A Little History Plus a Makeover

Many of you may know that my husband and I got married at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen.

The Hotel Jerome was built in the 1880's when Aspen was at the apex of the silver boom.  The hotel was the height of luxury for the time.  It featured the first electric lights west of the Mississippi River among other luxuries of the time.

Since the hotel has had a long life, it needs constant updating and repair.  So, the hotel holds a garage sale every few years to get rid of its unwanted antiques and to make room for new antiques.

I only was around for one of these legendary garage sales and I knew nothing about restoring furniture.  All I wanted was the latest and greatest from Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel.  My husband picked up an amazing, huge desk.  Picture carved spiraling columns, gargoyle heads, etc.  Hubs was in love with it.  I thought it was a monstrosity.  So, I made him sell it.

We also picked up a really pretty end table with a gorgeous marble top.  Soon after, I was sick of it and sold it.  I'm kicking myself for getting rid of these beauties!

The only things we have left from the hotel are the two chairs flanking the console table:

And this little table.  This table has sentimental value because I think it was the first piece of furniture my husband and I bought together.

This table has been languishing in the garage.  (By the way, we've cleaned the garage since these pictures were taken.  It's so much more organized and I can actually park my car in there.  Hooray!)

I stripped and stained the top and painted the bottom with a light aqua paint. 

 I think the carved detail all around the bottom is so  unique and interesting.  Too bad I decided to show you the cracked side.  Note to self: turn table around so crack faces back!

 I'm in the process of painting all of the carving gold, but it's taking FOREVER!

 I like this little spiderweb basket of gourds, but I noticed tonight that some of the gourds are starting to get moldy.  This has never happened to me before.

 Not too shabby for a 100+ year old!

Phew!  You stuck around through a major picture overload.  Thank you!


I'm linking this piece to some of these great blogs:
Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, Not Just a Housewife, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Bella Before and After, Primitive and Proper, Home Stories of A to Z, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Tip Junkie, Type A Decorating, http://sistersstuff.blogspot.com/, The Thrifty Home, Domestically Speaking, Primp,
A Diamond in the Stuff, Restore Interiors, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Somewhat Simple, Beyond the Picket Fence, Fireflies and Jellybeans,My Simple Home Life,
Addicted 2 Decorating, Just a Girl, Remodelaholic, Miss Mustard Seed, Finding Fabulous, Tatertots and Jello, Under the Table and Dreaming, Thrifty Decor Chick, Coastal Charm, Junker Newbie