June 29, 2008

Let's Go To The Auction

A few years ago hubby and I started attending auctions. We were lucky enough to have a local place that held auctions about once a month. You could "preview" at 3:00 and the auction started at 4:00 and would go until......

The first time we went we were looking for a sideboard for our dining room. On that particular day, we found two, and we bought both for a ridiculously low price.....after that we were hooked! Of course, we did not find such great bargains every time, but it seemed like we bought several things each time we went. Anything other than furniture or large-type items were called "smalls". We caught onto the lingo of the auction and learned to follow the auctioneer very carefully, trying not to bid against our own bid (I was bad about that!) and soon we were old pros! Even better, we met a lot of great folks who were as hooked as we were. Of course, there was also a great concession stand, with the standard hot dogs, chips, nachos, popcorn, soft drinks and homemade cakes of all kinds! A lot of times it was more social than anything, going to see our friends and eating!

All good things must come to an end and the auction was bought out by a group and eventually shut down due to poor management. We did not have anywhere to go after that. Then, the original owner decided to reopen at a new location and we've been attending sporatically every since. When I had my little antique booth, I had an "excuse" to buy but since I am not doing that any longer, I cannot always justify my purchases.

Today there was an auction and hubs was working a ball tournament so I took my little self on down to the auction.....let's see what all they had:


This china cabinet did not get auctioned off but I thought the lines of it were pretty

A little french provencial dresser

Camel back sofa in wonderful condition.....someone got it for $65! A steal in anyone's book!


Nice mahagony chest

Another nice french provencial dresser



Table, chairs and china cabinet sold for $475!


The lady in the red shirt was the lucky purchaser of the entire set



They said these chairs came from President Hardy's home (don't know if I believe that or not)



Gorgeous mirror sold for $25!


Rugs


Nice antique love seat


More rugs


Now for the piece' de resistance'! This gorgeous french bed sold for $65! I could kick myself for not buying it for later use





The lady that bought the bed also got this piece....don't know how much it sold for cause I was picking myself off the floor for not buying the bed.....!

....BUT, I did get this to-die-for matching dresser (for $50) ....there was only one other bid besides mine!

Some kid went wild with a crayon but I don't think it will be hard to get it off



Up close top of mirror detail


Side of mirror



Although the chest has some chipped places and a little water damage, overall, it is very pretty. I plan on repairing that damage, getting paint mixed to match the current color, replace the knobs with glass ones, and put it......where? I have no idea but for that price, I could not pass it up. It will join its "sisters" in the storage building until needed.....


The next auction is July 19th held at Blue Ridge Auctions on Hwy. 231 in Wetumpka, Alabama. If you live anywhere close by, I would highly recommend that you attend if you enjoy this sort of thing.


14 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Judy,
Well you got a gorgeous piece for a great price......but ~ that bed, that bed. Oh, I can imagine myself having to be picked up off the floor for missing out on that one too.
Thanks for taking us along to the auction. If I lived anywhere near you I would be there in a heart beat.
Hugs,
Sue

Anonymous said...

Hi Judy. I love the dresser and can picture it with the crystal knobs. It has great carving and I'll bet you can find a spot for it since it is just the right size to work with. Tell yourself the bed would be a one spot only piece!! I went to a fleamarket yesterday for the first time in a while and wish I went back today because as I was going by I spotted another good table from the highway with what appeared to be good pieces. My husband offered to go back but I needed to stay focused since we were heading out shopping an hour away! Homegoods for me Garden Center for him! Anyway I think I'm hooked on junkin now because I keep thinking what did I miss out on. Have a great weekend; enjoyed your post and your purchase! - Jeannette

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Judy,
I love going to auctions! Though I have not been in a few years. This morning I actually cut out a newspaper article on a local auction house, so I think I will be attending one soon.

Your dresser is wonderful! And the bed that got away - amazing!
Penny

Anonymous said...

Sounds like tons of fun. I wish we had some of those down here... Im sure they do but I just dont know about them. Thanks for taking us there~ Susie H~

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great auction! and the prices were cheap!!

PAT said...

Wouldn't I just love an auction like that! We used to go to country auctions quite a bit. I think I'm so rusty now, I would probably bid against myself, these days!

Beautiful furniture. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the dresser. It's very pretty!
Have a wonderful week.
Pat

Nonnas News said...

The dresser is lovely! I wish I lived close by I'd love to go!

Vee said...

Great pieces! I can't go to auctions very often as I get totally carried away and blow the budget. Nevertheless, if one had one whit of common sense, auctions are the best bargains around.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, you know I would have enjoyed that. The French bed was just gorgeous, I can see why you were sad about that, but that dresser you got is SO pretty. Can't wait to see where you use it.

I've been in Atl. over the weekend...awesome conference, we were blessed!

xo, Rhoda

Picket said...

Great piece you got for the money but girl...what happened when they offered the bed...where were you!!! lol lol Oh I bet it exciting to be there...I have never went to an auction...wow that is amazing!! Hope you are having a great day..take care!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Hi Judy, I LOVE auctions! And I may have had to sleep in the that french bed on my patio outside, but that one would have had to come home with me! I would have found somewhere for it! LOL! Just love it! When my husband and I first started dating, most of our dates were spent at auctions! I was selling then too, and could justify purchases a little easier. Kevin and I have ended up across the room from each other, and bidded against each other by mistake! LOL! But, as the kids came along and got older, our auction going was drastically cut short! Great post!

I apologize for not getting pics to you on the window treatments! David broke his arm Sunday, and has to have surgery tomorrow. So, it will be next week before I get to it!

Hope you have a great 4th! If you decorate for the 4th, hope you will post pics! Would love to see what you did! :)
Hugs, Rhonda

Southern Lady said...

Wow, Judy ... Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Your dresser is so pretty and I can't wait to see it after you finish it. What fun!

I love auctions and wish I lived close enough to go to the one on the 19th. We don't have any closeby with bargains like those.

I had to laugh about you bidding against yourself. I have been known to do that, too, and I was glad to see I'm not the only one who does it. I just get so excited when I'm bidding on something I really want!

Sincerely,
Janie

Lamp Tramp said...

my goodness....the deals! The dresser is so beautiful! I agree, that white bed was a steal...to store for future use. I'm going to look these towns up on a map to see how far away they are. I've got to go back on your blog and read everything I've missed in this past month or so!
xoxo

My Secret Life in Lilly said...

I want to go to an auction with you! Amazing pieces at even more amazing prices!
new follower!

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