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How to Spruce Up Your Porch

November 3rd, 2009 in blog, projects     
suewhitney Sue Whitney, editor
21 users recommend
It was actually hard to capture the true charm of this on film. It is a show stopper that guests will love as they approach the front door. Ahhh...the beauty of junk!
The goods include our mystery junkable, vintage rope, Minwax Wood Finish, and three faucet handles.
From a junkers point of view, the rusty detail is stunning!
The wood was very weathered so I gave it a new coat for the winter. I hopped over to my to my local Rockler Woodworking store and picked up some Minwax Wood Finish. After some luster was returned to the wood it was time to get cracking.
I stood it on end and because the slats are flexible I was able to make it round. I cut three lengths of rope and put each piece, evenly spaced through the two front slats.
In come the faucet handles! I securly tied a faucet handle to each piece of rope. The rope keeps my container in place and faucet handles add the detail. Cool beans!
I love the rustic, lodge feel that all of these elements together create.
OK, now shes standing at the ready for some spruce tips.
Im putting on the spruce! An assortment of evergreens, some Oregonia, and Magnolia leaves ar perfect through Thanksgiving. To dress it up for Christmas you could add berries (make sure to buy a variety that does not turn black after frozen), some Dogwood, and pine cones. The best thing about this makeshift planter is that it is dirtless. This way you dont have to arm yourself with a pitcher of hot water and a blow dryer to thaw the frozen soil. I put a bushy evergreen limb at the bottom that acts similar to a floral frog and holds the tips in place.
All done! When spring arrives shell be a door mat again. Poor girl!
It was actually hard to capture the true charm of this on film. It is a show stopper that guests will love as they approach the front door. Ahhh...the beauty of junk!

It was actually hard to capture the true charm of this on film. It is a show stopper that guests will love as they approach the front door. Ahhh...the beauty of junk!
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Youve heard me say how much i adore junk that can be multi-functional and this piaece is just that. I'm not sure what this is, but I think it was some kind of belt from a piece of farm machinery. As we all know I've been wrong before, so if you know what my mystery piece 'o junk is...please  let me know. Knowledge is power! This was originally shot as a door mat in Junk Beautiful, Outdoor Edition. I think it wouls also be stunning as a container for corn stalks and broom corn held together with with vintage beaded belts in the fall. So here you have it.......

 

P.S. Here is a tip i just learned from Rose in Buffalo. To save money on your outdoor greenery go to your city compost and dig through the clippings. Many times this is free of charge for residents. You probably won't find everything you need, but it will give you a good start and save you some green. Thanks for the tip Rose. It's a good one!

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Junk Beautiful - Outdoor Edition
by Sue Whitney with Kimberly Melamed Create beautiful outdoor pieces with junk market style $14.71 more info...

posted in: blog, projects, seasonal, farm junk, outdoor, contaier
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Comments (22)

OldBarnRescue writes: This is so great!!! I esp. love the use of the faucets! Incredibly creative! Posted: 8:33 pm on November 6th
vangogh_sister writes: now i'm looking at snow fence in a different way. thank you. Posted: 9:48 pm on November 5th
chippingcharm writes: So very, very cool...sometimes it's good to know the original purpose "after the fact"...now it's all cleaned up and cool as can be. Some lucky person will snatch that up at SHR and put in right on their kitchen table...he-he!!! I would scoop it up in a heart beat...for my front porch :) Laurel
Thanks for the tip on the greens, I'm in search of some for an event this weekend... Posted: 7:46 am on November 5th
alicemom writes: Oh Susie-Q................You are just the BESTEST!!!!!
Smiles and Giggles,
alice Posted: 10:01 pm on November 4th
Junk_Sophisticate writes: I LOVE this display! The faucet handles remind me of belt buckles in this piece. So nice!
Candy Posted: 12:12 pm on November 4th
fellowjunker writes: Sue,
You have such a gift for arranging the most stunningly beautiful displays from pieces of junk. This is gorgeous!
Happy day.
xojanis Posted: 11:51 am on November 4th
suewhitney writes: Thanks all for your kind words and I'm glad that you enjoyed this post. Toooooo funny about this coming from a manure spreader. It's even more SPECIAL now! Hahaha! I got the some of the greens from the city compost (free) and the spruce tips and fancy fixings are from Bachman's. Hope that helps...have a great day!

