Depot vente

I wanted to look for an armoire or vitrine to go on the landing for storing linen in, so we decided to go and take a look at the depot vente’s in Troyes, of which there are a few. These are large storage houses selling second hand furniture, which they may have collected from doing house clearances or as donations, as they are often associated to a charitable organisation - but not always.

You do need to be prepared to look through a lot of stuff you would not buy to find something you would. The first couple were not very fruitful, although I nearly bought a bike, which I would like to get at some point, but for now we were focussed on the cupboard.

The third one, called General Troc, not only sold recycled stuff but new things as well. It was a real treasure trove. The first cupboard I spotted, and obviously loved, Brian didn’t like, and told me I wouldn’t either when I got it home. It was quite a different style to the rest of the house, more arts and crafts, which is a period I love, but not for our french house. The next one I found was just €50, but had a very wonky door, which Brian said he could not fix. It was french rustic with dark, glossy varnish, but I told him I would paint it and add a curtain to the glass door to cheer it up. He still didn’t agree it was the one. However, the one next to it was just what I wanted. It wasn’t too tall, or too deep. The glass door, which was lockable, had its original old, rippled glass still in it, and the wood was lighter, maybe cherry. It was delicate but not overly so, and had three good sized sturdy shelves - ideal for linen.

We are having it delivered, and I can’t wait to get it in place - need to decorate first though.