Sunday, October 07, 2007

Look what I found on Craigslist!

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Click on photos to enlarge

I found this beautiful 2 tiered square table on Craigslist for $35. When I saw it on there I thought for sure someone would have already bought it because it was on there about 3 hours before I saw it. An antique table for $35 won't last long around here, things on Craigslist are sold so quickly! I took my chance and responded to the ad and was suprised it was still available!
Look at carving on the sides of each tier. The center post and legs are also carved.
Yep, I'll be painting it white and glazing it so the carvings show up...yikes I'm almost afraid to say that after that mean comment someone left me about what a crime it is to paint wood furniture!

Updated: Thanks for the comment Cheryl. I am afraid to paint it. I was going to do it today but I think I'll wait. The maker is Zangerle & Peterson from Chicago. I guess I should learn more about it before I paint it!

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cindy, That table is gorgeous! I personally don't think it's a crime to paint wood furniture, but maybe you should get an appraisal on it. The carving is so exquisite that you might have a really valuable treasure on your hands! Then again, if you're like me, having something that beautiful to look at is worth more than dollars! Cheryl

Anonymous said...

I too paint furniture, but I do agree with Cindy on this one... it could very well be a treasure...painting does change the value of antiques immensely...however, no one should be leaving "mean" comments on your blog about what you do with something that belongs to you...it's your choice...I do know someone who found a table that was left in front of a house to be trashed...it turns out it was a very valuable kidney shaped desk... you just never know...

Rosemary said...

I love it Cindy! I would paint it in a minute. Don't be afraid. It will look so much brighter, and go with your home.
Unless it's worth tons of money, I would PAINT.
Rosemary

Anonymous said...

Oh yes... if it isnt valuable ...go for it!!! I think it would be lovely!!

Abbie said...

Nice find Cindy.
Let us know what you find out.

Anonymous said...

I, too, would wait on painting it until you are more certain. Most of the time when I am undecided about something like this, I find out it was better in the long run to wait. It is a beautiful piece.
bj

Anonymous said...

Wow, your won a prize! The table is beautiful.

~elaine~

Alison Gibbs said...

Hi Cindy, Get that white paint out. It's your find to do what you want wit. Look froward to seeing it finished.
Alison

Linda aka yellowroseli said...

Cindy, Your table is a wonerful find. I never seen anything like that on our Craigslist in NY. If it were me, I would get an appraisal. Would be a shame to paint it if it is a true antique. But your home is all white, so white is what you need.I always like to think of antiques as something that should be kept in it orginal finish, so that it gets passed on to a new generation. Hard decision.Enjoy your new find.

Cottage Mommy said...

I love, love, love painted furniture. It is my weakness! I would vote for painting it but if you get it appraised first at least you will never have to wonder...don't you just love Craigslist!

Terri Steffes said...

I love that piece. You got good advice to have it appraised. I love the carving on that piece, too. You can always paint it AFTER you find out what it is worth. At least then you will be making an informed decision!

Gail McCormack said...

Love that table Cindy, as you know I don't think it's a crime to paint anything, it can always be stripped off again, remember about 25 years ago when everything was painted mission brown, I suppose we'll look back in years to come and say how we used to paint everything white, look forward to seeing the result of this one

Anonymous said...

Cindy, I found your blog thru the HGTV Rate My Space pages and have thoroughly enjoyed it! I've become addicted to blogging and enjoy finding other "bloggers". I'm sure you aren't real concerned about what someone else (especially someone you'll never meet) thinks about you painting furniture....you have a real talent and anyone can see how much you enjoy your home. If you can find out something about the table before you paint it and it's worth more not painted, then leave it...otherwise trust your good judgment and go for it! I have a small antiques business and paint a lot of old beat up mahagony pieces black and they sell like crazy. I look forward to seeing whatever it is you end up doing to your new "find."

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Cindy, that's a beautiful table. I don't have a problem painting old pieces either, but I'm not so sure you should paint this one. It's gorgeous just like it is!

