I can't believe my luck in finding two vintage wooden in-boxes at the local dump last weekend. The first one I didn't think twice about and slathered it over with off-white chalk paint to use in my new baker's rack:
It was a pretty standard looking box - no special features to speak of, it looked like regular plywood had been used and it was stained with an orangey stain - ick!
The second one was oak and had some old labels stuck to the sides which is why I didn't slap the paint over it instantly. I took it outside to sand off the labels and when I was sanding in the bright daylight, I began noticing a few details. Like the dovetailed corners:
and the vintage label:
and the vintage engraved inspection label, catalogue number and manufacturer on the bottom:
So I decided to leave it in its natural state and I got out the Murphy's Oil Soap to clean it. And clean it. And clean it... omg, it took me over half an hour of cleaning before my cloth came away only faintly grey instead of black. Guess nobody cleans office in-boxes! EVER!
After it had dried, I wiped a generous amount of baby oil (100% mineral oil) all over it and added little rubber feet. Now it's a tray for my dining room table.
And somebody just threw this box away without thinking twice. Wow. Lucky me!
Keep looking for those treasures, girls! They're everywhere around us when we take the time to look for them.
Have a happy and creative week!
Linking to:
Funky Junk Interiors
It's Overflowing
I heart Nap Time
DIY Showoff
Homemaker on a Dime
Serendipity and Spice
Mod Vintage Life
Coastal Charm
Between Naps on the Porch
Cedar Hill Ranch
the Ironstone Nest
All Star Block Party
DIY by Design
Saavy Southern Style
Beyond the Picket Fence
Thrifty Decorating
French Country Cottage
2805
the Charm of Home
Common Ground
From My Front Porch to Yours
A Little Knick Knack
Rooted in Thyme
It was a pretty standard looking box - no special features to speak of, it looked like regular plywood had been used and it was stained with an orangey stain - ick!
The second one was oak and had some old labels stuck to the sides which is why I didn't slap the paint over it instantly. I took it outside to sand off the labels and when I was sanding in the bright daylight, I began noticing a few details. Like the dovetailed corners:
and the vintage label:
and the vintage engraved inspection label, catalogue number and manufacturer on the bottom:
So I decided to leave it in its natural state and I got out the Murphy's Oil Soap to clean it. And clean it. And clean it... omg, it took me over half an hour of cleaning before my cloth came away only faintly grey instead of black. Guess nobody cleans office in-boxes! EVER!
After it had dried, I wiped a generous amount of baby oil (100% mineral oil) all over it and added little rubber feet. Now it's a tray for my dining room table.
And somebody just threw this box away without thinking twice. Wow. Lucky me!
Keep looking for those treasures, girls! They're everywhere around us when we take the time to look for them.
My all-time favourite peony. No idea what the variety is, got it for a song at an end of season sale.
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| and another shot of my gorgeous peony :) just because... |
Linking to:
Funky Junk Interiors
It's Overflowing
I heart Nap Time
DIY Showoff
Homemaker on a Dime
Serendipity and Spice
Mod Vintage Life
Coastal Charm
Between Naps on the Porch
Cedar Hill Ranch
the Ironstone Nest
All Star Block Party
DIY by Design
Saavy Southern Style
Beyond the Picket Fence
Thrifty Decorating
French Country Cottage
2805
the Charm of Home
Common Ground
From My Front Porch to Yours
A Little Knick Knack
Rooted in Thyme
Love your tray Anne, and I guess nobody would ever think of cleaning an inbox! It is something that just sits on ones desk for ever and ever!
ReplyDeleteYour peony is sooo beautiful I just want to take a bite!
Pretty! Lucky find! Can't wait till I can start collecting :o)
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful find! Thank goodness for those pesky stickers ...
ReplyDelete:)
Linda
Oh.. how pretty Anne! The white one is gorgeous! I love that you left the second one natural too! Both very pretty :)
ReplyDeleteThat oak box is a treasure. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have found the perfect wooden trays. I love how the baker's rack is now complete. Wonderful ending to your design! Thanks for sharing on SImple & Sweet Fridays.
ReplyDeleteJody
That peony is gorgeous....and let me understand.....you found this at the dump?
ReplyDeleteWe don't even have things like that at yard sales here :)
blessings,
karianne
You dumpster diving diva you....the heavens were perfectly aligned for you when you were "at the dump"...the trays were calling your name...Anne, rescue us..!! and you certainly did...you gave them new life!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Thrilled to see you didn't paint over that fabulous find! Looks fabulous as a tray - you go with your dump finding girl!
ReplyDeleteKelly
Anne,
ReplyDeleteHow did you get so lucky?! Great finds!So many possibilities with these.Love how you displayed these both.
(((Hugs)))
Anne
I do miss the dump! There is a HUGE house under construction and I've been wanting to go by and sift through their dumpster on the street ... not that I'll find any cool old in boxes!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you took the time to treat it well as it looks so lovely on your table. Happy junking! Joan
ReplyDeleteHi Ann the boxes and bakers rack are wonderful but oh gosh those Peonies are to die for gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Sunday
I do love peonies!
ReplyDeleteI love how I find things that people want to trash it! ...which dump do you go to? ;)
ReplyDeleteI have a thing for boxes, and yours are wonderful. Love the special features on the one you didn't paint. Just great!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Mary Alice
That tray is so pretty, and the peony is beautiful. Wish they grew here.
ReplyDeleteI cheered out loud when you said you looked over the details and decided not to cover them in paint. That tray is terrific! Both are really.
ReplyDeleteLove both of your in-boxes, Anne.
ReplyDeleteThe first one sits there as if it was always meant to be a part of the shelf and the other one has so much character to it!
You are lucky indeed, but very creative too :)
And yes, the peony is gorgeous.
Your peony is gorgeous! The in-boxes are so pretty, hard to believe someone would throw those away. I love the painted one and dark wood is gorgeous, I love it.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Cindy
Congratulations on finding both those treasures. I love the way the painted one fits on the baker's rack and the cool details on the other.
ReplyDeleteAwesome DUMP treasures and thanks for sharing them at NTT.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
Dumpster diving is one of my favorite
ReplyDeletethings to do but Mr. N hates me to do
it... all the good stuff that is
tossed is amazing.
Great find with that in box. I'm so
glad you did not paint over it!
Great job!
Sandy
It looks amazing!! I can't believe the before and after!! Thanks so much for sharing and I am a new follower!!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great day!
Michelle
www.delicateconstruction.com
Love the tray. I'm so glad that you cleaned and oiled it instead of painting it. It looks great. I tend to paint most things, but have found that sometimes certain things just need to be cleaned and left as is. Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party.
ReplyDeleteHolly
What an incredible find! XO, Aimee
ReplyDeletethey both are great. glad you were able to keep the second one in it's original state. it's super cool!! (love your BR, too)
ReplyDeleteWhat great finds Anne! I love your peony! Thanx for linking up!
ReplyDeleteThe box is nice but the real treasure is your peony! I live too far south to grown a peony but I so admire their beauty. I did see a real peony bush once in north Georgia and it stopped me in my tracks. They could easily rival a rose.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome find. I just love it.. it's so rustic and so lovely..
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at the ALL STARS BLOCK PARTY!!!
Carri
simplydonewright.blogspot.com
Love your lucky find. Thanks for sharing on Simple & Sweet Fridays!
ReplyDeleteJody