Settling in… making a house “home”

Over the time since we moved into the house, I’ve been hawking eBay and sniping auctions of mid century modern pieces to decorate the place. The way I figure it, each of these are highly collectible, in pristine, vintage condition (original finishes) and thus, just as easily sellable should need or time arise that such is required. (You know me, not attaching to the stuff, but enjoying it as it is, while it is).

This weekend, we ventured out to Issaquah and browsed through a little place called “Antique Importers“. Don’t let the outdated website fool you, this place is a TROVE of household treasures and I thoroughly enjoyed gawking through more mid century, hollywood, deco, and more than a few early American pieces. Apparently, they were once in downtown (waterfront, for about 30 years) but recently moved east.

J followed me around chuckling for my gaping, sighing, and general delight at having SO MANY of the EXACT kinds of things I’ve been trying to find on eBay in one, big place. By and large, I’ve given up on eBay for more than lamps, end tables, etc; the freight/shipping is just atrocious and I’ve decided I’ll only pay it if I find something that just leaps out and grabs me by the throat (for example, a pair of vintage original Adrian Pearsall chairs from the Craft House period that I got for less than a third of their current resale value).

These are due to arrive mid-November; shipper recommended a courier and he’s driving from Illinois starting on the 24th.

Anyway… while at Antique Importers, I found more dining sets, chairs, credenzas, china cabinets, and coffee, end, or side tables that I could imagine being in one place at one time. I have no idea who does their picking, but these were cherry condition across the board and everything from mahogany to maple to pine to oak to teak to walnut and then some were represented.

I picked up an amazing dining table (with leaves!), four teak chairs with original upholstery, a teak corner curio, and another “hi rise” teak corner curio.

The result? Well, the dining room is done but for a rug, artwork, and accessories. I am over the moon happy for it as I got the entire bunch for less than half of what I’d pay to buy anything new AND well under what I know they’re worth even as vintage originals.

Check them out… 🙂

Room view G-Plan chairs and matching dining table
(sans leaf, which is in the store room) G-Plan teak corner curio 1 G-Plan teak corner curio 2

For the time being, this is all the purchases I’ll make. (Get one room, settle back into budget, then get another.)

I have to admit, getting this room done but for homey touches is a very nice feeling, indeed. 🙂

If you’re in or around the Seattle area and into mid century modern or any of the other, above mentioned styles, you really can’t go wrong to make time to visit Antique Importers in Issaquah. Here’s their information:

155 East Sunset Way
Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 391-8700
(206) 628-8905

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