Rhoda

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness.... what ever you do will be wonderful...... that piece is sooo you .... and I hear it crying for your exquisite touch......

Susie Q said...

I agree that an appraisal would not hurt but then, remember that it is YOURS so pain it how YOU wish! You do such a marvelous job and your home is filled with such gorgeous examples of your work. Let some naysayer just flop around in their unhappiness...that must be pretty petty to say unkind things anyway right?

It is a wonderful piece. A great find!!

Have a sweet week!

Hugs,
Sue

BittersweetPunkin said...

WOW......good for you...I am jealous! I love it the way it is but be sure to post a pic of the finished product!!
Blessings,
Robin

Cathy said...

Cindy,

I have found so many gorgeous goodies on Craigs List. This table was a PERFECT find. So gorgeous. You must be one happy girl! Way to go.
Cathy, treasuredheirlooms.net

Anonymous said...

GREAT find...beautiful table.
I found 2 tables by the manufacturer on Ebay... one table is $18 the other is #$349.99.
One states "The Zangerle & Peterson Co. of Chicago firm was founded in 1892, when Joseph Zangerle (1847-1910) and George Peterson (1852-1933) bought the Northwestern Parlor Suit Manufacturing Co. on North Clybourn Ave. Zangerle & Peterson made frames for upholstered furniture. Then, sometime after 1910, Zangerle's son, A. Arthur (1882-1959), became president of the company. The company added tables, desks and other furniture to its production lines."
Guess you need more research or just paint it and enjoy a beautiful piece!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Cindy, What a wonderful find! I am going to have to check Craigs list in my area.
Penny

Unknown said...

CINDY! That is very nice piece! And only $35.00! What a baragin!

Cottage Contessa said...

Wow that is just gorgeous! I would love that! I like to paint furniture too, and everything you do always turns out so beautifully, but I have to agree with the other ladies, I'd wait too on this one, just in case...........
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
http://jacarandacottage.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see what you do with the table...paint it or resell it. Though, if you paint it, I will look forward to the finished photo. I'm for the painting...more fun.
Alexandra

Anonymous said...

Lucky you! I'm always too late for any Craigslist things I've wanted so far (but I'll keep trying). They do go pretty fast.
It's just beautiful, what gorgeous detailing!

Manuela

Vida said...

What a sweet table, it makes me think of a giant cake stand!!! Vida x

Mary said...

Oh Cindy, how beautiful! I'm drooling on my keyboard. LOL
xoxo,
Mary

Dena said...

Hi Cindy,

As soon as I opened your blog and looked at that picture I thought "Oh that will be so pretty when she paints it white!" It didn't even cross my mind that it might not be a good idea. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of your signature style and how perfect this piece is...I guess it would be wise to check it out first though. I can't wait to learn how hear how it goes.

Hugs,
Dena

Sue said...

Cindy,
What a nice piece of furniture you found on Craigs List. When you buy something from there do you pick it up, do they deliver it or do you have it shipped? Just wondering how that works. Have fun with your tiered table.
Sue

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy,

You have been given an award by me...because your blog makes me smile... please check mine for details

NeereAnDearCreations.com/wordpress

Have a great day

JO

tea time and roses said...

What a beautiful piece of furniture Cindy. The carvings are just beautiful! You have yourself a real treasure! Enjoy Enjoy!

Smiles...

Beverly

Anonymous said...

Cindy,

What a gorgeous piece! Great find.
I agree, maybe you should do more research on this one. I know it would great painted white though.
Let us know what you decide.

Hugs,
Debbie from NJ

Sue said...

Thanks Cindy for answering my question. I have looked a bit at Craigs list but couldn't quite grasp the concept. Your great find and your answer is prompting me to take a closer look. Thanks again.
Sue

La Tea Dah said...

Oh Cindy, your new table is magnificent! Very nice! I'm looking forward to all you will do with it!

