This wabi sabi wooden table … oh my … there is a story behind it … but first I’m going to concentrate on the assignment at hand.
For day 12 of the Start to Finish class, we were to experiment with “shooting wide”, something that I’m not in the habit of doing. I’m always so critical of my space when I see it in photos.
This image was taken in our Arizona home and it does look bare. Truth be told, my homes are bare and that’s the way I like them. So why be ashamed?
Here the windows are not pretty. They’re standard aluminum frames with no drapes or curtains to hide them. We do have a simple roll-down blind for privacy at night.
So even though it seems there is not a lot going on here, it’s real. This is what you would see if you walked into our bedroom, but then you would be pulled over to look out the huge window and would be astonished to see a clear, unobstructed view of the Four Peaks Mountains … so. very. dreamy.
This is about as wabi sabi as it gets …
I have to be careful how I move this table since the boards are ready to fall apart …
… and are as dry as tinder …
So here’s the story. We were out and about last Saturday, driving around and checking out garage sales. I’d already purchased a few items such as rusty blackened cookie sheets, blackened pizza pans, and old ripped cloths. I was having a blast but I did feel a bit sheepish. I mean, not everyone gets it right?
When I came across this table, my heart started to pound. I’d promised hubby I wouldn’t bring home any (more) furniture. OMG … what to do? So then it started … “Barb, it’s just more stuff” “there’s no place to put it” “what are you going to do with it” “it probably has bugs”…
The guy who was having the sale walked over and said “you can take it for fifty cents”. OMG. Oh no … I was in for it … but my sweet hubby picked it up and started to carry it over to the car and as he walked away I could hear him mumbling “well, I guess we could always use it for firewood.”
With a huge smile on my face I handed over fifty cents. The rest is history.
Friday Finds at kimklassen.com
a GREAT investment! :)
i like your first shot – reminds me of an andrew wyeth painting.
I think it’s PERFECT for your Arizona home!
ooooh, soooooo wonderful!
Hehehe I had a good laugh, at what you think your husband said. That is priceless not only his remark but also the table. I noticed right off in the first image (which I love by the way) and thought oh my what great wood for a shoot. :) Why doesn’t that ever happen to me, I mean .50 cents who wouldn’t take it even if it is kindling?
Oh, I’m chuckling about your hubby’s remark. This is so fantastic Barb! The top photo is perfect for one of my Pinterest boards titled “gray”! Love it, love the wabi-sabi look. The pitcher is wabi-sabi too! The whole thing is perfect!
Wow, that is an incredible find! I love, love, love the table and your styling and grey-tone photos of it. I wouldn’t have passed it up either.
What a wonderful piece to use in your beautiful still-life photography and what a deal. I bet this is a piece you will use frequently….
Barb that is to die for. Something like that in the UK would cost a fortune. Your images are truly wonderful.
I’m sitting here, with my jaw dropped clear to the floor….WOW! Gorgeous photos, and that table….Perfect! Absolutely stunning!
A fantastic find! Absolutely love that texture….There is no way you could have let that go.
So funny, Barb, this is exactly what I’m looking for! Never would have been interested until we started Kim’s still life classes. LOL
Lovely images, Barb, and I’d say that was 50 cents well spent! All the best for a lovely weekend, Bonny
your husband is so sweet!! But, I don’t know about the no curtains in the bedroom? How do you sleep with the sun streaming in the morning? I need a dark room to sleep!! Lucky you
that table is to die for! but what you did with it…so simple but yet so wonderful – your photos always capture the essence of the moment – and defines the beauty of your space that is perfectly imperfect…
what a gorgeous find Barb!! I loved to read your story… and I love your pictures and the first one above all! such a simple, luminous, modern-style composition, it would be in its place in a home decoration magazine… I love your new table and its raw texture, I love the branches, what sort of tree is it? I’ve never seen such branches before, they give your picture such a dramatic look… don’t care about the window which here is just source of light… there’s so much beauty and art to admire with the table, the pitcher and the branches… and this beautiful light… perfect job Barbara!
I love that first shot. You can’t get any more real than that.
Barb, Best story ever! I can imagine my husband reacting in the same manner. I love your decorating style – and am headed toward a less cluttered lifestyle as well. I did drag home a barn door last week (like you and Kim) and prop it up on the front porch – so I’m not totally “cured” either. Love your image for today – shooting wide – lovely sculpture like twigs/branches – soft light – wabi sabi table – all things I love! Great composition and edit!
I love your images and the story of the table made me smile !
PS. It was so great to “see” you on Connect !
Deal of the day! Can’t wait to see what you do with the old cookie sheets!
Such a hilarious story! I have a tiny house with absolutely no more room for any furniture and yet, if I saw that table I would just have to take it home, and at 50 cents, well, you just had to, right? Awesome images as well. Cheers!