Many years ago, when Papa and I were redecorating our bedroom, we got into a conversation about what the interiors of our dream houses would look like. He went on to describe a modern beach house with floor to ceiling windows and skylights all around. It would have pops of vibrant color and eclectic pieces of art on the walls. It sounded beautiful, and a place I would love to vacation, but it certainly wasn’t “me”. No, I went on to describe a dream home made of garbage.
I walked over to my dresser, my antique white dresser, my most cherished piece of furniture. I touched it, I may have even hugged it as I went off on another long tangent about why I loved it so. Then I explained my infatuation with old things, things that look like they have a tale to tell, things that come with a mysterious history.
I ran my fingers over the peeling paint that revealed many layers of color underneath. I traced the hardware with my pointer and said something cliche like “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”. I’m sure my eyes took on that off-in-the-distance look as I imagined all the possible stories that went with each layer. I’m sure I must have gotten lost in my own fantasy as I described my dream home being filled with discarded and salvaged treasures.
When I was done with my “I love trash” monologue, and snapped back to the present, I noticed a curious look on Papa’s face. After a pregnant pause, he asked “Why does everything you like have to be detrimental to our children’s health?” We just laughed, because it certainly does seem that way, by the looks of it all. I can’t help it. I love trash.
I love trash. I love driving by a giant heap of garbage on the side of the road, pulling over, and finding an absolute gem in the rubble. Like the weathered wooden bench that I thought was perfect for our patio.
© Tatianatatiana
I love trash. I love going to a garage or estate sale and finding the rustiest hunk of metal there. That thing off to the side that wasnt even meant to be sold. I love the odd look the hosts give me when I inquire about it, and I love it even more when they say “That? Oh, thats just garbage, I’ll pay you to haul it out of here!” Like my toolbox or window.
© Sofia's Ideas
I love trash. I love discovering things that have authentic patina. Those truly genuine “I’ve been loved and used” or “I’ve been forgotten and left to wither” works of art. Like my lamps or my washboards.
© Sofia's Ideas
And I love inheriting things that my friends and family are ready to replace with something shiny & new. The things that are banged up, beat up, rusted out, and unfixable. I love the stories and the memories and the sentiments attached to them. I love being able to retell those stories to guests who inquire about my junk art.
© Sofia's Ideas
And I love a bargain, I love the thrill of the hunt, I love saying “Can you imagine?! I found this in the garbage!” or “I got this for a dollar, can you believe my luck?”
© Sofia's Ideas
And its not just the stuff that I love that surrounds me. No, even my floors are this way. I love the fact that after Papa was done with our floors, friends & family would say “Is it done?” when they thought they were coming to see the finished product. And I’d say “Yes! Isnt it beautiful? Doesn’t it just remind you of a New York City back alley?!” And they’d nod and say “yes” in dishonest agreement and then say “Well, as long as you like it.” or “It’s different.” It is different, and I do love it so.
© Sofia's Ideas
Like Oscar the Grouch, I love Anything Dirty or Dingy or Dusty, Anything Ragged or Rotten or Rusty. And I love them because they’re trash!
Oh, I love trash!
Anything dirty or dingy or dusty
Anything ragged or rotten or rusty
Yes, I love trashI’ve a clock that won’t work
And an old telephone
A broken umbrella, a rusty trombone
And I am delighted to call them my own!
I love them because they’re trashOh, I love trash!
Anything dirty or dingy or dusty
Anything ragged or rotten or rusty
Yes, I love, I love, I love trash!
And of course, loving trash, loving Anything Dirty or Dingy or Dusty, Anything Ragged or Rotten or Rusty undeniably fits into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
Like they say “one man’s trash is another’s treasure”, right? Drooling over your (which I think is a) soap holder!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, joining and commenting! Much appreciated! Means a lot.
Sofia
http://frompdxwithlove.com
PS: following back
Sofia recently posted..Birth Story – Alexander
Hi Sofia! Yes, it is a soap holder and it is a really heavy metal one with rust in all the right places! I adore it! It leaves a bit of rust on my counter but to me, its worth it! LOL!
For a clean freak like me, I have always had a bizarre affinity for Oscar the Grouch. I loved him when I was a kid! My parents were convinced I would grow up to be a “bag lady” because I collected and kept everything. I love a mix of the old and the new. I like the lived-in beach look, with serene blue walls and old battered furniture. I used to love strolling through thrift stores and flea markets to see what I could find, even if I didn’t bring it home. It was fun just to consider an item’s stories.
Keep loving your trash, and just make sure to wash your hands really really well after dumpster diving! : )
Thats hysterical! Have you seen my bedroom? Blue, with rusty white junk all around.
Its funny, because I didnt even realize that my style was “coastal cottage” until my sister pointed it out to me! And to tell you the truth, I make Papa do the dirty work! 
Wow!! you sound like me!! Except my husband rarley ever stops for anything, he thinks i’m weird! In a good way though. I love old things, vintage is my fav! My dream house too would be littered with some one else’s junk.
Phers, husbands have a way of loving our oddities like no one else could!
i love looking at virtual home tours that have pieced old treasures together to form a beautiful home. I’d love to be able to make my home like that but no idea where to start.
When I moved out for college, my dad and I painted an old dresser and bed blue. I loved that it had personality to my small bedroom while I was away for college. one of boys still use the bed and dresser today. I love them!!
amanda recently posted..Meal Plan Monday- July 26-Aug 1
Amanda, honestly, for me its all about patience. Some people love moving in I getting unpacked & decorating as soon as possible. Not me. I’ll live on a mattress and eat off of a box until I find something I really want.
We went a long time without a dining table (we used a sheet of mdf for years!) until we went to Faith Farms and came across an antique drafting table! We knew it had to come home with us! We went without nightstands for 7 years before I found my little gems in the trash! Before that, I just had 2 little plantstands I found at the dollar store.
I love that! I love that your boys are using that same furniture! I love real furniture – the kind that you can drop down a flight of stairs and it’ll still be in great condition, know what I mean? Not the stuff you get at Ikea – the kind that you’re afraid to even move to the other side of the room cuz it might fall apart! (don’t get me wrong, I still love Ikea!). Ha!
LOL! You and my friend would get along SO well. He collects ‘junk’ but I do have to say that he has a good eye and he’s able to incorporate his ‘junk’ very well into his home and make them look like pieces of art.
Buckeroomama recently posted..Flowers on Saturday 11
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →