September 18, 2008
things we bought on ebay, Florence Knoll T Angle Coffee Table
Visual evidence
The one that got away
I had bookmarked a Jens Risom floating coffee table a month or so ago after I bid on and won the Florence Knoll sofa (which arrived yesterday). I forgot about the auction and was bummed when I remembered and realized it had sold for only $305. It’s hard to find Risom furniture at good prices and I felt I let something beautiful slip away. I spent the next night searching for another.
Cleaning
I should have taken pictures of it, but the table is built on a steel frame. The wood looks to be a single piece of oak veneer plywood cut into three squares. These pieces attach by screws to the bottom. I took everything apart, vacuumed and windexed the frame, rubbed the wood with cleaner, and put everything back together.
Plans
There are a couple places where the veneer on the sides of the squares has chipped off. And there are couple gouges and water rings on the top. I may reapply veneer to two of the sides, then see about getting the water stains out.
If that doesn’t work, I’ll probably cut three new pieces with walnut and keep the original squares.
Observation
Amy says it reminds her of the Pierre Koening Case Study House.
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8 Responses to “things we bought on ebay, Florence Knoll T Angle Coffee Table”
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Awesome. Watch out, don’t scratch that floor!
Keep those images coming.
Tung oil gives that same kind of thin, flat, natural finish as what appears to be on the coffee table panels.
I’d like to see your dogs make laps around that scene. Kind of a combination of drifting and ice racing.
Amy’s got some good pictures of the dogs staking things out.
As to scratches, please note the ugly felt pads on the bottom of each leg.
Going to have to figure something out there.
I saw the ugly felt pads.
Buy 1/4″ nylon stock and fix it to the bottoms of the legs. It’s soft enough to cut and shape and will give the floor some relief. You might even be able to find it in black.
Oh. Those felt pads really pull the room together.
Just gorgeous Deron. Love the juxtaposition of the Knoll with the Stickley settle (is it still a settle if it’s sofa size?)
We have a friend here who has an enormous original Stickley dining room set. He collects turn-of-the-century-into-Deco pottery. According to him, theives entering their house would walk right past the most valuable vase without knowing, worth some $12,000.
Story goes, years ago, he was driving the midwest “antiquing.” Don’t remember where he was, Ohio, Kentucky, maybe Wisconsin, but drove past a farm with a “yard-sale.” As he flew past, he thought he saw a chair he needed to have a look at. He turned around. Found the whole set for sale. Bought it all, for like something crazy, like $100 and had it shipped to KC. With the table, I think there are two arm-chairs and six or eight dining chairs.
It’s older than the Stickley we envision when the name gets tossed around, More mideval looking. Very straight lines, wide slats in the backs of the chairs. The leather seats beautifully worn, held in place by enormous tacks (3/4″ across), but sure enough when you flip a chair over, there’s Stickley’s mark. Just amazing.
I love what you and Amy are doing. More pictures, please, as you continue.
i would suggest that you leave it as is and have a professional do the restoration. Doing this it will make it more valueable and make it easier for you to sell or trade if the time comes. I have had several pieces of mid -century restored to perfection. If you wish i can give you the names of some locals and by the by iam still willing to give you the names of two of this biggest dealers in mid- century, in the country,both here in Dallas,
David, I’d love information on both counts.
Thanks, Rick.
The stickley couch will move to the living room for now. The Knoll couch, which I’ll blog about soon, sits behind the table at this point. I love it.
Thanks for the floor tip, MGS.
Deron i will get info to you Fri