Confessions of a Repurposing Junkie

I decided on a whim to visit our favorite architectural salvage space this morning for some inspiration and relaxation.  My family finds it strange that I find peace among other people's junk, but I love the feeling that I am stepping into the past. And we can't help but love the uber-cool employees who impart details about the items that make them even more interesting.  Our friend Mike is my first stop when I arrive, and I ask him a most important question, "What's your favorite thing here right now?"  A big smile appears on his face
and he walks me to something spectacular.......

A huge Catholic Confession Booth from the old Sisters of the Providence Hospital on top of Beacon Hill in Seattle.  If you've driven through town before, you can't miss it.  Mike and I shared that neither of us have ever been inside of a confessional before, but something strange happened.......Mike started confessing things to me.  He revealed that he loves working at this place because it feeds his addiction to all things vintage , but he also gets first dibs on the coolest of the cool stuff. His genre is mid-20th Century.  His house looks like the set of "Mad Men". I shared that my favorite cocktail is a Gin Martini, straight-up with 3 olives. He shakes his head "Yes".  We have bonded.

Next on Mike's favorite list is a Cupola. Don't know where it came from, but it is a beautiful piece of architecture that may have served as a decoration, a belfry, a window.  The scoop he gives me on this piece is awesome.......he confesses that the two ornaments on the very top are actually toilet floats painted a copper color. Talk about repurposing!


Mike is passionate about putting landfills out of business, a sentiment that Cheree and I share.


Here are some other things, big and small, that caught my eye today.

Chalkboard rails from the remodel at McDonald Elementary in Wallingford.

Old Stoves.  How did they cook in these things?

 

                            My favorite aisle....windows. I know that's weird. I am comfortable with that.

 

I'm sure Cheree and I could figure out a way to repurpose this!

This little cutie almost made it into my car.  But I didn't feel like aggravating my husband today. It has such potential, though.  Maybe next time, I can't wait to take the sander to it!

Unfortunately Cheree could not join me today so I couldn't justify visiting the yummy Puerto Rican restaurant without her. Sometimes we wonder if our dumpster diving trips are just a front for eating!
Stay inspired!


Jill and Cheree