French Country: Alley Shopping

I'm fortunate to live in an old part of the city that still has alleys,

and, over the years, I've found some amazing things . . .
finds tucked in next to a dumpster, sitting pretty atop a garbage can,

or even boxed up nice and neat like these old mason jars.

I'm an all-season alley shopper, whether it's on my bike in the summer . . . 

or bundled up in the winter, I'm always on the look-out for discarded treasures.

I'm not embarrassed to say I've rescued quite a few pieces from the landfill 

and given them a new life. 

After a little DIY, some sandpaper, or a touch of paint, 

I've created some unique items to add to my "Ethan Alley Collection."

My absolute favorite alley find has to be this amazing baker's rack
recently discovered while walking my dog.
I scurried back to my house to get some help loading it into my car
and prayed nobody would beat me to it.
It was a tight fit but we made it home without getting a ticket for an open hatch.
Don't be surprised if I end up buying a little pickup truck one of these days!

The baker's rack was in great condition, only one screw missing, some rust, a bit of chipped paint,
all of which made it even more desirable.
Initially, I had plans for it inside but once I saw it on the patio, I knew it was home.

It was a perfect fit!

Here are some more of my alley finds. 

This curvy ottoman got a complete overhaul. (If you missed that post, you can read about it HERE).

While out for a neighborhood walk, we spotted someone
headed for the dumpster with an old frame.
"You're not going to throw that away, are you?" Ron and I whispered at the same time.
Circling around the block, we went back to the dumpster after he'd left
and retrieved this charming framed picture.

A couple of rocking chairs for the porch didn't always look like this.

Want to read their story? Click HERE!

A painter's scaffolding found propped against a dumpster 

was the foundation for this unique garden bench.

My first DIY paint project. Want more info? Read about it by clicking HERE!

Can you believe we found this cement angel in the alley behind our house?

We gave it a new home on our patio.

These are the glass mason jars discovered in the first picture. 

Remember this fabulous find? Two matching urns for free!

Check out their makeover HERE!

I recently saw these exact same urns in a fancy antique store for $275!

This old ladder was leaning against a dumpster but not for long.

Even the cafe sign was an alley find. 

The list goes on.

We've also retrieved a pair of Adirondack chairs that just needed some support,

an iron windowbox that needed some posies,

a pair of pretty patio pillows that needed a bench,

and some chippy window frames that needed a new home. 

I hope you have alleys in your neighborhood too. 

Happy alley shopping! 

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