Ode to Craigslist

So last week, Paula and I spent about 4 hours and a lot of shoe leather (or rubber as the case may be) haunting the local furniture stores. looking for a table for the new house. Some of you may remember that we found a 14 foot long piece of reclaimed bowling alley, solid maple, that we wanted to build a base under and use for the dining table in the Rainbow house. After we got the cabinets in however, 14 feet was 3 or 4 feet too long. we thought about cutting the table down, but then decided that we would save it for another use, like a conference table or a dining table in another bigger house? We just couldn't bring ourselves to cut it shorter!

Anyway, we just couldn't find anything we liked, so on Friday evening it was back to craigslist! After looking at about 40 tables on the Portland site, I ran across one just a few miles from home that looked interesting. This morning Paula, Nate and I went to take a look. It was in a huge home in the Ladd Hill/Parrett Mountain area which really looked like it had been neglected. We weren't even sure it was occupied when we drove up. Turned out to be a home which had been built for and occupied by the author Jean Auel (Clan of the Cave Bears) and her husband. About 13000 square feet, now occupied by a young couple and two children. It appeared they were losing it and selling off the furniture.



The table was clearly built for the house. If you notice the row of marble down the center of the table (cool idea to avoid having to use hot pads huh!) it matches the marble over the fireplace just to the right of Nathan in the picture. The marble is standard 12 inch square pieces which can be replaced. We are planning to match our countertops if possible.


The table is beautiful. The 10 chairs are very high quality. I am pretty sure that the table is high quality cherry veneer over something very hard! The base is extremely well built and detaches from the top. We measured twice, and are confident it will be a perfect fit at Rainbow.


Another interesting story! Whether it be doors, tables, cars etc., where can you get the item and the story better than craigslist. And to top it off, instead of paying upwards of $10k or so for a high end dining set we made this new acquisition for $850. Both buyer and seller were happy, we have the table of a famous author, and the spirit of our new home is growing by the day! How fun is that! Go here to read about Jean Auel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_M._Auel

Peace Out!