The Bare Necessities. *video*
I am aware that I am a person whose inner Self appears to skew towards frivolous lunatic… Today’s post will do nothing to alter that perception.
Sometimes people wonder how Paul does not find this deeply aggravating, but that is the miracle of Self’s existence: Self is not contingent on anyone’s approval.
Also, Self would like to remind everyone: you cannot relax your vigilance in training your nearest and dearest to always expect the worst.
First, allow me to correct your understandable assumption that this is the Giant Fancy Thing I have been ranting about… It is not.
This is an entirely unrelated GFT.
I am still working on the other GFT… I have yet to be able to sell my soul, despite its fairly usable condition and uncommon shininess.
In the meantime, my decision-making process goes like this: when you have plenty of bookcases, why not get more bookcases?
This is something I hope to fix about myself one day… although, much like St. Augustine – not yet.
Besides, would I deny Paul the opportunity to be photographed at his most flattering angle? I would not!
Back when I got the Eastlake bookcase, a few of you were like— er, hello? Your kitchen pantry? But I was already trying to wear this guy down.
This empire style is simpler and I think it is a better choice for the kitchen, considering both the piano and lady mirror have a lot of ornate detail… plus, I think the decorative elements on this cabinet are sort of evocative of the piano’s legs.
We may try it on the opposite wall at some point— to the right of the low window/possible bench seat… where it is now was my original plan for a pantry, but we’ll see what looks better.
I also bought a Globe Wernicke barrister from the guy… I paid $100 for two stacks, a top and base, and I knew I could sell it and make a few hundred dollars (already sold).
This brought my actual price for the empire cabinet down to $250… my favorite kind of math!
Plus, everyone knows you are not finished until the van is full.
The video switches layout halfway through, because the temporary kitchen arrangement made it hard to get the whole bookcase in with a horizontal shot.
We left off the very top shelf to make room for the super tall containers I use for bulk ingredient purchases… but otherwise spaced the shelves evenly, and it’s working great for storage and SEEING everything! Not rummaging and moving stuff is phenomenal! (I will post a photo on Instagram once I finish getting this post up.)
March 8, 2016 @ 10:14 am
I must say, I wouldn’t mind waking up to this piece as I was drinking my morning coffee. I am still incredibly intrigued about what your GFT might be. And how you are keeping its purchase at bay as you try to scrape together the necessary funds. Can’t wait to see how this looks in the kitchen in compliment with the piano island. Say “hi” to Elvis!
March 8, 2016 @ 10:19 am
Love it. Especially Elvis. <3
March 8, 2016 @ 10:20 am
ELVIS!!!!
(And I love the pantry too.)
March 8, 2016 @ 10:22 am
This is my fav GFT that you have bought. Me want.
March 8, 2016 @ 10:26 am
There’s nothing better than checking my email in the morning and finding a new VEB GFT video. However, I fear having The Bare Necessities stuck in my head all day, thank you very much.
March 8, 2016 @ 10:35 am
Victoria, I usually pride myself on being able to find what I am looking for on CL but I am busting out. So reach out to you–I am looking for a bookcase to hold my collection of vintage quilts that has grown since my MIL retired and has become my personal sweat shop ?. If you could offer any advice, searches, anything. Of course I NEED IT NOW…you know how that goes. Thanks!!
March 8, 2016 @ 10:57 am
Don’t forget to use words that aren’t what you would use to search! This guy had the ad described as “cabinet” which I guess it is… but it’s not really the word I would choose.
Out of curiousity, what city are you near?
March 8, 2016 @ 10:40 am
Peanut butter and jealous!!!!!
March 8, 2016 @ 10:45 am
Looks great! Your kitchen is really coming together and in a completely unique Victoria Barnes way. I know you are looking forward to having your kitchen finished and construction chaos banished. I am too, can hardly wait to see all the GFT in situ all a once. Is the Arkansas GFT for your kitchen?
March 8, 2016 @ 10:51 am
I LOVE all the GFT, but, sweetpea, I actually said “OHMYGAWD” out loud when I clicked on the link to the bodum containers and realised they were just what I needed in my pantry. Needless to say, The Husband was pleased that the price was reasonable and not in the GFT range! 😉 xox
March 8, 2016 @ 10:54 am
They are SERIOUSLY the greatest things EVER… if you are torn between two sizes, go up.
March 8, 2016 @ 11:00 am
Now… let’s do ‘wife math’.
This piece was supposed to be $900 – but eventually only cost you $250.
You saved: $650
Plus! You sold those two stacks for what? $200 $300? Let’s say $300
$650 + $300 = $950 of money to go towards the Arkansas GFT!
Add that to the other stuff you sold… (wife math only) I bet you have MORE THAN ENOUGH to go forth and get THE GFT to end all GFTs (until the next one) AmIright?
March 8, 2016 @ 11:17 am
Your sentiments about bookcases mirrors mine about curio cabinets!
March 8, 2016 @ 11:21 am
I love this piece. So the kitchen is progressing. It will be a great pantry or storage for whatever you need to store in your new kitchen!
xo,
Karen
March 8, 2016 @ 11:35 am
What I don’t understand is how is it that all GFT come apart so easily? Was that standard construction technique of that era?
March 8, 2016 @ 11:57 am
This is what stood out to me as well, why isn’t all furniture made like this!? IKEA can you hear us? Furniture like this would make life so much easier for apartment dwellers or those of us who move often.
March 8, 2016 @ 12:10 pm
A lot of the big stuff THANKFULLY has come apart, but I’d say just as much stuff hasn’t… a few times I would have bet money the thing would come apart, and no dice.
March 15, 2016 @ 10:17 am
Not realizing things come apart is how I scored a triple door wave front art deco mahogany wardrobe at an auction a couple years ago for the amazing price of $12. Nobody wanted to move it. When I started turning the latches and taking apart this delicious example of early modular furniture people actually laughed. No one else had seen them. ( I also may have bought an 800lb hand made rug loom because it was cool. My husband disagreed)
March 8, 2016 @ 11:54 am
Victoria, I have an antique walnut wardrobe that is shockingly similar in style and shape to your bookcase, and it all comes apart and goes together exactly the same. Thankfully, as it’s rather large and would be nigh impossible to move if it didn’t. I can see why you needed it so. Perfect, lovely and useful, the triumvirate in furniture acquisitions.
March 8, 2016 @ 11:57 am
How do you do it?!
March 8, 2016 @ 12:20 pm
I saw the hint-photo on IG before your post came through to my Bloglovin’ feed, and this is just what I pictured! It’s also just what I imagined you SHOULD have for a pantry! It’s perfect.
March 8, 2016 @ 12:21 pm
It’s…it’s Beautiful. ?
March 8, 2016 @ 12:40 pm
Dear VEB, Please help I accidentally caught the GFT bug after reading every post on your blog. There is no cure, and I am happy about this. Thank you for empowering me to make excellent financial and interior design decisions.
This bookcase is of dreams, I love all of your bookcases, I want all the bookcases even though I swore I would stop hoarding books (no one can ever stop hoarding books).
ps. I am glad Elvis is still with you.
March 8, 2016 @ 1:27 pm
You dancing & ELVIS making a guest appearance were making me squeal!
The piece is lovely & was so rad to see broken down and then reassembled.
Can not wait to see the next acquisition…there is, after all, always a “next” ?
March 8, 2016 @ 1:47 pm
A shiny soul indeed. Like attracts like…