Monday, January 15, 2007
All grown up and nowhere to go
Well, not exactly -nowhere to go- I've got plenty to keep me busy lately it seems. But this is the story of a man who decided to grow up one day. He took a long look around his house and realized that he was still using cardboard boxes for nightstands and a $2 dresser that he picked up at a yard sale about 8 years previously. It's the lighthearted look at how he became complacent with the status quo - and then discontent with the complacency after several years.
It's not that I've been resisting the notion of going out and buying furniture. It's just that I hadn't found anything that I really like. I didn't find anything that spoke to me or reflected who I am. I used to think that I liked modern furniture with all that glass and chrome and funky angles. But that's not me. I thought I'd have a black leather sofa and glass coffee table.
I went from store to store looking for that 'thing' that 'looked like me'. Seriously, I spent years looking for that piece of furniture that fit, and never found anything close.
Then, about a year ago, I rediscovered mission style after seeing it for years in showrooms. I've been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright for years even though I'm not crazy about most of his work. I like his take on nature and how to construct art such as stained glass windows with nature such as wheat stalks.
I even studied Wright in college when I thought I really wanted to be an architect (and marine biologist). But this story isn't about him - it's about me. :-)
But as much as I liked the art of Wright and the Mission movement, I didn't think it really reflected who I was either. I guess the closest thing that I have found is the shaker style. But a Shaker style Armoire is an oxymoron, no?
But that's my style. Clean, natural wooden lines without garnishment. Form following function completely. So, I set out to find some good quality Shaker furniture that could fit my lifestyle (see armoire above). The few pieces of furniture I could find was so poorly put together, that it hardly seemed worth it.
And I'd been to some nice places I thought - Heritage Drexel, Ethan Allen, etc.. I was about to slap down some serious money and have one custom built when I happened to drive by an unfinished furniture store. You know the kind - all pine - no particle board!
Well, I found mission style nightstands that, while not the pieces I hope to have for the rest of my life, were certainly built better than anything I'd seen. And they were solid oak. I slapped down my credit card and then had to decide between the single drawer or the three drawer. I took so long that I decided to just get one of each rather than flip a coin. This week, I went back and ordered a 11 drawer dresser, and not the armoire after all. :-)
They were nice enough for me to also decide that I needed to do something with the rest of the house. Even though most of my furniture needs are satisfied by K, I thought it was time for me to do something to the condo I've had for 2 years. I also have half and eye out for moving soon, so I thought dressing the place would be good for it.
Anyway, a few framed doodads and a can of paint later...
It's not that I've been resisting the notion of going out and buying furniture. It's just that I hadn't found anything that I really like. I didn't find anything that spoke to me or reflected who I am. I used to think that I liked modern furniture with all that glass and chrome and funky angles. But that's not me. I thought I'd have a black leather sofa and glass coffee table.
I went from store to store looking for that 'thing' that 'looked like me'. Seriously, I spent years looking for that piece of furniture that fit, and never found anything close.
Then, about a year ago, I rediscovered mission style after seeing it for years in showrooms. I've been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright for years even though I'm not crazy about most of his work. I like his take on nature and how to construct art such as stained glass windows with nature such as wheat stalks.
I even studied Wright in college when I thought I really wanted to be an architect (and marine biologist). But this story isn't about him - it's about me. :-)
But as much as I liked the art of Wright and the Mission movement, I didn't think it really reflected who I was either. I guess the closest thing that I have found is the shaker style. But a Shaker style Armoire is an oxymoron, no?
But that's my style. Clean, natural wooden lines without garnishment. Form following function completely. So, I set out to find some good quality Shaker furniture that could fit my lifestyle (see armoire above). The few pieces of furniture I could find was so poorly put together, that it hardly seemed worth it.
And I'd been to some nice places I thought - Heritage Drexel, Ethan Allen, etc.. I was about to slap down some serious money and have one custom built when I happened to drive by an unfinished furniture store. You know the kind - all pine - no particle board!
Well, I found mission style nightstands that, while not the pieces I hope to have for the rest of my life, were certainly built better than anything I'd seen. And they were solid oak. I slapped down my credit card and then had to decide between the single drawer or the three drawer. I took so long that I decided to just get one of each rather than flip a coin. This week, I went back and ordered a 11 drawer dresser, and not the armoire after all. :-)
They were nice enough for me to also decide that I needed to do something with the rest of the house. Even though most of my furniture needs are satisfied by K, I thought it was time for me to do something to the condo I've had for 2 years. I also have half and eye out for moving soon, so I thought dressing the place would be good for it.
Anyway, a few framed doodads and a can of paint later...
| Before: | After |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |
