Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Because my mother loved that table

I got my mother's coffee table refinished, and changed out the crackled and cloudy plexiglass top for a pristine pane of glass. It looks amazing. My mother used to sell real estate in Jamaica, and rescued this table from being discarded by a family whose house she was selling back when I was about twelve. It was already old when she brought it home. I don't think it ever looked this good, even when my mother cared for it. She would be pleased, I think. I learned that this table, which I had assumed to be a machined, mass-produced thing, albeit more than eighty years old, is actually quite valuable, according to the refinisher, who wanted to buy it off me for a couple thousand, as he'd sent a picture to an antique dealer he did business with in North Carolina, who would have bought it from him for that plus a bit more. Who knew? Needless to say, I would never sell. My kids were intrigued. "That table that we battered so hard is worth so much?" my daughter said, amazed. I guess my mom knew why she wanted me to have it so badly that she brought it for me on a commercial flight from St. Lucia, wrapped in blankets and cable cords and boxed with miles of packing tape. It was August 2003, the day of the citywide blackout in New York City, and my mom was bringing her grand kids home at the end of their usual summer vacation with her by the beach in Rodney Bay. Under dim emergency lighting powered by an airport generator, the coffee table rolled out on the baggage claim carousel along with all their suitcases. Two decades later, I finally did right by this cherished piece.


The living room is coming together slowly. I find I am now absolutely delighted by the fact that I don't have to walk out and see those raggedy broken-down old couches anymore. Nothing's very fancy in there but everything is whole and sturdy and useful, and I am starting to enjoy it all. I changed out the red cushions for some lighter ones that I found for a song. I like them. My husband also has no idea how much that blue plant pot he bought makes the room for me. Now, I just have to replace the curtains. The new media console can wait till my next flurry of home refresh activities, if indeed I even bother with it. What's there is a cheap thing, but inoffensive, so I think I might just turn my attention elsewhere.

The news, y'all. How do you stand it? I hate that I lose hope sometimes, and grow numb. Thank God for the change makers, the ones who never stop raging and fighting. I am in awe of them. I need to do more. But honestly, I have no idea what will actually make a difference. I fear they may all escape consequences—and we all know who "they" is.




17 comments:

  1. That coffee table is beautiful! I love the rug too. As the Dude would say, "That rug really tied the room together.", or in this case, ties the room together. I've given up on light rugs, between the big guy and the dogs and the cat and Jack, they don't stay nice but I love your rug.

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  2. What a long journey that lovely coffee table has been on, becoming a cherished family heirloom.

    Strange how this 24-hour world-wide news coverage of a never-ending train wreck evolved from the days of local daily newspapers in the morning and evening. My balance to the news in the media is in talking with friends and reading blogs and books. It's not easy to keep one's balance.

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  3. Okay. Now it's a home. That coffee table is exquisite. Just such a beautiful piece of furniture. I have deep coffee table envy. And to know the history! Just so lovely.
    What about some green curtains? Green is such a restful but colorful color. To my eyes anyway.
    Yes. The news sucks. Yes. Humans are insane. GBS's theory is one I can buy. But did you see this? https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dolly-parton-offers-free-tuition-to-dollywood-employees-who-want-further-education_n_620406bde4b0ccfb3e4fb996
    There are some good, good people on this planet too and we are fortunate to share space with them. What a heart that woman has.

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  4. The coffee table is so beautiful, and the living room looks so comfy and welcoming. A perfect place to sit and have nice long conversation with loved ones.
    Ah the news... it's a scary as it gets... and it keeps getting scarier. I so wish things were different in every way.

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  5. Love that last quote. Explains a lot. I keep thinking is this when we should leave?

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  6. Your living room is beautiful. The couches look wonderful and the coffee table turns out to be not only a family heirloom, but a sought after collectible. A nice surprise. The sky blue ceramic pot is very lovely too.

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  7. Perfect quote. I can’t stand the news either. Especially living in Florida. We need to see some consequences soon to combat the feeling of numbness. It’s so nice to have a piece that your mother treasured. It’s beautiful!
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  8. Lovely room. Pale pale green curtains would look good

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  9. Your room looks very inviting, and the coffee table is beautiful.

    Just be grateful you haven't got Boris Johnson running your country. What scares me the most is the the UK has a Prime Minister with no morals.

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  10. Your room looks wonderful. It looks, for a room, the way you look for a woman - serene and in wonderful colours, with a precious bit in the centre. Love the story of the arrival of the table. My daughter did the same thing with a chair, once.

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  11. The table looks beautiful! I can't imagine hauling something that large on an airplane. Kudos to your mom for that! It's funny to think while you were dealing with the arrival of that table I was in my apartment down on E. 29th Street sitting in the dark. LOL!

    I agree -- your husband did well with that plant pot.

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  12. The table is just lovely, truly completes the room. I've pretty much stopped reading the news.

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  13. Oh my, the couches and table and pot and pillows...it is all so lovely and works well together! Really looks fabulous! I am jealous!

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  14. Everything looks beautiful and serene and jewel-like. I'm so grateful you gave us a peek! As for the rest of your sentiments -- I hear you. The GBS quote is the best.

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  15. Love it! Love all of the room. Your Mom's table is exquisite, and bless her heart for getting it to you. It's truly special.

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  16. It really all looks grand. Good choices, good job! Did the guy who offered to buy it give you any information on the table besides that it's valuable, like its origin?

    Sent you the recipe via email.

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  17. I can see why your mother loved that table and your room is coming along nicely.

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