Collecting Old Discards: Reuse and Renew

I have an expression that is used on wifey’s Ebay site: “Treasures, antique to near new, yesterdays discards now precious to you”.  I find great truth in that expression especially around our home. I have mentioned many items in past articles showing just how you can get creative with a little imagination, to use those yesteryear discards found at garage sales or flea markets in new and decorative ways.

Now I won’t start by telling about our yard art, that would be too easy, and anyone can stick a bowling ball or fifteen around their garden, or take a Red Wing crock that had the bottom broken out and use it as a planter. It’s also real easy to hang decorative cast iron sewing machine legs on the outside wall of your home.

No, I would rather point out the elevator buttons that I electrified and stuck on the wall for the grand kids to press and light every time they pass through the hallway. Or the screen door insert that we  turned into wall décor in a powder room. And I must not forget the ‘53 Pontiac dashboard chrome speaker grill that I use as a face plate for a cold air return or the small yard rake with sawed off handle used as a coat rake, Ah! rack on our side door.

The latest purchase I can lay blame onto Wifey. Last Saturday we took a stroll down the isle. It wasn’t a chapel, it was an antique mall, naturally. This time a new place in downtown Waukesha, Wisconsin, Family Heirlooms Antique Mall. By the second row, we had found a few things and I had made one run to the front counter to have them hold our items till we finished. I joined Wifey at a booth near the far end of the isle where she pointed out a very old wooden TV cabinet, less the workings. Looked great we agreed, “I’d put a TV lamp on it for display” she said. “Rabbit ears and an antenna rotator box” I said. And as we walked out Wifey speculated, “Could you put a digital picture frame in the cabinet?”

We walked a little further down isle 3, she found another antique to take up front and I asked the counter for help in getting the old TV box up front for us. Wifey had a super idea, and I couldn’t pass on such a great cabinet like this on.

As we drove out of their parking lot, the discussion started. Rabbit ears antenna, round bulls eye antenna, UHF converter box, or TV lamp. Now you have to understand, wifey has had all of these items at one time or another and has sold them all. So that means more hunting trips in the future.

When back home furthering our inspection and caressing its fine real wood surface, wifey asked what to do about the knobs and dials on the front. Well, as part of all my hobbies I have a box of old radio knobs in a bread pan in the basement, next to my key collection. Issue Solved.

So, here it is finished and sitting in our living room. No antenna, no TV lamp just a doily from  the same period as the TV, the 1930s (or so, our younger readers will innocently guess).

Now the search thru numerous antique shops begins, and with each choice an argument will start.

In my corner are the electronic devices and antennas and Wifey with her figural lamps in her corner. And you know I’ll be against the ropes and land face down on the canvas holding my rabbit ears, while she hoists the trophy prize high into the air. UGH how ugly can one lamp be?