Last night (in the dark of the night) I spied something in the neighbor's trash. My husband said we weren't going to get it in the dark of night (in other words: he didn't think we needed it). I pleaded, please let's go look at it… get your flashlight. But no. He assured me "it'll be there tomorrow" (in my mind, I thought the worst… someone else will get to it before me). He said no one else in our neighborhood is as crazy as you to want someone else's trash… let's go to bed and if it's there tomorrow you can get it.
I awoke this morning, with one thing on my mind: that table in the neighbors trash. So, I jumped from the bed and went straight to the front porch to look, it was still there!
(Meant to be!)
Their phone number unlisted, I sent their son (a teenager who rides dirtbikes with my husband) a text message (@ 7am) to tell him to ask his mother if I could have that table. They must think I am crazy.
It's about 50" round and is made of beautiful quarter-sawn oak (tight grain), has little brass casters and tapered legs… someone worked very hard to build it. Heavier than lead, I thought I might die trying to cross the street with it. I rolled it… awkwardly as my dogs watched me like I was crazy.
I prayed hard no one would see me.
I'll photograph it once I get it cleaned up… and clear out a spot for it somewhere.
So, I have that but here are some other goodies I've been eying that I'd like to add to my collection:
Charlotte Moss is selling some lovely things at 1stDibs, including this.
I saw these over at Martha B's NIBS… I have a Mont Blanc, but it's not a fountain.
I may treat myself to this. My dad has always written with fountain pens… I've never had one myself but think about them all the time.
Do you see a black and gold theme? Not sure what's gotten into me…
Finding a treasure in someone else’s trash is kind of exciting, I think. I must admit, I’ve done it before. But it was in Atlanta. Seems like I was on my way to ADAC and saw something propped up against the trash can by the street in one of the upscale neighborhoods. It’s such a score.
But I always feel like a TOTAL loser when I grab the item and actually put it in my car. Hmm. Then I tell myself that I’m actually helping the environment by preventing it from going to a landfill.
Glad you found a treasure! It sounds incredible. Love that black piece and those horse track numbers. All of your finds are so carefully coordinated. Imagine that.
Hurrah for the dumpster diving diva!
I still shake my head when things such as this happen. As I try to live a green life, when there are things in my own home that I tire of, I try to bless someone else via Craigslist or Freecycle.
Still, I will admit that I get terribly excited when I spy trash treasure.
Love the horse racing numbers.
You’re hilarious, Erika!
How could you even sleep last night!?!?!
Looking forward to seeing the picture of this great table!
Shireen
I can’t wait to see a photo of your find!
You’re a diver just like me! Wish I was there to help you snag it!
“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”
Martha B.
Oh man your own neighbors? That’ll get you a reputation for being crazy. Once I was at a party and the neighbors had recently moved out. I decided to give myself a tour of the empty place via prying open a window and crawling through. Anyways, they left behind this wooden ladder from a bunk bed that I inteded to use to hang towels over as I have no freaking linen closet.
You can imagine what the rest of my night must have been like carrying that ladder around with over my shoulder beer in hand. I found an understanding cab driver but the ladder was so long that we had to roll down the windows and stick about a foot of it out the window. Naturally in a dense urban area this is a bad idea as cars have to drive next to you. The cab driver honked at EVERYONE screaming “THEY ARE JUST MAD THEY DON’T HAVE A LADDER! YAYYY LADDER CAB!” I loved him.
Too funny! My husband is eternally frustrated with my dumpster diving, but I’ve mangaged to net an antique steamer trunk, 4′x6′artist canvas, several great bookcases, and miscellaneous small treasures. (OK, really I don’t go through dumpsters, but a friend used to live at an apartment with GREAT castoffs left by the dumpster, which is where the visitor parking spots were. What would you do?)
I, too, have no idea how you even managed to sleep a wink. Will you leave some great finds out on your trash, say, on July 3rd?
I picture you in your pajamas, crossing the street, rolling that table!
LOL!
I just discovered your blog via All Things Bright And Beautiful. I love this post, mainly because I so know the feeling of spotting a great treasure in someone else’s trash!
I can’t wait to see pictures of the table, I definitely be back here regularly. Lovely blog!
I love the story and had the same experience last night. My husband and I went to ride bikes and as we pulled out of our parking lot there was a table sitting on the curb. I turned to him and told him I wanted it, his response, ‘what for?’; my thoughts, ‘why not?’. Throughout the bike ride I kept reminding him I wanted the table.
When we got back it was still there, whew! I asked him that we at least go check it out. As I stood there inspecting the table with people walking and driving by, he laughed and told me I was crazy. It is now in our basement.