Monday, May 29, 2023

Spiral Italian Library Steps

Attending yard and garage sales can certainly be an adventure. You never know where you might be digging for treasures or what you might find. When a community garage sale was recently listed in a local area known for being, well shall I say "anti-government", I was intrigued. However, there was no way I was going to attend solely so I convinced hubby to go with me. It turned out not to be much of a sale at all, but rather a few people selling some things in an open field. I did get a free table or bench base (I will share that soon) and this piece for $5.
Spiral Italian Library Steps
I bought this piece thinking that it was a plant stand or that it could be used as a plant stand. My daughter has 150+ plants and I thought she might like it. 
Spiral Italian Library Steps
But, after doing a Google visual search I discovered my $5 buy was quite a find.
Spiral Italian Library Steps
It is stamped made in Italy. It is vintage, but not an antique. I can't find reproductions currently selling on Wayfair or Amazon. Now, I know I couldn't sell it for these prices, I know the prices listed online are often unrealistic. In the antique business we say something is worth what someone is willing to pay. But, I do think I found something special. I was willing to pay $5 for it and I I think I did fairly well with this purchase. 

Oh, and dear daughter is not getting it as of now because I have a library and the perfect place for this spiral step ladder.
Spiral Italian Library Steps
I've been sharing our lofted library lately as I've been working to restyle it. This narrow area is on the right side of the library with the steps to the lofted space below this narrow space.
Spiral Italian Library Steps
After cleaning up the wood, spiral steps with Wise Owl Furniture Salve (buy it HERE), I decided this corner was the perfect spot for these steps. We are a tall family (I am the shortest at 5'9") so we really don't need a boost to reach the top bookshelf, but shorter friends and family might.
Spiral Italian Library Steps
These steps provided the perfect spot for a little styling so of course I had to add a few fun, thrifted finds. 
Spiral Italian Library Steps
The plants were sitting on a chippy. wood bench sitting in front of the window. the bench got moved to the sunroom and I set the small spider plant on the top shelf. I few small books are held against the pole and the planter. A vintage crewel of a bird sits on the outside of the next step.
Spiral Italian Library Steps
A couple brass swans (geese?) sit on the inside of another step.
Spiral Italian Library Steps
The other plant that was sitting on the bench now sits on a thrifted brass plant stand roller. My sons ukuleles--one purchased, one he made, and couple vintage children's books sit in the window now.
Spiral Italian Library Steps
I must say, when I looked up this item I couldn't really believe the prices I was seeing. Did I really just pay only $5 for this I wondered. But, as my friend Tina said, maybe it was meant to be as not too many people have libraries in their homes. Happy adventuring!

1 comment:

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!