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January 10, 2014 By Shirley

My French Antique Night Stand a.k.a. French Commode

I was on the lookout for a small table to replace the “Bombay table” in the great room.

While looking at a table in an antique shop in Deauville . .

~ ~ Our host “The French Guy” said he just may have the one that I would like.

And he was right ~ ~ I loved it. ~ ~ So in the container it went ~ destination U.S.A.

I gave you all sneak peek the other day, and today is its debut!

I was showing off this piece to my fellow “sewing group” ladies ~ ~

~ ~ a.k.a. “B _ _ _ h and Stich”

I showed Miss Martha, antique extraordinaire, that it was lined inside with marble ~ ~

She then proceeded to tell me why ~ and here is some info I found on the internet:

“Before indoor flushing toilets became commonplace, the main function of a nightstand was to contain a chamber pot. As a result, early nightstands were often small cabinets, sometimes fitted with a drawer, and usually containing an enclosed storage space below covered by one or more doors. Another term sometimes given to such cabinets was commode.”

Well, you never saw me whip out the Clorox wipes so fast!! ๐Ÿ™‚

However, with this gorgeous “commode” I know it had to belong to a family “of means” ~ ~

So that I can hopefully assume that the “chamber maid” paid special attention to this “commode”.

Has such a pretty marble top ~

So what do you do when you have a beautiful French Antique Commode???

YOU ROLL WITH IT!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend !!

~ ~ Hope you have some fun things planned . .

I will be putting the finishing touches on my new “cozy space” !!

~ ~ As part of this fabulous Scoop Party featuring COZY SPACES beginning Monday, January 13th!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Antique French Commode, Antique French Night Stand 38 Comments

Previous Post: « “To Paint or Not to Paint ~ That is the Question” The tale of an antique table
Next Post: A New Cozy Space »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    January 10, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    Yes, that is a beautiful piece no matter what it was in its first life. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  2. Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says

    January 10, 2014 at 3:53 pm

    Too funny! I would have whipped out the Clorox wipes, too, but it sure is beautiful.

    Reply
  3. SheilaG @ Plum Doodles says

    January 10, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Ha, you are so funny! It’s a beautiful commode. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  4. Kelly says

    January 10, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    That is beautiful! I laughed when you said you had to get the Clorox wipes out. I was thinking I would do that same thing. LOL!!!

    Reply
  5. Donnamae says

    January 10, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    Despite it’s former life…it’s lovely! ( Never thought I’d say that about a commode!). Very funny about the wipes! Looks like you found a perfect spot! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  6. Barb @ The Everyday Home says

    January 10, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    Well, you can’t say it’s a “crappy” piece any longer after the Clorox wipes. hahaha This is a magnificent piece. -B

    Reply
  7. Mary Feguson says

    January 10, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    What a stunning piece of furniture! It is in great shape – someone really took care of it.
    It looks great when you have placed it. Such wonderful things you brought back from France.
    Have a wonderful weekend and hopefully your weather is warmer.
    Mary

    Reply
  8. Barbara says

    January 10, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    beautiful Shirley! It’s always so fun to find out the history of a piece!

    Reply
  9. Linda Miller says

    January 10, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    Ew! Means or not, their poop still stinks LOL. Seriously though, it’s a beautiful piece and knowing the housekeeper that you are, I’m sure you did a great job with the Clorox wipes!

    Reply
  10. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    January 10, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    LOL! Who would have thought it, Shirley! Good thing you have such a knowledgeable friend. It is a beautiful table. I would have had the chlorox wipes out pretty darn quick, too! : )

    Reply
  11. Mary Alice Patterson says

    January 10, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    That is a gorgeous piece you brought home from France, Shirley! Very interesting to learn that these were actually used as commodes at one time…often wondered about that.
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  12. laura says

    January 10, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    Well worth the wait!I bet after all that time and expense you didnt expect to be disinfecting it!

    Reply
  13. Cynthia says

    January 10, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    What a fantastic piece and the details are really beautiful. Love the name of your sewing group!! Have a great weekend!

    Cynthia

    Reply
  14. Nana Diana says

    January 10, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    Well, Holy Crap, Shirley. Maybe it came from a holy man’s residence….just sayin…

    What a great old piece and I love the story behind it. And your sewing group has a perfect name. If your decided to go undercover and act as police informants (because after all who would expect sewers to do that) you could be the “Bi*ch, Stitch & Snitch group”.

    Have a great night- xo Diana

    Reply
  15. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    January 10, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    Love it Shirley! Thanks for the little history lesson…I never knew that! We are going up to our mountain cottage and Tim and a friend will be putting in the plumbing in a new upstairs bath. Can’t wait to get it finished.

