It was an antique English bamboo armoire. Cue chorus of singing angels. And it was just the right size to go down in the family room for extra storage (more on that idea later).
Quick backstory - when I was 17 there was a fabulous antique English bamboo bed, dresser with marble top and armoire at an antique store I would go to with my mom. I lusted after it. Dreamed about it. But sadly I had nowhere to put it, as I was 17. And it was out of my price range, as I was 17. Not until now had I seen a piece in person that so closely resembled it.
But there was a problem. See the door on the right - it is closed all the way. That sucker is bowed. And when you open it, the whole piece makes this popping and cracking noise as if it was going to bust apart at any minute. And the top has a big crack running right down the middle of it.
The price is good, but the condition is not. So I did something that took all the willpower I had.
I. Walked. Away. (gasp)
My mom assures me my dad could fix it but I don't think the price is good enough to take in to account the months of hard labor. And at the pace my dad works, it would be months.
Now I grew up with antiques. I have antiques. I'm under no illusion that they should always be in pristine condition, but I would like the damn door to close without fear of the whole things falling in on me.
So I'm sharing to keep me honest. It is not worth the money to buy something in such bad shape...right? Even if it is so pretty?
My only solace is that all of these months later, it is still sitting in the shop. I visit it often and always check the tag just in case it goes on sale. No such luck.
Have you ever had to use all of your willpower in a store before? Ever bought something in bad shape just because you loved it? Know anyone who can will tell me this sucker can be fixed in a week?
So do you think it's possible to haggle a little bit with the price (mentioning that there's work that needs to go into the piece to make it close)? If so, and if it's a style/piece you've been lusting after since you were a teenager, I say go for it. But only if you can get some deal on the price!
ReplyDeletePlus, if it's been sitting at the store for a few months, there definitely should be wiggle room with the price. I say the ball is totally in your court.
Wow--I'm impressed with your willpower! I went thrifting a few weeks ago and fell in love with 2 pieces that I walked away from. The first was a faux draper chest. The price was great, but the quality was not. The second was a midcentury modern orange sectional in great condition for $450!! I still can't get it out of my head, but it doesn't fit with our house and I have nowhere to put it. The one thing I try to tell myself in these situations: there will be others. But it's so fun to shop!! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha I challenge my poor father constantly with broken antiques "I'll bet you can't fix this..." He can't resist. If you don't buy it, I think I will :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not worth the money when they are so many imperfections that need to be fixed/the quality just isn't up to par. You are smart to walk away.
ReplyDeleteThere will be another bamboo one in great shape at some point in another store, and it will be YOURS:)
I had an interior decorator 30 years ago who wasn't worth 1/5th of what she charged and I was too naive to know how i was being ripped off. One small example - I wanted bedside cabinets with a maple stain, didn't know that you could BUY maple, and she gave me white oak with a gray stain and told me that was the best they could do.
So you bet I've made mistakes with 'hope' and would have been better off walking away from the get-go.
Oh, girl, I've bought all kinds of things I shouldn't have. Currently, there's a rope chair sitting in my garage with a broken leg that I keep meaning to fix. Yeah, like that's gonna happen. At least you have a father who can fix things. I agree with Ashley though, if you can get the price down to a can't-walk-away price, I would try it. Then you can leave it with your dad for months and not feel bad about it. Then, when it is ready, it will be well worth the wait. It is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteA year ago I would have said to buy the damn thing. Like now. But the more I think about it, I think it's good you hesitated. This isn't a piece that's going to sit in a back corner of your living room untouched but on display. You mention her job is to be a work horse. With storage for kids toys, I assume. And let's face it, those girls aren't going to get any more gentle with things for at least 10 more years. You will be annoyed every time because of it's fragile state. Form + Function needs to happen to be worth even the most budget friendly piece.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty piece but I understand how you walked away...keep looking and I am sure an even better one at a better price will come about at another time :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's good you passed. Once I got my hands on a wood settee that I thought was amazing, except for the fact that one leg was barely able to stand on its own. It was in pretty bad shape, but I thought it had so much potential.
ReplyDeleteWell, ultimately it sat in two garages over the span of two years and nothing happened. Finally my mom and I tried to tackle it only to realize it was a lost cause. Unless you know exactly what needs to be done with a piece (and are capable of doing it) to make the item worthwhile, I say pass.
What is your favorite antique store BTW? Right now mine is Treasure Aisles, though I know it is a little more "junk" store rather than antique.
It really is a beautiful piece but I would have walked away too. I think that you made the right decision.
ReplyDeleteI know that is so hard! I saw a great bed on sale %50 off and I want to get it but not sure if I have a place to store it until I buy my condo but it is such a good deal!
ReplyDeleteAllie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com
Oh it sure is pretty! I think you did the right thing to walk away. I also think you should keep revisiting and if it's meant to be then the price will eventually go down ;)
ReplyDeleteSince you mean to actually use it, and it sounds like the girls would be opening and closing it too, I think you were right to walk away: it doesn't matter how pretty something is if you have to worry about how you use it. I have a feeling that would just end up annoying you more over time, too. Hopefully the price comes down and it's worthwhile to fix it!
ReplyDeletegood call- i walk away when i know i can't fix things.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful but i think you used good judgement here!
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous piece but you definitely made the right call. Doesn't mean I wouldn't still keep an eye on that sucker and grab it if the price came way down!
ReplyDeleteYou did the right thing! Another piece will come along and you'll be glad you waited for it!!
ReplyDeleteGOsh, that piece is one of those 'terrific' antique pieces that if it were in a room - it would be the showstopper! I agree with Ashley - I would think if they would wiggle on the price (to a point where you're comfortable with), I might consider buying it. They always say 'patience is a virtue'.
ReplyDeleteSO hard but you did the right thing. When this ahppens to me I always think that its because something prettier and better will come along soon enough...it was meant to be kind of a thing...and when something better something better comes along you will be ready for it! You are so funny lusting after an armoire at 17!
ReplyDeleteOooh, this is a tough one!! I might try to find a trusted furniture repair specialist and have him come look at the piece. You might even be able to use his evaluation/quote to negotiate a better price. And, if he says it really cannot be fixed up to par, you will feel much better about your decision to walk away. Please keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteXOXO,
The Glam Pad
It is truly a stunning piece of furniture. (I find it hilarious that you lusted after a similar bedroom set in high school. Your design loving heart has been in place for awhile!)
ReplyDeleteBut I agree, in a small space, there is no room for furniture that isn't quite right -- whether it's because it doesn't fit, doesn't work with the design of the room, or is broken. Obviously, that last bit is the only part that applies, but still...
Awww it kills me that you had to walk away but it's completely understandable - considering you aren't going to just have it 'looking pretty' and actually need it to do a proper job. However, my first thought was to negotiate HARD with them to bring the price down to what you would think was acceptable and worth the extra effort. You couldn't be the first person who's passed on it due to it's condition if it's been sat there for a while. xxx
ReplyDeleteOH my gosh...that piece is fabulous....so sorry you had to walk away from it...I would only of bought it if it was dirt cheap....maybe you should give the guy your phone number and tell him to call you if it doesn't sell...give him a price your willing to pay for it...
ReplyDelete