Famous Department Store Desk Restoration

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  • Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024

Комментарии • 133

  • @deborahmatatall
    @deborahmatatall 2 года назад +14

    Love the finish and thank you for the poem! I love your poems and your cadence when you deliver them. Marshall Field & Co - famous for The Walnut Room and tea there at Christmas. We lived on the East Side and every year we would drive downtown to see their amazing window displays at Christmas. They were also famous for Frango mints. My aunt would bring us a box every time she visited. My grandmother would travel from California to see us, but I also knew she came so she could shop at Field’s. The building is iconic in a city full of iconic buildings. Their private label items were of the highest quality. You dressed up to shop there because it felt wrong to wander in their stores wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. Marshall Field & Co. was such a part of Chicago and it’s history, it felt wrong for Macy’s to slap their sign up on the buildings. People were really angry because it was like a piece of our history was being stolen. Hence, the protests and also many people vowing to NEVER shop there again. The Field family was one of the great philantropic families in Chicago. The Field Museum of Natural History is named for Marshall Field, who was the founding benefactor. Thanks for inviting this little stroll down memory lane. You did a beautiful job on an updated version of the desk.🌸

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад +1

      Deborah you always leave the sweetest comments! I very much understand the sentiment of a rebrand when the history of the company was so important to the city. I loved all that you shared and expanded upon the history. Thank you so much! 💙PS. Now I have to go look up what a Frango Mint is!

    • @writerlisakaye
      @writerlisakaye 2 года назад +2

      Oh, the Frango Mints... and you could watch them being made.

  • @rhiannonrising
    @rhiannonrising 2 года назад +2

    Your dog is excellent. Great job on the desk too.

  • @MaureenTheTemp
    @MaureenTheTemp 2 года назад +14

    Mom was born in 1930 on the south side of Chicago. We grew up in southern California, but she talked a lot about Marshall Fields. It was always just the epitome of an elegant department store to her. Nice job on the desk, it's a nice piece and I'm glad you've given it another life.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Thank you for sharing Maureen! To be so far away and still talk about a store must mean it left quite an impression!

  • @MerryEileen
    @MerryEileen 2 года назад +3

    I grew up in Chicago in the 50’s and knew Marshal Fields well. A classy store that had the best Christmas window decor in the city. In the 60’s I worked as an RN on the near north side and, wearing a nice dress, slip, nylons and a “panty-girdle”, took an “L” to the “loop” to shop at Marshal Field, Carson Pirie Scott, etc. The desk is classy like the store.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Getting dressed up to go to this store is interesting to me. A very different experience than going to the mall to shop at a Macys. Thank you for sharinf Eileen! 😊

  • @mizsherm4352
    @mizsherm4352 2 года назад +2

    Some of my fondest memories are shopping at Fields, the aroma when you entered the building, the beautiful merchandise, eating lunch on Saturday afternoon's with my friends, Frango mints at Christmas. The employees were like magical personal shoppers, they could pull several looks together for you - on your budget -and even have it altered while you waited!

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      I could use a personal shopper when I go to the store. It sounds so good the way you describe it. A one stop shop. Thank you for sharing Janet! 🧡

  • @maureen3772
    @maureen3772 2 года назад +9

    Love love love Marshall Fields and this piece is gorgeous! MF was my fave place to shop in college, especially the Michigan Avenue location which was the height of luxury for my broke student mind. Always remember them for their in-house chocolate brand. They were bought by Macy’s just before I graduated and even only knowing the store for 4 years it was heartbreaking to see it disappear.
    Thanks for saving this piece of history! I’m sure any Chicago native would be over the moon to own it.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад +1

      Thank you for sharing your experience Maureen! 😊 I am hoping whoever buys it has also had an experience with the store.

  • @piglettowood5476
    @piglettowood5476 2 года назад +6

    I love the colour you made, it totally transformed it from that yellow wood

  • @cathyjackson5959
    @cathyjackson5959 2 года назад +1

    What a Beauty she is!!! All sanded & polished up!!!! Loved your “little bug”. LOL. Was in amazing shape too for 70 yrs old!!!! 🌹💫🌹

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Thank you Cathy! 😊 Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

    • @cathyjackson5959
      @cathyjackson5959 2 года назад +1

      @@ReconstructingEmily You as well!!!🇺🇸💫🇺🇸Had my grandson Damari over for 3 days and got an inflatable pool and basically I chilled and he did belly flops (he said “that hurt my eggs!!”) cannon balls, water pong and water gun fights!!!! Had a blast and now soooo quiet!!! He’s 6❤️🇺🇸❤️

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      @@cathyjackson5959 That sounds like so much fun! We had a cook in since it rained during the day.

