We went to the Arts and Crafts show at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Saturday and actually bought something! Well, rather, we bought something SUBSTANTIAL. We will usually buy books or magazines or other things under $20. Everything else is usually most unaffordable.
A little bit of context - we are the proud owners of a non-vintage Canadel dining room table. It has been described as the table neither of us wanted because we each compromised on the legs, finish, and such. At its smallest, it is 40"x60". It expands to 60"x60" with one leaf and 60"x80" with two leaves. We bought it while we were living in our nicely sized rental duplex. It was our first major purchase as a couple. When we were looking for a house, one of our requirements was a dining room. Not only that, but a dining room that would fit our gargantuan dining room table. Many shotgun bungalows were out because the table would impede movement to the kitchen and the bathroom.
The table fits nicely in our dining room. We have had dinners for up to eight people, but haven't yet expanded to full potential for entertaining. The main reason for the delay? A profound shortage of chairs. We didn't buy chairs with the table. The Canadel chairs started at $200 a piece and we just couldn't justify the expense. We wanted solid oak. We wanted all side chairs (since the table doesn't have a single "head" except at its smallest). And we wanted a minimum of 8 each.
We have been looking at chair auctions at eBay off and on. And we have gone to a few antiques stores. I wouldn't say we have been hunting in earnest. However, there were quite a few sets of chairs available without the table at the show. Including a set of 8 oak side chairs manufactured by Stickley Brothers! We refer to them as our mass produced, low value Stickley chairs but are still obnoxiously pleased that they are Stickley, albeit of an inferior vintage.
The dealer had purchased them from UND Law School. They are a little beat up, but are very solid little chairs. And we purchased them for a price comparable to the chairs available at Pier One and Cost Plus World Market. Where solid wood means pine. So we couldn't be more pleased.
