Thursday, October 27, 2011

OLE!

I've been known to hark back occasionally to previous posts. (Or maybe more often than that.) Do you recall the one where I told you about the furniture I fell in love with as a pre-teen? (Can a person "fall in love" with furniture? I'm here to tell you that this person CAN - and did.)
Click here to view my post from last year about the "Ole" collection by Stanley Furniture.
So - you knew this was coming, right? Guess what I found?!
A twin size head and foot board and rails.

After I had it in the car, I started doubting myself, thinking things like:
"Is it really Ole - or is it one of the look-alikes?".
And, "Are you SURE it's really Ole?".
Because you see, if it wasn't - well, then I wouldn't really want it at all.
"But I could always sell it."
"And the price was right."
As soon as I was able to get on the internet, I checked my pictures.
And my heart sank, "Oh - it's NOT the same."
For this is what I saw:

But as I scrolled down, I realized that the first photo was of the FULL size bed, which IS different. And that yes, indeed, mine is an Ole.


I don't even have a twin mattress for it, I don't have the slats for it, and - last but certainly not least- I don't have a place to put it, either.
And my husband might kill me when he reads this. (He hasn't seen it yet.)

But it is only the second piece of this furniture that I have seen (in person) in about 40 years, and I absolutely, positively, could not leave it at the thrift store.
If you don't understand, I'm sorry. But I couldn't do it.
Because I am still in love.

31 comments:

jamie@midcenturymania said...

I DO understand! That is why I have a basement full of furniture that I love and have no place to put it upstairs! OLE to you for taking the plunge and bringing that little doll home....almost home!

Sponge Curlers and Cupcakes said...

Oh Heidi Ann! OF COURSE you could NOT leave it for pete's sake! That is fantabulous! I'd never heard of this furniture before so I'm going to go back to your older post to learn more but I say we do a show of hands and out vote Heidi's husband *G* Hang onto it for dear life! Fight! Scratch! Gouge if you must! (Hahaha!). GREAT FIND!

Vickie

Tina Dawn said...

It is a lot better looking now than it looked forlorn and lonely in the garage! So colorful, that is the color line I would pick for sure. It was definitely meant to be yours, so Happy Birthday from the cosmos! Love T

Tricks and Manners said...

It's SO cute!!! Congratulations on a great find and the excellent decision to snap it up!

lauramay said...

Heidi,Congrats on your find.I love this line as well as Plus one.I"m searching myself for these.I want to turn my spare bedroom into the bedroom i never had as a teenager with all the furniture.Talk about crazy.My husband would have me committed if i did it.NO YOUR NOT CRAZY.I love your posts showing all the teen bedrooms from retro seventeen mags.Laura

farmlady said...

I think you knew that this was going to happen some day. I knew it was going to happen. "No room" is my middle name.
It's still a great find and I'm sure that you will find a place for it even if you have to get rid of something else.
I understand. There's an order to "I love this. I have to have it." This was higher on the list, so this charming bed will take precedence over something you already have. That's the joy(or dilemma) of collecting.
It's a charming bed. I'm glad you bought it.
It will be OK. It's found a home.

Anonymous said...

I just went online to see if there was any more Ole by Stanley furniture out there. I cut out the picture of the furniture years ago when I was about 8 and my parents bought me the only pieces that the store had when I was about 14...I have the white with blue and green trim....anyone have any knowledge of a dresser for sale for it??? Not the tall dresser but a long one??? Enjoyed the blog about it very much!!!

Debra said...

I am so happy for you. I have two twins like yours in yellow and also a double/queen. I have the paprika color fancy twin and double queen. I love ALL my Olé and I will buy every piece I find. It is funny how much we like it, but I feel as if we are all in a very exclusive club because it takes a certain aesthetic to appreciate it. I had my paprika restored and I cried when I saw the results it was so perfect.

Heidi Ann said...

elfridabeetle - Thank you SO much for posting your comment! You are so lucky to have all of your pieces! At least, you definitely know that you are lucky. It makes me so happy to hear from others who understand my love for this vintage furniture. If there is any possible way that you could let me see photos of your Ole furniture, I would be thrilled. Thank you again! I'm so glad you found our blog.

prettybird said...

Hello all you Ole lovers. I was getting ready to put my Ole furniture on ebay to sell when I discovered this blog. So, since you all love it, does anyone want to buy the RED style? I have a dresser with hutch, a vanity with funky chair and a nightstand which has a little damage from my silly dog. I would just throw that in. I was thinking about selling the pieces for $300. They reside in OKC, OK. Anyone interested?

Heidi Ann said...

Hi prettybird - I only wish that I could!

Harbor Mom said...

I totally get your love of this furniture and until I found your blog I did not know that it was called Ole! My parents purchased my red Ole bedroom set at Staat's Furniture in Moses Lake, WA in 1970. I had the long and short dresser, the desk with hutch, the chair (which is badly damaged) the queen head board and the dresser mirror. I left it at home when I moved out and now my 20 year old daughter is going to be taking possession of it soon. She loves all things vintage and is really excited to be getting it. We are trying to find her a bedspread or duvet that will work with all the bright colors. She would love to get the nightstand someday so if any of you have it for sale and live in the Seattle area let me know! I will email you a picture when we get it moved and set up. Thanks for sharing your Ole story!