    • @cathyjackson5959
      @cathyjackson5959 2 года назад

      @@ReconstructingEmily We had to do same!! I’m in Athens, Georgia. Spent from noon until about 4 pm then the thunderstorms hit!!! Since Saturday-every afternoon thunderstorms hit!!! I did 2 round cut steaks in aluminum foil in my Ninja frier and potatoes in microwave!! Delicious. Of course, both with added ingredients & bell pepper/onion/olive oil. Missed any fireworks cuz it POURED down!!! It was still raining when I let dogs out at 4am-can’t sleep thru whining!!!! Have an Amazing week Emily & Family🇺🇸⛱🇺🇸

  • @Flippingdrawers
    @Flippingdrawers 2 года назад +1

    Love that desk. Very cool shape and colour. 👌

  • @lyndagreenwald3909
    @lyndagreenwald3909 2 года назад +1

    What a lovely job you have done on that desk. I’m very familiar with Marshal Fields stores. I lived near Chicago and they were a real treat to shop in. Very classy stores.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Thank you Lynda! From what everyone has been saying the stores seem like they were quite the experience!

  • @kayhenry6293
    @kayhenry6293 2 года назад +1

    That turned out amazing! I would buy it in a heartbeat if I could afford it, and get it to Texas. The color is beautiful; it so suits the piece. Great job!

  • @toni5810
    @toni5810 2 года назад +1

    I wasn't familiar with Marshall Field & Company. Thanks for sharing the history, the poem, and the lovely restoration of the desk. Enjoy the desk!

  • @gailnye9791
    @gailnye9791 2 года назад +3

    Marshall Fields was a grand store! Still in Chicago, the building is worth seeing! It is missing its iconic green clock sign outside but the inside is the same! Love your piece btw, I would keep it.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Thank you for sharing Gail! I have plans to go see it now when I get up to Chicago. ❤️

  • @vbee3571
    @vbee3571 2 года назад +3

    I remember Marshall Fields. It was an upscale department store where women would go shopping in their high heels, nylon stockings, and nice dresses. Then you would get to go to the tea room. I also remember that early 1950s finish- it was called a “blonde finish.” It was horrible then, and it’s horrible now. I like what you did with it-what an improvement!

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Sounds incredibly fancy! I wish I could go back and experience what it was like to go in the store during those times. I'm sure that would be an interesting experience. Thank you for sharing V bee!

  • @coloredcaboosecreations
    @coloredcaboosecreations 2 года назад +2

    Picks up purple bug with a paper towel 😂!
    The top coat with paint wash turned out nice I’ve never tried that technique but think I might now. Love the history lesson here and your approach to explaining it great stuff! Thanks for Sharing Emily.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      It was on of those rubbery ones that feel weird. My daughter had it a few months ago until I took it away, and apparently it got lost hidden on this desk in the garage. I am sure I will be questioned on its whereabouts when she sees this...Thank you for watching 👀 😊

  • @cindyburst
    @cindyburst 2 года назад +1

    Omg Marshall fields! So many memories!! Frango mint pie! Loved going to the state street store even though water tower was practically next door. Thanks for the memories!!1!

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад +1

      Frango mint pie?! Is this still a thing? I want to try it.

    • @cindyburst
      @cindyburst 2 года назад +1

      The beautiful restaurant in the state street store had frango mint pie on the menu and it was 😋. Haven’t lived in Chicago for years so I don’t know what the situation is there. Need a visit!

  • @bobromero2485
    @bobromero2485 2 года назад +3

    The original Fields is still open as a Macys on State Street. The building is beautiful and we love eating in the Walnut Room at Christmas.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      This sounds like an amazing experience. Do you go every Christmas? Thank you for sharing Bob!

    • @bobromero2485
      @bobromero2485 2 года назад +1

      Pretty much every year. We see Santa and then lunch at the Walnut. The Chicken pot pie is my fav 🤩

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      @@bobromero2485 Ooo chicken pot pies. That sounds so good right now!

  • @diywithtarnya
    @diywithtarnya 2 года назад +1

    I love that desk now, Emily. The colour tones were perfect. I love the style too. Soooo good!

