Tuesday nights I play cab-driver (well actually that'll be most nights!) - on the first leg of the journey from the gym to the pool, driving along minding my own business, I spot an old, beaten up bench at the side of the road. It was just the right size I've been looking for and all weathered and shabby and FAB! I couldn't stop. There was no time. I sat at the edge of the pool, mind ticking over like crazy, a woman possessed by the yearning for that old bench.
I mulled it over with Mr Teenage Beach Cottage. Errr mum, we won't fit it in the car (he hadn't seen it, it's a small pint sized bench), muuuum 'll be late for soccer. Whatever. Nothing was going to stop me from going back, so we raced to the car. And got stuck in 5pm traffic to go like half a mile to the other side of the lights. The clock ticked on, it was tight.
We got to the bench, I flew out of the car, it was sad and in a bad way, very very rustic 
I'm not sure what to do with the bench, I plonked it out the front, I'm thinking the Country Living treatment and the other loot I found on my vintage hunting today – the table is better than I thought and nicely shabby, I'm gonna clean it up and cover the top with oilcloth and I think the basket will be whitewashed, lined and used in the bathroom makeover this weekend.
I was still dancing around with glee when Mr BeachCottage came home, I mean there are a lot worse addictions in life. Right?
oh how much fun is that! I’ve done that before and had two fantastic old chairs in the garage for years until we moved and they went back on the junk pile, lol! Such a funny experience picking up peoples junk from the side of the road, I always hope no-one’s watching, hehe.
I love the bench and that little table is so cute! I can’t wait to see it covered in oil cloth!
Have fun, chat soon to organise coffee
Hey,
I’ve never picked up anything from the curb…but my mom has…plants! I’m going to start keeping my eyes open! LOL
Gotta be careful though…don’t want to wreck the car!
Love your curbside finds! I look forward to seeing what you do with them.
Diane
Awesome finds!!! Curbside junking is definitely the best. I should pay more attention – especially now when people let go of the old so they don’t have to store it over the winter months. Hmmm…Tomorrow is trash day here. LOL
A woman after my own heart! I always feel so ADVENTUROUS when making stops like that. Total adrenaline rush. I’m not sure if I’ve ever scored such cute stuff though…good eye!
Layla
I never see anything by the curb but I’ll be on the lookout now. I especially love that your daughter wanted you to get the basket for her.
Gretchen
birdnestcottage.typepad.com
Sarah, you’re so lucky people put stuff out by the curb like that. I’ve be hyper-ventilating too if they allowed that in our town. Stuff like that has to be hauled to the dump around here, so no curb-side treasures to be had, at least big ones. You got some great stuff!!! Congrats on a nice haul. I was laughing at all your descriptions. I thought…yep, that’s me!
Rhoda
The chair are amazing! I sooooo want them! And what a great bench! I can’t wait to see the makeovers on everything!
The chair “is” amazing…see what happens if I don’t preview the post first! Sorry!
Ha, that is a great story! I can just imagine you and your family curb-shopping. I have also done the same thing a time or two. Once we were on a walk with the baby and the dogs when I found a small, writing desk in perfect condition waiting to be picked up by the trash guys. I made my husband (fortunately he is 6’3, 230 lbs) carry it home while I pushed the stroller and handled both dogs! It is thrilling to say the least…
Desiree
I love you! I love doing that kind of stuff!!! I wanted to personally invite you to my faux school…Screaming Meme’s Faux School…I teach different ways to paint…faux,distress,antique,fooling the eye….It’s easy and fun!I have a few classes already posted..You can find them on my sidebar! So,get to class your late!
I did this all the time when I lived in Germany. We/They called it junkin. They actually put out schedules and lists for it. Oh, it was so much fun. I miss that and about a million other things about Germany.
a girl after my own heart. These, are treasures for sure. Nothing better than FREE~!
Lisa
coastal nest
Tee-hee! I was chuckling as I read about your junking adventure. Those chairs are just fantastic! And the other finds too. No wonder you were doing the happy dance. It takes a special eye to see cast-offs and know you can do something with them, and you have the gift!
Absolutely there are worse addictions! My husband is a physician and sees them daily! Lovely shabby table!
Brenda
One of your best posts EVER! Love it. Love it. Love it. The bench especially. What are your secrets? Do it on certain days of the week when there’s trash pick-up? Target certain neighborhoods? Tell me, please, oh great one.
Dawn
What a great adventure you were on….I was laughing the whole time I was reading about it. I remember many years ago my stepson and I did almost the same thing. We found so many treasures that we could not close the trunk of the car and had to tie the last few items to the top of the car. We could not stop laughing.
