![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o1ruqBh_z1AKdYR_bG9uIBejux09Y9yM4Un7rT-oIHq4jofF73Ug_-JE8koT3olPTCG2XKneo-md2hxV9sl5ou3o5_ek2-wlWuBH4jSvYD_A2kU9-ttERy-Kd91zCVUw3JEA/s320/new+paint%252C+shutters2+4.2012.JPG) |
Hollyhock Cottage - a house of finds. |
My grandmother lived through the depression. My father had to declare bankruptcy when his chicken farm went under for the third time. I grew up learning how to live frugally. It does not seem remarkable to me that I've furnished my little cottage with other's castaways but when, at the insistence of a friend, I took stock of all I now own that came from Transfer Station discards and free items from end-of-day tag sales, even I was surprised.
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The cabinet on the left was found by the side of the road. |
Large things like metal kitchen cabinets, an apartment sized washing machine, a glider chair, a leather office chair, a rolling filing cabinet and two bookcases rub elbows (it is a small cottage) with innumerable baskets, a Cuisinart, a blender, a French coffee press, a Williams Sonoma popover pan, countless picture frames, a floor lamp, decorative pillows, a couple of framed cork bulletin boards, and toys for the grandchildren.
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Discarded picture frames and found bookshelves. |
A repurposed towel rack serves as an over-the-stove pan holder, an old steamer trunk at the foot of the bed holds off season blankets, a table my father made 60 years ago as a kitchen counter extension for my mother now holds my TV, DVD player and VCR. A small wrought iron kitchen rack holds movies and CDs. Even my kitchen counter tops are made of leftovers from a remodeling job. The decorative wreath at my front door? Yup, the Transfer Station.
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Bookcases, glider chair, floor lamp - tossed treasures. |
The repurposing extends out of doors where sections of an old, discarded, but still serviceable fence frame my patio garden. A second-hand table and umbrella give me a comfortable place for alfresco dining. The platform under my screened gazebo is made of wood salvaged from an old shed. My garden boxes are made of planks left from a torn-down building. Even the slate for my patio and the path to my door are give-aways.
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Fence, table, umbrella, chairs, even the purple moon decoration - all finds. |
In a world where trash seems to be taking over, it's fun to find treasures that, though not new, are new to me.
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The platform and trellis, cement steps, swing, chairs and tables, cushions, even the chandelier - all free. |