Monday, February 7, 2011

You Lift Me Up Where I Belong

"Are you settled?" Well, some of us are quite settled. One of us, slightly less. Still, things are coming along. A week or so ago my good friend, David Jimenez, was here for lunch and in a very gentle way offered some thoughts. One of which was, "more stuff."

Our living room is larger than our last living room. Like something out of Harry Potter, it seems to eat whatever furniture I put in it. I had marked this image from Vicente Wolf's Lifting the Curtain on Design, as he's balanced this larger mirror with the door opposite rather than putting a mirror over the fireplace. My living room is similarly configured and this seemed like a nice approach.

(That being said, if an Irish Georgian mirror ever becomes a reality, the whole plan may be scuttled.)

I've had this table for a long while. It was one of the (many) things the movers moved from basement to basement. I love it. It is sort of chewed up on one side and two of the legs are shorter than the other pair. The original plan was to cut down the longer legs, but I think Mr. Blandings and I both knew that we would end up with something more like an alter table by the time the leveling was complete.

But after my lunch with Jimenez, I went scrounging for more stuff. The table sort of winked at me from under a pile of stuff in the basement and I agreed to give him a go.

Instead of bringing him down, I decided to build him up. After the gentlemen (plural) at a large, big box home improvement store assured me, repeatedly, that there was nothing with a flat surface and screw thread that could be used to elevate a table, I found these in a small drawer for about $1.50/ea. They were marked "elevator bolts." They are exactly what I wanted, as the table was exactly what I wanted, though I didn't know it until I saw it. He's very happy to be out of the basement and doesn't even mind a bit if people notice he's wearing lifts.

Image, second, from Lifting the Curtain on Design; photography by Vicente Wolf; Irish Georgian mirror from Michael Smith's Elements of Style; photography by Michel Arnaud.
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32 comments:

  1. DavidFebruary 6, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    I can't think of a room that couldn't benefit from an interestingly flawed old table with some beautiful things on top (and underneath, I love an armillary). Your place looks to be coming along nicely.

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  2. quintessenceFebruary 6, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Perfect solution!! I love the table (the chubby apron is somehow endearing) and your tabletop vignette. Look forward to seeing your version of the lovely Wolf look!

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  3. pve designFebruary 7, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    Before you lift me up, can we talk about the floors - love that deep dark rich color.
    Mighty fine lift to that lovely table. Glad it made a debut upstairs.
    pve

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  4. UnknownFebruary 7, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    Again, you made me laugh out loud! ("if people notice he's wearing lifts".) You never disappoint ;)

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  5. cocoliniFebruary 7, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    I love the fact that this table has imperfections. And I am sure that it is most happy indeed to be out of the basement. It will no longer have 'short table syndrome' I am sure! Or wobbly leg syndrome.........

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  6. Rebecca R. DyerFebruary 7, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    BRAVA for being persistent!!

    Too many people tell us "no" when there is indeed a solution right around the corner.

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  7. maryFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Hi Patricia,
    I love that table! French or American--it doesn't really matter. I have had many table is similar condition "tipped" by my restorers. The proper why is to make a diagonal splice with an internal wood dowel so that the stress is carried equally by the leg. But the "elevator" will work for a while until the stress on the wood starts to break the wood around the threads. Have fun acquiring more stuff--the never ending hunt is the spice of life. Mary

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  8. Interior Design MusingsFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    That vignette is fabulous. You have it in you - keep going!! M.

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  9. AppleTreeFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    He looks dapper with the bar on top.

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    Oooh, love it! keeling over trying not to spill my coffee. Somehow this just seems cool (that wearing lifts thing) and I love the neutral background (being a LInen White girl myself!) Not stodgy, simple but not, reuse, recycle, etc. The only slightly silly thought is that the bust and the table should really be Napoleon (or another height challenged leader!) Ha ha! These goofy thoughts will clear when I've had enough coffee! well done.

    Leigh Ann

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  11. An Aesthete's LamentFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Love the table. Love the solution. Very smart indeed. Jealous-making, actually.

