r/CozyPlaces • u/RomaniRye • May 03 '22
COZY NOOK I'm pretty sure that my reading nook is the coziest of all cozy reading nooks
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May 03 '22
The Chinese words 鳳凰于飛 means a pair of phoenix flying together. It’s a wish upon a wonderful marriage and love between a couple.
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
Thank you! There are a pair of Phoenix framing the entry to the bed. There are also moths, birds, envelopes, dragons, and what I think might be a mother in law spying on the young couple.
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u/egordoniv May 04 '22
This is so cozy, I wouldn't make it 3 pages into any book without falling into slumber.
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May 03 '22
「鳳皇于飛，翽翽其羽。」It comes from the Classic of Poetry, a compilation of poems from 11 century BC to 6 century BC.
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u/redneckshamisen May 03 '22
I knew somebody would know! Thank you!!
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May 04 '22
Thank you. Happen to know Chinese as I’m from HK, so I thought it would be nice to share
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u/Aggravating_Smell344 May 03 '22
This is more “something I would live in” than “reading nook” to me. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to leave the coziness!
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u/hex-peri-mental May 03 '22
Grab an opium pipe and settle in!
The woodwork, the characters, the shades - nook-tastic!
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u/ArgoNunya May 04 '22
You may not be far off, beds like this basically were lived in sometimes: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/r189so/looking_for_info_on_the_historical_practice_of/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
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u/MadAzza May 04 '22
This isn’t cozy at all, to me. It’s all ornate and sharp-edged.
Edit: it’s beautiful, though
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u/LADYBIRD_HILL May 04 '22
I mean, if you're on the outside looking in I can see that. But a few more cushy pillows and the inside looks cozy as hell.
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u/Gravitaa May 03 '22
That woodworking is exquisite. Where did you find it?
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
Michigan.
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u/ArchKDE May 04 '22
Now the real question is - how the heck did this end up all the way in Michigan in the first place?
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u/ande67 May 04 '22
Grand Rapids used to be called furniture city for the large concentration of furniture manufacturers in the area. Wide variety of stuff can still be found there
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u/Cornybutthole May 04 '22
A lot of Chinese people emigrated to Michigan in the early 1900s. Probably a relic left over from that time.
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u/nilamo May 04 '22
We used to have terrific teak stores up here (in Michigan) btw. Most have closed down around 20 years ago. I know you didn't ask, I just think it's neat that we have such a big teak availability here.
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u/motherof16paws May 03 '22
OMG where in Michigan? I am so curious....
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
Near a lake.
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u/motherof16paws May 04 '22
😂😂😂 Really I don't want to know where you live. Promise. This is just so fucking, wonderfully random.
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u/Lochcelious May 04 '22
A store? A gift from an inlaw? Sheesh we're not trying to locate your bedroom.
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May 03 '22
[deleted]
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
It's an antique Chinese wedding bed made out of teak. There are no screws or nails at all. Amazingly, I got it, completely intact, for $200.
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May 03 '22
Damn! There’s a similar one for sale at an estate sale company in my town right now. They’re asking $3400
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22 edited May 03 '22
The auction ended on Valentines Day and no one else was paying attention to it. I've seen single panels from these go for more than I paid for it. I always wanted one but never thought I would have one!
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u/Goodnight_Hawk May 03 '22
That's rad, sounds like it was waiting for you! I'm a nerd who thinks antiques choose us.
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u/Brootal420 May 03 '22
This seems like a nightmare to move?
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May 03 '22 edited May 04 '22
I doubt it was one solid piece, just different techniques to hold it together that don't involve nails and screws
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u/Majalisk May 04 '22
It can be taken apart into many pieces in a certain order for moving and being reassembled later
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u/wiy_alxd May 03 '22
For what amount now
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
Yep. Only time I've ever picked up something at an auction and had total strangers come up to congratulate me. $200 plus auction fee, so about $221, total. I already had a full size futon mattress to fit. Only other expense was a bunch of wood cleaner and wax. I spent 3 days conditioning the wood and it assembled quite easily.
I had never seen one for less than 6k.
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May 04 '22
That's incredible, I'm actually insanely happy for you, going to sleep in that and knowing how massive of a bargain it was must be the most satisfying feeling ever
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u/RomaniRye May 04 '22
Yes. The two things I love most in the world are a good deal and actually being right.
