. I tried it as a coffee table, but it didn't really work for me. I slid it over by an armchair, replacing an inexpensive piece I'd purchased years ago.
That worked...for me at least! My husband thinks it’s weird, but he lets it slide (tee, hee, hee).
I think that’s primarily because when we did a reverse image search, this came up as an antique sled coffee table, similar to one sold by Orvis! If my husband likes something, it was surely in an Orvis catalog at one time!
After much research, I never found an antique sled or a coffee table that matched my purchase exactly. It could be that my “Antique Sled” is actually someone's repurposed project. The runners, clearly antique, are likely from a late-19th-century cutter sled, and the top wooden slats were likely added. I don’t really care.
It's weird...and I love it!
All photos by Paulette Rodriguez
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