28 March, 2010

Yardsale Settee!!

Well, I still haven't figured out what type of settee this is, or the age, but I can show you more of her construction.





She is very solid. Underneath, there are pieces of wood running from front to back at the legs, and also metal bracing that supports the springs. All of this doesn't look "old". The back is also made of metal springs and the buttons for tufting are like brads. Pretty nifty.



The wood carving seems to be somewhat rough. Not very precise or sharp. So. I'm not sure if this is poor mass production quality, or hand carved.  It's not very symmetrical.



I did find one picture of a similar settee. Sorry about the picture quality.

So, I guess my dilemna is this. I wouldn't mind painting the wood if it's not a valuable piece, which I don't think it is-I'm just not sure. I was thinking along the lines of a creamy white paint and a yellow ticking that I found here-
I really liked the idea of a linen, but this will reside in my studio and I need a little color!
Any informatiion on this piece of furniture will be greatly appreciated!
thanks
ann marie






I think I hit the jackpot!  We were out and about doing the yardsale thing Saturday morning. We were on our way home from breakfast and saw a yardsale at a cute little Victorian cottage in our neighborhood. There were some Adirondack chairs that the gentleman had made that caught my eye, so I went inside to find my husband. He was in the front room, and this little house was jam packed with all kinds of stuff. He was standing in front of this settee.
I fell head over heels! I had no idea where she was going to fit in, but I knew she was coming home with us.  The girl who sold it to us was a sophomore in HS, and this was given to her by her grandmother. She brought it here from England. I guess it took up too much space and her mom told her to find a new home for it. She was asking $80 for it, but took $70. This is a very solid , well built piece of furniture. The lovely blue 80's fabric is going to be a thing of the past soon. I'm going to recover her, just not sure what I'll use for fabric. I'm also undecided about painting the frame. I looked through about 50 pages of Google images of settees, and didn't find one that looked like this. I thought it might be french, or maybe italian, but I honestly have no idea. Here are a few more shots to enjoy.



Sorry about my messy studio, but I had to take pictures of her to show all of you. I'll have to clean it up and post about it. This is one great space to create in. Her new home will be in my studio. I'll take the wicker daybed out to make room. So, if any of you have ideas about her makeover, please send them over.
ann marie

32 comments:

  1. It certainly has an "it" factor. It's got a real feeling of quality that can't be duplicated in a reproduction. I'm feeling like it might really sing in a ivory linen-type fabric. I think the seat cushions should be down though. They look to stiff. The star of the show is the wood trim so the fabric should only have a supporting role. I would bet this is worth a few thousand dollars. And what's wrong with your studio? It's supposed to be a mess. And I love, love, love the floor!

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  2. Oh my gosh! You hit more than a jackpot. She is gorgeous. Can't wait to see what you do with it. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  3. You have to look through the blogs and also "polyvore"...Thats a beautiful piece and I am seeing it with a driftwood-gray finish on the wood re-covered in ivory linen or even a mouse brown linen. Good luck! Can't wait to see the "after"!!!ann@housefinally

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  4. Lucky you! We would have had to fight over that one if I was there. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

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  5. I'd say you scored for sure....I think leaving the wood as is and using off-white or white linen would be lovely!

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  6. I have to say I am leaning towards a linen-maybe a little darker-coffee ice cream color. Remember, I have 3 wire haired weiners that occasionally visit me while I'm working. What can I say-they're kind of like my entourage! So I need something with a little camo power!

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  7. Oh my...the just might be the find of the year!! How wonderful. I love all the detail. Congratulations.

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  8. Oh my goodness, you STOLE this piece. I have a similar one, check it here, http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H-sDwXXo920/S0-cyC8NgcI/AAAAAAAALaU/eAoC8OmpJHI/s1600-h/IMG_1913.JPG
    It was my grandmother's and my mom 'loaned' it to me. 65 years ago my grandparents ordered it plus 2 chairs from Argentina. It has been valued over $20K. I want to put linen on it and have been encouraged to paint it black, but honestly I cannot bring myself to do that to such beautiful wood.
    Keep me posted on what you decide!
    Blessings....

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  9. What a stunning find! She's gorgeous and I can't wait to see what you do with her.

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  10. Wow. That's all I can say. It's gorgeous!

    I'm hosting a giveaway and I'd love it if you stopped by my blog!

