So I have been thinking a lot about what I wrote in my last post, about considering buying that French marble pastry table even though I don’t have a use for it right now and keeping it for some later home or project. And I did buy that vintage schoolhouse desk at the garage sale, using the “it’s too cheap and too nice to leave behind” rule. Making me think about it more was seeing the just released September issue of Elle Decor featuring Reese Witherspoon’s early Wallace Neff designed Ojai, California home. Originally built in 1923 as stables for Edward Drummond Libbey, it retains much of its original detail in great condition including hewn beams, stucco walls and iron railings and fixtures.
Decorated quite simply and elegantly by Kristen Buckingham, who is always a favorite, it has got me asking myself that same question about yet another item. Witherspoon’s daughter’s bedroom, full of soft pretty colored textiles and that great alcove bed, has a swagged 1920s tole chandelier, which is a sweet focal point.
I have been tracking a similar fixture at one of my local antiques stores for a few years now. It hangs a bit forlornly over a booth full of mid-century modern furniture, the relic of a previous dealer of Continental antiques. Not inexpensive, but not unreasonable, I have always thought about buying it, even though once again I don’t currently have a need for it. Entryway, dining room, bedroom – it could work anywhere – but will I ever need it? But if I don’t buy it will I one day regret it?
Furniture needs storage, but smaller decorative items can be tucked away. Textiles are another item easy to buy and store as they don’t take up much room. I recently shopped my own linen closet and came up with yards of this hand-printed cotton voile called Shree Teak from John Robshaw that I am using as a lynchpin in my upcoming “cheap and cheerful” kitchen renovation. Where and when I bought it, I couldn’t tell you, but having it on hand and having it be just perfect was great fun.
On the other hand I have an amazing embroidered fringed panel from an antique Chinese bed (bought in Hong Kong in 1998) still wrapped in acid-free tissue, sitting in a drawer at home in Tokyo, waiting for its eventual use. I have a vision of what I want to do with it, but the question is whether or not I will ever have the right house and the right space to do so. But even so, I don’t regret buying it for a minute!
The list of other things in storage is somewhat endless, from fabric to light fixtures, to furniture farmed out on loan to friends and relatives. What about you? Do you buy things and then put them away for the future? When you take them out, do you still love them or wonder why you bought them? Is there some item that got away that you still wistfully dream of?
Annette
Oh man Jacqueline! I love this one–Chris and I just bought a 1925 Normandy brick home in Shaker Heights and I wish you were here! Our tansu looks great with light gray walls and I am in the process of framing the obi we won before we left Japan. I have always saved things, but since living in Japan and not having a home back here, we purged! I love the look of the draped chandilere, but I don’t know if it would work with our modern look. I will send pics- if you will have them. But I love the idea of using pieces from the time. Of which I have socked away exactly one. A great, petite, drop-leaf side table from my great grandmother maybe 1930?
Tokyo Jinja
For me there is nothing better than a piece handed down from a loved one! And you won’t have trouble scouring Ohio (and maybe eBay) for furniture and fixtures that would look just right in your new old home – and I think they will mix fabulously well with your Asian items too. Woudl love photos – please send!
Robert
Ohhh. I almost bought s similar French marble table in Santa Barbara years ago but I couldn’t figure out how to get it home. Gorgeous.
This is a touchy subject around our house. For the record I never buy anything I can’t use. Just don’t look in the attic.
Wish I was shopping with you. Keep an eye out for items to fill my one emply senbei jar.
Tokyo Jinja
Rob, I’d love to shop your attic! Maybe we should have a swap day! And no worries – we’ll think of something for that senbei jar.
Margaret R Lambert
If your taste is consistent, it absolutely makes sense to stash things for later use. I have lamps, pictures, textiles, rugs…you name it, without regret. Like you, I love to “shop” from my collection. I don’t move anymore, I move what I have in the same space.
Tokyo Jinja
I think that you and I Margaret have very fixed taste – but heard from a few people that is not the case for them. At least it is easy these days to sell and change pieces out – all hail eBay!
Andrea
My tastes have not been consistent and therefore the storage of items has been tricky. Unfortunately I do a fair amount of “what was I thinking” and as you know Jacqueline, Tony and I shopped for home decor items quite often!!! Luckily my parents have a small, unoccupied farm house in Illinois that has become our personal, temperature controlled storage facility. For the record I am doing much better on only acquiring items I think I will use (a lesson I learned from you really!). The ones I can’t let go of … items, large and small, handed down in the family that I manage to find some sentimental reason to hold on to!!
Tokyo Jinja
I think you nailed it here Andrea – sentimental things can stay, but it is okay to move on from mistakes, which everyone learns from. Looking forward to seeing the new renovations!
BrooklynDreamHouse
Yes. The One That Got Away was a small portrait of a woman, nude on top but wearing some sort of robe. It was a simple, interesting piece and I loved it. My husband hated it and thought the asking price (maybe $100?) at the time was unreasonable. I went back a few weeks later to buy it and the dealer had changed his mind and no longer wanted to sell it, and not long after he closed up shop and disappeared with my painting. I have many trinkets and treasures not on display because I hate clutter. But I have a vision for how I want to display them in the new house. I just need to find the right piece….!
Tokyo Jinja
I always have pieces at certain dealers that I track, sometimes over years, never quite buying, but never quite relinquishing either. There always comes a moment when the item is gone and the feeling of either bitter disappointment or not much at all tells me whether I should have bought it. Occasionally there is an ironic moment, when it turns out the item is not sold, or the dealer has moved up the street and I am offered a second chance at it.
Loi Thai
If I LOVE it, can afford it, and it is priced well, I will buy it despite having room. Some things you will not see again. I love this light fixture…..go for it 🙂 You can put anywhere: hallway, bedroom, masterbath, sunroom, etc.
Cheers,
L
Tokyo Jinja
I am with you on that one Loi, as my basement/attic, linen closet and friends and clients houses (often on “permanent loan”) will attest to!
Mary Doveton
As Loi Thai said that if it is something I think I won’t see again (or at a price I know I won’t see again) I will definitely find a place for it. I love shopping through the stuff I have collected and changing things out when I get bored with a space. But as for that chandelier, don’t you think that if you really, really loved it you would have bought it by now? 🙂
Tokyo Jinja
Mary, How much do you just have my number?? I think perhaps the items I dither on really are meant to be consigned to the permanent maybe pile!
George Fukuda
As a confessed hoarder, I suspended myself from buying anything I’m not sure what I’ll do with. However, this last year I’ve found myself guided by your influence to buy and put aside again! Initially for a very different property. Last month, again found myself poised at point of purchase in “Shall I shan’t I” mode. Am now looking forward to taking part of Nippon on to another new temp home. The items collected will not only remind us of family roots but also you and your inexplicable energy and brilliant eye – particularly for re purposing. Thank you!
The Vintique Object
Go buy that chandelier. RUN!
Camille
The Vintique Object
P.S. Reese Witherspoon’s home. Mmmm, mmm, mmm. It’s a really a combo of all of my favorites, Spanish Mediterranean style, antiques used in a fresh, modern way. Neutral…oh, I could go on and on…
Camille
Tokyo Jinja
I adore it too – and Kristin Buckingham did such a gentle job with the raw material!
Tanisha
The antiques always charm my mind and the decorative pieces more. You just shown a small picture of my dream house. I was just surfing internet for new interior of my room. I hope i will be make my room beautiful one day.
Tanisha