We recently found this amazing French Vaisselier cabinet for the breakfast room!
It’s no secret that I have a weakness for French antiques, and I love adding authentic French pieces to our decor.
Every so often, I will change things up for a fresh look, by switching furniture to different rooms, as well as replacing pieces for something completely new.
After moving and relocating to Alabama in December, my decor has changed and evolved a little bit with the new temporary home.
Bringing in a few authentic French pieces has been a part of the evolution.
Several weeks ago while antiquing in Pensacola, Florida, I found a gorgeous antique French Vaisselier.
The French term vaisselier refers to a piece of furniture for storing and displaying china.
It comes from the French word “vaisselle” meaning dishes.
Pronounced “veh suhl YAY”, Country French vaisseliers consist of a two door buffet, occasionally with drawers, with a shelved cupboard that rests on top.
The Vaisselier that I found dates to circa 1870.
The first time I saw it, I fell in love with it, but didn’t buy it on that trip.
I knew that if I purchased it, I would need to move something out, specifically the famous blue buffet that I’ve had for quite awhile.
For months I have been feeling like it was time to let the blue buffet go, but I hadn’t found the right piece to replace it with.
I came home that day without buying the French vaisselier, but didn’t stop thinking about it.
Several weeks went by and, still thinking about the French Vaisselier, I decided that I wanted to go back to the antique shop and see if it was still available.
Luckily, not only was it still available but it was also on sale for half price!
I felt like that was a sign!
Priced at $425, I knew I couldn’t pass it up a second time, so it came home with me.
Many of you know how much I adore painted furniture, but I also love mixing in the warmer wood tones.
So if you’re wondering if I’m going to paint the Vaisselier, the answer is no. It’s simply too gorgeous as is.
Painted and stained furniture can live very harmoniously together!
Our century old heirloom farm table is finished in lime wax with a whitewash effect, and the French chairs are painted white.
They all work beautifully together with the warmer wood of the Vaisselier.
Nineteenth century French Vaisseliers were a classic rural staple in the French home.
They were once used to store tableware, flatware, and showcase prized heirlooms all in one place, and they were usually displayed in a place of honor.
Our Vaisselier, made of French oak, is made to last for generations.
Beautiful carvings carved directly into the framework and door panels give it the perfect provincial look!
The top display piece is separate from the buffet. It has pegs that sit down into holes in the top.
It closely resembles my cherished Estanier cabinet, however it’s much larger.
After moving the Vaisselier into the breakfast room, I used the amazing furniture salve by Wise Owl paint to bring back it’s luster and shine.
Wise Owl Furniture Salve is amazing at bringing out the beauty in wood!
After this beauty was all cleaned up I had hours of fun rearranging my collection of English and French typography ironstone.
I didn’t really have enough pieces to fill the larger area, so I had to spread them out a bit more. But now I have a reason to start looking for some new pieces!
For those of you that are wondering, I decided to sell the famous blue buffet, as well as the Estanier cabinet that sat on top of it.
The blue buffet has appeared in seventeen U.S. and European magazine publications, countless websites, and it’s been pinned on Pinterest thousands of times!
I took both pieces to our space at the antique shop.
I am a bit sad to see them go, but I love the newness of change that comes with bringing in new and different pieces.
And at the end of the day, they are just “things”, so I’m at peace with them going to a new home to be loved.
I hope you love my beautiful French Vaisselier as much as I do!
There’s another new piece that I’ve found that I’ll be sharing soon!
Cheers, Cindy
What an an amazing find! That vaissalier was a “steal” at $425. I’m not sure I could have parted with the other two pieces, but I know you made someone (or two) people very happy with those. Your dining room looks even more upscale now. I love it. Thanks for sharing your story.
I can’t believe you only paid $485 for your beautiful vaisselier. We have an antique French one that we bought over 21 years ago. I’m almost embarrassed to tell you that we paid over $11,000 for it. It came with certified papers and it’s our most treasured possession. I wish I could send you a picture.
I can’t believe I only paid $485 for it either! The gentleman that I purchased it from was just wanting it to go!
What a stunning piece! I love mixing woods with my painted furniture. It seems to warm up a room.
I agree, Mar!
Wow! What a beautiful piece! As much as I love the painted buffet, I think I love this more. I love how you constantly update your pieces. I think you must be having a ball with the store also. So glad to hear from you. I’ve missed your posts.
Thank you so much, Linda!
Cindy, I wondered why I saw the blue buffet in your IG post… I am happy for you finding this incredible vaisselier!!! It is stunning. I just finished putting together a Victorian French style shelf which I had hoped was a panetiére. The post is just up on my blog. Will have to read all of your latest posts. Hope you find your next home soon!