Miss Ladybug said...

My mom still has my old bedroom furniture they bought me in about 1975. They have the child's dresser, twin mirror and headboard in Ole red. She's looking to sell it because she just doesn't have any place to put it...

Unknown said...

Hello, my name is Daria and I have some furniture that has been in my family since the 70's. It is from the Ole Stanley collection, I now know this after finding your blog. I will upload some pictures I am looking so sell it, but would definitely love finding out history of the furniture if anything.

Laura said...

I have this set and am looking to sell. PA area.
headboard, dresser, bureau with mirror, side table and chair. It's the white with green and blue paint. Love it, was my set as a child... no room to keep with 2 little boys.

Unknown said...

I have been watching this blog for awhile now and am ready to post! I too love the ole furniture, i was given a set when i was 11 and still have everything but the headboard. I am looking for the headboard in the paprika,(pinky orangey red,)and a chair in the same color. If anybody out there has these or any other pieces for sale please, please let me know. Thank you so much for this blog, i love it!

melisa said...

I'm 48 years old I still have mine its the red in great shape it I've often wanted to sell it .

nlvlaw95 said...

I'm looking for an Ole nightstand and chest of drawers to match the bed, desk and hutch my mom had in high school. My daughter is nearly 3 and we are looking to do her room in grandma's furniture. Contact me at nlvlaw@msn.com if you have these pieces for sale. I am in Southern Illinois.

Nicole

Unknown said...

My parents are moving and have a few pieces of Stanley Ole bedroom furniture for sale: my sisters ~ white, blue & green twin headboard with frame and mine : ( Red, green & yellow desk & bookcase hutch, chair, cheval mirror.
Excellent condition,
Bloomington, Minnesota
contact Dawn 952.447.8084 asap Estate sale June 8th & 9th.

Chandra said...

I have a set of Ole in Paprika I have loved since I used it in the 1960s. Now it's time for a new home. I have the bed, desk, hutch, chair, mirror and dresser. Write bhapeenow@comcast.net if you are interested.

Anonymous said...

Looking for a twin like this and Any other pieces. GatesBeth78@gmail.com. located in Seattle area.

Kim west said...

HI, I'm looking for any of the ole orangy/red bedroom suit. I'm in southeast Texas but travel often so pickup can be arrang d. Thank you, kim

Debbie said...

Hi Kim in Texs, Debra in Tucson here. I have the following in the red colorway: twin and double/queen headboard; tiny telephone stand (needs repair); chest of drawers; 6 drawer bureau; 3 drawer bureau with cabinet; wall mirror; vanity table with round mirror on a little drawer; 3 legged chair; chair with upholstered seat; table with detachable hutch (I have two of these). I have curtains, bedspreads and lamps, too.

CHOCAT said...

Hello! Anyone interested in buying RED/PAPRIKA OLE' BEDROOM SET ??! Looking to sell / located in Virginia

Unknown said...

What pieces do you have for sale

Unknown said...

I grew up with the white, blue, and green Ole' bedroom set. My daughter now has my set in her room. Unfortunately, she wants a more modern look and in researching the furniture's value I found this site. I have 8 pieces that I'm looking to sell. The desk with chair, 2 dressers with bookshelves, twin bed, stand up mirror, and a banana(?) chair. I'm in Northern California.

Unknown said...

I grew up (in the 90's) using my mother's Red bedroom set. I absolutely loved it, and so did my younger sister. We were always told one of us would get to use it for our future children. Now that we are adults we BOTH want pieces from the set for our own children.
I am looking to buy any Red/Paprika Ole Bedroom pieces. I'd consider other colors too. I live in Minnesota, though my parents travel often and could pick up the set/piece basically anywhere.

Unknown said...

I recently was given the entire bedroom set in the Ole, including armoire, desk/hutch, twin bed, nightstand and chair and floor mirror. The lady said she bought for her daughter in 1966 and had kept it all these years and her daughter didnt want it. I wish I had this when I was younger (I am 59), so now I will find it hard to refinish and sell??? I don't have room for it, and will sell whether I paint or not.
I had no idea what a find this is.

Unknown said...

My mother has a twin headboard and the dresser with hutch. It's paprika and located in Northern Virginia if anyone is interested. I wish I had the room for it but I sadly don't.

Heidi Ann said...

I wish I could buy it from her, Melissa - but I can't!

Bama Girl said...

Hi to all. I was fortunate to get the ole red furniture by Stanley in 1970. We lived in Texas. I had the trundle bed, desk with hutch, and the dresser. I still have all the piec s except the twin trundle bed. My mom lent the bed to her friend and I never got it back. Needless to say, it made me very unhappy. I still use all the pieces and still love it like when I was 11. If anyone has the Ole red piec s, especially the bed, I would love to buy them.
JoEllen