Keep or to sell...?

My daughter finds the best junk. Really, she does. She found this piece for me over a month ago, and I have drooled over it in my garage each time I look at it. I am not quite sure if it is a hutch top or a wall piece.It is very large, measuring about three and a half feet wide (or more) and almost five feet tall.

The piece is very large. The glass is missing from the door, and I plan to replace it with screening or bunny wire (which do you think would look best?) It needs to be painted, and I am leaning towards a creamy, weathered white. The detail molding is sweet as can be, and it has such a huge amount of cottage charm.

It has three shelves, and I can imagine this charming piece, mounted on a wall, filled with old white stoneware and tarnished silver pieces. The dilemma I am having now is that I will have trouble showcasing it in my booth (see how it doesn't look quite right sitting on the ground?) because there is no way to hang it on the wall, and it is coupled with the fact that I have the perfect spot on my dining room wall (where I currently have a plate collection) to hang this gem myself. The big question is..do I need to keep this baby, or should it find a new home?

Comments

[Diane]

I wish I lived near you -- I would so LOVE to take that off your hands. Perfect quilt storage in my quilt studio! You have the BEST stuff!

[sandy]

I would keep it, its a beauty.

[seanymph]

Its an old china hutch that was spruced up. I had one just like it. It had long spindle legs with a crossbar between them. Might be from the late 1920s, early 30s. Someone did some work to it tho. Mine was my grandmothers that I had for many yrs. It now sits proudly in my daughters house and one day will go to my grand daughter. If you can find some legs that would look nice you could have someone make a stand for it. Might be a bit heavy for the wall if you tried to hang it.

[Val Wilkinson]

Keep it since you have a place for it. You can always sell it later.

[Cynthia]

Keep it !!!! it is calling your name.
You can always sell it later---ENJOY

[Keri]

Yes i agree... it's missing it's legs. I had a similar one with the four legs and cross braces under it. I think if you peeked under the bottom you would see where the legs were once attached. You could find four nice replacement legs that could screw into simple hardware mounted under the corners. That would really give it a great feel and look.

[Bell]

KEEP IT!!!!

[Jan LaFollette]

If you have a place for it, keep it and enjoy it! That's the beauty of being in the business, you can always sell it at a later date, if you choose. I know you are not suppose to fall in love with the merchandise but there are exceptions to every rule, thankfully!

[Alexandrine]

Probably living too far from you ... France
But I could keep it for you if it's too hard to live with ... :)
Its' really a beautiful piece
You should keep it, sure you'll find a place ... I have so many ideas for it
I wish you a nice day
A french fan of your blog
Alexandrine

[Kim]

What a GREAT find. I vote for keeping it... I also love the idea of bunny wire cus isn't it more open weave than screening... Showcase as much of your collection as you can!!!!

[Isabel ~ Maison Douce]

I would totally keep it!!! Maybe you could find a coffee table to slip under, so you can give it some height...

[Jamie]

Keep it, you can always sell it later. Bunny wire for sure - the screening I think would obscure too much visually. As for the bottom - I would add some big bun feet if your going to leave it freestanding. Now you have to let us know what you decide to do with it and give us an updated photo once it's finished!

[heartartz]

Love it or leave it?
Keep it or sell it?
Let it stay or let it go?

I say love it ... keep it ... let it stay.
For now!
You know you can always sell it later.

A friend of mine has a saying about art supplies, fabric and stuff (not people)...
"when your latest boyfriend is replaced by a new boyfriend ... set the old one free!"

Enjoy it now!

[Lolo]

Its gorgeous! Do you have room in your bath to hang it? I think it would look lovely as a medicine cabinet :) Have a piece of wavy antique glass made at your local glass shop to fit in there. Enjoy it lucky gal!!

[Debbie V.]

I vote for keeping it!!!

[Marietta]

Oh my... keep it...

[Jamie]

Keep it!!!! It's SO charming and I'd like to have it for myself!

[tina]

KEEP!

[Hayley]

I'm with everyone else on keeping it. I also like the door just open with nothing there from what I can tell from the picture. It's a great piece! I enjoy your blog...

[Kathryn]

KEEP, it really is a keeper!

[Meadowsweet Cottage]

I think you've fallen in love with it. Paint it that creamy white and enjoy it in your new place!

[Cheryl]

Keep it!

[paula]

You NEED this piece! Whether you use it at home, or as a display case (over the years it will probably be both at one time or another:)

Mounting it so that it will be safe will be a challenge, so what about building a box to set it on. Even if you have to use two cement blocks as a foundation for strength.

Colorwise - the weathered white does sound perfect! Maybe glass shelves with a little $10.00 "puck light" from Home Depot will show off your pretty things, and a glass front to keep the dust out.

Enjoy!

