Found Treasure
I have a love for old wooden boxes to use for storage. Old boxes hold our mail, magazines beside each of our sofas, and exercise equipment beside my sofa. The boxes that I have were all given to me by my mom. I’d like a few more and have been looking in antique shops but they are pretty pricey.
I opened my eyes the other day while I was looking around in our basement and realized that there was a hidden treasure in the corner beside an old refrigerator, an old wooden crate full of hand turned table legs. Mr. SP took these from my grandfather’s workshop when we had to clean out my grandparents’ home years ago. Mr. SP took them thinking that he could use them for a project one of these days. My grandfather turned all of these himself. Wonder what he planned to do with them? I know he would be pleased that Mr. SP wanted them and will eventually use them for something.
The turned legs are a treasure but what I was interested in was the box, an old Pepsi crate. It was dirty and very worn but I figured that I still could use it for storage somewhere in my home.
These pictures are before I cleaned it. It’s too bad that the Pepsi logo is worn from the sides.
You can just see the logo here and a tiny bit of blue paint at the bottom. Isn’t the wear pattern on the handles interesting?
I cleaned the box very well with water, a scrub brush, and some household cleaner. Then I let it dried and thought that maybe I’d rub it with some sort of oil, but I liked how it looked after it dried, so I decided to use it clean, “as is.”
We are constantly going to the lake or to the pool this time of year so I thought storing beach towels on our porch might be convenient. This box is perfect for that.
When fall comes I think I’ll fill it with gourds and then with pine cones for winter. That is if I don’t decide to bring it into the house and use it somewhere else.
The small amount of time I spent cleaning this box was well worth the effort. I think I’ll look around our basement a bit more. There might be more treasures that are hiding, just waiting for me to open my eyes to find them.
I think that Mr. SP should make two end tables with those cherry legs. Wouldn’t cherry end tables be pretty?
that’s a really great spot for storing towels! great job.
What a great find in your basement! It looks wonderful on your porch…happy hunting for some more treasures!
Lucky you! Can’t wait to see what you do with the legs. I love the Pepsi crate too.
Dropping by from Met Monday. I’ll hope you’ll come see the nursery I helped create for my first grandchild.
Allison
Atticmag
That is a great box! I love how worn it is, yet so functional still. And I love that you have all of those legs that your Grandfather made. Very nice.
Have a great day.
Pam
I love old crates, it is amazing how worn it is.
Yes, end tables would be great! Love the wood box and that’s a great use for it.
Hi Paula! That box is amazing! And I love how you have used it…great for summer! Thanks for entering the giveaway! Have a great week!…hugs…Debbie
Paula, great find especially in your own home! I love the colorful look of the towels in the box as it sits waiting on the porch for someone to grab and run to the beach. Have a great week.
Hi Paula! Oh, what wonderful things! Those olden spindles are lovely and how nice to know they come from family. The box looks great and what a nice idea to keep towels in it.
thanks so much for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 🙂
What fabulous treasures you found. Your grandfather’s turned legs are priceless. I’m sure he’d be smiling at any project you used them in. Love the character of the old box and well worth the clean up effort.
I love it! The shape of the handle is so cool 🙂
Man, that crate looks GREAT! I absolutely love old crates and wooden boxes like that. The worn handles are really cool. Love, love, love it! Can’t wait to see what Mr. SP does with those legs!
Love it! What a great use for an old crate! I’ve been dithering on what to do with an old crate of mine, and I love your towel idea. Towels are always needed for the pool, and it’ll be nice not to have dripping kids traipsing across the hardwood floors to get them. Thanks for sharing.
The box has a story. The pieces with a story are always the most interesting!
Love it Paula. Your back porch looks so warm and inviting!
xoxo,
Kim