Can’t wait to see how everyting turns out.
I know it’ll all be great.
Have a happy day! Vicki
I LOVE free curb side treasures…my daughter ALWAYS gets embarrassed – but I don’t care! I’ve found some of the best stuff! And it’s always a challenge to see whether or not it will fit in my car (g6) you’d be amazed at the stuff I’ve “made” fit! Enjoy your new treasures!
Janae
i think grotty old furniture is honing in on your airwaves. It knows it will get a great make over! Great finds!!!!! When planning your trip if you pop to Sussex then I want to meet you! Lol Emma x
By the way is there a shortage of white paint where you live? You might cause one!!!!
Oh my goodness. Way cute stuff. I can’t wait to see that bench made over.
In our town, people have to haul that type of stuff to the dump. There is a little covered section there where people put that stuff, in case someone else can use it. The dump employees empty it probably once a day. I have found some pretty cool stuff there. People can’t believe that I “shop” at the dump for free. I love it.
I can’t wait to check out all of the archives on your blog. I came over from Joy’s paint party. I’ll definitely be back!
Wow, great stuff! I love those directors chairs. I always have my eye out on the side of the road on garbage day. Usually I’m too late to find anything good.
haha, i love that story!! And good for you stumbling upon all those cool finds!! You go girl!
That is GREAT! i keep my eye out all the time, but i never find good stuff.
OR if I do, my hubby is with me and too embarrassed to stop! LOL
I just had to giggle reading this! I’m sooo with you ~ you just can’t beat free WONDERFUL goodies like that bench!! Too cute about your young daughter, too!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
What terrific items! I especially love the chairs. I just picked up a small, old window from a pile of junk that I’ve been seeing a block away from our church for a week or so now. There were some more desirable items in the pile before I got up enough nerve to inspect closer! But I did look up what to do with old windows and found some terrific ideas, so that’s why I finally went back. There was another big window but the glass was broken, so I left it. I know that’s going to bug me, especially after I do whatever I’m going to do to the one I did take! I’m thinking of making a bathroom shelf with it!
I thoroughly enjoy your blog by the way.
wow! Great finds, and I love your story! My daughter cant STAND it when I go to GW much less pick up something on the side of the road! hehe Gotta love ‘em!
What a fantastic story! I love it! I’ve done a bit of trash-pickin’ in my day and it is most definitely a thrill.
You got some wonderful goodies. Love the bench!
Were we separated at birth? I use to actually get into the dumpsters where I lived. I can’t do that now…we are out in the boondocks. We don’t have curbside pick up either…….you REALLY scored. I love that table & have never seen directers chairs like that. I love your laundry room and would love to knw where you got the fabric for your window treatments? cherry
What lucky finds and the little one calling their order out from the back seat is too funny.
Congrats on the new additions, who knew recycling could be so much fun!
Honestly…you should win a gold medal for this!! I can NOT believe your good junque fortune! I spotted HUGE cobalt blue plant pots this weekend but they were so heavy (and I was on foot) that I couldn’t lift them. Considered tipping on their sides and rolling 1/4 mile home. Seriously. Have been thinking about them since Sunday…
Oh, you kindred spirit! Once a lady across the street from my daughter put several pieces of black wrought iron patio furniture curb-side. I hurriedly carried it all over to my daughter’s yard. Then I thought someone else will think it’s been cast off so I moved it closer to her home. When my husband came I had a case of doubt, maybe the lady really wasn’t disposing of it. I talked him into going over and asking her.
When he returned, he said yes she did put it out for the garbage man to pick up and she was glad I could use it. Her daughter had given her a new set of ‘plastic patio furniture.’
I know I got the better deal as its been many years and I’m still enjoying mine….just resprayed as needed…..Betty
Love those director’s chairs! And the bench? Too funny. I myself found a similar adirondacks chair sitting on the side of the road, upside-down, along with it’s mate and a two-seater bench, while taking a walk. My husband went back with the car to get the chairs, but the second one was broken beyond repair. The bench is still there, actually, and we think about bringing it home but we already have a bench on the porch. The chair was painted red once, and now it’s a delicious faded, weathered old relic. Love it!
You crack me up! I never thought of the new rules of curbside shopping that might come into play…hilarious!
-Carrie
That are the best bargain ever. I know what you mean. It is great fun to make old (free) thing lovely.
Love the free stuff! Especially when it looks as good as that little bench!
I’ve gotten some awesome antique finds in the alleys of Chicago!