Antique Barber Sterilizer Cabinets.
To honor my unusual and useless skill set, Paul wrote me poetry:
Though the days are growing shorter.
My wife remains a full-time hoarder.
I love milk glass tabletops! In the photo above, you can see one is off its base– it’s intact, just not attached.
I am going to use them as bedside tables– I have been looking for a long time! All “normal” sizes have felt too bulky for the wall/space where I want them.
The small storage areas and drawers will be good for keeping books and assorted junk off the actual tabletop.
Obviously they are not a LOT enough, but they will do for now!
Or, rather, I THOUGHT they would do.
However.
Now there is an issue: we have begun watching Versailles.
I have not heard one single person say anything about it, (AHEM)… so I Googled.
Google told me that all the love scenes are trashy, and all of the filming is done in actual palaces of France— some at Versailles, some at estates of the same era.
People.
The SPACES.
The VISUALS.
Are amazing.
Of course, I am biased; seeing as how, I myself, am Louis XIV, The Sun King, reincarnated.
I have no idea if the Versailles show is any good.
I suspect, no.
Literally all that happens is that people get poisoned.
Also there is weirdly-jazzy 80’s music.
They have basically gone out of their way to make sure you learn nothing of history, architecture, or art… but they make up for it with the wigs and cuffs— the costumes are SPECTACULAR.
ANYWAY.
My point is that now I see these barber tables as sad garbage.
Much like all of the other non-Versailles crap in my house.
Woe.
The only reason I have not thrown myself directly into the moat is that as we watch, I can soothe myself by looking over to my lamps-of-ridiculousness and The Nuclear War of Fanciness… fortunately my consolation prizes are in the same room as the tv.
Watching Versailles, I am reminded of Downton Abbey in the sense that it’s fancy and saga and high drama… which made me remember a show that some of you will really like.
PBS made a reality show (free, on prime) where modern-day humans spend a month living as the people who originally occupied these estates… SOME of the participants get to be lord and lady. SOME get to be scullery maid… it’s old, but I really liked it! Also, fyi: the dude who plays Lord is INSUFFERABLE.
AND! As I was looking for that link, I see that PBS has another series like it!! Victorian Slum House– a Victorian tenement in London’s East End is painstakingly brought back to life… I haven’t seen this one! I am excited!
SEE ALL MY BEST CRAIGSLIST SCORES
December 16, 2019 @ 12:09 pm
There is a whole slew of these period shows! Thanks for reminding me about them – I binged on Victorian Farm on Youtube when I was working on my Masters’ exams, watching an episode every time I finished a section of my written exam. Here are some other period shows I watched back in the day.
Frontier House (PBS)
https://www.pbs.org/show/frontier-house/
Historical Farm series (BBC) https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/BBCHistoricalFarmSeries
Colonial House (PBS)
https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/colonialhouse/meet/index.html
December 17, 2019 @ 9:20 am
I only watched Frontier House. As I recall, one couple wound up divorced as a result of being on that show. Oh, the stresses of living like pioneers. Laundry alone would do me in.
December 16, 2019 @ 12:12 pm
The cabinets are not sad garbage though admittedly they need some fixing up- refinish? paint? I’m not familiar with your bathrooms but I wonder if you couldn’t use them as the base for a vanity or a place to store things or in a powder room with vessel sinks. They’re very cool, just not in keeping with the rest of your main rooms or bedroom.
December 16, 2019 @ 12:12 pm
Oh puhleeese! I love your sad garbage! I am jealous of your sad garbage and your hilarious sense of humor among other qualities that are too numerous to mention! J O Y to you for all the gladness you bring to us!
December 16, 2019 @ 12:17 pm
Oh yes, we have watched ALL the “houses” type shows where modern humans go live in another era – the US did Colonial and a couple others, and the brits had the fancy house and Victorian, WWII (or WWI? Dang, it was a while ago). I LOVE THEM ALL. I think I’d do ok and then I realize no, no I would not, not after no shower or bath for a few days and spending two days or more trying to do laundry and then FORGET about all you need to do to eat….
