Friday, August 2, 2013

roadside finds

Some of you may remember that I found this old window by the roadside
several years ago. Some men were working on rehabbing a house down my
street and I saw this window by the garbage can. I got out of my car and asked
the men if I could have the window. They looked at me as if I were crazy! Those
men obviously did not know about the vintage, chippy trend.


Ever since then, I haven't known quite what to do with this window. Every summer,
I faithfully take it out of the garage and simply lean it against the fence. And every
summer I say to myself, "I'm going to scrape and paint that window. And then use
it in my house somewhere." Mmm-hmm. What's stopping me from hanging this in
 my house is the weight of this window. It weighs a ton. Maybe because of the
 glass panels. So I suppose it would great on top of a dresser or side board, but
the only dresser we have right now is too tall. There is the side board in the entry
way of my living room, but there's a huge mirror and plates hung on the wall
above this piece of furniture. And...there's a buffet in my living room too, but again,
a big, decorative piece (which I really like, so don't want to remove) hanging on the
wall above the buffet. Oh well, guess this makes a great garden piece!


Now here's my latest cool find. The other day, Brian and I were driving down the
road and I spied a big piece of wood leaning against a tree. I told Brian this "just
might be something interesting", so I had him turn the car around. He pulled over
to the side of the road, and as I got out of the car and went to the tree to inspect
this wondrous piece of wood, a man in a pick-up truck slowed down on the other
side of the road, then stopped. He just sat there, staring at me. At first I thought
maybe I was taking something that was rightfully his. But he never said anything.
So I told Brian I did indeed want this piece and he came over to help me put it
in the car. It was very long and very heavy. As we were putting the wood into the
car, the man drove off. So he must've spied it too and went back to get it, but
we beat him to it - ha! 


Here's the thing: I have absolutely NO idea what to do with this. It's about 6 ft. tall/long
and is so heavy, that I could barely drag it to the side of the house. If it were lightweight,
I would love to paint something on it and hang it somewhere in my house. It has 
interesting hardware on it, too.


Any ideas out there on what this was originally used for? 
Or, what I could do with it?


 Happy weekend!


30 comments:

  1. I can't imagine it was a drawer front, yet, the handles make me wonder. I like the window and the six foot piece, together on a wall might be interesting. The six footer might make an interesting bed headboard. I can visualize, hope you can get inside my visualization!
    If I knew how to make stained glass I think replacing the glass in the window with stained glass would make an interesting window to hang to catch the sunlight.

    I purchased six windows like yours many years ago. They were from an old summer porch . . . One of them I used for a window in my garden house and three of them I once hung from the ceiling to create a wall division in a shop I had. And still have two more . . . My hubby came home with two windows the other day . . . really fun shapes!

    Have fun creating . . .

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    1. I thought it was a drawer front too, because of the handles. But that would be one heck of a heavy drawer! I can't hang either piece on the wall - way too heavy. They would literally tear the wall out.

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  2. Interesting! I have no idea what it was, maybe some kind of closet door? Though it's narrow for that. I love the window too; years ago I had a mirror that was made to look like an old window, with a piece of mirror inside each of the panes where glass would be. It even had fake-old hardware on it. But your real window is much cooler than the mirror I had!

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    1. Definitely too narrow for a closet door! Have a great weekend, Jennifer.

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  3. I don't know what it was, but I love it. I've been looking for a long weathered board to paint a sign for my woods. I want to paint..".Never Enough Time" on it It just looks like it calls for something painted on it. I'll be watching to see what you do with it. I'll keep looking for my board.
    Balisha

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    1. I would love to paint our last name on this board, then "established 1984" and hang it above our bed. But, much too heavy. Maybe I can still paint it and use it in the garden somewhere.

