Friday, February 26, 2016

High Hopes for a Hamper


It was fun just to get out of the house after a bitter cold snap but
I was also hopeful I'd find something on my wish list
as we scouted out a little town north of Denver called Lafayette. 


I didn't have much luck in the charming town, but, as we were leaving
we spotted a little antique store and pulled into the parking lot.
It didn't look very promising on the outside but the inside was filled with lots of
tiny rooms filled with goodies. Even the basement was jammed with treasures.
I had a good feeling.

I saw it almost right away. 
I'd been watching for a vintage hamper for some time.
I knew exactly what I was looking for:  
about a foot tall, woven base, wooden lid and curved side handles. 
I didn't care what color it was. I could always paint it. 
Except for the horrid Easter-egg-green paint on the top, it was just what I'd been looking for. 


I kept going back to look at it and the owner said: "That piece is calling your name."
And it was.
Lucky for me, I get my bargaining skills from my thrifty mother
and from living in the Middle East where bargaining is the norm. 
After a short conversation, I got the price down from $32 to $20. Sold! 
I think this little beauty is from the 1940's, maybe a child's hamper. Adorable.


 I vowed to paint it the next day which was forecast to be clear and sunny. 
I thought it would take an hour at most. It took about four. 
Masking and then removing the tape because I forgot to take a "before" picture. 
Putting the tape back on and realizing it wasn't sticking so I had to put fresh tape on. 
All the little nooks and crannies took time with a small artist's brush. 
Fortunately, the cream-colored sides didn't need painting.


Finally, after two coats of white paint then sanding and re-painting the lid 
where the hinge gunked up the paint, I left it in the sun to cure. 


I couldn't wait to bring it inside and figure out where to put it. That's half the fun.
I finally decided on the foot of the daybed in the guest room. 
It's the first thing you see when you enter this room and it creates a cheerful, welcoming feeling. 


Of course, I could always use it as a guest hamper but it's much more fun to fill it with flowers!



33 comments:

  1. Well I love it. It just goes to show that you have to give every place a good look - even the funny little old shops.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for visiting. I'm a sucker for little old shops.

      Delete
  2. Awww... That vintage hamper looks sooo precious! Nice bargaining skills!! :) Thanks for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a nice way to use a vintage clothes hamper! It is so sweet with the flowers in it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Adorably done! such an inventive way to revitalize the hamper.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Super cute! It is definitely cheering and welcoming in the guest room!

    ~Trisha

    ReplyDelete
  6. Putting flowers in the hamper is a unique idea! I have a hamper that needs replacing and finding a large one at a reasonable price is like finding that proverbial needle. We would love for you to share this at Celebrate Your Story link party. Here's the link if you're able to stop by:
    http://www.thesweetsensations.com/celebrate-your-story-link-party-is-moving/. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sandra Lee. I'll definitely stop by your link party. Thanks for the invite.

      Delete
  7. Love the finished product! I would have never thought to fill a hamper with flowers, and it looks absolutely perfect in its spot! Thanks for sharing this idea!! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the way you used your hamper with flowers in it. You are very smart to keep a list of things you're looking for. I'm more of a mindless shopper but always like to know where something will go before it comes home with me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Stacey. I believe if you love it, you'll find a place for it. Even if you have to get rid of something.

      Delete
    2. Pat, so glad you linked up with Thoughts of Home on Thursday. I have heard your shopping advice from others before. Isn't it funny how we are all different? I just have to know where something is going and that may never change. Sometimes that means I have little regrets. :)

      Delete
    3. Hi Stacey, You're absolutely right. We're all different and whatever works for you is the best way. I always ask myself "Where can I put this?" and then ignore the answer. Oh well. Good intentions.

      Delete
  9. How wonderful that you found something you were looking for. It seems like a piece that you might move around to many spots in the house.

    Thanks for sharing at SYC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for stopping by. Yep, I have several spots picked out for the little hamper.

      Delete
  10. I love the cute hamper and it's adorable filled those pretty flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  11. very cute, especially filled with those flowers! Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great repurpose, love it!

    Debby
    Debbygoesshabby.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a darling hamper! A true find. Thank you ever so much for linking up at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Your presence adds such a ray of sunshine!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Pat, I love it! So fun to use out of the norm things to hold flowers. I love all of the things on your wish list. Vintage trophies have been on mine for a while. I am hosting a baby shower in April and using the theme of "our little champ". Luckily I have a couple of friends that have fabulous trophies they will loan me. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Jann. Your baby shower sounds adorable. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  15. I just LOVE how this turned out- cutest hamper ever. :) Thanks for linking this up to Talk of the Town!

    Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Pat! Your hamper is super-cute. I love it when I find something I really need/want :) Thanks for linking up your vintage find with Vintage Charm!

    ReplyDelete