[LISA]

Tracey, that one is a keeper! Such natural charm and patina. When you look upon it's beauty does it make you smile and want to be at home with it close by? If it does then it brings joy to the environment that takes us away from the rest of the troubled world. If I have learned anything recent it is this, LIFE IS TOO SHORT! Keep the things that make you happy!
Blessings,
Lisa
www.trinity-house.com

[Sandy]

Tracey,
I'm with all the others! KEEP it! But I agree also with others about mounting it. It
probably needs a cleat to hang it b/o the wieght. I think it is lovely and I vote for bunny wire or hardware cloth instead of the screen.
Look forward to seeing it in your home.
Sandy

[Kristen Ayers]

Tracey, this is definitely a keeper...and yes, it is/was a china cabinet...I have one (that hasn't been gussied up to the extent your's has...yet) that I bought, along with a matching buffet and disjointed table top and a base, from a "junk shop" 28years ago. I think I paid $50 for all of it. Alas my now ex refused to allow me to take the huge buffet and table parts when we made an out of state move :( I refused to give up the china cabinet and oh, how I wish I had stood my ground on wanting to keep the buffet! Over the years it has been painted many colors and had many "lives"...a kitchen pantry...a book case...TV and video game center when my boys were young...a china cupboard, of course...and right now it is in my bedroom holding extra clothes and such...painted shabby white with a sweet rose pattern "curtain" in the open-work door. (and the "curtain" is actually a cotton skirt I got at Sallies for 50 cents! I cut it down the back and just stapled it in...so lazy!) Enjoy your new treasure!

[Laurie Doyle]

I have hung these on my wall and I love them. Actually, my Bed & Breakfast suite has one filled with antique books and European beer steins.
It would also look lovely married with another piece....anchored to the piece..for example a lovely buffet. I am certain that it will be spectacular whatever you do with it!

[Gaia klass]

Oh, it's a keeper! Go for the bunny wire-very cool!

[Cathy]

It's a KEEPER!

[Farmlady]

I agree with VAL. You should keep it for now and try it in your home. You can always sell it later.

[Cassie]

I love this piece! I am drooling over it. I do live near you--up the road if you'd like to get it off your hands...but, you ought to keep it. It is awesome! I wish I had someone to find me some good junk like this!

[Janel]

Another voice for KEEP KEEP KEEP! It's fabulous!! I want one too.

[Tracy]

I vote keep it...can you add feet to it? then it becomes a stand alone piece...still vote keep it though!

[Ellen]

Keep Keep Keep Keep!!!! :D
My first thought was that it would look good right above the dresser in your great room- is there even space above the dresser? I don't remember, I just remember your posting about it and liking the idea :) Or if you have the perfect spot in your dining room, all the more reason to keep it!
My grandmother is an antiques dealer and she frequently cycled things through her home before putting them up in her shop. I always thought it was the coolest thing to go antiquing with her and help her decide whether a treasure belonged at home on her mantle for awhile or if it wasn't meant to go in her shop's window display instead. :D Great memories!

[Judy]

It's a keeper in my book....you have the perfect place for it and some white plates so what's not to love?

[Dori]

What a sweet, sweet piece! I think I would keep it! ;-) And, I vote for the bunny wire, too! (If you decide to sell it, it's pretty obvious from all the lovely comments it will sell quickly!)

[Jenny S]

Keep it! Sounds like it is talking to you!! What is bunny wire? I know chicken wire..but bunny wire?

[Trish]

DEFINITELY keep it!!! I vote for bunny wire - would look soooo French Country - I know....my look somewhat more than yours - but could go Cottage as well with the dishes and silver!! I'm SURE you could find a small, narrow coffee table which would add 18" and make it a perfect 6-1/2 feet tall.

Trish

[tammy]

You answered your own question, really...no room in the booth, perfect place at home!

[mary]

Keep it. I's really sweet. I can see it with bunny wire just as you described.

[Cindy S]

I say KEEP IT! It is so unique, that is what I love about it. No one will ever walk into your house and say, "what do you know, I have one just like that hanging on my wall." Nah, I don't think so. It is a really lovely piece, put bunny wire on it and store all of your sweet pieces in it that now reside on the shelves. That is my 2 cents worth.
Hugs, Cindy S

[Cassie]

You're kidding...right? Seriously. Pretty it up just to drag it all the way to your booth? KEEP IT!
I think it would be awfully heavy on the wall....do you have some legs from another piece you could attach to it?

[Suzy]

I say keep it !
Now show me what you're gonna do with it.

[Lisa]

I agree, keep it! The idea of bun feet appeals to me. I'm also visualising the bottom draw painted with blackboard paint - just for something different! Whatever you do, it will look great.

[Nancy]

I am loving that piece. I think you will regret it if you put it up for sale. It will be perfect when you are finished with it. I know you want to display dishes in it but I think some gingham check or toile fabric would look so french country in the door.

[I don't know what to put here]

I have that piece. There's glass in the door with a thin scroll work wood insert. It sits on turned legs, which allows for a wine rack underneath (my idea). I would either replace the glass or put gathered lacy material in the center. I love mine. Keep it!

[Kaye]

I love it. Put it in your booth stocked with linens. Add some thin/spindle legs to it to get it off the ground.

I might put a piece of glass in it with some decorative wood scrolly piece in front of the glass.

I hope you can understand my jargin. LOL

Kaye

[Stefanie]

I would suggest keeping it, enjoying it, and then...if and when you tire of it --- move it on!

[Nancy Settel]

I say keep that puppy it is beautiful, it probably had spindly legs when knew but 6-12 inch high thick carved legs now would look dinamite on it now. The chicken wire would be devine and oh how I would love to have that piece. Can I borrow your daughter for a while and go shopping with her??? nancy settel

[Michellegfox@hotmail.com]

Sell... sometimes it is easy to get too many pieces that make your rooms start to look all the same. Been there done that. Add an unexpected piece... maybe something with just a bit of modern flair in your beautiful home. You will be surprised! Love your things.