Friday, January 15, 2016

Love at First Sight

This is a love story. But don't worry. It has a happy ending.

Ron and I drove up to Loveland on Saturday to go to the Vintage Whites Market. 
Why didn't anyone tell me about this big market before?
I hear it's been around for five years in three states 
and no one ever told me. I actually found out about it by reading someone's blog. 
Marked it on my calendar and prayed it wouldn't snow.

Loveland, by the way, is America's Sweetheart City where thousands of people 
send their valentines to be re-stamped "With Love from Loveland." So romantic.
And if you're wondering about all the photos of this wonderful old table, well,
I'll tell you my love story in just a moment. 


Yesterday, it snowed about five inches in Denver. 
This morning dawned crisp and very cold but no snow so we headed north. 
And it was absolutely beautiful. 
There's a good bit of open land north of Denver (I hope it doesn't all get developed) 
and yesterday's fluffy snowfall blanketed fields, hugged pine trees, 
and settled on rustic wooden fences. 
How perfectly perfect for a White Market.


The market was actually much bigger and much more crowded than we expected, 
making it a little difficult to see everything or to take pictures.
We wandered around, oohing and ahhing but not buying. 
I think we've become spoiled by estate sales and thrift stores where bargains abound.


So, entering the second building, yes, a whole other building, 
we're strolling and excusing ourselves through the crowd when I saw it. 
And, oh, it was love at first sight. My heart thumped. My breath quickened.
I think my pupils got bigger like they say happens when you are attracted to someone.
I smiled and moved closer.


It was the primitive kitchen table I'd been lusting after. 
The kind of table you'd find in a charming little vacation cottage on the lake. 
But, if  you've been following my blog, you know I have a very tiny kitchen. 
Where was I going to put this gotta-have-it table? 
No idea. So like Scarlett in Gone with the Wind, I told myself I'd worry about that tomorrow.


I took a closer look. 
It looked as if it had had, shall we say, several relationships. 
Red chippy paint on the fold-out side panels, green and cream crackles on the legs, 
and mostly bare weathered wood on top.

And then the price tag tied to the leg:  $90. A bit more than I wanted to pay. So we moved on. 
My heart broke a little bit. I sniffled. I felt like we'd broken up before we ever had a chance.


But as we wrapped up building number two, I found myself drifting back to see 
if the table was still there. Yep, and it looked even better than the first time. 
Absence had indeed made the heart grow fonder.

 I sat down in a chair to check the height. Perfect. 
I could see myself having a morning cup of coffee at this table. 
Gave it a few twists to check construction. Strong and stable. 
I could even bring my laptop here to work in the afternoon.
And that chippy paint. 
A perfect match.

Love. At second sight.


Finding the booth owner, I asked if that was her best price. 
But before she gave me the standard 10% off, I asked if she'd take $75 and she said yes!
Then, of course, I wondered if I should have offered $65. But, it was definitely worth the price, especially when I saw similar tables on Ebay when I got home for around $450!!
The best part -- now I had a table that would accommodate all my vintage tablecloths. 




Now, where to put it? I've said it before:  if you truly want something, you WILL find room for it. Even if that means getting rid of something else. 
So, my friends, I have a lovely vintage 1920s green wicker sofa for sale if anyone is interested. 
It's destined for Craigslist this spring 
and will make room for my primitive kitchen table in the sunroom.


Just in time to put my little table next to the windows and watch for crocus blooms 
struggling to push their way through the frozen ground and layers of dead leaves. 


They know. In their little bulb hearts. 
 If you truly want something, you will find a way.
Love. 

74 comments:

  1. Hooray!! I get to make the first comment. This blog just keeps getting better and better. I love the table and I want the wicker couch. All I have to do is figure out how to get it here. Ha Ha. It looks like you have already applied your crafty little hands to it. I love it.

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    1. Thanks Jan! It worked this time!! So glad you liked the table. No, you can't have it. Ha.

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  2. I love how you've styled your table several different ways already.

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  3. You're right - it's perfect for vintage tablecloths! I love it, Pat.

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  4. Enjoy your beautiful new table! Cynthia

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  5. I love the patina of the table and a great price, too!

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  6. Oh my, l-o-v-e your table!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  7. I love it! I'm with you... if you love something that much and it speaks to you, you will find a way to make it work!

    Tania

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  8. Beautiful table! Gorgeous find! I live in Colorado and haven't heard of this place...googling now. Might be time for a road trip.

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    1. Oh! I missed it. Putting on the calendar for next year.

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    2. Thanks for visiting Audra. Sorry you missed the market. Next year!!

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  9. I am so glad you brought that beautiful chippy piece home, she looks absolutely perfect!

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  10. You and I share a love of red. It's just the prettiest color and looks amazing on your table.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Stacey. I can always squeeze in a little red somewhere!

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  11. I am jealous of your new found love!! I would have wanted that in a heartbeat also and I really, really don't have anywhere to put it, even if I sold something else. Red is near and dear to my heart and that chippiness just makes it!

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    1. Thanks AnnMarie. When I think it might have been sold by the time I went back to look at it, oh dear. Guess it was meant to come home with me.