LaTeaDah

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It is a hard decision to paint or not to paint.But if you don't paint it but you don't enjoy looking at it the way it is then it won't do any good, but if you paint it at just love the way it makes you feel everytime you look at it then I would paint it for sure.

Lallee said...

Awesome table! I love the swag and the details. I'll be watching to see what you learn about it. I love a good detective story ;-)

Donna said...

Love the table! I think it will look great painted. I'm a fan of painted furniture too!
Donna

Mrs. Jones said...

The furniture in your home should make *you* happy, and if you would like it painted, then it's ok to paint it. What other people see as the value of the table is meaningless, because it's purpose is for you to enjoy it. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Liz Harrell said...

That table is so pretty! I might look into professionally painting the table with a sprayer, as not to lose the details.

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I paint everything myself. The way I see it, is if no one wanted it as it was, and I salvaged it at a garage sale or trash, or wherever I got it cheap- I have already saved its life. No one was doing anything with it in its present state.

And I think it has tons of value as a beautifully painted and treasured piece in a loved home!!

Also, it is only paint, you aren't bronzing it. If someday your tastes change, strip it!

Anonymous said...

My great-grandfather was Joseph Zangerle, as in Zangerle Peterson furniture. The company is described in the book Chicago furniture art, craft, & industry, 1833-1983 published by the Chicago Historical Society

Anonymous said...

I just bought a gorgeous 2 tier table at a garage sale a couple of hours ago...I had fully intended to paint this piece a fresh white but noticed it had a Zangerle & Peterson label on the underside so was researching the manufacturer when I came across your blog...this is the EXACT SAME TABLE!!! except mine is a creamy/buttery color with an antique finish...the seller told me she had it in a French Provincial room....so...whatever did you do with your table...did you paint it...I was speeding through your blog hoping to see an updated photo...the more I look at my table the more I like it in its present state, but if mine had a dark wood finish as your does, and eventhough it IS beautiful, I'm sure I would paint it :o) Betty

Cindy said...

Yes, I painted it but I need to redo it. Someone suggested I use spray paint to keep the details so I did that and I hate the finish on spray paint. On my left sidebar of my blog I have directions on how I paint my furniture. I need to redo it using that method!

Anonymous said...

Your (and other's) lack of imagination and lack of appreciation of a treasure like this table confirm that "ignorance destroys". You just pissed away the value of the table that someone ELSE took care to maintain FOR DECADES. Clearly, or typically, someone's (uncle? mother?) died and they threw out their cr*p, as insensitive people like you do. That's how you acquired the table in the first place. I hope you receive this opinion as an adult, with understanding and perhaps a small amount of new insight that will help to keep you from committing a mistake like this. We ALL learn from mistakes. Goodness knows I have made serious errors of one kind or another. If someone never made a mistake, that person never LIVED and grow with experience.

Anonymous said...

Please dont paint it and be carefuk how you wipe it down! Contact an antique dealer, better yet try to get a hold of antique roadshow... A lady just purchased one at a yard sale for $25... She sold it with the antique roadshow auction foe $490,000.00!!! Dont let anyone tell you different. This company is from the late 1800's and the owner died in 1910. His son took over the busuness afterwards. Please dont do anything major to change that.bb piece... Congrats on your find!! :D

Anonymous said...

Hi, Cindy, I've been a painted-furniture enthusiast myself for the past few years and have collected, painted, restored, and sold various pieces with a range of intrinsic value from "junk" to "treasure." What I've realized in my journey is that the white paint we've all loved is a fad, like any other. While we can always strip a piece of the paint we've laid on, we can never get that piece back to its original state. I now am seeking to rescue valuable antiques from estate and garage sales so that history can be preserved. It's just as gratifying as a paint makeover, and tends to bring more value. I feel like an archaeologist in a race to save artifacts from a bulldozer! I have researched Zangerle and Peterson furniture because I own two pieces of it--and concluded it should never be painted. Some pieces should be professionally restored to their original state, but most should be lovingly and carefully repaired only as needed for their continued enjoyment.