  • @tamaralarimore5664
    @tamaralarimore5664 2 года назад +2

    I grew up in the Chicago area, and a trip to Marshall Field's was an event! High end goods and service. Lovely job.

  • @ChicAntiquebyHolly
    @ChicAntiquebyHolly 2 года назад +1

    You did a lovely job on this. Thank you for sharing.

  • @LoriM222
    @LoriM222 2 года назад +1

    So nice to see a Marshall Field & Co piece!! I have a ceramic jar and cover with the name on the front that I got on Ebay a long time ago (wish I could post a pic here) and it was so awesome to see someone come across a piece from that company! Nice restore, Emily!!

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад +1

      Thank you Lori! 😊 I am loving all the stories tied to Marshall Field & Co! 🧡

    • @LoriM222
      @LoriM222 2 года назад

      @@ReconstructingEmily You are welcome, so glad you did that piece!

  • @melkitty
    @melkitty Год назад +1

    My grandmother used to model for Marshall Fields!

  • @noraleestone2859
    @noraleestone2859 2 года назад +1

    05:13 O M G!!! That's my birthday! 😲🤯 How random is that?🤔 Or maybe even bizarre? 👽 🤣🤣

  • @JuliaARubin
    @JuliaARubin 2 года назад +2

    Beautiful desk and fascinating history!

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Thank you Julia! Glad you enjoyed it.

    • @JuliaARubin
      @JuliaARubin 2 года назад

      @@ReconstructingEmily if you had stained it darker, I’d be begging you to sell it to me, that’s how much I loved it and what you did with the piece!

  • @polgarauk5606
    @polgarauk5606 2 года назад +5

    Gorgeous piece absolutely loved it and it was lovely hearing about the history of it's makers.

  • @livingcreatively1
    @livingcreatively1 2 года назад +2

    This is one of those pieces that will always fit in. Love the colour you finished with.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад +1

      Agreed! Timeless style with just enough visual interest. Thank you Denise!

  • @josieschwalm3226
    @josieschwalm3226 2 года назад

    Thank you for reminding me about color theory and that tones can be cancelled by their counter colors. It's a very brave thing to do on such a beautiful piece yet really enhanced the lines and grain in the wood. I absolutely love it and now I'm thinking what I can do with a red toned desk.

  • @laurelarmstrong4535
    @laurelarmstrong4535 2 года назад +4

    Interesting. Thanks for sharing the history. It came out very nice and looks so much better.

  • @Boomerinthewild62
    @Boomerinthewild62 2 года назад +2

    A great refinish and cool history lesson. Awesome start to my day ☺️

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад +1

      Woo! Hopefully your weekend is going well DJ!

    • @Boomerinthewild62
      @Boomerinthewild62 2 года назад +1

      @@ReconstructingEmily you, too, Emily. Happy Independence Day 🇺🇸🇺🇲 ~Deborah

  • @Flippingdrawers
    @Flippingdrawers 2 года назад +1

    Watching 😉

  • @MrsJax304
    @MrsJax304 2 года назад +1

    Beautiful work. Love 🐾🐾🐾

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Thank you Mrs Jax! Hope you're having a great weekend / week! 😊

  • @patriciamoody3137
    @patriciamoody3137 2 года назад +1

    It’s so beautiful! Emily, I’ve been meaning to tell you that your voice is perfectly suited for video narration and every time I watch one of your videos I say to myself, “Ahh, there’s that pretty voice!”

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Thank you so much Patricia! 😊 I appreciate your kind words 🙂

  • @chandarussell
    @chandarussell Год назад +1

    I like the design of this desk. The crossed set of legs remind me of an old camp desk. It’s also small enough to fit into a convenient corner. However I’m not a fan of blond or light finishes on wood for the most part. I think would should look rich and warm but that’s just me. Excellent job.

  • @Joans20thCentury
    @Joans20thCentury 2 года назад +4

    You’re work is always impressive, you actually care that the furniture returns to its original condition. You are very talented.

  • @coffee-1998
    @coffee-1998 2 года назад +1

    Love it!
    History lesson was interesting too.

  • @diytainment
    @diytainment 2 года назад +1

    The desk came out really nice! Love d the video!

  • @Grahamcracker6366
    @Grahamcracker6366 2 года назад +2

    Cool facts. Awesome desk.

