Have you taken a quiz at Sproost? Normally online quizzes are way off or so generic the results are meaningless. But this result was interesting.
According to their dozy whatzit quiz, my home decor style is 100% French Eclectic. (Seems like an oxymoron to call a style eclectic but then to say I'm 100% that - but I'll let this slip in logic go for now). What's French Eclectic? Glad you asked...I wondered the same thing. Here is what they say:
Parlez-vous français? Even if the answer is no, you can confidently say your home does! French Eclectic somehow manages to be both formal and casual, classy and unassuming at the same time. You like your spaces to feel inviting from the moment you (or your guest) opens the front door and this feeling should continue even after you've entered your most formal room.
Even though there are French antiques here and gold details there, the rustic country elements provide a balance and warmth that seems to say, "come in, relax and stay a while." Your love of antiques leads you to flea markets, garage sales and hours of eBay hunting.
Well, I definitely do not speak french so I don't know about the first part but I'm certainly fond of finding goodies on the street corner or at flea markets. What do you think - is this an accurate view of my home decor style? Maybe I should call it hobo chic? haha
And speaking of ebay, we went on a pretty mad roadtrip this weekend to pick up an ebay find. Long story short, it was a pretty fruitless trip - we drove a hell of a long way and wasted a lot of money for one little piece of furniture. (The plan was to find more along the way but it didn't work out that way)
Are you wondering what I bought? We'll I'm sort of wondering that too. Let me explain.
I found this this brass dresser in one of my random ebay searches. (their photo, not mine) I hadn't seen something quite like it and it reminded me of this sort of thing but at a much more favorable price point. The photo and description were not great so it was a gamble but we went for it.
Well, I won't go into the gory details but when we arrived to pick it up, we encountered something out of Sanford & Son. (Insert theme music here) All sorts of trash strewn about their lawn, a child that might just be feral, random animals all over the place. They seemed like nice people but this should have given me an indication there might be a problem.
We loaded the table into the back of the car and said our goodbyes. At this point the piece was purchased so there was no point in examining it closely. But when we got home, I saw there was a lot more damage and rust than I imagined. Ok, maybe I can clean that up with a bit of elbow grease. Maybe.
BUT THE SMELL!! I opened the drawers and it smells like old feet in there. Ugh. For now, I've loaded it with baking soda and will keep my fingers crossed.
I'm not sure what to do. I feel kind of crappy for wasting an entire weekend on this wild goose chase so the last thing I want to do is chuck it. But if I can't get the smell out, whats the point??
Oh well....sometimes you gamble and lose big. This might just be one of those times.
You are more than french eclectic, you are one brave gal. I think the smell would have left me driving or running away!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope you can get rid of the smell, because I foresee something fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI am completely certain you will rid it of stink and make it chic for sure.
ReplyDeleteI tried the quiz too , 67% nantucket style 33% french eclectic , I think that is about right.
Love your blog! Just wanted to suggest putting charcoal (as natural a type as possible - i.e., no lighter fluid included) in there. It will absorb the odors better than anything else. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCoffee grounds, left in saucers in each drawer, also help. I have no idea why, but they do. I've also used baking soda, but don't put them in at the same time, or the baking soda will just absorb all of the coffee smell. Hope it helps--it's a gorgeous piece.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, it flippin’ smells? Who would have though that would be a potential problem. Not sure how to get the odder out but there must be something you can do. It has a lot of character and I can see you do something neat with this piece. Good luck with that. ;)
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel,I picked up a chest off the side of the road. I started to work on it last weekend and I almost gave up. I think the chest was where all spiders went to die. I would have tossed it but I have to prove husband wrong. Keep working on it, I can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteOh no! How about newspaper? I read in an article that newspaper is great for putting in smelly shoes or food storage containers that don't smell very good. It absorbs the odors.
ReplyDeleteCharcoal bricks work great.
ReplyDeleteUgh! Sorry about the feet thing. I second the charcoal comments.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to take that quiz...French Eclectic wouldn't have been the words I came up with, but when you read the description, it's a pretty accurate description, oui?
That was an adventure! ITA! I think you'll make it beautiful and I can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteThe empty cat food can next to it in the photo wasn't a giveaway?
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I'm sure you'll fix it up. If we ever get any, sunshine works great too as a cleanser/odor neutaliser, otherwise I'm with the charcoal gang.
Yup- the empty cat food can caught my eye too! Who feeds their cat out of the can anyway?
ReplyDeleteAnywho- I've had good results with Naval Jelly on rusty spots, it's right around paint stripper in Home Depot. Kinda stinky though! (not that you'll mind the smell seeing as you're smelling "old feet" now, lol)
You could try wiping it down with a vinegar and water solution, just may do the trick :)
Good Luck- Have a Happy Day!!
~Rachel
Charcoal is much better than baking soda at absorbing smells. After you do that (I'd crush the charcoal and allow it to live in there for a looong while, then vacuum out and dispose.) I would make up a tea tree oil spray and spritz the hell out of it to kill any mold. Then metal polish and sanding should help with the rust.
ReplyDeleteAlso have a look at the first shabby chic decorating book. It isn't my style at all, but there were some great cleaning/coping with old furniture tips in there. Well worth a look.
ReplyDeleteLots of ways to make problematic items work for you.
My Sweetie brought home some chairs for our Bumper Pool table and they smell like cigarettes and cat urine. I guess i will be getting them reupholstered...
ReplyDeleteI feel for ya!!
Lesson learned: open all drawers before purchasing.
ReplyDeleteI swear by newspaper, it definitely works in the fridge after smelly leftovers. But I'm sure the charcoal works like crazy too.
Love your blog....will be back often.
ReplyDeleteHope you will stop by my blog for a visit. I am new to blogging and I am loving all my new friends.
I am giving away my first EVER BLOG PRIZE.
I have a gift basket business and it is the most requested gift over the last 15 years.
From the comments I have already received, it appears to be something a little different.
I have been so touched by the comments.
I really do want to bless people!!! I have decided that giving is life at its BEST. The drawing will be late afternoon on Saturday...wow that's tomorrow!
Okay, that is a GREAT piece of furniture.
ReplyDeleteAnd - yes. Once I saw the words "Sanford and Son" I was already humming the theme song in my head.
Now it's stuck there. In my head.
Thanks for that.
It sounds like you went to pick up a kitten from a "good home" only to find out it is full of fleas!!
ReplyDeleteBummer...can you paint the interior of the drawers, priming first to kill the stench? That might work. It all sounds like something that would happen to me!!
Linda