Friday, April 18, 2014

o canadel!

This is the story of a table and a light fixture, and a table (and a light fixture).

This is our trusty old table that graced our former kitchen for nearly 15 years.  Phil bought it new in 1992, so it's been around a good 22 years.  It's a Tell City set.  (Another American furniture business that's unfortunately no longer around.)  It still looks like new, even after 22 years of child abuse.

Wait.  That didn't come out right.

Here it is in our old house:





It's a nice enough set, but definitely not the style (or size) we need for the new space.  And the top is laminate, so no sanding and staining a different color...

Now just hold your water for a sec because I gotta talk about the light fixture.  I've only ordered one thing from Pottery Barn (as far as Phil knows) in my whole life, and this is it:


source
It is the witchin'est, bitchin'est light fixture I've ever seen.  But that's not the one actually hanging in my house.  Here's mine (Pottery Barn's photographer is much better than mine):



No, I don't have those cool wood beams in my house.

One night I crashed early and my Philly decided to surprise me and get this ALL installed while I peacefully slumbered with the dog's butt in my face.  He was super-duper excited the next morning when I staggered out to the kitchen and beheld the sight.



I think my reaction went something like this:

"Oh."

Those were not the droids he was looking for.


I was a little freaked out because the light fixture was almost the same size as our entire kitchen table.  I KNEW we weren't keeping that table, but just the sight of them together was enough for me to seriously question my fixture-choosing ability.

In fact, it made me question all kinds of things that day, like, "Why won't my nose hair stop growing?" and, "Why are they also growing on the tops of my toes?"

When feet hibernate in socks all winter long, it can make for an ugly Spring.



Now, hold your water for another sec while I tell you the story of the "new" table.  Our old former next-door neighbors bought a brand-new Canadel set (made up in Canada, eh?) and they dragged us over to show us.  We'd never heard of Canadel before, but we were pretty dang impressed.  Until we heard the price tag.  Ouch.  

It wasn't buttah few weeks later I saw a used Canadel set advertised in our online ads at work.

Five years old...2 leaves...8 chairs...paid $4000 new.

(Four, zero, zero, zero.)  ($4 - 0 - 0 - 0)

Wait for it...

$200.

Um.  Sold. 

Before you go hating all over me, these were 5 HARD years.  They had an entire litter of medium-size children (and a grandpa to boot) beating the heck out of this set.  But even with the wear and tear, it's totally worth it.

Here it is in its new space:



The light fixture no longer looks like a circus bear on a unicycle.

We are going to live with the set the way it is for a while to get a feel for how we want to "fix" it.  But I AM going to put new fabric on the chairs very soon.

Because I don't like Creepy Chair Face staring at me from the dirty seat cover.  Can you see him?




The chair style is really good though.



Originally I thought I would sand down and refinish the top with dark stain (again) and paint everything else, but I am loving the set the way it is.  If I painted the chairs, I have no idea what color would look right; I don't think anything light will do.

I like the chairs dark.

But they're rough.



I can't imagine stripping all those chairs down with all those skinny little slats.  Paint would be much easier.

We're going to live with it a while and wait for it to tell us what to do.

Poor Philly.  Now he has to take orders from me AND the table.

Just a few finishing touches and we're all ready for Easter!

 

What were you expecting?  Some fancy Easter Tablescape?

Clearly you don't know me very well.







30 comments:

  1. Giggled through this post! You are a glutton for punishment, but dang, what a gonga deal that was!

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  2. I like that first table a lot, that said this post made me laugh, just saying

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  3. I love it, wait, I love them!! What a difference a larger table makes. Um ya, creepy face needs to go. Maybe you could just use a dark stain stick to cover the exposed wood and call it a day. ;)

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  4. OMG! The new table and chairs look just perfect in there! New seats looks like a must, but I do love that dark wood and it goes with the totally awesome ceiling fixture. I trust you to know what to do because you are the furniture girl. ;)

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  5. That light fixture is amazing! And I can't believe you were so lucky to find the perfect table to go under it... You know that most of us do the contrary, right?