I wouldn't be nearly as transcendent with joy if I had paid full value.
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u/Laetitian May 03 '22
Never pass it on to anyone who won't use it as a reading nook or equivalent, please. If redditors can hodl, you can treat this gift of fate deservingly.
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
I have lots of nieces and nephews, and most if them are book crazy. I won't have any problems with that.
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u/Momster0615 May 04 '22
Wow, that’s amazing.
My grandparents raised me for much of my childhood and they had a bed very similar to this one. It was exquisite, and I didn’t realize just how extraordinary it was until I was a little bit older.
My grandpa, the one who always slept in that bed, passed away two years ago during COVID. He was in China, my mom (his daughter) and I were stuck in the US. I wish I had enough money to get it shipped over here because to me that’s an incredibly special family heirloom. I miss him more than I can ever put into words.
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u/ResponsibilityNo5828 May 04 '22
I'm so sorry for your loss.
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u/Momster0615 May 04 '22
Thank you for taking the time to read my little comment and for saying that.
For me, the only downside of being raised mostly by grandparents who were your childhood parental figures was that as you get older, you realize that you’re going to lose them much sooner than your parents.
But like they say, better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.
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u/ILMWKAM May 03 '22
WOW! Handmade and antique for $200?!!!
That was a gift from the Most High!
So beautiful!
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u/justonemorethang May 03 '22
That’s kinda weird cuz I just randomly watched Rob Zombies episode of cribs the other day and he explained what a wedding bed was.
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u/tinkflowers May 04 '22
Damnnnn I was gonna ask if you were some sort of royalty but $200 for this is even crazier. That’s insane
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u/just_a_lurkin May 03 '22
I’ve also heard them called “opium beds”, by my Iranian friends. Very beautiful piece…
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u/MrsSalmalin May 04 '22
SHUT YOUR FACE OMG!!! This is my dream. My dream decor is "opium den" chic. Dark wood, lots of pillows and fabric. Little cubby hole places to snuggle. This is perfect, wow. Enjoy the heck out of it for me!!!
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
The windows on the bed even have shutters that slide up to make a little cave.
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u/khaleesiofgalifrey May 03 '22
This is incredible. I’ve never had such envy from a post on this sub
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
I'm laying in it with my poodles and a book right now.
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May 03 '22
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u/SMKnightly May 04 '22
That’s what I think with intricate carvings and real rock wall tile: but cleaning it!
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May 04 '22
Electric leaf blower in one hand and a vaccum in the other. Duel wielding cleaning is the way of the future.
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u/smaartypants May 03 '22
Now you’re just showing off.
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
Yup.
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u/MoonlightOnSunflower May 03 '22
And I'm here for it. Am I jealous? Fuck yeah. But I'm also glad to learn that such a thing exists!
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u/CuriousGopher8 May 03 '22
Of course it is, your Highness. Now, do you wish me to suffocate the rebellion on the eastern border or shall I leave it to the mercenaries?
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
Crush my enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the women.
But pit me an olive first...
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u/CuriousGopher8 May 04 '22
Certainly, most gracious one. Shall I also bring you some of your finest wine served in the skull of the seditious general we executed last month?
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u/kaytea23 May 03 '22
This the type of bed i’d only be able to buy in sims, this is absolutely gorgeous
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u/aenteus May 03 '22
There was a thread on r/askhistorians or something about upper class Chinese women and their cabin beds, and how they basically lived in them, entertained, conducted business, had their children and never leaving them was a status symbol. Crazy interesting.
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u/zaichii May 03 '22
Turns out I aspire to be an upper class Chinese woman. Or am already on my way there.
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u/aki_yuki_fei2 May 03 '22
The story behind how it got to America would've been so interesting.
I'm glad you were the one who bought it and restored it. Honestly these old and once treasured items should go to the people who can appreciate them the most rather than rot away in someone's storeroom. Hope you find the next custodian for it one day who can appreciate it.
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
I know! All I know of it is that it was in an auction with some other very fine Chinese antiques. I believe that a collector or dealer died and the family was liquidating. The style is very similar to other beds I've seen that are from about 1840-1870, but I haven't had an expert examine it to date it.
I adore it. The best find of my life so far.
