Are you ever curious about what a picker has in their stash?? I know I am. I would love a let-it-all-hang-out tour of the spaces where people pull their pending projects from, wouldn’t you? I imagine a space that’s so full, there’s no room for the car. Or a space that’s so full, they had to rent a storage facility like another picker friend of mine.
My basement is the repository for all big items, and it’s getting that full! I might show you that in another post, but today you’ll see 8 curbside finds…a sneak peek at a picker’s stash, and how long I’ve had them. I’m stumped over most of these and could use a little advice too.
By the way, if you like let-it-all-hang-out tours, I’ve got another one for you….Vintage Picker Off Limits Home Tour. My answer to the home tours of perfect houses in magazine-spreads.
8 Treasures from the Trash or What Should I Do with These Castoff Gems~
1.
Hubby and I were walking in the neighborhood at dusk and found this sticking out of a nearby trash pile. Oh how I love good junk!!! I picked it up without seeing clearly what it was. It was wood, but missing the stand, and the husband who can fix anything, says he doesn’t know how to fix it. Unbelievable! He probably just doesn’t want to!
It was the next day before I saw the painted images on the shelves. I’ve had this for about 3-4 years. I know it’s as outdated as heck, but I really kinda like the cute little images. Am I crazy?? I know there’s a repurpose in this somewhere!
2.
This has been in the stash about 10 years. It’s a 2″ thick, heavy wooden piece we surmise broke off a mahogany table. But gollee, are tables this thick? I don’t think so! No telling its origins. We found it in a trash pile in Florida after Hurricane Ivan went whirling through. Last year I ran out of time to turn it into a Christmas sign.
3.
Just a simple ladderback chair, found in the trash, and in surprisingly good condition. I really hate to cut it up to use its parts, so I’ll probably just paint. This year I was invited to take part in a vintage market, but didn’t feel I had enough items ready, so I really need to work on more of my junk!
4.
I think this is such an interesting piece! We were at an estate sale about 4-5 years ago. Not a darn thing at the sale I wanted because everything was very expensive. And this in the trash! You think it came off the top of an old dresser?? I’m still stumped on what to do with it. I was thinking of asking the hubby who can fix anything to make some little hinged doors for the 2 drawer fronts. Then I might paint it white and hang it on the wall. What do you think?
5.
I’m not sure what this was, but found at an estate sale for $1. I’ve had it a few months. I plan to turn it into a sign. Just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
6.
Here is a round side table bought at an estate sale for $10, and owned about 2 years while I’ve been trying to decide how much of it to paint. I almost hate to paint away that pretty wood grain. The top is scratched up particle board. Would you paint it all over?
7.
Believe it or not, these are parts of a termite-eaten red deck rail I found in someone’s trash. The shapely red posts caught my eye, but I haven’t decided how I want to use them yet….probably in the yard, and yes, the termites are gone. The straight stakes extending down from each post are metal so they could be anchored in the ground somehow. I’ve had these a few months, and I’m still thinking it over. Any ideas?
8.
A wooden mail organizer that I’ve had about 3 years and it’s been dark brown wood, then pink. I made the mistake of decoupaging different images on the 3 front sections…. and they just didn’t look quite right. Another makeover was in store. I sanded all the mistakes off, and gave it a new paint job using Dixie Belle “Dropcloth,” and it looks so much better. I’m in the process of stenciling now. You will see that soon. Here it is in its previously pink state. It looks muted, but I assure you, it was very pink!
That’s it for the sneak peek of my stash. If you have any ideas about the 8 curbside finds, I’m all ears!
Florence
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Item #2 would make a wonderful hallway table. The irregular shape of the piece would make a fabulous table top! I’d leave it the shape it is and sand it back to the original wood – stain and varnish. Add legs and a lower rectangular shelf.
Item #6 – paint and stencil something on top. Sand and re-stain the sides to show off that gorgeous wood.
Those are great suggestions Kim! In fact, my hubby wanted to make #2 into a table, but I was planning a sign, so I talked him out of it. Ha! Maybe we should reconsider that, b/c it would make an awesome table. Thanks for the suggestion on #6…that was what I was thinking for it too.
Oh, wow! All of these would be GREAT in my old rock farmhouse! 😉 I am especially intrigued by #1 being turned into a plant stand. It would be perfect near one of my big windows filled with pots of herbs! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Pinned!
Thank you Marci! You & I both like that one!!! It’s in great condition except for that stand! I could really picture this in your rock farmhouse!
You have some great finds. For one project I would use the red posts and make a sign. Looking forward to your projects.
Oh, that’s a good idea Debra…thanks for your comment!
Item 4 would make a lovely little knickknack shelf, whether painted or not. Item 5, depending upon the measurements, may be a drawing board. I have one that has the hand cutout for carrying, and is 26″ wide by 23″ tall. L.O. may have made this for Pat when she was an art student. Item 6 could have small tiles covering the top. I took some mahogany tables that were painted, stripped them, stained and varnished back to the original wood and did a simple mosaic design on the tops with small stone tiles. When I get a chance I will send a picture. They look great and go well in my living room as the stone tiles carry the same colors as the stone fireplace surround and the floor tiles.