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  4. Are those black pieces on either end parts of hinges? I wondered if it was a piece to an old garage door that maybe opened to the sides rather than up and down, but if the hardware is the same at either end, that wouldn't make much sense. Anyway, I like it! Why not paint something on it and lean it against a wall? As for your window, I love it outside on the fence, chippy paint and all. A few years ago I got two multi-paned windows at a garage sale ($5 total). One is hung on my dining room wall, the other is still waiting for the right spot, but I'm thinking it might go in the master bedroom. I left the paint chippy and just cleaned up the glass. It's a fun spot to hang seasonal garlands.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I believe those end parts are hinges. I think I'm going to do exactly as you suggest - paint something on it and lean it against a wall. Now I'm visualizing painting, "Riley - established 1984" or something like that - and propping it against the outdoor fence somewhere. To be continued! I'd love to see your window on the dining room wall - I don't think I've ever seen a picture of it before!

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  5. Could you put hooks on it and use it like a coat rack? Just an idea!

    Judy

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    1. That would be beautiful, Judy, but it's too heavy to hang on a wall. Thanks for the great idea though!

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  6. interesting finds. Maybe someone will know the original use of the board.

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    1. I would love to know too, Susan, just out of curiosity! And especially since it's incredibly heavy.

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  7. I love your window! I think it makes a nice garden prop. It took me a long time to figure out where to hang my first window because I was so afraid of it falling off a wall and hurting someone. So, I have it propped on my mantel and I'm happy! Hope to get the other hung this weekend.

    The big piece of wood? No idea!

    XO,
    Jane

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    Replies
    1. I love the window on your mantle. Guess mine will be staying outdoors every year after all! I think my big piece of wood is going to be staying outside, too.

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  8. No idea what the piece of wood is, but I once saw someone turn a window like that into a coffee table, it looked amazing. They used the framework from a coffee table they picked up at a garage sale.

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    1. Now THAT would be gorgeous. Now you have the wheels in my mind spinning!!

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  9. Too bad your window is heavy. That does put a limit on ideas. My first reaction about your new find was it is some type of lid. However, the ends don't appear to match and there are no hinges. The handles could simply be for convenience in lifting and moving since it is so heavy.

    I'm sure the other guy was interested in that big board and scrap metal ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who knows why he was interested in it...he was probably thinking the same thing about me! lol

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  10. Love the window. It looks great outside or in if you decide to put it there. The wood is great too. I would love that hanging as a nice long shelf somewhere with some heavy iron supports for it. It is beautifully vintage looking. I am looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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    Replies
    1. Oh wow, that would be awesome as a shelf sitting on some heavy iron supports, like you suggested. But there's nowhere in my house to put something like that, nor would Brian let me put huge holes in the walls to support something like that. He even freaks out over nail holes! ;-)

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  11. Back again with another thought Melanie...what about making a pretty wooden tough planter for on your porch with the wood? Cut two long and two short sides and then get another piece of wood for the bottom of the planter. If it is too heavy, you could put it up on casters to be able to move it around or store it in the winter if you wanted it out of the weather.

    Hugs again!
    Heidi

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    1. Great idea, Heidi but you are talking to Mrs. and Mr. Not Handy! Making a planter won't be happening around here. ;-)

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  12. I absolutely LOVE the window with the red flowers in front of it! Oh my gosh - picture perfect!!! I have no clue what the wood with the handles is, but it sure is cool!

    Thanks for visiting my windowless kitchen and Baby cat!!! Have a wonderful Sunday!

    Donna

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    1. Glad you like the window, Donna! I think that wood piece is going to be staying outside with the window. :-)

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  13. Do you believe that I paid $20 for a window just like this one. Where do you find such wonderful finds, along the roadside. All you'll find around here is a bottle or a can that someone tossed, LOL.
    Have a lovely week, Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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    1. I've found some interesting things in front of people's houses over the years, Connie! The first couple of years we lived here (back in the early 90's), I found a coffee table, foos ball table for the boys, plant pots, even a bag of silverware!

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  14. I love your finds! I think I would be in the same boat as you...love them and take them home but not know what else to do with them. And I love that your hubby is so quick to help you snag them! Mine would probably roll his eyes at me. I am a new follower and I'm happy I found you today! I invite you to visit my blog if you get a moment! :)
    -Khammany

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    1. My hubby was probably sighing inwards, lol. Thank you so much for becoming my latest follower. Glad you found my blog! I'll be heading over to visit yours.

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  15. I love old windows. I think it looks great proppped onto the fence!

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment - I read and appreciate each one!