Is this a gossip bench??
by
Jolina
+23
I found this lovely item at a thrift store and got it for $2.50. I think it is a Gossip Bench, but I am not sure. It is solid Oak. Does anyone know what this lovely item is??
18 answers
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I thought a gossip bench had one seat facing forward and one seat facing backwards. I could see this being a telephone bench. You know the phones with the rotary dial and a cord. It would be placed on the top most shelf with phone books on the shelf beneath. The bench was for sitting and talking. This was probably placed in the central living area of the home since there was only one phone in the house. Yes I am over thirty which is why I would remember this kind of stuff.
Lindcurt
on May 27, 2015
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I believe that the telephone bench was called a gossip bench as well. If this is a gossip bench it looks custom or homemade. Nice find.
Tonia
on May 27, 2015
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Although this could be someone's primitive, handmade version of a gossip bench, it is not like any gossip bench I have ever seen before. If you google images of gossip benches, you will find all styles but they generally look like a chair (or bench) and a table fused together. To me, your piece looks more like something to hang on the wall for storage, i.e., a large shelf/cabinet...perhaps out of an old farmhouse kitchen?
Shari
on May 27, 2015
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It doesn't look like a gossip bench or a telephone bench to me. Telephone benches didn't have those high sides on top - it would make handing the phone cord unwieldy. I think it's probably a homemade version of "step-down" shelves for displaying items.
Tammy Sea
on May 27, 2015
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it looks to me like maybe even a hutch type piece. whatever for 2.50 it was a bargain and the uses are endless. Congrats!
Wendy Johnson
on May 28, 2015
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This could easily be turned into a gossip bench! It was a great find and I would love to see the piece after it has had it's makeover!
Patty B
on May 28, 2015
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Anne F , I think this is a Mud Room seat, no frills then. The bottom section ,because of the type of ware; was used for boots. The middle section for lunch boxes and upper was use for school bags. Very handy in our Canadian climate. This has great possibliitiys .
Anne fenske
on May 28, 2015
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Make it however you want it is adream find at that price sweetie please post your results I would love to see it.
Kathleen
on May 28, 2015
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Had a second look and I was thinking ; little squat legs or those round ball ones would give a nice appeal and get it off the floor, making it more a piece of furniture. It sort of looks unfinished the way it is. Tell your daughter to make it hers, maybe a little funky would be cute with a cushion . Hope this helps .A
Anne fenske
on May 28, 2015
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My dad built a stereo system for my sisters and me that looked much like this. The top shelf held the turntable. The stereo receiver was below. Bottom shelf held a box with all our 45's. The speakers were separate from the rest. The two bays to the right held all our LP's. Mom made a cushion for the seat and the cat used it more than we did. After that system faded out of use Dad painted it up and put it on the deck to store BBQ supplies. Ceramic tiles covered the top shelf and seat. I had completely forgot this until I saw your post.
Susan Bechamp
on May 28, 2015
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I think it is a cupboard and it is in the wrong position. It looks Like what you have as the bottom is actually the side and if you need to flip it up right so the shelve go horizontally instead of vertically. But it is a unique peice that you can make into what ever you want
Lynda Dexter
on May 28, 2015
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It looks like an old turntable cabinet like I used to own. Player on right and records under...........but it is cute.
Teresa Schroepfer
on May 28, 2015
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Probably home made and very primitive. It will look lovely painted and lightly distressed. And also add a lovely welted seat cushion.
Michelle Wigman Nason
on May 29, 2015
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Cute cabinet...whatever it's original purpose! I think you're going to have fun updating it! Good luck!
OhSally
on May 29, 2015
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I think it might be awkward to use as a telephone table because the top section is too high especially with the sides. Could be used for anything I guess. My mother-in-law had a telephone table and the top didn't have any sides as such. There was enough room for a seat & cushion. The bottom shelves were used for 'phone books etc.
Gabrielle Falk
on May 29, 2015
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Tipped on its side with the long section on the bottom would make it a cabinet piece, or even a floor display. Leaving it in this position would make it a bench for a mudroom, garage, or wherever you want. Since we have a farm, I'd use the top shelf for our hats, middle for work gloves, and the bottom sections for our (often muddy) boots. Great find, no matter what you do with it.
Jill Ron Pike
on May 30, 2015
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It is hard to tell from the picture but it looks to me like the "seat" has an over hang with supports so this is the only position that would make sense. It would make a good entry way cabinet for boots etc.
Tonia
on May 30, 2015
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I think that my daughter has decided on the mud bench. She says to her that is what it most looks like. She is 16 and this will be one of her first projects. I can't wait to see what she does with it. I will post pictures as she goes along. Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions!! They are very much appreciated!!
Jolina
on May 30, 2015
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