Funny, just clicked on an email about an estate sale to see this photo of a table with tile finished top:
https://estatesales.org/sale/1168989/gallery?page=9#p-6822007
I see the table. You must be talking about pulling off the center piece & putting the tiles there. Only problem is, that center piece is so thin…probably 1/8″-1/4″ depth. It would have to be mighty thin pieces of tile, but it’s a great idea.
I like your idea for #4. That’s what I was thinking too. Never thought of a drawing board….you mean something to practice art on, don’t you? Sounds like something Uncle L.O. would have made. Hmm, I’d like to see that tiled table top you’re talking about. Yes! Send me a picture!
Florence, I love the shelf/#1! The paintings on the shelves are lovely, I too would be hesitant to paint over them. However, it would also look great painted and stenciled and would make cute shelving in a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room with three words that go together for the spaces, like drink, eat, be merry, or wash, dry, fold. I like your idea to make #5 a sign. That table has a nice shape to it, I guess it would depend on what you wanted as far refinishing it with paint or not. #7 would make a fun archway sign for a garden, maybe put it in the ground and paint or attach some letters to it. I can’t wait to see what you’ve done with #8. You’ve got some awesome finds!!
Thanks Keri for your comments & ideas! I’m blown over by all these great ideas!! I love yours about making a banner or archway sign with the red railings! I also love your idea about #1. Though the pictures on the shelves are cute, they are outdated, I know. If I can get hubby to make that stand, it would make a nice corner shelf unit. I like your idea about putting it in a laundry room too, and your ideas for new stencils. I’ve got lots to mull over now.
#4 With longer legs on the bottom and paint would be cute as an over the back of the kitchen sink shelf (do those have better names?)
#6 Gorgeous with base stained and top faux marbled.
New to your blog. Can’t wait to see what you do with all of them.
I never thought of putting legs on #4! What an idea!! I know what you’re talking about, I think. You mean one of those catch-all sink shelves for soap, scrubbers, & things? Gee, I don’t know what they’re called….probably a back-of-the-sink-shelf….LOL. Great idea for #6! Thanks for your inspiration & suggestions! I can’t wait to see what I’m going to do with them either.
You scored some pretty good junk on the side of the road. I’ve found a couple of things and with the help of my grandson, we rescued them from the trash collectors. He thought it was great fun!
Let’s see your trash picks Sharon! And you’re teaching your grandson to be a picker!!! So fun!
I would paint that round table in a heartbeat! It would look amazing. I love that ladderback chair too. They are so hard to find in good condition.
Thanks for your encouragement to paint the round table Lisa. That’s the way I’m leaning.
No. 5 looks identical to the bread board from a floor to ceiling built-in kitchen cabinet. An old Sears home (ca. 1915) where I used to live had the same board in it that slid out from under the counter. Someone may have saved it when they were updating a kitchen.
Really? I wondered what that was or what it came from! That makes it more special to me that it may have come from an old kitchen. I love old stuff like that.
I think the red posts thing should be a sign, too. I kinda see individual “cards” with letters on them spelling “garden” or something.
I like the Florida piece as a table, too. It might be tricky getting legs that looked right, though. Or metal hairpin legs maybe?
Love the idea about the red posts! I can see it best in the yard…just have to decide where. It’s funny about the Florida table. I’ve seen tables with tops very similar to these in high end antique shops & they are very expensive. Gary wanted to make a table to put his printer on it, but I talked him out of it. Now I think I’ll talk him back into making it into a table!
What a treasure trove.
The old dresser top would look wonderful on top of a mantel? Don’t you think Florence.
Yes, I do. In fact, I thought about it for a mantle decoration first. But I recently found another piece to put on our mantle….you can find it on my Instagram. It’s an oak piece I found recently.
What lovely finds Florence. My first thought when I saw #7 was oh wow, wouldn’t that look lovely combined with #4, but I can’t tell from the pictures if the widths are similar. Keri’s idea of turning it into garden arch is really cool too
You know I haven’t thought of combining those two. I’ll have to see if they are close in width. I like Keri’s idea too & Wanda’s idea.
I love junking I found my most cherished items! I can’t believe someone threw that lovely stand of some kind.
Maria
Isn’t that the truth?! It always amazes me what people throw away!
I have a chair similar to the one you have and I painted it a lime green a number of years ago. I’ve had it in many different room, but right now it’s in my art/craft area. I’ve been debating about painting it again.
That”s nice to know Carol….I’m debating painting mine a color too!
Florence your house if full of treasures. That first image had me stumped but when i saw it with the shelves pulled down it took on a new meaning. It is really beautiful and unique. Now about that round table, if you want to preserve the wood, maybe just sand it down a bit and add some wax for protection.
Good ideas Mary. I’m glad you like #1 as is. I do too, but haven’t decided yet how to address some of them. I’ve gotten lots of good ideas.
These are all great finds! I’ve got several things that I saved from the trash that I haven’t decided what to do with yet. So the hubby’s not to happy when I bring something else home. LOL
Maybe you could some how combine #7 and #5 and make a hanging sign, and I love that round table. Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Well, I’m glad I’m not the only one who can’t figure out what to do with things! I still haven’t done anything yet with most of these. I’ve gotten kinda lazy Linda.