JunkFest-Vintage Washstand Repurpose

Being a Junker has its perks. This vintage washstand is glorious all on it's own. Add a few flowers and put it on a (my) porch....perfect.


At first my Junk Sisters and I didn't know for sure what it actually was. We tossed between a washstand of some sort or some kind of grain cleaner.


It wasn't until I pulled it from my barn to wash it up recently that I noticed the paper label still attached to the inner wall. Fabulous!


Can you imagine washing all your laundry with this "manual" machine? I'm sure it was a Cadillac in it's day! I can sorta relate because I spent a short while using a ringer washer when I was first married. Yuck. Busy kids, sports, and jobs...thank goodness for the conveniences we have these days!!


See how when the handle is moved, the wash basin "rocks" causing an abrasive action against the clothing?



I didn't want to destroy this fine piece but loved the thought of making a planter out of it. so I found a plastic tub that fit inside...added a few drain holes in the bottom. The washstand conveniently has a drain hole in the back too! Then, I added some burlap to the tub, and started with some drain material in the bottom. I had styrofoam sitting around so crumbled a bit of that.


Then before adding dirt I put in my experimental-repurposed-secret-ingredient. Can you guess what it is?


The lids from spray paint cans! I put them open side up so they would be an extra reservoir for holding moisture until the plants needed it. (you see, I'm not the best at keeping my flowers watered and ALIVE) So far so good.

A little junk around town

While out for my walks this summer, I've run across some mighty fine looking junk in our town. Thought I'd share some of it with all you bloggers. These first few pictures are from my good friend, Alisons' yard...

Here's a cute little guy! This looks familiar! I sold this chair fountain creation at Junk Fest a couple years ago! It looks perfect in one of Alison's many garden areas...

I simply ADORE this. It's an old laundry basket filled with beautiful flowers on her back patio. Nice job, Alison!This is on Denise's front walk way...I've admired it all summer and asked if I could snap a photo...what a cute touch the umbrella and hat are, don't you think?And who doesn't love a rusty urn? It's in just the right spot in this gal's front yard!And last, but not least, while out visiting my sister in Southwestern North Dakota, I snapped a few shots of her beautiful yard. Perhaps her helping at Junk Fest has rubbed off a bit, cause low and behold, I noticed some cool junk tucked in here and there among her many perennials! Her hubby's old family mailbox isn't filled with mail any longer...Sigh. This is the rusty urn she bought at Junk Fest two years ago. It was actually part of an old stove. It's nice in her front yard, but it would look WAY better in mine (hint, hint sista)! Is it just me, or does junk seem to be everywhere?