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u/ILMWKAM May 03 '22
I am so happy for you! It is so beautiful, you restored it and polished it, set it up and styled it beautifully
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u/psychotica1 May 03 '22
You're totally right! I just saw that you got that for $200 and I could just cry. I'm sure it's worth a small fortune but of it were mine I'd never let it go!
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
It will hold my ashes when I die.
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u/psychotica1 May 03 '22
Best Urn ever!
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
If I end up homeless in our near-future dystopian hellscape I shall put wheels and a cannon on it and ride it around like it is a demented Chinese themed vardo.
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u/psychotica1 May 03 '22
That's a plan I would totally be on board with, as in I'd be riding around with you! Id suggest tricking it out Mad Max style but I'd hate to see you damage the wood!
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May 03 '22
[deleted]
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
It is, but I have a husband and two 60 pound dogs. A full size just isn't quite big enough.
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u/Borkmeow22 May 03 '22
But like how did you get this inside??
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
It breaks down into panels and goes together like a puzzle with mortise and tenon joinery. The base is two pieces so it was easily walked through the door.
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u/Borkmeow22 May 04 '22
Oh perfect thanks for the reply. I was genuinely confused for a moment there.
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u/atomicblondeshell May 03 '22
Every house should be equipped with whatever this bed thing is. I love it
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u/GradientPerception May 03 '22
Yeah because you smoke opium in there
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
If I could actually find opium I might. It's not exactly thick on the ground. Grade school lied to me about It's easy accessibility.
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May 03 '22 edited May 04 '22
Is there anywhere online to buy/sell this kind of teak/ rose wood furniture.
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u/b1eepbl00p May 03 '22
Wow I’ve been injured for the past while & forced to rest a lot. I really wish this is where I’ve been resting hah. Cozy and beautiful indeed!
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u/witchdaisy May 04 '22
I saw one of these bed frames at a furniture/antique store my mom would frequent when I was little, and I always wanted to admire it every time we went in. Six year old me is incredibly jealous that you are living her dream :)
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u/Puzzleheaded_Meat_70 May 04 '22
They were popular in medieval times as the castles were cold and drafty. I think they were called cupboard beds.
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u/Lucky-Plantain-4570 May 04 '22
Are you a vampire?
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u/RomaniRye May 04 '22
I do wear all black but that is because I'm clumsy and consistently spill things like pasta sauce all over me. Also, I'm very uncool.
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u/New-Nefariousness965 May 03 '22
Not sure whether to get comfortable or to get ready for my yearly confession
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u/Quarterafter10 May 03 '22
Wow, OP! What an amazing find! Do you know what the lettering at the entrance means? It must be heavy as a Chevy! How many folks did it take to move it?
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u/azamimatsuri May 03 '22
鳳凰于飛 (translation: 2 phoenixes fly side by side) is an idiom commonly used to wish couples a happy marriage.
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
It is made of teak so it is very light. It fully disassembled and I was able to put most of it together myself.
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u/sheeshkabab21 May 03 '22
Dwight get outta of my nook
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u/eskknit May 03 '22
It’s also my favorite of all cozy reading nooks. Great find and nice work on cleaning it up!
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u/Apprehensive_Risk250 May 04 '22
Gorgeous :) it reminds me of Raise the Red Lantern and now I have to plan for a re-watch
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u/2Noodly May 04 '22
Not saying this as a bad thing.
It reminds me of something you’d see in a late 1800-early 1900s heroin den.
(Something from “The Knick”)
So cool.
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u/isthatabingo May 04 '22
Do you live in a castle or what
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u/RomaniRye May 04 '22
Drafty 150 year old Dutch colonial in the midwest. I'm slowly remodeling and restoring, and currently working on the haunted kitchen of my dreams. I want it to look like the apothecary of an infamous Victorian poisoner.
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u/EtherealAriel May 04 '22
You should do that beautiful bed justice and invest in some quality bedding.
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u/with2rsplz May 03 '22
And what compliments an ornate piece of history exuding culture and craftsmanship better than an electric blue shag pillow.
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u/RomaniRye May 03 '22
Glad I tucked my lava lamps and Big Mouth Billy Bass out of sight for the photo.
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u/littlereddingo May 04 '22
100% there would be giant spiders chilling out in there if I had that where I live. It’s very cool though, love the wood!
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