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  6. Awesum! It brought out the light fixture...the other sad to say were great by themselves but were like two monkeys at the zoo competing for attention....what a buy on the table. The dark complements the light fixture.

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  7. Two things: (1) I can't see the chair face!! (2) I am now even MORE aware of my nose and toe hair. So, thanks for that.

    p.s. love the light fixture!
    p.p.s. also the table

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    1. You can't see the chair face??? I'll have to post another picture with the face outlined. :P

      -andi

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    2. The problems were twofold: (1) I was looking at it sideways (I can see it if I rotate my head 45 degrees; creepy!) and (2), don't judge me, but I was distracted by Eddie's bum. Sorry.

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  8. I'm a Canuck and have never heard of Canadel...I think I live on the wrong side of the tracks or in a snowdrift eh! Anyways, that is stunning and I love your one and only purchase from Pottery Barn (that Phil knows about). It is gorgeous and goes so well with your new table eh! Happy Easter!

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  9. Hel-l-l-lo-o-o-o-o-! Have you missed me? Been In Colorado visiting my brother for nigh on to 3 weeks. No? Didn't notice I was gone? No matter. I missed you! Catching up now. I have no words for the light fixture. Except maybe "I want one". And that table! Did you use a gun when you got it for that price?? It is gorgeous! Chair face an all! The Easter touches are spot on, too! Nice work.

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    1. YES!!! I've missed you terribly. I'm so sorry to hear about what's going on with you brother! And don't be too impressed with the clean eating...that lasted all of one week...

      I had to use my bow and arrow to get the table at that price because I don't have my concealed carry permit yet. :P

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  10. My ... you've been busy! Happy Birthday, Sister Chick. xoxo

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  11. Wow! What a difference a different table makes. It looks great with your new light fixture. My table looks exactly like your first table. With tons of child abuse. One reason I can't paint it yet. Too many memories!

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  12. I think that might be better than a free Dyson! No kidding! The John Lennon seat design is a bit much, but can't wait to see how you fix it up!

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  13. Creepy chair face bahahah...this set is stunning! Is this the set we talked about painting? (as in "we" talked about it, but "you" are painting) Love the light fixture too, you have fantastic taste! XO

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  14. SCORE!!! That's crazy, but awesome for you. Good luck with creepy chair it's probably relieved to be rescued from all those kids.

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  15. I just really like you. I like that you point out Eddie's butt in pictures and I like how you celebrate Easter. I also like your taste in light fixtures. It made me say a cuss word out loud.

    I don't want to talk about your new table though. Or the price tag. >:(

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  16. Ohhh, I love Pottery Barn and I love your light! Can't wait to see what you come up with for the table. Cannot see the chair face, though.

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  17. I'm Canadian and I've never heard of that company but it's a nice set, eh? Perfect size for your room and light fixture! Nice tablescape, too. That's my kind of dinner!

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  18. I recently discovered Pottery Barn whilst I was in the States, I do like the light fixtures but agree they look better over the large table. Fun post!

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  19. I have never heard of it! But what at totally fabulous find!! Lucky you!! And I adore that light fixture!

    Nancy

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  20. I absolutely LOVE the table and chairs set!!!!! Can't beat the price, and the blemishes just add character. The lighting fixture looks fantastic with the dark table

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  21. In the first photo of the beautiful floor and icky table, the lighting fixture looks like it's to the right of center. Then with the larger table, it looks centered. Did Philly MOVE the light fixture, or is it a DELUSION. Still hating you. Can ya feel it?

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  22. Whoa!! What about the table and chairs? It’s awesome! It’s kind of funny to call the light fixture a circus bear, but I agree with you. I don’t have to say that the light fixture is exquisite because everyone knows that. Clever!

    Sebastian of
    Gazebo and Bali Hut Super Store

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  23. That is a fantastic set! I'm eyeing my kitchen table (which is suspiciously like your old one) and willing it to change. So far, it's not working.

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  24. I love your great buy. It's gorgeous. Please don't paint it.

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  25. What do you mean by "rough"? Abused "rough"?

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