Take care,
Sue Posted: 9:01 am on November 4th
bubbasmom writes: Very neat idea.It looks great and I too love the rustic look. It looks like a wooden mat that I used to stand on in front of a machine in a factory in the late 60's to keep my feet from getting tired.Later they changed to rubber. Posted: 2:05 am on November 4th
roadtriplouise writes: Loved how you spruced up your porch. I'm ready with the cool weather to decorate with greenery now. It seem too soon to find spruce tops where did you find yours? Posted: 11:00 pm on November 3rd
DownHomeDIY writes: OK if Junk4menyou is correct as to what your thing-a-ma-jig is, this brings a whole new meaning to rusty and "crusty!" But as you say, pay no mind as to what it once was, so you can just wash your hands of that (tee hee, pun intended couldn't resist)
But seriously, I love everything about this! The color, texture and your faucet bling! This is a keeper and so great b/c you can just change out the greenery for the seasons!
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!
~MB


Posted: 10:21 pm on November 3rd
MimiToria writes: It is true Sue. You have been blessed with a talent many people would love to be able to say they have, but you've chosen to inspire many of us with your original ideas that we can than take and copy or tweak and make our own.
For me, this post has inspired me to re purpose something that has been on my front porch for a few weeks, waiting for a brainstorm to come to me, but you've just shown me what to do instead. I'll try to remember to post and it will be for Christmas.
Thanks for being so creative, for your generosity, for your sense of humor and sweet self that you are. You are definitely a one-of-a-kind girl, and that is a huge compliment. Love you my friend!
Gretchen Posted: 8:32 pm on November 3rd
oldnews writes: This is really cool! Who wouldn't love to have this on the front porch? I know I would! Marie Posted: 8:19 pm on November 3rd
junk4menyou writes: I think your beautiful junk is the floor from a manure spreader, can you just imagine what has been on it? Oh, well it came out great! Posted: 6:52 pm on November 3rd
junk4menyou writes: I think your beautiful junk is the floor from a manure spreader, can you just imagine what has been on it? Oh, well it came out great! Posted: 6:49 pm on November 3rd
RustyDiva writes: Love, love , love! It has all the elements we junkers go for ~ rustic, multi-functional and florals you don't have to water! ha I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Posted: 5:38 pm on November 3rd
Heavenly_Treasures writes: SUE,
As I read over the nice things people are saying about you, the ispiration you have on people and how you take anything and make something out of it.Its truly a miracle what God has placed in you to share with others.You see I know what God can do and this is not no accident the gift you have.It excites me the true talent in you. You are truly a blessing over and over. I just needed to send a blessing your way and to keep encouraging you. As always I love what you do.HAVE A GOOD DAY. ROBERT. Posted: 2:15 pm on November 3rd
JunkArchitect writes:
You turned it into such an interesting piece…very festive.

Jim
Posted: 2:07 pm on November 3rd
grannijo writes: What a cool idea!!!1...more and more I am looking at things and saying"what can I use this for"!!!....it is really cool to see stuff other than what it was for...Sue you have done it again!...love it!!..thanks for sharing with us...sharon Posted: 1:51 pm on November 3rd
berton718 writes: Sue,
I love it! You haven't met a piece of junk you can't tame!! You always make everything look so BEAUTIFUL!! Thanks for being so INSPIRING!! Posted: 1:50 pm on November 3rd
junkermidge writes: I LOOOVVVVVEEEEE that! The rusticness, industrialness, rustyness! I love the mat, the rope, the faucets, the greens! Perfect, perfect! Very inspiring for the upcoming holidays or anytime!
Midge Posted: 12:02 pm on November 3rd
shabbychick writes: Sue - your door mat spruced up quite nicely! What a cool piece and it is so awesome when junk is multi-functional!

Very welcoming!

Kathy Posted: 11:04 am on November 3rd
CraftingWendy writes: I absolutely love this! Your piece has such creativity, texture and character. Your post has me inspired to look for junk holiday containers that will spruce up my entire house. Charge!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Posted: 10:48 am on November 3rd
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