Happy summer hugs,
Barb 🙂
Stunning and what a deal ! I bought one at Scott’s Antique market in Atlanta
“IT’S GREAT TO BE FROM ALABAMA”…as the ol cheer goes (I am actually in SC now…it’s a close cousin except for football)…enjoy your website very much. The new piece is awesome…the find of the decade. And, you are right the blue piece is famous and beautiful…what a combination. Be happy,stay safe and ROLL TIDE!
Thank you so much, Gray! ROLL TIDE!
Simply gorgeous, a steal of a deal too. I love all the ironstone pieces …Great job, can’t wait to get to Mobile
Thank you, Dee!
Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious. Absolutely gorgeous with all it’s contents on display. It couldn’t be in a better home to be cherished and loved! You must of had such a happy time filling it up ❣
Yes, it was fun to fill it up with lots of goodies! Thanks for commenting, Karen!
This new piece is splendid, a really good-looking antique. I can’t believe anyone would even ask you if you plan to paint it. It’s outstanding just as it is. The price was fantastic. Congratulations!
Thank you, Deb!
Hi Cindy!
Love the new piece! And what a great price! I have a table very similar to your lime waxed table and for sometime now, I’ve wanted to do something similar. Would you mind sharing what you used and how you washed over it? Thanks so much! I love getting emails from you and seeing all the beautiful things!
Hi Charlene! I sanded the table dow to the raw wood and then simply sealed it with Amy Howard’s Lim Wax, which gave it the “whitewash” look!
Exquisite! No doubt this was a sign! I love it!
Thank you, Carrie!
Simply gorgeous find… you must be ecstatic!
I am! Thank you, Nan!
I tell people all the time it’s ok mix painted furniture and wood pieces. My current favorite is a piece that has been paid Ted with a stained wood top♥️♥️.
What a lovely piece you have found!
Thank you, Margie!
Wow, wow and thank you!!
Wow to this STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL piece, wow to the price and thank you for NOT PAINTING IT!!!
PS: I am probably going to have to buy some of that Wise Owl salve.
PPS: Good to hear from you again. I’ve missed your posts
You will love this furniture salve, Deb!
Gorgeous!!
Thank you, Julie!
What a bargain you found! It is incredible and I admire your self control to walk away and take a chance it would still be available. It fits in your space like it was made for it. I’m envious of this piece of furnitre and I hope to continue to see in your posts in the future. Congrats on a wonderful purchase of such a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Mary!
Oh my, what a beauty and great price! I couldn’t have left it the first time. I also love your Estanier cabinet…I think I would put in kitchen and put coffee cups. Florida is a place to find nice furniture, before hubby retired I use to travel with him to St. Petersburg and haul back loads of stuff!! I’m going to send you pictures of two pieces I found and let you tell me what they are. I spied your pizza peel. I just found 2 nice European with really long handles in good shape.
That’s wonderful, Nancy!
Cindy…any chance you might take photos of your items for sale in your mall location? For those of us too far away to shop there , it would be great to see what’s available. The vaisselier is truly amazing and an unbelievable price too! I so look forward to each of your posts. Be well!
Kathy, if you will follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook, we post items there all the time!
Love your new find. Where do you find Wise Owl Furniture Salve?
Annie, click on the link within the post and it will take you directly to their page!
This just may be my favorite piece you have owned! She’s stunning!!! I can’t believe the price you bought her for! It was meant to be.
The blue chest is beautiful and was lovely every where you used it. It will soon grace another’s home, and bring delight to their heart!
Hope to see you all soon. XOXO
I agree, Debbie! Thank you!
Stunning piece!!
Thank you, Linda!
The piece is amazing! It’s so beautiful and at that price – a steal!
I agree! Thank you, Melissa!
I have missed your posts! Glad you’re well! What shops do you visit in Pensacola? Have you used the Wise Owl salve on other things? What fragrance do you prefer? Thanks; be safe and well.
Hi Linda! The best place I’ve found in Pensacola is Ooooodles Antiques! I’ve used the Wise Owl Furniture Salve on everything! It’s fabulous! The only scent I’ve tried is White Tea, which I love, but I can’t wait to try some of the other scents!
It’s absolutely beautiful, Cindy! I just love all the intricate details and carvings, and the french oak wood color is so pretty. I definitely wouldn’t paint this, either. I still appreciate some painted furniture, but I also love mixing in the warmer wood tones, such as on this piece. And what a steal on the price! It know it will be a special piece for years to come, and one you’ll thoroughly enjoy.
Thank you so much, Roxie!
Cindy,
Vous avez là un très beau vaisselier provençal…félicitations et je suis d’accord avec vous : il est judicieux de garder certaines pièces en bois naturel!
Merci beaucoup, Cathy!
Cindy
You got a steal! It was meant to be that it was still there when you went back. It is a beautiful piece, enjoy
Thank you so much, Diane!
I missed you the last few weeks happy to see you again. Your vaisselier is really gorgeous, you are right not to paint it, I am alway looking to see your post when I open my computer. Bonne journée!!
Thank you so much, Diane!