Old Sweetwater

Old Sweetwater

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Found Decor

I had a friend with the most amazing talent for making something out of found objects. One day I helped her gather twigs, weeds and road side junk, then watched her make the most breath-taking display above my hutch. Another time my husband dragged two white upholstered chairs from the curbside for our DIL. Twelve years later they still have them!
Let's share some ways to freshen our decor without spending a dime. What found objects have you incorporated? 
Photos from top: Found kitchen table; Found stones from my yard put in found dish I spray painted - guest bedroom; Found pods - photo by Vy @ Seeking the Muse; Found cans on top of found cupboard; Coffee bean and daisy coasters available online - why not make your own with epoxy resin? Chair similar to curb-side found chairs; Curbside Shopping anyone?


 





 

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love a good road side rummage! The stool I revamped was a found item, and it's so rewarding giving things a new lease on life!

Shay said...

Love Love Love the kitchen table.

I must keep my eyes peeled for kerbside offerings!

Lori R. said...

dang, I want to look around your area. Things don't make it to the curb around here like that! Great ideas.

KTW said...

I need to develop an eye for junk! It won't make my husband happy, but it would do me a world of good to find such things as these! :)

Andrea said...

That cupboard is beautiful..I love rocks, too.

I love to rummage through what others deem junk..you never know what treasures you might find.

Hugs, andrea

Rita said...

The old saying goes, "One man"s junk is another man's treasure." I once found a sofa that someone had dumped, took it home and had it recovered. My kids are still using it.

Becky Garrison said...

So sad, in our area we aren't allowed to leave furniture and such on the roadside to be picked up, so no grab and go's for me! I did find a beautiful old screen door (with new screen) put out for garbage in another town once, though try as it might I couldn't get it into my car - bummer!

We collect stones when we travel, and now have pebbles from Pebble Beach, stones from Lake Superior and Lake Erie, stones from the beach on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, among others. I keep them in a vintage candy dish, set on an antique table in the living room. Each time I see that dish, it brings back memories!

alicia said...

I wish I lived somewhere where this was a possibilty!! I love trash to treasure stuff! Sadly- old Dutch community- we keep it all until there is nothing left and then we want you to pay too much for us to "donate" it to ya!

Blondie's Journal said...

Wow...I wish I could say I have found something great, but I haven't yet. Do seashells count?

I love the old cabinet, I doubt that was at a curb but I'll be on the hunt for one!! And I love your kitchen table!

Happy Wednesday! :-)

xoxo
Jane

Farm Girl said...

Just love the "found things." I love the old hutch, just beautiful! Some one put out two old chairs like your picture. Amazing. I would have stopped too. Just loved it all.

Mari Nuñez said...

Beautiful Pictures and Creativity!
I have enjoyed very much visiting your blog.

Have a blessed and wonderful day!

Em said...

It does amaze me what some people throw out, and when given a spot of paint can turn in to little beauties!
Emma x

Formerly known as Frau said...

I wish I had an eye to spot gems out of junk! Great finds!

Pam Aries said...

Finfinf street side treasure makesme sooo happy..When I had a home... everything in it was found stuff! Once I even found a gorgeous 40's stlye bedroom suit painted a perfect shabby white. !

Unknown said...

Now that is curbside shopping!!! It's like they cleaned out their basements! lol I am going thrifting today so I am going to look with a repurposed brain. Thanks.

Ann Marie said...

This is the story of my life!
I love to "find" and "hunt" for things that are/were once beautiful and give them a home again!

That hutch is darling. Love all of the dishes on it..

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! It was so fun to hear from you! XO

Grace @ Ruby Moon Designs said...

I have found myself searching roadside piles of junk for anything that might be appealing to me, but so far my searching hasn't produced any results...but I'll keep looking! My favorite "free" thing to decorate with is twigs and sweet little flowers from the yard...actually, I have a post lined up to talk about that!

Blessings, Grace

SueWis said...

The hutch and everything in it are just my style. I am a thrifter through and through. :)

Julie Harward said...

I LOVE that kitchen table..wow! Nothing around here is put out on the streets..so I find nothing. Bot I do love to go to antique stores and find treasures there! Come say hi :D

GardenOfDaisies said...

We have the "large item trash pickups" once a year. Trucks crawl up and down the streets all day long with people looking for "good stuff"that they can use or re-do. There usually isn't much left for the actual trash truck the next day.

Deb said...

some people are so talented..love to see the finds...

Marcia said...

Love the kitchen table. Around here a good time to pick up items is right after college ends. Pay dirt, big time :)

Technodoll said...

okay so i was all romantically involved in this beautiful post, until i scrolled down to the last pic! LOL!!

God Whispers In The Wind said...

I especially love that third picture. That is an awesome cabinet. Blessings and thank you for your recent comment on my blog (Just Be Real). Means a lot. Blessings.

Callie Magee Antiques said...

I absolutely love the white chipped cabinet. How I would love to find one. Would not even sell it in my store but hide it somewhere for me later on.
Great post.
Lois at Callie Magee Antiques

Pondside said...

There's not a lot to find on the Island - people keep their things forever and then donate to thrift shops that charge an arm and a leg. Yesterday, in a Salvation Army thrift shop I saw a table for $1200. I nearly dropped. We may be hunting for treasures, but that doesn't mean we all have a treasure chest from which we can spend!

Lorilee said...

Trash Day shopping has gone downhill since our town went to automated garbage pick-up. They will only pick up what is inside the provided trash can, so people do not tend to put stuff out at the curb.
Blessings,
Lorilee

Dianna said...

ps...the dental appointment went well today. :)

Dianna said...

I LOVE that cupboard, Janean! You are one very unique person and I enjoy your blog so much! Thanks for stopping by today and meeting my parents. I appreciate your kind words. ~hugs~

Christie said...

Oh I love your photos and it is such fun decorating and changing things around without having to spend a dime! Thanks for sharing this post...I loved it!
Big Hugs,
Queenie

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Sweet post and lots of inspiration! Wonderful blog you have!

Duchess of Tea said...

Janean darling I popped in to personally thank you for the sweet birthday wishes you left for Christopher. We are both ever so grateful for you kindness.

Love & Hugs
Duchess

elizabeth said...

love that Kitchen table in the first photo-
I hope to "find" things as soon as the weather warms up around here!!1

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I just have a hard time going through other people's things but I also know that when I put stuff out for a pick up they are usually nice items that people can use.
Love that cabinet. It's beautiful.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

What a wonderful kitchen table and hutch! I don't think things like that show up on curbside in my town. laurie

Marmee's Pantry said...

Oh how I would love that have that battered & scraped, white primitive hutch! Thanks for sharing.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><