Antique Wash Tubs...

Vintage laundry theme on Joni's front porch

Joni's story about her vintage wash tubs

Joni: Deep in the throes of winter one day, I made a trip "to town" and stopped in at the local antique mall. I went in looking for a vintage postcard for a friend with a Valentine's Day birthday and I found what I was looking for: cute as a button and cheaper than a new card at Hallmark! I love that!

She loved her little card, too--which makes me happy. I had wrapped some vintage linens for her so the card just made it all seem right somehow.

While walking through the maze-like aisles on my way out, what did I see? Oh...it was something I've been on the lookout for...for a long, long, time! Double washtubs! In white! In great shape! Just the right size and just the right price.

In fact, I couldn't even believe they were priced under thirty dollars! Now folks, I go to lots of garage sales and haven't seen one of these in the last five years at all. It just so happened, I was driving the pickup, and it amazed me how lightweight they were, I didn't even need help getting them out and loaded.

Now they have a happy home, and these geraniums look just perfect, just like I had imagined it in my mind all this time I've wanted a set.






When the wash tubs get old as a porch decoration, they are coming inside and I'll have some plywood or a piece of barn wood cut to fit the top and it can be a table (with storage inside those tubs!).

I love the versatility and usefulness of vintage objects....they were made to last and that fact makes it possible to use them well past necessity and into just being plain fun!

The bonus? Made in the USA! (Notice the little hen and the charming "clothesline" sign. Joni loves delightful items that speak "farmhouse".)

The old oak milk bottle crate was found late on the last day of a garage sale loaded with good antiques.... I walked up to the goodies and the lady running the sale said EVERYTHING is HALF OFF! Buy it all!!





Well...I grabbed this HEAVY OAK aluminum lined milk-bottle box and it was marked $5! So I paid $2.50 for it! I couldn't believe it had even been there so long at the price of $5.

It makes a perfect planter, but I have to be sure not to drop it on my toes, it weighs a ton! My geranium is right at home here to welcome anyone who walks up my front steps!

Some other links you may enjoy

• Front porch decorating directory
• Wonderful porch ideas submitted by our Site Visitors
• Front porch ideas for you
• More about Joni's country porch
• See Joni's decorating for fall

All photos are courtesy of Joni of Old Centennial Farmhouse

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