G'day lovelies.
I had a very different weekend to the one last weekend - went to two garage sales on Sat morning, both hideous and enough to put anyone off the sport, for sure.
Of course, what you do at the weekend, is often dictated to by the weather, is it not?. Here in Sydney, however, weather dictation doesn't happen too much – it is more often than not do-able weather to do just about anything you want. That's why we love it here.
But today was grey and cool and dictated that we shelve our beach plans and instead took a bush walk and built a fire at the lake and sat around it poking sticks in it and cooking brunch. Cool. Think I'll blog the pictures, if you like…
So being indoors because of the grey, I got some time to just have a tidy up and do some adjusting, I like doing that and I morphed (find more makeovers over at Susan's blog Between Naps On the Porch) this revolting old plant stand I picked up for a few dollars into an end-of-the-bed storage piece for linen and things…
When I saw it I had little idea what to do with it, what caught my eye was the texture – I thought it would go well with the neutral pallette. I knew I'd like it in white, but then again I think it would sing in a Frenchy grey.
I just remembered half way through the primer to take the before shot. Whaddya think – would you have seen any potential in this piece of old junk that looked like someone attacked it with a can of spray paint?
So I did the treatment on it – first I gave it a quick couple of coats of primer and then a top one of beachy white. It was a lot less fiddly to do than I thought it would be, to be honest I put it off for ages because I thought the weave would make it one of those hideous little projects that you start, that doesn't get finished and then just sits in the garage looking forlorn.
I wasn't sure what to do with it, I knew I didn't want it on the deck, I thought it was a bit too, you know,'cutesy' so I used it to store blankets and throws at the foot of the bed, because in this climate, though of course, very nice, from one day to the next in the winter the temperature can change quite substantially – so it's great to have a place to stack a few things to grab when it gets chilly.
Does it inspire you to go out and thrift a piece of junk to re-purpose – will it has made me happy…
Well it's Sunday night here, I have a couple of roast chickens in the oven and a huge pot bubbling with stock – I'm making it like crazy for this weeks meals – to keep away the flu.
Then I've decided to get my sewing machine out and make a new tote, then I've made a spa appointment with the bathtub – I don't know if you ever do this, but I plan a time when I will lock myself away with a nice drink, a heap of bubbles, a beauty treatment (surely need 'em) and a good book. On the agenda this Sunday night is a Pilsner beer, a homemade foot scrub I recently discovered, a bath bomb from Lush and Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth.
Oh and I was wondering if you could help me with Technorati? Apparently, according to them, I haven't updated this blog for 89 days- and yep I've pinged them a million times and tried to get help.
So, if you have a minute can you click the link and 'favorite' me and see if that does anything…only of course if you lurve my cottage
I'd like my Technorati to be correct. Phew. Love this techno stuff. Keeps me young 
What a great find, my friend! I didn’t find a ton this weekend, but my sweetie and I had a great time together roaming around. Love your paint treatment on the old planter.
My art deco dresser is done! I’ll be posting it a little later today. Thanks for all your help & inspiration.
OK So we live in the same city, but I never see great bargains like this. I know you have to have the ‘Beach Cottage Eye’, but Sarah you have taught us well.. I need to get out more! Gorgeous work!
I gave you an award. Go to my blog to check it out Its So Very Cheri
Cheri
Oh, this is lovely! I see these types of planters around (my mom even had one while I was growing up), but never knew they could be so chic. Great job. I love the pillows and linens in it.
Love the plant stand makeover, just perfect at the end of the bed!
Such an amazing project! I saw it and started thinking about where could I use such a cool item. Heck with that, where could I find something like that!? LOL.
As usual, perfection in white.
Have a blessed Sunday.
That looks terrific…… and practical and useful too , which makes the hard work even more worthwhile !!!!!
Don’t blame you for “stocking” up on the soup. My carpenter Robert was planning a 63 day cruise in Australia in October, but changed his mind due to the swine flu epidemic. I “lurve” your wicker “end of the bed” piece. Does have wonderful texture and tickles my fancy!
Brenda
What a delightful use for the plant stand. I love it, and I must admit, I’m a bit envious of your regular lovely weather, but I am happy you are able to enjoy it! Have a great spa-appointment – sounds like a great way to end a weekend.