December 16, 2019 @ 12:31 pm
Victoria, have you and Paul watched Homeland? Not at all like any of the shows you mentioned in this post, but a fabulous series to watch if you haven’t already. I stumbled upon it quite by accident a few years ago when Showtime was offering a free trial. Immediately, I was hooked. To the best of my knowledge, it’s only available on Showtime. Definitely worth checking out if you have the time.
December 16, 2019 @ 12:37 pm
It just occurred to me that you could use these tables to promote spay and neuter services for feral and other kitties. You could have a promo brochure spelling out the high points of spay and neutering. You could then place this atop the “Sterilizer” artwork on these cabinets. Voila!
December 16, 2019 @ 12:38 pm
Love Paul’s poem, and you are NOT a hoarder. You are a collector of beautiful and unusual things. The barber’s cabinets are cool. They just need a little sprucing up, and if they don’t work out as bedside tables, I’m sure you will find another place where they will work perfectly.
December 16, 2019 @ 12:40 pm
Try these two as a double feature: Mary, Queen of Scots and The Favourite. Not guaranteed true to history, but fun as a prelude to English fanciness. Especially The Favorite. Feast for the eyes.
December 16, 2019 @ 12:46 pm
Check out 1900 house on pbs. Addictive!
December 16, 2019 @ 12:48 pm
Check out 1900 house on pbs. Addictive! https://www.google.com/search?q=1900+house&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
December 16, 2019 @ 1:07 pm
Oh I would gladly relieve you of the “sad garbage” of those two cabinets! Seriously they are so cool. Great score.
December 16, 2019 @ 1:07 pm
Victoria – if you have yet to watch “Taboo” on FX, well then, Merry Christmas darling. Tom Hardy, Early 19th Century London and various English country bouses, it is all perfectly delicious. There are only 8 episodes, and they have not even written season 2, so space them out accordingly.
December 16, 2019 @ 1:39 pm
Just maybe those cabinets would be great laundry room pieces or you could ship them to me in Arkansas. I love them.
They might be awesome barter pieces or resell to buy more fancy lighting!
The chalkboards are one of my most favorite finds that I have never seen before – and also very fun
Merry Christmas ❣️🎄🎅🏻
December 16, 2019 @ 1:47 pm
You might want to search “antique dental cabinet” to see some beautiful storage pieces.
December 16, 2019 @ 2:57 pm
I am so happy you are finding such interesting and beautiful items from long ago. Born in 1940 I remember lots of your finds and the fact that they survive while we pass away is poignant and dear to me. Mother with nothing but antiques -2 sons who want none of it. Auction?
December 16, 2019 @ 3:13 pm
Ready for a road trip? Paul’s ready. I’ll take both of them here in South Carolina!!@
December 16, 2019 @ 3:16 pm
If you’re not in love with the cabinets, you’ll flip them when you find the right all things big. Mr. Cat looks wonderful❤️
December 16, 2019 @ 3:45 pm
Victoria I just sent this am a pic of a fabulous china cabinet on your private message Facebook page. I could not get it to post here for you to see and I see that you have not posted on Facebook since 2013. It is the top of a glass front antique china cabinet used as a wall cabinet in a kitchen. I am not a big fan of the color of the cabinets, but the use of the china cabinet is fantastic I think and thought of you when I saw it. I wish I could post it here, but if you can get into your Facebook Private Messaging you will find it there.
December 16, 2019 @ 4:22 pm
You’re right!
Out they go!
Trash and treasure should not be allowed to cohabitate.
The cat is definitely a treasure though.
December 16, 2019 @ 4:24 pm
I don’t know if you watch Outlander, but if not you MUST! Season 2 takes place in 1744 France. The costumes are absolutely breathtaking!