  • @CopperCactusDIY
    @CopperCactusDIY 2 года назад +2

    Poetry and restoration, on point! Thanks for the history lesson too!

  • @katyd4183
    @katyd4183 2 года назад +1

    My Grandmother, born in 1890, was from St Paul, and her mother died when she was 5. She left home to make her way at 16 due to a vicious Stepmother. She got a teaching credential and taught school in the North, South Dakota etc. She spent summers modeling for Marshall Fields in Chicago. She was 5'6" which was relatively tall in early 1900's. She was an incredible woman, jack of all trades for women. Artist, milliner, knitter, bread maker, seamstress and leather worker. Also famous Gardener in her small town and speaker on women's rights in 1920's. Taught us lots!

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      That is incredible! I love this so much 💙It is amazing how there are so many ties back to family histories. Thank you so much for sharing Katy!

  • @cathymichalak3047
    @cathymichalak3047 Год назад +1

    For a short time, we had a Marshall Field in Toledo, OH it was very expensive but a beautiful store. They had designer clothes, purses just anything that you could want. Then Macy's came in and they have different levels of Macy's Stores! And Toledo, OH was considered a lower end? Over the past 10 years the store is horrible you get your shoes there stacked like Shoe Mart. And the Second Floor is like a Help Yourself Kolh’s Store (And There's nothing wrong with Kolh’s ) It has just lost its once Luxury Store! It's so sad. 😢

  • @gailbutler3310
    @gailbutler3310 2 года назад +2

    So simple, so lovely. You always do such good work.

  • @marystewart1292
    @marystewart1292 7 месяцев назад

    Definitely heard of Marshall Fields ❤

  • @robertkeffer3361
    @robertkeffer3361 Год назад +1

    During the 1950s Marshall Fields had a very active home decorating department.
    They pushed mid century modern furniture...your piece is from that collection. Its a real find.

  • @michelleenglish602
    @michelleenglish602 2 года назад +1

    Love this desk! 😀

  • @hpot53
    @hpot53 2 года назад +1

    Really nice piece. I wonder what it sold for in 1952. Hope you made a good profit on it. Ken

  • @conniefortner8750
    @conniefortner8750 2 года назад +1

    Nice job!

  • @traceyrice9359
    @traceyrice9359 2 года назад +1

    Andersonville, Tennessee here!

  • @traceyrice9359
    @traceyrice9359 2 года назад +2

    Love it! Thanks for sharing!

  • @lorrem2539
    @lorrem2539 2 года назад

    Really like how it turned out 😀

  • @carla109
    @carla109 2 года назад

    I really like the tone yo came up with to combat the yellow. My brother turned 70 this past month....think you can do a refinish on him? 😄

  • @writerlisakaye
    @writerlisakaye 2 года назад +2

    Marshall Field was THE high end department store in the Midwest. Check out the movie "What Women Want" to see the flagship store in Chicago's Loop. It was truly an experience. I never knew they actually manufactured furniture. (Before I was born.)

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Ooo Thank you! I am going to need to check out the movie now!

  • @AskingSpot
    @AskingSpot 2 года назад +1

    My mom bought her wedding dress from the Marshall Fields in Chicago! Great results. How do you know how much to spend on an item?

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад +1

      When I am sourcing an item I typically set a max amount for it. I don't like to go over $50. My general thought process is that in my area I can almost always sell a piece for at least $50. I also have to assess things like the condition and what the actual piece is. For example, I might pay up for a high end MCM piece like Broyhill (piece dependent), because I have watched my market long enough to know approximately what I can ask for the item. It is really just based on observations over the years. I also follow other resellers (some refinish and some don't) to help guide my pricing better. I do pay up for pieces that I keep for myself (like my Stanley dresser or the Broyhill Emphasis piece I kept). Hope this helps - sorry its such a long response. Thank you for sharing your connection to the store! That is really awesome!

