My own back yard
In my continuing saga to build an unusual reception type desk to fit the spirit of Anuvue, I set out exploring the internet. I don’t know about you, but I typically get side tracked away from exactly what I’m looking for… and end up trying to ship some strange, obscure thing from somewhere like a glacier off Greenland (or is that Iceland).
Anyway, my mind see’s this very cool desk, made from stainless steel, with some sort of pattern…and of course will probably end up costing not only the farm, but most likely 3 times anything I could have purchased ready made. But, as luck would have it, I found the perfect thing…in New York. Hey, at least I’ve worked my way to the US.
I have this friend who makes trade show booths and builds all the interiors of new stores for a rather large Surf Company… and, if I don’t stock him too much, he is always happy to help. I emailed him (much safer for him) and told him what I was looking for. I asked him if he knew anyone closer…say So Cal area…somewhere I could drive and pick up a sheet of this beautiful stuff, without bending or mangling it in the process. And, as is usually the case…he told me of a place, that embarrassing as this is to admit…is about 1/4 mile from the Printing Company I have worked at for these 20 LONG years. When I saw the old map Quest map…I burst out loud laughing!
I probably should have called these poor unsuspecting folks to warn them I was coming. They could have made themselves ready… or at least armed themselves with a metal trash can lid. Now picture a place that works for the Aircraft Industries and Automotive type people…and then picture a woman standing at two double glass doors…as they opened, shrieking with glee. I ran up and down the isles, caressing all the beautiful sheets of metals available…patterned, rolled, anodized, embossed, pierced…holy moses…my Mecca. One poor soul came up, perplexed to see a woman in leggings, sandals and a crazy skirt… I think he figured I was on my way to the mall and got it all wrong…and then…he asked the magic question…”Can I help you Miss” with up-extended eyebrows?
For the next half hour, he patiently answered every hairbrained question I could think of…”What’s this for?”…”How is that used”…”oh my God, what colors do you have”…”what size”…”how much” ? You get the idea.
He was a very nice man and will no doubt hide from me when I return to buy my ideal sheet metal. Upon my departure, I did ask how long the company had been there …He told me 20 years…
Anuvue Studio 
January 18, 2008 at 2:28 am
He, he, he, he….I’m sure that mans whole family knows about you now, and all the employees of that sheet metal store. They have something great to talk about for a long time now!
January 18, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Isn’t that how it always works?! BTW, I can lose hours (and lately have; in fact, I’ve been remiss in visiting blogs) on ebay and searching websites of vintage furniture stores. But there’s no experience better than going to estate sales and local stores. Nothing beats seeing it first.
Hey, if you come across anything that would look good in a Mid-century modern home, let me know. We have one of those old metal desks that I plan someday to refurbish. I’d like to paint it an enamel. (Or have one of those lowrider car places paint it.)
January 18, 2008 at 5:32 pm
yb, I recently saw one of those old metal desks, kinda rounded at the corners, with the heavy duty drawers in a chic retro store. I ran over to it cause I thought perfect! The price tag was 1500.00 dollars!!! Hang on to that baby.
If I see something, I will shoot it and send it to you so you can see. I love Estate sales as well!
And the Lowrider place is a good idea. You want to make sure it won’t peel if you do it yourself. Probably better to have the pro’s do it and they’ll have all kinds of funky colors.