You know the feeling. I know you do.
You see something at a garage sale and your heart skips a beat.
But you’ve been down this road before, so you remain cool.
So cool you would make James Dean look like George Costanza, minus the hat and leather jacket.
You say to the guy, very casually – what are you asking for this thing?
You try to appear nonchalant, as if you’re the only person who would be interested in his junk. But, you’re ready to pay almost anything he asks, within reason. When he says $15, your heart skips ANOTHER beat. You tell him you don’t really have a place for it and the items inside the drawers are of no use to you. You ask ‘will you take $10’?
A few moments later you’re smiling like the Cheshire cat. Yup. YOU are ;).
Before we get to my treasure (tell the truth, you knew it was me all along didn’t you?), I’m going to share some pictures I took while on a bike ride the other day.
It’s no secret New England is gorgeous this time of year. We went on a trail called the Noratuck trail near Northhampton, Massachusetts, a lively college town about 1 hour away.
I fell in love with this shed and the silver trough on the side. Love the cupola and how pristine the surroundings are, nicer than most homes actually, mine definitely included! I had to brave the elements, the brush and poison ivy to get this shot. Who loves ya’ baby?
Now here’s the money shot.
Now on to my recent treasures. In spite of the title of this post, I don’t consider this junk, although I know many, many, people who would
But that’s only because they’re sane.
After all, it was filthy and almost falling apart. After cleaning it up with rust remover and mineral spirits, (and yes, this is the ‘after’ if you can believe it) and hammering in a couple of pieces of wood that had fallen off, I’m giving this a place of honor in my craft room. And I’m not putting manly things inside. I’m not even putting brushes or sewing supplies inside. I’m putting the goodies that I have leftover from the bouquet. Talk about a juxtaposition of materials.
I love it.
I love it in a way most rationale people wouldn’t understand. I love the patina, the well worn look and its history.
It was owned by the grandfather of the man I bought it from and he said it’s from the ’40’s. Judging by it’s condition and some of the items inside, I’d say that’s a conservative estimate.
It was filled to the brim with small tools, screws and items I couldn’t even identify. Between the steel drawers and the heavy tools, this thing weighed more than moi, and that’s saying a lot since within a 48 hour time span I had some of my apple pie, a cannoli and a Brontosaurus Rex for an appetizer.
I imagine the man who owned this was one handy dude.
The hinges on the right are exactly like the hinges that are on this console that I acquired several months ago and refinished. They were, and still are, my favorite part of that piece and I hope I can find a use for these hinges someday, not to mention the pretty knobs on the left.
I’ve been wanting a metal planter like this one in the middle but they’re about $50-75 in the stores and of course they’re lacking that all important patina that I covet. I picked this one up for $5 and the pail on the left was free. And free is good.
I bought the pails at a different tag sale than the tool chest. The owner of the pails had owned an antique shop and was selling everything off to move to South Dakota. I also picked up an old Waring blender for $3.00. I actually donated one when we moved several months ago but lived to regret it when I started using MMSMP. That stuff really needs to be blended and there’s just no better way to do it than with a blender.
We’ve been working a bit outside and trying to clean things up so maybe next year there will be a place for these items outside. I imagine they’ll be put to use as planters. Our yard is a hot mess, but I’m hoping that will change in the next year or two. Unlike working inside, I actually don’t enjoy outside work and neither does Fisherman so it’s something that gets put off. Our former home had lovely landscaping but other than the planning of it, I couldn’t take credit for it. We had help with that, but it’s difficult to get reliable, knowledgeable help here and besides, now that we’re retired we have the time so I feel we should do what we can on our own.
In other news…
The storage shed under the deck is complete, although we’re having some issues with water coming in when it rains hard, which it recently did. It’s not terrible, but it needs to be addressed. I spent some time organizing the basement storage areas that are now free of all the stuff that have found a new home in the shed and I feel like I can finally breathe! I’ll show you some pictures next week. They’re not pretty, but since I’ve been yapping about this shed for months I think I should come clean with some pictures.
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Nana Diana says
Doreen- What GREAT finds. OMGosh- That is a fantastic old piece…full of rust- crust – perfect surprises in every drawer. lol Love all your galvanized pieces, too. That shed is darling and I love the shot of the trees with the road winding through it. xo Diana
Donna says
Fabulous finds…loved this post…
“They’re not pretty, but since I’ve been yapping about this shed for months I think I should come clean with some pictures.”
Pun intended?
The drawers were full of treasures too…bonus for you! 🙂
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
I can see why you’d want it, yes : ) Loved that shot with the golden leaf-covered road…wow!
Alycia Nichols says
Yes, you SHOULD come clean with some photos of the shed! I’m anxious to see it! Our stupid homeowners association doesn’t allow sheds, so we have to just wing it. Hating that! I’d love to be able to move some of this stuff out for that coveted breathing room you spoke of! I would, in fact, love a shed like the photo of the one with the beautiful cupola!!! Man, that’s nice!