  • @grammybear4226
    @grammybear4226 2 года назад

    Big Bear Hugs from a 68 yr old Grammy from Kirby, Texas, USA 🐼

  • @Flippingdrawers
    @Flippingdrawers 2 года назад +1

    Beginner level is latex paint and transfers. Oh and some light distressing 😂

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      Dangggg Jay! You woke up with some sass this morning sir! ❤️

  • @2Cambell
    @2Cambell Год назад

    Oh my goodness, I'm so late with this one!!! I guess I was bogged down at the time with My brother's house and Mom's house. In any case, I can't take you back to 1957, but my Mom and Grandma could. They lived close to Chicago and that's where they did their shopping. Before Marshall Fields was sold, when we went to visit our Grandparents, we were taken there to shop. I was young, but I knew about shopping from my Dad's Mom back home. Both of my Grandmas were ladies. Marshall Field's was different in that they deliberately employeed fresh-faced young ladies from the farm communities nearby and trained them a certain way. The service level was the same from department to department. I personally felt that the price tags were quite a bit inflated, because I knew the value of things. But the store was elegant, well-stocked and the service was impeccable. I suppose if you had more money than time to shop for a better price, then this was the place! I visited in the early 80s. The desk looks great!!! I'm also not a fan of banana yellow wood. I was surprised to see you add the colors, instead of going for a pale walnut or ash stain. What was the inspiration? It turned out great, but I'm curious...🐈

  • @charlottecolley6966
    @charlottecolley6966 2 года назад

    I remember shopping at Marshall Field's down here in Florida. If you were going to go, you planned to be gone for hours. I guess by the time it got all the way down here it wasn't the grand place that it was in Chicago, but it was still the place to shop.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад +1

      I wish I could have experienced it. I wonder if this desk came from a Florida location. Thank you for sharing Charlotte! 🧡

  • @maggiemix7424
    @maggiemix7424 2 года назад +1

    That desk was built on my birthday. To the date 5-8-52. What an odd coincidence. The mare on the top appears to me more like a sap problem then a burn. I would think a burn would be darker.

  • @moneymakingmikeg.9555
    @moneymakingmikeg.9555 Год назад +1

    Fun fact.... did you know that between 1996 & circa 2006 I loaded prob. over $80 Million dollars in shoes & handbags to Retail Hubs Marshall Fields?!?!?! If ppl. read this here's some other names that will bring back nostalgia. Belk, Von-Muar, Bon-Ton, Dillard's, Lord & Taylor, Gottschalks, Bon Marche, Famous Barr, Filenes & Filenes Basement, Robinson May etc. Whenever I hear a name of one of those companies ALL the other ones come flooding back!!! Loaded countless trailers heading to all over the nation looking at the Store names for over a decade. Desk came out great. It will be around for another 70 years easily. Hoping all is well, Dirty Jersey out!!

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  Год назад +1

      Thats crazy! 80 Million worth of merch is a lot of stuff - even if some of its expensive. Just wow! Thanks for sharing Mike G!

  • @diytainment
    @diytainment 2 года назад +1

    May 8th! Melyssa and my birthday 😄

  • @michaelcristofano5863
    @michaelcristofano5863 2 года назад +2

    I grew up with Marshall Fields and still am disappointed with its quality as Macy's. Christmas was magical with the awesome window displays. The holidays were not complete with out a meal at the stately Oak room restaurant. Another product that made Marshall Field's stand out were the MF chocolate covered mints which were originally made in the State Street flagship store. Great job on the desk.

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад

      The MF chocolates have been mentioned a few times now. I saw that Macy's sells them. Would you say they are similar or not as good? Thank you for sharing Michael!

    • @michaelcristofano5863
      @michaelcristofano5863 2 года назад

      I think they are pretty similar. I imagine it is the same recipe.

  • @TheCraftyMagnolia
    @TheCraftyMagnolia 2 года назад

    So much more could have been done with this piece. It is gorgeous but I didn't care for the color it came out. A darker color poly may have covered up that stain a little and gave it an update. I'm too young to recall Marshall Field but I knew Macy's long ago was an experience to shop at. I still shop with that company online.

  • @julies2110
    @julies2110 Год назад

    💜

  • @kathleenhernandez2292
    @kathleenhernandez2292 2 года назад +1

    We had a Macy's

    • @ReconstructingEmily
      @ReconstructingEmily  2 года назад +1

      I equate this to Sears. Sears was the first store I rode an escalator in, but my understanding is this store was dare I say fancier? I don't thing I went into a Macys until I was in my 20s.

  • @rhiannadelerres7500
    @rhiannadelerres7500 2 года назад

    Noice! 👍🏽

  • @eileenball39
    @eileenball39 2 года назад +1

    This is so 1950s!!

  • @tomfoster2616
    @tomfoster2616 2 года назад

    I'm glad you took the wheels off, I didn't like them