Ideas on CL item?

13 years ago

While on CL today looking for a chair and lamps for my DD's room (very bad because I am finding all kinds of things I don't need) I came across something I think I MUST have! Someone here is selling a sewing machine base with a glass top for $50

{{!gwi}}

What do you think about changing out the top and using it for a nighttable? Any other ideas of how I could use it? Is $50 a good price? I think the beveled glass that is on it now must to have cost close to $50? I would love to hear any creative ideas on how to use (justify buying !) this.

Thanks

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Comments (11)

lindac
13 years ago
I think that unless you like the glass....that' more than top dollar for the item...
Unless you have a specific spot for something or it only costs $10....don't buy it or your basement will look like mine!!!
homebodymom
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Linda!!!!!
I had no idea about its value. I really appreciate the information. I hadn't really planned on using the glass on it................ I guess I will offer less and walk away if necessary.
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You are very welcome! :) That idea came to my head just a second before, when I saw that he was registering what was in front of him. I've always told my husband not to buy me roses for Valentines, because I would rather have something that last a little longer. Honestly, I don't know why I was so afraid he would get upset with me. After all, it was only $80. I think it all had to do with the fact that I wasn't sure about the piece and he would think I had wasted money. He has even laughed when he caught me looking at CL over the weekend.
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Regardless of whether or not these are priced appropriately, the most important item is how much they are worth to you and how much you can afford to pay. If that number is not close to her asking price then I would definitely keep a watch on them as it's only the first day she has listed them. After about five days, then I would make an inquiry about them as she may be more willing to negotiate if she has not had other buyers. Saying you really like them but they are way over your budget is much more likely to get a positive response then by trying to knock the price down by pointing out each and every little flaw. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to get a better feel for their actual value from the antiques forum, though antiques often go for much less than their value on CL--depending on location and demand.
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I agree. What a shame they don't want to use it. I'd LOVE to have a rock like that on my property. I'd definitely make it a garden feature.
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Nope...it's an ottoman. I think the seller might be Martyn Lawrence Bullard....he uses the word "delicious" in his description: This very cool rounded ottoman was a vintage purchase which I intended to fix up and use as the centerpiece of a walk-in closet, however construction plans have been delayed and the closet will not happen as quickly as hoped, and in the mean time we need to put windows in our garage, so I need to sell to gain storage space. This is a very cool shape (like pac-man) which could be used to go around the corner of a wall to be a banquette, or just left as is for a neat design. The velvet or velour fabric is like a golden vanilla color, very rich and regal looking, classic glam. You can use it as a coffee table/ottoman piece with a sofa, or like I was going to as a lounge seating piece in a fabulous closet, bedroom, family room, home theater room, humongous Moroccan style bathroom, etc. Pretty versatile and probably a great conversation piece wherever you put it. Instant style, and a forever classic. Measures 60" diameter (5' across!) -- Deliciously HUGE! Note that there is some staining and dirt on the upholstery. The lines across the top are just indentations in the velvet from what this was leaning against in our garage, those will fluff out. I tried to get good photos but since this is a velvety or velour type fabric it was hard to catch it right. There are some stains on the top, and the pointed edges have worn spots, and dirt. I have done a brush-off of the dirt, but I don't have the time or cleaning supplies to try to see if Oxy-clean or something will work on this. I would guess it would, but I need to leave that to the buyer, and my price reflects this. The upholestry is so pretty, and dramatic. I would think it would definitely be worth your while to try to salvage it. Even if some of the stains don't completely come out, they are hard to see with the velvet texture. It is up to you. Also, since this is an older item, the foam in the cushion feels a little on the hard side. It is not terrible, I mean it could still be used, but if you want a super-cushy seat I recommend reupholstering. Up to you. I try to think of all picky things to tell people. This is a really well-made piece and to get this custom made would be like $800+just for the frame and padding, then another few hundred for the upholstery fabric (depending on what you chose). Velvet is pretty pricey these days too, so if you can salvage it, you got a crazy good buy. Rare and unique custom item that you will not find elsewhere, and won't be able to make for such a low price. Here is a link that might be useful: And In Case You Can't Resist...
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nicole__
13 years ago
It's true....$10 is top dollar for that around here too.
palimpsest
13 years ago
the glass is probably worth more than 50 if you could use that for something.
User
13 years ago
I like it and would pay $50 for it if you can find a spot. You might consider trying to bring them down a bit but I'm not good at that and usually never do!
lynn_r_ct
13 years ago
Complete singer sewing machines are going for $50 here in CT so... but if you love it - go for it, but definately negotiate IMHO.
kim_okla
13 years ago
That's what I use for a night stand. I got a piece of granite for the top.
dilettante_gw
13 years ago
I think it would make a great nightstand, especially if you have antique furniture. Antique nightstands are hard to come by. I've been thinking of getting one for myself because I haven't been able to find a small table or chest that would work with my furniture and some of the Singer machines would be at least the right era. The dimensions of the sewing machine base are pretty good if you have room for a wide nightstand. They're about 28"H x 24"W x 18.5"D without a top. (Models may differ.) With a 2" overhang on all sides, that would make it 28"W x 22.5"D. Ideally (IMO), a nightstand should be at least 30" high, so if you add a hefty marble or wood top, it would be about the right height. I'd re-purpose the beveled glass because you can't attach it to the base and it wouldn't have enough weight to stay put.

As for price, $50 seems fair and isn't much to pay for a nightstand with character, provided you don't have to spend a lot for a top. In the Boston area, sewing machine bases go for around $50, but I see one advertised now on CL for $35 without a top (but it's in an outlying suburb in a less pricey area) and another for $125 in an even more remote town on the RI border. The more expensive one was repainted black and gold and has an oak top, which doesn't look antique and may even be laminate.

BTW, not all the cast iron sewing machine bases you'll see for sale are Singer. I don't know how brand name affects price but I imagine that the Singer machines are worth more, both for the name recognition and their more intricate designs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Singer Sewing Machine Dating Service
redbazel
13 years ago
This shot of mine is several years old, back when I had carpet in the bedroom...

Just this year, I replaced the framed picture ($10 from a garage sale a dozen years ago) with the beveled glass top it used to have (free from a glass cutter friend) and am using it on the other side of the bed. I got the base for $10 a dozen years ago too. But if I wanted this for a night stand or as I used to use it, as a plant table, I would probably pay up to $50.

Red
homebodymom
Original Author
13 years ago
thanks everyone. I called about the table yesterday, and left a message. No call back yet. I would like to get the table for my bedroom, and will my best to negotiate a better price- wish me luck!
leafy02
13 years ago
I have one with a wood top (not the original wood) and I love it. I have a lamp and some plants on it in the living room.

I used to have two others with the original top and drawers, and over the years gave them to friends who loved them--if I saw one at a yard sale or second-hand store here, I'd buy another one in a jiffy, at that price.

Ideas on CL item?

Comments (11)

lindac

homebodymom
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Ideas on CL item?

Comments (11)

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