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  12. Sweet Find, love the colors and it looks perfect right where it is...nothing better than looking out the window and having coffee. Thanks for the treat! Sandi

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  13. What a great find....it was meant to be yours!!! I can see why you fell in love....I don't think I could have passed it up either.
    ~Des

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  14. That is one amazing table. The shade of red is just fantastic!
    Liz

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  15. Wonderful table, I love the red and you have it in such a beautiful location. It will be great to sit and watch the seasons change.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Sandy (fellow red fan). I'm already imagining my pepto-bismal pink crabapple tree blooming in the back yard.

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  16. It is just darling!! Love it and glad you bought it.....
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Nancy. Darling is a perfect adjective. Makes me smile.

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  17. Love this table and the way you have styled it already. Enjoy!!

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  18. I love the old cloth tablecloth on that table! When we downsized I got rid of my little table and I do miss it----it was nice for using all of the old cloths!

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    1. Thank Nannykim. Sorry you're missing your table. I've gotten rid of a few things over the years that I miss too. But now, I have room for this great little table!

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  19. What a wonderful find! I can see why you love it so much, all that chippy red paint - - makes a heart melt.

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  20. So glad you found it after looking so long.

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    1. Thanks BJ. I'm always looking for some treasure. Makes it more fun when you finally find it.

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  21. It is a beautiful chippy table that is perfect sitting under a window. Lucky find!

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    1. Thanks for visiting Marie. Looking forward to sitting at the table and watching the backyard come alive.

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  22. What a fabulous table!!! OMGosh I can totally understand why your breath was taken away! I love old piece of furniture...I like imagining the life it lead before reaching me. I am so happy that you went back for your precious table...she must make your heart sing!
    XO Barbara

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  23. Oh my gosh, it was love at first sight for me as well when I saw your first photo! I am so glad that you went back and bought it. Looks right at home. I have a white drop leaf table on my front porch. I'm thinking that I want to try and give it a similar look. That chippy red is a bit of heaven! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Hi Jann! So nice to hear from you. Glad you like, no, LOVE, the table. Your white one sounds nice. I was actually looking for a white one when this little red number showed up.

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  24. I love it! What a great find. I can understand why you fell in love with it. If you ever want to get rid of it....just saying. Lynn

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    1. Thanks for visiting Lynn. I'll keep you in mind...just saying.

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  25. Adore all the aged patina this beauty offers, my heart would have skipped a few beats as well! Seems as if I have been forever on the search for the perfect farm table, so glad you found yours she sure has a whole lot of charm...

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  26. Oh, my, what a table and what a score! I'd surely never want to cover it up....I love all of the age imperfections! It is so much like my chippy red washstand that I found for $20 a few years ago and it's one of my favorite pieces. I'd die to have one like yours! Lucky, lucky you!
    JP

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    1. Thanks JP. Don't you just love finding these wonderful treasures! Hope you visit again.

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  27. Hi Pat, I love the table! No wonder you feel in love so quickly. The patina is perfect and you just don't see that very often. Thank you for sharing it on SYC! Jo

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    1. Thanks for visiting. Was it just puppy luv? Don't think so. This one will be around for a long time.

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  28. Oh my did you do good. The red instantly caught my eye and the look is what we all try to copy. And what a bargain for $75.00. This is the best love story of the day.

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    1. So glad you enjoyed my love story Debra. Hope you visit again soon.

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  29. Well, I understand your love. She is gorgeous and the fact that she has "been around" makes her even better.

    And, I love your vintage tablecloths.

    Thanks for Sharing Your Cup!

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    1. Thanks for visiting. She's been around all right but I think she's found true love.

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  30. Love your story! The table is awesome too... glad you were able to get it. Thank you so much for linking with "Let's Talk Vintage!" as this is the perfect kind of thing we like to "talk" about!

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    1. Hey Jillian. Thanks for visiting and "talking." Ain't love grand!

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  31. How pretty. It's chippiness is awesome. Only 65 days till spring, that's fabulous! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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    1. Hi Sherry and thanks so much for stopping by. Glad you liked my new love...the red farmhouse table.

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  32. Fabulous new table with some great styling, Pat! It's been pinned :) Thanks for sharing it at Vintage Charm--

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    1. Hi Diana, Thanks so much for visiting. I just dragged two small fruitwood chairs that belonged to my parents out of the attic and put them with the table. Perfect!

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  33. Hi Pat, love this beauty and featuring it at SYC today.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  34. Pat, just a quick note to let you know that you are being featured today at Vintage Charm.

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  35. Great decision on the table
    it's a one of a kind and very charming

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  36. Great decision on the table
    it's a one of a kind and very charming

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  37. Ahhhh! True Love ~ a heart always knows. Your table is so sweet...love all that crackling and that red color is gorgeous!!!

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  38. I'm so glad you found VWM!! I have been going to their show in Somer's Montana for years and next month I'm going to their SLC show!! I live in Orlando. It's the best show! Love your table and your vintage table cloths!

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  39. Great post. Wish I could write like you.

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