Headed for the dumpster - gasp!

Question

I must admit, one year ago I would have walked right past this without batting an eyelash. After seeing the amazing projects you all do, this looks like a treasure sitting among trash bags. I just wish I had a truck. I'm going to talk to the Hometalk development team about building in a furniture alert system for spotting discarded furniture :) That way you can subscribe to be on the list and receive an alert when junk is spotted in your area. LOL.

Jeanette S · Answer

When I posted the photo of my porch repainting project, the bright orange rocker was rescued from the garbage.  I received a lot of questions on how it was painted.  Wouldn't it be lovely to have a shed type place where people could drop off old furniture to be refurbished and then donated to people who lose their things in storms, fire, etc.  There are so many talented people who could do so much good.

Bernice H · Answer

Soooooo, did you get it?  Didnt you find any hunks around who would have carried it a few miles for you?  Maybe you need to carry a blanket, and bungee cords for those unexpected treasure finds. Then tie it to the roof of your car!   And dont pay any attention to anyone looking at you , like 'dumpster diver lady'.

Jan T · Answer

They have a 'curb alert' on Craigslist here in my area.  When someone puts stuff at the curb, they put an alert on the list.  I've gotten some good 'old' stuff that way, and its free!

Audrey Z · Answer

I would not have passed that one up.

Miriam Illions · Answer

@Jeanette -that WOULD be lovely. You know, there is a non profit in Atlanta call Furniture Bank of Atlanta. I think that's pretty much what they do.
@Bernice- no hunks in sight and no car. This was in NYC and I was walking to the subway.
@Jan - that is AWESOME. That's what I'm talking about! We need a curb alert on Hometalk.
@Audrey - It was painful :)

Alaine M · Answer

I would so jump on that! perfect as a bench or under a long window as planter or even a console behind the sofa. a little sanding, some stain or paint...or take it apart and use the wood for shelves or ?

Susan S · Answer

Aaaaammm - Miriam's gettin the RE-DO BUG!!!  What a fabulous find - you should've taken it.  Somebody in your area who is on HT would definitely have taken it off your hands.  What a fantastic idea - a spotter alert!!

So, a year later your eye has been trained through exposure to fabulous ideas and now you see things with a totally different perspective!!  Congratulations, YOU ARE GROWING!!!  lol

Miriam Illions · Answer

I'm in NYC - if it was in Atlanta, I would have called Sheila :) Susan you are right! I'm really seeing things differently these days. I'm so happy :)

Tammy@Deja Vue Designs · Answer

That whole furniture alert system would be AWESOME!!!! Nothing like a curb check!!!!

Susan S · Answer

@Miriam:  Are you being a 'tourist' in NYC???

@Everyone above:  What a lost opportunity huh??  Oh well, maybe next time. This poor piece of tossed out furniture will never have it's destiny fulfilled - it will never know what it's full potential could have been . . . . .

Susan S · Answer

OH NO!!!!  The horror of it all!!  May it  RIP!!!!

Miriam Illions · Answer

@Susan- Hometalk headquarters is in NYC, I'm splitting my time between here and Atlanta right now. I'm being a tourist now too, though :)

Sherrie S · Answer

I appreciate Miram I's  thoughts, ideas.  It is time to recycle.  Many people throw away perfectly good things that other people would love.   It is time to recycle and be pleased when  someone takes YOUR JUNK and loves it.

Kelly S · Answer

looks like a perfectly good work bench to me.

Miriam Illions · Answer

Well said, Sherrie!

Susan S · Answer

I had no idea NYC was part of the HT mix!!! So you just kinda float around between Hot Lanta and the Big Apple huh???  Wow, really tough life!!! LOL

Miriam Illions · Answer

@Susan :) No complaints here :) LOL.

YouAreTalkingTooMuch.com · Answer

I just painted this hand me down table that looked just like yours. It now sits behind my sofa. I thought you might like seeing what it looks like in Annie Sloan chalk paint Duck Egg blue. : ) Good find!

Susan S · Answer

Oh No!!  They're actually long lost twins!!!  Just HOW ironic is that anyway??  Really Miriam, and to think YOU could have saved it!!  I'll bet your don't EVER pass up something on the sidewalk again - no matter where you are!! Or if you do you sure won't tell us about it!!!

@Rebecca - that is gorgeous, as is your entire room. The blues punctuated around the room are in perfect balance.  I like that the console is not the same identical shade as your window treatments, chairs and the oriental piece at the end of the console.  People get so hung up on thinking everything has to matchy match!  NOT!!!  ; ~ )  But YOU knew that!!

Miriam Illions · Answer

That looks EXACTLY like the one I saw in the street! Rebecca, yours is gorgeous! Susan - you sure know how to rub it in :) I wish I could have saved it.

Susan S · Answer

Awwww. . . . .but you're such a good sport Miriam.  You KNOW I love you girl.  Just keepin you on your toes. . . . .   ; ~ )

Janie B · Answer

Who would throw this away!  Looks like a treasure to me!

Miriam Illions · Answer

I know, Susan :) Janie -right?!

Bernice H · Answer

Hey girls...I am SURE someone saw it and rescued it!  there are a lot more people out there like us, who live close to it. Too bad we dont know who it was and what they did.   Hopefully they didnt just take it and leave it the way it was! it is ready for a big second life!  But a piece that nice, yup, I am sure it got adopted!

Susan S · Answer

@Sheila & Bernice:  HA - I can just see that caption now:

HOMELESS CONSOLE RESCUED FROM THE STREETS OF NYC!!
Was it 'devine intervention' or a case of someone having an extra big heart? Plenty of other people passed by this old worn piece of furniture that fateful morning. It's previous owner no longer saw  it as the beauty it once was,  before the kids came along. Crayon marks, glass rings, scuff marks and a few gouges marred it's potential.  But SOMEBODY  saw underneath all the surface scarring and quickly snatched it up to give it a new home and to lovingly restore this Grand Dame!! What WILL she become next??

The Saga of the abandoned console table will be continued - hopefully!!!  LOL ;~)

Susan S · Answer

LOL  Ha Ha etc. etc.  Thanks Sheila!!  You & Bernice planted the neucleus by wondering what may have happened to it and how ironic it would be if someone did rescue it and it ended up back on here.  I just took it and ran with it!!!  I'm glad you got a chuckle out of it!!! Whatever it takes to keep ourselves entertained right???

Bernice H · Answer

Yup, wouldnt it be a hoot if it found its way here to Hometalk? I would love to see it all reloved!

Miriam Illions · Answer

Debbiedoo's I wish you were there to rescue it! I know you could show them a thing or two!

Karleen A · Answer

OMG!!! I would have hauled that away!!!! Truck or no truck!!!I would have dragged that home!!! LOL!!!  I think of all the furniture I tossed to the curb over the years, if I only had a site like this back then!!!!

Miriam Illions · Answer

@Karleen, lol. I KNOW! I anticipated gasps of horror for you all, lol. Wish you were there to rescue it!

Headed for the dumpster - gasp!

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Headed for the dumpster - gasp!

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