Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Vintage Tube Radio Cabinet Repurposed

 
Notice something a little different standing in the corner, behind our new chairs?  We bought an antique vacuum tube radio cabinet.
 
We don't know how old it is, but according to the sweet fellow who repurposed and sold it to me, it was probably built in the mid- to late 1930s.  He thinks it was crafted for a wealthy family because of the expensive (especially for that time) details.


 
One detail in particular is the caned back:
 
 
Apparently, most cabinets had an open back (where you could see all the radio parts) but this one does not.
 
I wonder about the stories this cabinet might tell.  I imagine that the family that owned this, like much of the country in the late 1930s, sat around their radios listening to FDR's fireside chats, sporting events and vaudeville shows.  Did they listen to Orson Welles broadcast "War of the Worlds" in 1938?  Did they run to their windows looking for Martians?!
 
By the time I bought the cabinet last month, it had long lost its tubes (radio parts) and had been converted into a liquor cabinet.  It's perfect for holding our wine and other spirits!
 
 
A closer look at the vintage pink wine and champagne glasses, and vintage silver tray my daughter gave me for my birthday a couple of months ago:
 
 
Thinking I may need to hit the flea markets to find a couple of those old, gorgeous seltzer bottles to sit atop the cabinet.  In the meantime, a few of my sea shells collected from our time in Florida are placeholders.

 
To celebrate my new find, I just might put a Glenn Miller CD on and sip a glass of wine tonight.  Cheers!

10 comments:

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Love it Cindy!! That back is gorgeous ~ as pretty as the front! I've got an old vacuum tube radio cabinet....not as pretty but does the job upstairs to hold extra sheets and blankets :) Hope you enjoy your Glenn Miller ~ one of my favs!!

Anonymous said...

Cool old cabinet! ♥

Becky said...

Wow! That is something else! So glad it was re-purposed and not painted! Love it.

ImagiMeri said...

Beautiful, I just adore antique furniture, especially those with so much skilled handiwork. Very nice.

Hugs,
Meri

vintage grey said...

What a neat cabinet and the detail is beautiful!! Also, love your sweet pincushion below! xo Heather

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Gorgeous cabinet, put to great use! So unusual too, lucky you!

Suz said...

Beautiful cabinet. I even love the caned back. It looks good enough to use for the front.

Betty Lou said...

What a great find, Cindy, and in such good condition.

CoriLynn said...

I LOVE this! That caned back is amazing!!
~xoxo, CoriLynn

Preston said...

Great!