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  11. Wow, that is really a great find, and lovely, lovely! I think it would look terrific with a rough linen, or even a white-ish cotton duck fabric. I think I would leave the wood as is. But I'm sure you will decide soon enough what your perfect solution is. Have fun with it, it's going to be really great whatever you decide! Drop by for a visit sometime,
    XO
    Heidi - Heart and Home

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  12. WHAT A SCORE. wITH YOUR SEWING TALENT I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT U DO...

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  13. That is one fabulous settee, and the price, unbelievable. You're one lucky gal. I can hardly wait to see the finished product.
    What other treasures did you find at that sale?
    Smiles,

    Carol

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  14. Beautiful piece! I passed one up at GW that was very similar for $75. I have kicked myself over and over for letting it go! Yours is beautiful!!!

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  15. Is it possible to have settee envy? Curvy and gorgeous she is! It's a shame the upholstery wasn't a already a color you liked. Looks to be in fabulous shape...amazing find!!

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  16. Nice piece. Will be watching to see what you do with it.

    Hope you'll drop by AtticMag to give JaneT some advice on making a bench from a vintage bed. #81 on Met Monday.

    Allison

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  17. I bought a settee this summer and it took me 6 months to figure out what to do with it and finally finish it! It was a fun project though, you will love it.

    As far as painting goes, if you aren't planning to sell it, who cares if it's valuable just make it beautiful for yourself :)

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  18. Fabulous find...can't wait to see what you do to it!

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  19. Wow...lucky find!!! Looking forward to your re-do!

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  20. What a great find! I think you should leave the wood and add linen with darker pillows for some color. Just a thought. Good luck and be sure to share yourafter photos.

    ~Happy WW~

    Kathleen

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  21. You take the yard sale find prize ~ it is gorgeous. I would have lugged it home on my back if I had to. I was watching some show telling you that you need to check out the construction of the piece and what it is stuffed with to tell its age ~ maybe that'll help.

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  22. WOW...what an awesome find!

    Happy Easter!
    Blessings,
    Linda

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  23. WOW! Seriously, wow! The woodwork is just amazing. Gorgeous transformation!

    Jeanine

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  24. First I just want to say I'm so green with envy of your studio, I'd love to have a space like that, second you've hit the jackpot finding that adorable settee, I can't tell you anything about it's age etc. but I'd follow your heart on what to do with it, I guess I'm saying 'PAINT IT', :) use it, cherish it! How wonderful! Debbie @ Cottage Hann~Me~Downs

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  25. What a find!! She is a beauty. I love the curves. Well done. :)
    Nicole

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  26. Goodness, with the history you have on it is correct, I would be very careful what I did with it. You are right to be cautious. It really is a lovely piece! Your fabric is wonderful. I think it might look just fine without painting it if that became your decision.
    If a repo...then...ENJOY! :)

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  27. You have a beautiful find there. It looks English Victorian to me, but I'm no expert. I, too, would leave the wood as is and upholster it in a lovely linen. Use pillows for color in your room. This is a piece that you no doubt will keep forever and that way it will fit into any color scheme you ever come up with.
    Just my opinion, hope to see it when it is finished, I know it will be lovely!
    Hugs, Cindy S

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  28. Gorgeous!! LOOK in Ballard Designs catalog--there is one in these with a driftwoody-white wood and brown linen fabric. TO DIE FOR (ps: I am an "Ann Marie", too!)

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  29. What an amazing find! I'm not a furniture expert, but it looks like an antique piece to me. How old...not sure. The 20k one mentioned in a comment above is certainly an orginal. Based on the construction, it's probably an old reproduction, but still worth a lot and a great buy! The cushions were definitely replace. It most likely had one, long down cushion. They look great, but leave a hole anytime anyone touches it. Not very practical! I think it's fine to paint this piece, if that's what you want. I think a distressed white would look lovely. I agree with the other comments that a linen would look lovely and you can always add lots of colors with pillows. You can also get colored linen. Hobby Lobby carries a lovely aqua linen, but you can find all colors. Can't wait to see what you do with it! You have a real treasure (and lot of work) on your hands.

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  30. Oh I think it's gorgeous as it is!!! Is it possible to just add some color with throw pilows instead of reupolstering it? I'm thinking yellow pillows with little blue polka-dots or blue with yellow tasles. The possibilities are numerous! Best of luck, whatever you do and congratulations, you lucky woman!!!

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  31. It is beautiful. Looks French and hand carved if you ask me. I have a chair somewhat similar.

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