Absolutely LOVE it!!!
m ^..^
This looks perfect at the end of the bed! Love how you’ve worked it into the decor. I would certainly like to see campfire brunch pics
Gorgeous room, im envious!
What a clever idea to use this to store pillows and blankets… I love it! I see these kinds of planters all the time in small antique shops here and there. I bet it would also work well in a bathroom to hold rolled up towels.
Thanks for sharing.
I love the transformation from plant stand to storing pillows and blankets. What a FABULOUS idea!! I think that would look great in my bedroom too. I’ll have to get on the hunt for one.
Very cute and very handy to have at the end of the bed for blankets, throw pillows, etc.!
i had an antique plant stand like this that i sold when i cleaned out my parents’ home. i love how you used this and wish i had kept mine!
You have a great eye, finding what something could be! Thanks for sharing
Great makeover Sarah. What type of primer do you start with
Alison
I love your transformation. That is a guest room anyone would love to stay in!
Very cool and handy too ! Love the color !
Hugs ~ Kammy
Such a lovely and clever use for a plant stand! The extra bedding looks lovely and it really compliements your pretty bedframe!
Tina
Hi Alison
thanks I started with Zinsser – great primer!
Sarah
I love it! And what a great way to use it! It looks beautiful there!
Your room is amazingly gorgeous, Sarah! I love how you used the plant stand. I bought one of those a couple years ago. It’s on the back porch. I like your idea better.
OMG… I skip out of blogland for a week or so and look what you get up to. Love the re-do’s, the chicken soup and yes, yes, the black mirror.
Gorgeous wedding gown by the way.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Sarah,
I love your plant stand at the end of the bed. What a great use for it too!
Gretchen
What a cute way to re-purpose this planter! It fits in just perfectly with that sweet room.
Sue
I have never seen such a cute plant stand. It’s gorgeous and what a great purpose you have found for it, so practical. I love when I can come up with a fresh idea like that. You know you love something but sometimes it takes a bit to work out just the place and purpose for it. Love it!
Your room is just “beachy”! Love your ideas and the colors are so soothing.
I love what you did with the plant stand. It is perfect for a guest room.
Jane
The stand is beautiful and it looks great at the end of your bed. Good job!! Connie
Your plant stand re-do is fabulous Sarah! Don’t you just love Pillars of the Earth? Great book! Happy Monday.
Your bedroom looks so serene; I could sure nap well in there! Love your plant basket-thing in your room; very nice idea
This is really brilliant – it adds texture to the room but gives a place to store the bed pillows at night until you make the bed in the morning. Really like it.
Really like your redo!
Know what you mean about this “tech.” stuff. I added Firefox as a browser this weekend, and lost my Feed list that I subscribe to and have not figured out how to get the list back or set up a new list.
Glenda
oooh I love your plant stand! What a brilliant job and a great way to put it to good use! Look forward to seeing the weekend snaps, sounds like a fun time was had by all.
What a wonderful idea! It looks beautiful!
Looks great..wonderful place for towels, etc!
Hello Sarah – of course I go crazy over anything you find and make-over, but this plant stand is ultra fab! I love the color you chose and to put it at the foot of your bed and use to hold your pillows? What? That’s such a great idea! Thank you for sharing so many of your secrets with us.
Blessings,
Marie
I absolutely love your room! The white is gorgeous!
I don’t see how that plantstand could have ever been revolting! It’s just gorgeous there at the end of your bed! Love it!
That is a gorgeous plant stand. I wish I could have seen a before picture, I can’t imagine it looking horrible. It looks so lovely at the end of your bed, you are amazing!! Hugs ~cindy s~
you are so clever! i’m always looking for thrifty buys to re-purpose, but this plant stand/linen holder would never have occured to me, and it’s just fantastic. great job!
Okay, so i didn’t read ALL of the other comments, so there is a chance somebody else mentioned this idea …. the plant stand being used as a blanket/pillow holder is wonderful!!! Another great/creative way to use one is for cold beverages. Line it with either a plastic plant or metal type liner. On one end place a deep squarish plastic “ice bin” and attach tongs (via a cord), fill the rest with ice as well, but in it place cans of pop, or bottles or beer, or some beverage – and in one corner have a large stack of cups.
Underneath you can put a plastic bag lined wicker basket for empty containers.
this room is so pretty and i like the idea of using a plant stand in the bedroom….thanks for sharing…maureenlynne…