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  12. lindaFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    OHHH, Mrs B, I love it! The tableau is at once: rustic, minimalist,elegant and refined!
    -linda,ny

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  13. A Perfect GrayFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    awesome styling job on the table, mrs. b.

    and I had to go back to look at the title before i 'got it' - good work

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  14. SaypointFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Nice post. You could also fix your table with small blocks of wood stained to blend in with the legs. If you can manage to cut them the same size as the legs, you will hardly be able to see the repair.

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  15. beausmomFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Spotted your "Forever" cup in the mix. Have been deliberating purchasing a dome, but haven't found one worthy. Yours looks pretty terrific on its own!

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  16. P.Gaye Tapp at Little AuguryFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Great work and always the advice of more stuff must be heeded. I have the same sort of table-everyone should that just seems to defy everything around it and work beautifully with the stodgiest of styles. pgt

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  17. Michele from BostonFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Very clever, Mrs. B.! Yes, good ol' Home Depot isn't what it used to be. Went searching for yet more rock salt this weekend. Asking the greeter at the door where the smaller containers of the stuff were hiding she sent me to the other end of the store. The box containing the containers of manageable weight I was looking for were actually at her feet (unopened). As a consolation prize I bought myself a beautiful cyclamen. Glad you persevered to your terrific solution. Wish I could join you in the fun of unpacking!

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  18. KarenaFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    It looks great and of course with any advice from David, (or suggestions as he is such a gent) you cannot go wrong!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  19. peggy braswellFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Living in the solution+Grand idea. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com. Come over to my blog- having my first give away!xx peggybraswelldesign.com

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  20. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    I love the table also and I admire your resourceful solution
    For height.
    Looking at the inspriration photo, I say why not the Georgian mirror or a round convex mirror over the fireplace and then over the table, a similar to the size of mirror in the
    Photograph, a framed painting, print or an arrangement of small framed prints echoing the panes in the French doors or something similar in scale?

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  21. RazmatazFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    They must have had very sloping floors in the home that this table once belonged to. A great solution and a very smart looking table.

    I really like your assortment of Bits on the table.

    Chania

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  22. 72 and sunnyFebruary 7, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    love it. gives it a nice, industrial feel.

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  23. Alcira Molina-AliFebruary 7, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    I love this post. The poetry of it, the philosophical optimism, the can-do, go-getterist spirit (made up words, I know).
    But really, because, let's face it, are we not all wearing stilts or supports of some sort? Emotional, physical, self-imposed leverage.
    Now, the world-wizened vignette looks complete and is unique.
    Way to, er, lift the spirits ;)
    Cheers, Alcira

    nerochronicles.com

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  24. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    I love the table. In fact, I have been looking for an old tavern table or small-ish harvest table for my front hall for months. I wish I had yours! The objects are elegant, interesting...it feels lived-in. Great job. And I couldn't agree more with the commentator that said the hunt is the spice of life!

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  25. ScribblerFebruary 7, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Inspirational! My floors are so unlevel that this might actually work on some of my furniture that is not in and of itself unlevel!

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  26. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    there is a whole area of collectibles called "make-dos"

    love the elevated legs-

    john in nc

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  27. My Dog-Eared PagesFebruary 8, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    A fine solution and perfect vignette. Can't wait to see more... and more stuff, too!

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  28. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    A Long John Silver table--excellent! My favorite way to raise table height is to add wheels--little antique casters of brass and wood, big industrial cart wheels, and every sort in between. With wheels, even the heaviest objects become portable, vintage pieces look modern, and tall men are able to fit their knees under deeply aproned dining tables.

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  29. Style CourtFebruary 9, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Patricia --

    Love the rustic feel of the table. Love your styling! Your affinity for the sculptural shows off so very well. Just peeked at Sheryl Crow's place in the newest AD -- yes, white walls definitely sing in larger open spaces.

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  30. Henley on the HornFebruary 10, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    Old pieces speak to me!

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  31. NickFebruary 11, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    I like that second room but all the creams and big mirror I can't help but think of this welcoming home:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te3C_bslrzY&feature=related

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  32. jgrigsonMarch 3, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Have you tried Lee Valley Hardware? They are incredible. I am going to try brass casters for a similar problem.

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