I’ve lived in Illinois – basically my whole life – and I don’t remember ever complaining about the heat as much as I have this summer. We, Chicagoans, are forever comparing cold and snow horror stories– but to go on and on about how hot it is? Sure, there have been intense heat waves in the past – but as implied in the word “wave”, they’ve been brief.
The heat even impacted my staycation last week. I had plans to do lots of gardening as well as clean up and spray paint two metal tables I purchased from Jubilee a while ago – and I did neither. Not to say my time off wasn’t lovely – it was – just reading/napping in the cool house lovely (a big THANK YOU to Joy for taking photos and writing the weekly update post last week!).
One of my favorite volunteers, Mary; and one of my favorite customers, Judy – both have health issues which have kept them either house-bound or carefully moving from one air-conditioned place to another – in an air-conditioned vehicle. Since Jubilee Furniture has no air-conditioning neither has been able to come into the store all summer (insert sad face here).
Thankfully, for most people the fact the store isn’t air-conditioned doesn’t impact them too much. This is where our dim interior and lack of windows actually helps keep things cooler than the intense sun and heat of the outside.
And what might you find in our dim/windowless store this week? So many amazing things that though I snapped 45 photos – there was still a ton of stuff un-photographed.
So, I guess you’re just going to have to come in yourself either today from 1 to 8 or tomorrow from 9 to 4 to see it all! But here are the photos I did take:
these lovely mission-style pieces are by Jonathan Louis – the sofa is priced $185; and the loveseat $145. The third photo is of – what appears to be – permanent maker on the arm of loveseat
these mission-style pieces are in excellent condition and by Shermag – the computer desk is priced $155; matching rolling file drawer for $65
we received for donation a lovely set of antique walnut chairs that we decided to sell individually. There is only one arm chair and it’s priced $45; there are five arm-less chairs and they are $30 each
though this vintage dining set by Virtue of California needs some work (the white leather on the four director’s chairs are in need of either repairs or replacement and there are some small areas on the chrome which are beginning to rust) – it is beyond fabulous! Priced $595
totally futurist – Jetson-like – sofa/futon and chair (that has storage and also lies flat – bed for a toddler?) manufactured by istikbal. The sofa/futon is priced $195; the chair is $135. Some minor spot cleaning will makes these look like new!
amazing antique school table for kindergarten size children – and the legs fold up – priced $195
lovely yellow painted wicker side table for $40; Calico Corner chair for $25 (chair isn’t new this week)
set of six wrought iron outdoor chairs – which we’ve also priced individually – $12 each. Clean these up – spray paint them your favorite happy color and – BAM – you’ve got a fabulous piece!
matching chaise with cushion is priced $45
this is a lovely antique white armoire (it’s missing one door pull) that offers a ton of storage in a small space – priced $145
fantastic oak table (no leaves) with four chairs – chairs have pressed wood design – priced $165
fun red color to these micro-suede pieces – sofa is priced $45; other piece (sofa? chaise?) is also $45 – both pieces are worn and have some stains. Cool marble (I think) top round coffee table which is also priced $45
this is a lovely dining set of yellow-ish painted wood – there’s a pedestal table and two leaves (leaves are much darker in color than the table which must have faded over time) and six chairs (one of the arm chairs has been repaired) – priced $175
if not for the two issues that I’ve taken photos of – this is a really nice three piece leather sectional is a great grayish-blue color. The worn spot is on the last seat cushion on the right side as you’re facing the sectional and the burn-looking mark is on the seat cushion on the corner piece. Priced $65
IKEA table with four chairs priced $75
these mahogany pieces where probably purchased in 1944 or 1945 when the donor’s father returned from serving in World War 2. The donor told me the manufacturer was “White Mountain” – but the label just says “White” – and there’s another “White Co.” who also manufactured furniture – so I’m not sure which it is. Regardless – these are fabulous pieces (not in perfect condition – but in good condition) the dresser with mirror is priced $185; matching chest of drawer is also $185; night stand for $40
two great orange side chairs priced $45 each; lovely wood and bamboo hall or entry table priced $40
great sofa for $65
these pieces might be my favorite from this week – they’re this fabulous greenish/yellowish color and I love the curved shape of them! One chair is priced $60; and the other chair with ottoman is $75 (ottoman fabric is pretty ripped)
this is an amazing antique cupboard (open the doors and there are shelves) with two drawers at the bottom – it’s been refinished – priced $265
How have you been impacted by the heat this summer? Are you one of the few who’s loving it? Will we be comparing electric bills to see whose was higher after running our air conditioning from June through September 24/7? Isn’t it incredibly unfair that some of us get red in the face, sweaty and rumpled looking as soon as we set foot outside whereas others always look cool, perspiration free and neat no matter how high the temperature gets? What are the odds we’ll go from needing the air on to needing the heat on overnight? Ahh, Illinois how we love to hate your weather!
And that, dear reader, is my heat/furniture story for today!
Stay cool!