I’m with you on wanting things that show a history, a past. Shiny new stuff is cool, too, but those things that give cause for contemplation about who might have used it or the times in which it was used…priceless! You got some really great deals!!!
Your bike ride was one that many of us envy. The photos are great!!! Kansas City isn’t looking all that colorful (in my opinion) this year. We visited Indiana last week, and the trees were glorious!!! New England wins hands down, though, when it comes to fall color.
Feral Turtle says
Thanks for sharing such gorgeous pictures! I am in love with your finds…my favorite, the tool chest!
Jane says
Ooh…I love the old and rustic, what a bargain on the cabinet. It’s someone’s junk but when you put it in the right spot or add something to it, it can be a real prize!
Love your fall pics, what a gorgeous area!
Bring on the shed, girl!
Jane xx
Sue says
Great treasure chest find. One of my most treasured items is an old wood 4 drawer shelf my grandfather used in his dentist office to store his dentist tools.
Poppy says
It’s only junk if you throw it out, right? You have, therefore, stumbled upon some treasures! Enjoy them! Looking forward to some pics of the storage shed!
xoxo
Poppy
Cecilia says
What cool finds! I can see why you got excited about that tool chest! Cool!cool! Beautiful photo of the golden leaves on the road.
And yes, please share your shed pictures!
Cindy says
What beautiful pictures you shared. Such great colors. Love your treasures. I enjoy things that are aged and have some history. Can’t wait to see the shed. We are going to get one for our yard next spring. It would just be a shed but hoping I can get John to get a cool one.
Cindy
kelly says
That old chest is so neat! I love the history behind it. I think you’ve got this garage sale thing down! I absolutely LOVE that Fall picture of the street surrounded by golden trees. That looks like something you would see in a magazine. Don’t be surpised if that gets “pinned” about 200 times!
andi says
SCORE!!! Seeing that horse trough reminds me of growing up and we had one behind my dad’s shop…my sister used to fill it up and nap in it during the hot days. It beat laying out on the deck. Brontosaurus Rex??
-andi
Tammy says
What great finds!!!
Miss Kitty says
gorgeous shots!!! thanks for sharing those with us! I especially love the barn with cupola that you had to brave the elements and poison ivy to get for us. That money shot is spectacular also. Coming to the Northeast during the fall is on my bucket list.
SharonFromMichigan says
Yard Sales, Tag Sales, Garage Sales – they’re all my favorite! What a beautiful find! I love those drawers and you know that the grandfather that made that storage put a lot of love into it. I’m a sucker for decorative hinges too! I have a small collection of hinges that I wanted to use somehow. This weekend I’m going to use some scrap wood to make some sort of storage container (trough?) and instead of gluing the sides and bottom together I thought I might use the hinges to put it together. And yes, I’d like to see some pictures of your shed too!
Doreen says
How did the container work out Sharon? I like the idea of using hinges in that way!
SharonFromMichigan says
The container came out so cute. I was bringing an old beat up piece of furniture back to life (I think it may have been a really old microwave storage unit in another life) and it had a shelf that must have housed some sort of storage bin or possibly small doors on the front. I used some leftover cedar fence planks to create a bin that resembled a drawer. I love the look the hinges add to the rustic piece. The only problem I encountered was I had planned to use the hinges on the outside of the drawer, however where the two pieces of wood meet, the hinge had to be anchored on the outside of the top piece and the inside of the bottom piece so you really only see one half of the hinge from the outside. But it still came out cute!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Doreen, I’m heading to New England next week to meet up with my son before he ships off overseas for his job. Your pictures couldn’t be any more enticing already, but to know the kind of treat I’m in for from your photos is AWESOME!! Loving your newest treasures, of course the piece de resistance with that tool storage box. The Greatest Generation angels are smiling down on your for keeping a piece of 20th centruy history just as is ;D
Jann Olson says
Oh my Doreen, that piece for your craft room is fabulous! My heart would have been pounding if I had seen it also. The goodies in the drawer are wonderful as well. I love anything galvanized and getting a fee pail is awesome! Loved the shed and the gorgeous Autumn scene. Hubby and I are planning a trip to New England next Oct., can’t wait!
hugs,
Jann
Julie says
Hi Doreen,
Wow what lovely fall photos. I love your vintage finds too! I the pails will look nice filled with flowers! Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your visits!
Julie
Linda Chapman says
Hello!!!! I am going to LOVE following YOU!!! My daughter just returned from a trip to Boston with her husband! I have not been up to New England in several years! It was 90 degrees here in the DFW area yesterday. When I planned the party I had last night I was hoping for chilly weather and that we would be wearing sweaters and they would all ask me to light the fireplace! Instead – it was short sleeves and flip flops and the A/C cranked up high!
Thank you for coming over to visit!!!
Linda Chapman says
I am going to LOVE following YOU!!!!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Love your finds, especially those cool drawers….you certainly got some great Fall color….