Workshop Diary: Loading the Van, a Kiwi Art Deco Cabinet & Daisy-Handled Nightstands

Hello, Picklers. Today I'm showing you the most boring part of my job: loading the van. Then the slightly more exciting bit, unloading it again. Here's what went out the door this week and what came back in.Going out: A solid Art Deco occasional table. Beautiful colour, lovely shape, and nice and light, which my back appreciates. A little retro three-tier spindle bookcase. One of three we've got in at the moment. Super retro, also light. A Queen Anne-legged stool off to a brand-new customer. Not the original fabric, but I really like it. Hardy, and light again. A big industrial letter C. Not being rude for a change. I've had it a while and I'd love loads more of these. I don't get much industrial stuff, but it's nice when I do, because it's got some real scale compared to everything else. A 1960s chair in an incredible colour, coming along for the ride in case a customer decides he wants it. Coming back in: A New Zealand-made Art Deco cabinet in exceptional condition. No glass problems, original handle, original lock, and the original key. It needed a little work on the top, but it's smooth now. A very, very special piece. A little Arts and Crafts plant stand or wine table, with a tiny bit of surface wear, probably from a plant pot. A book trough I haven't had a chance to sort yet. A pair of wall-mounted nightstands with the most amazing enamelled daisy handles, all original. A first for me. A couple of screws and they go anywhere you want. Another Arts and Crafts end table, sort of mission style meets Arts and Crafts. The colour, the timber, the grain, the slatting: I love everything about it. It just needs a tiny bit of glue to help it sit straight. The lesson: You'll notice I keep saying "nice and light". That's not just my back talking. When you're doing this yourself, weight and size are part of what a piece costs you. Light, compact pieces load easily, don't rattle around in the van, don't need a second person, and don't wear you out before the day's even started. A heavy piece has to earn its place.And the other one: if a customer's shown interest in something, take it along on the delivery run. It costs you nothing if it comes home again, and people get tempted once they see a piece in front of them.So that's a full van out and a full van back into the workshop. Any questions about any of these pieces, drop them below. Have a great week, and see you Thursday for Q&A.

Country/region

Viewing By Arrangement Only.