Monday, August 22, 2011

Terrific Throwaways Enhance Backyard Space


Today we are joining Metamorphosis Monday on Susan's blog, Between Naps on the Porch.



A couple of years ago, on a sultry summer day, I participated in a yard sale with a friend and her friend. 

The sale was an immense amount of work, but we really had fun.  I made a few bucks and sold a brass fireplace cover for many times over the price I paid for it.  All in all, I was pretty happy.

As the sale wound down, fatigue started to set in. My feet hurt and I was ready to call it a day. Yard sales, I determined, were good to have, once in a blue moon, but definitely were a heck of a LOT of work.

My girlfriend grabbed a couple of extremely pretty wicker designed headboards that had not sold and put them into the "trash" pile.
     "Oh my gosh," I asked. "Are you going to throw those away?"

     "Yup,"  came the answer. "I'm not bringing them home again. You want them?  Take them."


      I flew over to the trash pile, retrieved the gorgeous headboards, and stuffed them into my car. When I got home, my husband stored them in a backyard shed.

     There they sat, for two winter seasons. Then, this summer, I asked my hubs to dig them out. I'm always afraid to go into the shed in case spiders (or something worse) took up residence in there during the long, cold winter.

      So hubs retrieved them and set them up against the fence near our backyard fountain. I loved the way they looked, just as they were. Didn't even have to paint them.

      I know it's an old cliche that one woman's trash is another woman's treasure but it sure is true of my wicker headboards.



    Just to think they almost ended up in the dump, blows my mind.

    He added a plant holder that was also saved from the trash.  It seemed to provide the finishing touch.





     Cost? Zero.  I love  treasures from the trash.

WHAT WAS THE LAST TRASHED ITEM YOU FOUND?

    

15 comments:

Maggie Lamarre said...

this is so beautiful, I'm not lucky with wicker in my house, my dd always drop some liquid on them for some reason.
I will be honored if you will share it with our readers in our linking party at
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/08/11-million-visitors-with-new-london-eye.html
Thank you,
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com

Diann said...

What a great trash save! They look wonderful in the yard. I just picked up to old vintage suitcases that were just sitting with the trash. I figured they probably were gross inside. Nope, great condition.

Anonymous said...

I love free!! LOL I have been known to go "dumpster diving" for a thrown away treasure.
Happy Monday to you!
http://everydaylifeblessings.blogspot.com/

Linda O'Connell said...

You have a good eye for junque and for arranging. My daughter had a headboard like this when she was a little girl. Ipainted it red when she had a Raggedy Ann room and baby blue when she had a bigger girl room with blue and white gigham spread etc.

Bookie said...

Great use for the wicker! I don't think I would have thought of that, but it works and looks great!

Kathy said...

I seem to be in great company! Love putting whimsy in the garden - I would have snatched them up too!! They look great,
Kathy

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Those headboards are gorgeous in your yard! I love how they look by the fountain! Wonderful save. I don't find a lot 'free' but my last items came from my daughters move and I got some new bedside tables I love. Didn't do anything to them but move them in!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

My goodness! Those wicker headboards are gorgeous! and they look great in your yard. Hubby brought home a big silver-gray basket last year that he found near a dumpster -- not a dang thing wrong with it. So I washed it up and now it stores small blankets and candles in the living room. :) Hope your day is great. Tammy

Chatty Crone said...

Honestly it was 15 years ago - we went and raided a famous baseball players garbage one night with my kids! He was on the Atlanta Braves and lived near us!

Susan said...

People in our area don't throw anything away! At least not in my neighborhood!

diane stetson said...

I only show for brand new things..never go to garage sales or estate sales...you are lucky to get things you like for free.

Anonymous said...

Oh how great for you! I would so love to actually use those in my daughter's room...how romantic they are! And you have been creative..I don't think I would have ever thought to have put them in the garden! Tres cute my friend, tres chic!

ciao bella

creative carmelina

Anonymous said...

Darling, take them inside otherwise after few rainy seasons are gone. It's wicker - not metal. Please, put them inside or send it to me if you're going to ruin it anyway.

Susan said...

Hi Everyone!

I want to welcome Ellie Great, this blog's 241st Follower. Hope you stop by often, Ellie.

Thanks to ALL of you for visiting. Love having you. Hugs to all. Susan

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