I never thought it possible that I could get excited about a piece of furniture. I would have laughed in your face if you told me that I’d be spending more time in flea markets and antique shops than in boutiques and salons. But it’s true. It has created a monster!
- 1850s French empire complete with remants of the original manufacturer’s sticker
Recent visitors to Budapast EK and JG talked about their purchases ‘speaking to them’. And I can relate to this. Except that when this wardrobe was sitting in a shed at Esceri amongst lots of other furniture, half-hidden by a table and tucked away in the corner, it didn’t so much speak as whisper. And it was a very soft whisper. But it registered. I went back again to see it and then, after many phone conversations that seemed to involve the nation (really me saying and having others say for me ‘I don’t have the cash’ ) I gave in. I admit I occasionally allow myself to feel pressurised into buying things and can, on a bad day, buy something purely because whoever I’m shopping with likes it. On these bad days, I can’t make a decision to save my life and am happy to do whatever. Thankfully, they’re few and far between and are causing less trouble the older I get! (That stool with legs made from jeans tucked into workman’s boots, and a seat made from a check shirt and braces still haunts me!)
It wasn’t until it was delivered to the flat and took up residence in my bedroom that it really started speaking to me – and it speaks volumes.
I remember years ago in Myrtle Beach visiting a Ridley museum and spending ages in front of the funny mirror that made you look really thin. I couldn’t decide if I liked what I saw. Having spent years dieting to get that ‘perfect figure’, when I saw how I’d look, I couldn’t decide if I liked the look of me. Mind you, it hasn’t stopped the sporadic dieting but at least it did kill any aspirations I had squeeze into a size 10.
If you stand in front of these mirrors, where the doors overlap, you cannot see your reflection. And yet, move a millimetre to either side and there you are. Magic.
And magical it is. I can’t explain it really. There is just something incredibly beautiful about its fine lines. Something timelessly classic about its bearing. Something ageless in its beauty. And yet it’s solid. And very ‘there’. It has a presence. Come to think of it, that sounds a lot like my mother! mmmm…
4 responses
Beautifully written………………as always but when is the next installment to appear?………..yours is not the only heart that may stop!
Clever girl……………no photographer in the mirrors!
Have to say my instant reaction is phew! after the standard lamp I expected the worst………this is a really lovely peice……..well chosen like the others…
Love at first site, this piece is beautiful, and the mirror action makes it more charming. Keep writing as I feel bad if there is nothing new for a few days.
Gorgeous a must for every female over 40—–. How lucky can you get?