garbage scavengers

i've become something of a scavenger lately... i get pretty excited about driving or walking around our neighborhood on trash days. that's weird, right? but people throw away GOOD STUFF! seriously- here are the things we've gotten in the past few months:

this was actually our neighbors chair... there's a story behind it, but basically it has been sitting in their garbage can 'nook' for 2 months. in the rain, in the tornados, in the crazy heat & humidity. we share a driveway, so i stare at this nice, solid wood desk chair (which has great lines, in my opinion) everytime i leave my house... it's just rotting away in the elements. i asked them about it once- offered to take it off their hands (nice of me, i know). long story- many weeks go by... they decided to give it to us, and it's in my garage waiting for some TLC! i'm going to see if i can revive the finish with sanding & stain & poly, but it would also look nice with a good paint job!

the only problem i can see is these razor sharp nails sticking out of this leg... i think those could be nipped off or smoothed down, though. right? we all know i would be the one to tear my leg on them every single day, so it must be fixed! love the chair, though. love it.

this is not a gratuitous picture of my handsome husband... although he does look hot & sweaty, right? (what kind of bad blog traffic do you think i'll get for those words? ha!) anyway, he was leaving a friend/neighbor's house a few weeks ago & saw a man putting this Nordictrac Elliptical machine by the curb. seriously- they are moving, and they 'don't feel like moving this with them.' nice. and lazy. but i digress- this isn't an old, crappy model- it has an ipod dock & speaker, heart rate monitor, and a fan.



don't be jealous of the 80's model Airdyne bike in the background... we know it's amazing. and loud- so loud.



it's a $1500ish exercise machine & matt scored it for nothing! well, he did replace a broken piece for $125. but you can't get anything decent for that price, so i consider it a great find! proud of you, honey! sorry you have to ride it in our nasty, moldy basement. : )

these may be less exciting, but we found these saw horse legs on our way to church last week. saw horse legs are infinitely useful! make a little table in the garage, a potting area in the yard, or put a cool door across them for parties. and these are cute ones- old, chippy & with lots of character.
told you- i'm a little weird.



another find for matt! he mentioned a 'gold sofa' that he wanted to go pick up from someone's curb, and i though, 'not a chance you're bringing a flea-bitten, fuzzy gold sofa into my house.' there's a history there... he has tried to sneak nasty urine soaked furniture into the house before, so i'm wary. but i stand corrected- this is actually a really heavy, well constructed piece, and i even like the color!

it's not in perfect condition- there are worn places on the arms & seat, plus the springs are all lumpy & poky. okay- it's really really uncomfortable to sit on. but it was FREE! can't i fix it? i know O about re-upholstering a sofa, but what better piece to try it on than something found on the curb? i think matt's bummed that i didn't let him take it up to his office... thanks for letting me steal it!

horrible picture- i know. our neighbors (different ones) were using this in their garden as a trellis, but it's actually a working antique wrought iron bed- full size. i couldn't get it out to take a picture, but i will next week when our friends loan us their mattress to put in it! it's lovely, and it will be perfect in Caroline's room!
side note- i HATE when people spell wrought iron "rot" or "wrot." drives me bonkers, and i see it at antique malls (on sales tags) all the time. someone care to correct me? is "wrot iron" some new kind of metal of which i'm not aware?

these galvanized metal washstands were a particularly gratifying find... i see them all the time in antique malls (yes, i frequent about 3 of them in town- if you're local you can join me anytime!), and they're usually priced between $40-$100. i don't know why- they're old washtubs. laundry sinks. dogwashing basins. but they are attractive & useful... maybe that's why the $$$?

anyway, i found one on my way home from a run... carried it 2 blocks on my hip. luckily it was 2 pieces & not super heavy!

matt carried the other one home on his head when we walked to the park with the girls... he loves me a lot. : )
what am i planning to do with them? well, one idea is to use them for ice & drink coolers at parties. like this:

from Pottery Barn.
the stand is $49, and the tub is $59.
i'm quite pleased with my $0.

or i might put plants & stuff in them. like this:



found here. via Pinterest- my newest love.


saving the best for last:

i've written about these adirondack chairs before, but they are still my favorite find of the year! two fun, different, shabby, chippy & comfortable chairs- just laying on the side of the road. love them!


do you trash hunt for treasures? find anything good lately?