They've finally turned on the radiators in my building. Generally, I love the radiator heat; it's moist heat and I'm rather fond of that regular clanging in the walls when steam is forced through the pipes.

Vintage Electric Fans
Photo © Leah French

Unfortunately, it isn't consistently cold here yet, and I have no temperature controls other than opening and closing the valves. I'm pretty sure I've come close to melting a few times, so I've decided I need fans.

Several years ago, I bought some new tower fans, programmable with all sorts of settings and remote controlled. Those lasted about two years before they died, yet all those old metal fans I see at the flea market still work after decades of use.

This time, I'm buying the old ones.

My cat Hugo has an odd fixation with scented products. If I apply them, he licks them obsessively.

On my person, this can be my lotion, my deodorant, or even the snout full of Vicks® I occasionally sport during allergy season. I find this unpleasant, especially the latter. Hugo is a shedder, so he leaves a teaspoon or so of cat hair stuck to the bit of Vicks® graciously left under my nose after his licking frenzy. It's not particularly soothing when your nose is already itchy and irritated. On the other hand, I rarely have to exfoliate.

He is equally diligent about licking the products I use in my home, so I worry about chemicals. A couple of years ago, I started experimenting with a nontoxic, homemade furniture wax recipe. After perfecting it to my taste -- and Hugo's, literally -- I use it on all my wood furniture, and on my unsealed hardwood floors.

The beeswax and vanilla combination smells so good that I've been tempted to give it a lick too. Thus far, I've resisted.

I love the scalloped edges on this sunny yellow flea market table, and the shelves and height make it so versatile. It's tall enough for use while standing, but not too tall to use as an occasional table.

Painted Flea Market Table
Photo © Leah French

Over the course of a lifetime, as needs change, I imagine moving this table from room to room for many different uses:

• Entry table
• Television stand
• Changing table
• Bar
• Printer stand
• Microwave Cart
• Entry Table
• Bathroom towel or toiletry storage
• End table for sofa or chair with high arms
• Sofa, lamp, or library Table
• Potting table for sheltered outdoor area

What have I missed? Can you think of other uses?

Shopping for Flea Market Furniture

Mid-Century Modern Sofa
http://www.flickr.com/photos/misocrazy/ / CC BY 2.0

This mid-century modern sofa has it all -- great color, great shape, and great condition. It seems perfect as is.

The only thing left is the sniff test, because it's likely harboring a half century of other people's living odors. If it's been in storage, it probably smells musty.

Still, I wouldn't dream of reupholstering it. I'd just whip out the vodka.

In addition to its more obvious uses, vodka is one of the best natural deodorizers for vintage upholstery, even for smoke and musty smells.