    Reply
  16. Pat@Back Porch Musings says

    January 11, 2014 at 12:39 am

    It makes me happy you appropriately added the chamber pot to this delightful French find!

    Reply
  17. Betsy@coastal-colors says

    January 11, 2014 at 12:53 am

    Shirley, this is so pretty! What an entertaining piece! I love the Clorox wipes story; that would have been me too! It’s a stunning find!

    Reply
  18. Kris says

    January 11, 2014 at 1:01 am

    Shirley,
    What a great piece even if it has a past life!!! Just beautiful.
    Kris

    Reply
  19. Christine says

    January 11, 2014 at 1:47 am

    Ohhh I laughed so hard….I hate to admit it, but when I always heard a piece of furniture that had the word commode….I was never brave enough to ask or I safely assumed it was just a weird furniture quirk…….I never in a million years would have thought it was actually used to save some night time walks to the outhouse. Now that’s something they don’t teach in school! LOL

    Reply
  20. Martina says

    January 11, 2014 at 4:27 am

    She’s a beauty Shirley!!

    Reply
  21. Cindy says

    January 11, 2014 at 6:07 am

    Such a pretty piece, love the marble top! Have a great weekend…
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  22. Kelly - Talk of the House says

    January 11, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    Oh I am laughing!! That is hilarious. AND it answers my question as a child why the piece of furniture in our formal living room was called a commode.(I bet my mom doesn’t know that!!) Thanks for the fun and the info! Love the table…regardless of its use. It is beautiful and your French Guy gave you great advice.

    Reply
  23. Angela says

    January 11, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    Such a beautiful piece and the history behind it makes it even more endearing!! Great story!!!~~Ang

    Reply
  24. Babs says

    January 11, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    Shirley, I love a good story that accompanies a piece of furniture, and your story is hysterical. LOVE your commode. It’s gorgeous and the chamber pot is pretty in it’s “home”. Giggle.

    Reply
  25. Lulu says

    January 11, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    Rolling with it sounds better than using it! Hey, you have a good story to tell and I know you and others will get a good laugh. I’m betting the chamber pot has been replaced or at least cleaned quite well.

    Reply
  26. Must love junk says

    January 12, 2014 at 2:37 am

    Hilarious, Shirley! What a gorgeous piece, though!
    Susan

    Reply
  27. Donna says

    January 12, 2014 at 4:32 am

    You appointed it with a pot perfectly! Pretty and functional…..aren’t you/me/we glad we are living with indoor plumbing!!

    Reply
  28. Lauren says

    January 12, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    Such a gorgeous piece Shirley and enjoyed the funny story and interesting history of it. You are so right, sometimes you just have to roll with it. Can’t wait to see your cozy space!

    Reply
  29. Patty Rumaker at Home and Lifestyle Design says

    January 12, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    Hahaha!! Beautiful commode! Your obviously found some great things in France.
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

    Reply
  30. Doreen@househoneys says

    January 13, 2014 at 12:23 am

    I love pieces like this, I always try to imagine what their previous life was like, what their ‘families’ did, where they were, etc. wouldn’t it be great if they could talk? Although if this piece could talk, we might not want to hear what it had to say ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  31. Alycia Nichols says

    January 13, 2014 at 3:55 am

    Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!! SO funny! Despite its sketchy past, it’s it’s a really cool & gorgeous piece, and I hope you enjoy it for many years to come!

    Reply
  32. Mary says

    January 13, 2014 at 11:39 pm

    What a beauty Shirley, I love the marquetry detail and her petite size! I’m chuckling at the Clorox wipes ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  33. LorB says

    January 17, 2014 at 12:27 am

    Gorgeous find… Love it…

    Reply
  34. Pam says

    January 18, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    I was LOL going through these pics and your comments. That is the coolest find ever! Who would have thought. The chambermaids back then had some icky tasks back then, thank goodness for the help! That piece is so gorgeous! I love its history and how you can glam up anything.

    Reply
  35. Pinky at Designs by Pinky says

    February 5, 2014 at 1:53 am

    What a BEAUTIFUL piece, Shirley! I love it, the marble top is so pretty. LOVE that you put a chamber pot inside!!!

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. From mid-century to modern eclectic, here are 11 nightstands you'll love waking up next to says:
    June 8, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    […] in bet-you-didn’t-know-that: Nightstands were originally for holding CHAMBER POTS. Aren’t you glad you live in a world with flushing toilets? And modern nightstands that are […]

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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