In my previous post on mothball containers I mentioned a neighbor that had passed away. John, our elderly neighbor passed away in March. He was our neighbor for the 16 years we have lived in our house. He was a hoarder. He had no family whatsoever, as his wife died prior to our moving in and they had no children. He never opened his windows or blinds. His house smelled and his backyard was a junky mess. He was a professor at a college nearby and was often very cantankerous. He did have a nice side tho, and I grew to like him over the years and helped him when he had some health issues and did lots of little things for him that neighbors do. He encouraged me to cut the dahlias from his yard in the summer. He gave me the Home and Garden section each week from the New York Times that he had delivered. When he passed away his house was willed to the college he taught at. They cleared out some of his belongings but sold the house full of quite a bit of junk. The people that bought the house are flipping it and had a trailer in the driveway as they cleared out the house. They donated old books and recycled metal, but I kept my eye on that dumpster as they cleared out the house.
Much of what went into the dumpster smelled or were old papers that he saved. I did fish out some old tins.
And an old Christmas card box with great graphics.
It had a bonus inside with some unused Christmas cards.
I know you are wondering why I got this old beat up dustpan.
I will figure out a re purpose for it. The gardening lady decal could not go to the local dump.
It was hard to watch them tear apart the house and remove all the vintage details. It really was in horrible shape and they took it down to the studs.
I would have loved to have thought of something for this awesome tile in this wonderful color.
That MAGNIFICENT SAVE? I was out in our driveway and one of the kids that was helping to clear out the house hauled out some old cabinet doors from the basement. The kitchen had been remodeled in the 1960s and the original kitchen had gone to the basement. The leaded glass cabinet doors from the kitchen had been stored down there. The kid had one of them in his hand. I asked if I could have it. The kid said he had been looking forward to breaking it up...GAHHHHH!....but I could have it and there were more in the basement that he would get for me as well. There are five doors.
They need a cleaning and a paint job, but they are in good shape and even have the original hardware.
It paid off to be a dumpster stalker.
We are going to be redoing our main floor bathroom soon, and I hope I can reuse them somehow in the project. If they don't work there, I am sure I can find somewhere else to use them.
Oh my gosh!!! I am glad that you were there for the save. I can't believe someone would just break those up. But then again I can't believe the tile that was pulled out-what I would give to have a bathroom with that tile.
In my neighborhood I believe that I am your
neighbor. Someday people will be hauling off my treasures from the big dumpster they bring in to clear out my years of collecting. ;-)
Posted by: Melissa | May 31, 2012 at 07:28 AM
Ha Hs Ha....Maybe we should call you the "Dumpster Diva". I keep learning new terms or words from you like "Dumpster Stalker" :-)
Love those colored tiles too!What a save on those glass doors!!I'm sure you'll put them to good use.Not sure how anyone can throw things like that away.I'm glad you were able to salvage some of it. Seems like such a waste to not recycle things.
Have a great weekend!!
Posted by: Doreen | May 31, 2012 at 08:19 AM
Those doors are magnificent! Good diving!! I hope they will work out for your bathroom. Somehow I know they will. I would have saved the sweet garden girl, too!
Have a great trip to FC.
Posted by: Annette | May 31, 2012 at 08:43 AM
Nice save! I'm glad you rescued those doors. They will be fabulous in your remodel.
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | May 31, 2012 at 09:30 AM
I can't believe that people who are flipping houses don't know the value of items they are ripping out. Those doors are fabulous!
I'm glad you left the toiddy in the dumpter. I recently saw one in a front yard -- it made an interesting planter!
Posted by: janet | May 31, 2012 at 09:48 AM
What a wonderful day with wonderful saves. I love the cards and doors you found.
Sheryl
Posted by: Sheryl Remy | May 31, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Those windows are an awesome save. Just thinking about that boy breaking them makes me cringe. I don't "get" people who don't "get" it and I suppose they don't "get" me - LOL!!!
And no, I wasn't wondering why you saved the dust pan. I would have done the same thing. "Got" it!
Posted by: Kathy | May 31, 2012 at 11:56 AM
I am mighty glad you saved those doors ..... they are beautiful ! Good for you and I know that you will put them to very good use. I can't get over how great they are. Wow. I am also sure your neighbor would be happy to know that you have them !
Posted by: Lisa W. | May 31, 2012 at 02:56 PM
The dust pan is so special!!! and the doors!! Can't wait to see your bathroom remodel using the doors!!
chirs
Posted by: chris mckinley | May 31, 2012 at 03:04 PM
Laurie, What an amazing save those cabinet doors are! I hope one day you give us another tour of your collections behind the cabinets you had made.
Cupcake liners and such - It always amazes me that with the HUGE antique malls here in Ohio we NEVER see the items you find where you live. Darn don't these Ohioans know any better!
PS MY absolutely LOVELY M-E creation came in the mail today. I love that we all get the chance to own some of your finds through your art! Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth | May 31, 2012 at 06:01 PM
Hi Laurie!
Oh, these doors are fabulous!!! I can't believe the kid was going to break them up!! Love those moth ball containers too! I can honestly say, that I have never seen one. Now I want one for my shelf collection of vintage things. I love the idea of putting in the air freshener. I would have been in that dumpster too!! lol!
Posted by: Debbie | May 31, 2012 at 06:33 PM
Oh, what fun goodies!! Those doors are awesome, and I can't wait to see what you do with them!! Have a great day!! xo Heather
Posted by: Heather | May 31, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Ohhhh I love me a good dive in a dumpster :)
Good save on those doors, they're fabulous!
Posted by: Patrice | June 01, 2012 at 04:35 AM
That green tile is gorgeous...I can only imagine it in its glory days...why on earth anyone would want to pummel these doors is beyond me...I would run screaming out the front door...wait. What must we look like? crazy stalker vintage ladies....fun times...smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | June 01, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Phew! You saved 'em! Your neighbor sounds like quite a character ... I'm sure it took someone with your cheeful disposition to turn him around.
Posted by: barbara | June 01, 2012 at 02:33 PM