Early Californian Mission Style?

Last Friday while at The Store, Nonie and aunt Betty pointed out this piece of furniture:

Intriguing!

As Pat said, "The price is right for me!" (see the price tag?)

So after a quick "What do you think of this?" text to Pat, I decided to go ahead and buy it! And by 'buy', I mean agree to pick up.

So, this past Sunday after 7:30 Mass (quite the feat for us Greniers, I must add!), we had a delish breakfast over at my parents; and then proceeded to remove all the benches from the van and head up to Ashburn.

We met Nano right away, with his snazzy car out in the parking circle. Aunt Betty, Uncle Bill and Lucy soon arrived (they graciously came early to help us move the piece). And, as I drove the van down to the 'loading dock', Nonie was there to meet me and make sure everything went smoothly!

And everything DID go so smoothly! Pat and uncle Bill managed to move this very heavy and incredibly SOLID wooden piece and make it look easy-peasy. Lucy was quick to anticipate whatever needed to be done, removing the drawers/shelves to make it lighter and pushing them in the dolly. Aunt Betty held Sebastian and infused everyone with her joy and can-do attitude, and Nonie directed the procedures with a smile and energetic gusto.

When we got to the van, we all studied the sideboard closer. It is a fascinating piece, at least to my admittedly very unknowledgible eye.

Here it is on the trip home en route on 28 somewhere:

Taking up most of the van

Once we got home, my parents generously met us there and Dad and Pat brought it upstairs quicker then ever!

My mom snapped these shots of the proceedings:

And it made it safely! No backs were thrown out! And the sideboard stayed in one piece! So grateful for all the help that was so generously shared with us!

Here are a few close ups about this piece:

1. Wooden Panels

There are 60 of these wooden panels (rectangular and square). As uncle Bill noticed, they are not pieces of the cabinet drawers/doors, but were carved separately and then pieced in the 'frame' cut into the wood. If you grasp the rectangle, you can move it back and forth ever so slightly.

2. See the key-hole in the photo above?

There is a key for each hole. And-- get this -- they are unique and go to specific key-holes. So cool!

Can you see the difference?

3. The drawers have this dovetailing

4. And these pulls:

If you look closely~ they don't look like they were factory-made, perhaps they were forged?

5. Another thing that really fascinates me is each hinge.

I've never seen a hinge that looks like that! And you can tell they were each made individually when you see them side by side.

6. On either end of the sideboard is a handle.

While the handle is strong enough to life the piece, it is still difficult to actually carry it with just the handle!

7. There aren't many nails in it, but there are wooden pegs (see them below?)

We do know that this piece was originally from Spain. But we don't know much else about it! Any guesses?


Here is Pat, moving the exceedingly complex system of wires from our old stand to the new sideboard. We are hoping to put a shelf on the wall for the dvd player etc and then eventually to mount the TV on the wall as well.

I am so so happy with this piece of furniture! It makes the room feel bigger, and looks so nice. I love the raw wooden look, especially paired with a soft new white rug that Pat bought me last weekend.

We have been scouring craigslist, stores--both in person and online--, and garage sales for a piece of furniture that would work here. It has been really tricky because of the railing behind. Basically we needed:

1. No shelves, ledges, or anything 'climbable'(so scary to think of little ones climbing and falling over that railing!!)

2. Somewhat presentable in the back so that guests are not affronted with ugliness as they walk up our stairs

3. Locking option so that items such as DVD's, remotes, and computers can be kept safe from little hands

While those three things may seem not too difficult to fulfill, let me assure you it is almost impossible! I really feel that it is a blessing and gift from God that we were able to find this piece, and for FREE, no less! Thanks be to God and all of his gifts~ how thoughtful of Him to provide the perfect thing~ and nicer looking then anything I could have come up with.