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Friday, August 20, 2010

Funky Junk Friday Fix-Up: Red Wagon Tray

On my way home from the morning school run today, I stopped by the recycle area of the dump. Because, well, you never know what’s waiting there just for me! Today, a nasty, greasy, crusty, two-wheel, broken-down vintage red wagon for two bucks. Awesome!! I loaded it up, took it home and got right to work.

I removed all the hardware, not the easiest job as most screws and nuts were rusted together.I gave it a really good soapy scrubbing.I drilled holes...added old drawer handles...Used my Dremel to remove the protruding screws ends inside...And gave the whole thing a good coat of clear gloss enamel spray.I had some rubber furniture-bottom thingies, however I’d used their screws as the hardware for the handles earlier, so I attached them to the bottom using my trusty This-to-That foam dots.And that, my friends, is all there is to it. A funky-junk tray to sit on my living room coffee table, (also a funky-junk makeover of an old farmhouse table with the legs cut down.) It’s now a fun addition to my whimsical vintage wagon collection!I thought about laying a fitted piece of board into the bottom covered with vintage ephemera to hide the screw holes, but I really don’t mind it just the way it is. Oh, and I cleaned up one of the wheels as well to use as a pedestal for my little (fake) plant, but it can also double as a candle base!Got a fun funky-junk fix-up link? Share it in the comments!

63 comments:

Linnie Blooms Shop said...

VERY cool!

Michelle said...

That's absolutely fantastic!

furrrball said...

Nice, especially for those of us who aren't as creative and find a wagon with missing parts. I'd use it as a bookcase, but maybe keep the outside Radio Flyer logo.

Cathe Holden said...

furrrball, the logo was already painted over when I found it, you can still sort of make it out. It's actually a "Radio Super".

liz @ bon temps beignet said...

Cathe, this is so adorable!

I fixed up some funky junk of my own last week. Well, the junk wasn't funky but it -smelled- funky. It was an old wodden box with green felt lining that I got from the thrift store. The lining had absorbed that lovely thift store smell and didn't want to give it up. Here's a few pictures...

http://bontempsbeignet.blogspot.com/2010/08/quatrefoiled-plans.html

mizdarlin said...

That's a great use of a wagon..isn't it odd (but great) the way that what we collect seems to come to us?

{Meghan} said...

please come decorate my house!!!

Jill said...

Very, very, neat. I wander if there is a dump around me that I could shop in?!?!

jdavissquared said...

totally awesome!

Free Pretty Things For You said...

you are so awesome!!

ARTSY GIRL OF CAMPBELL said...

Love it! Amazingly creative!

cristinoel said...

That's a good idea! I knew of someone who made their's into a planter. It looked so pretty in their backyard.

staci @ lizard n ladybug said...

such a great 'fix-up'!

Carol said...

Love it!! Way to see the potential in it!!

Anonymous said...

Love it!

Anonymous said...

that is adorable!

My Life Under the Bus said...

Love it Cathe - I can't wait for the kids to go back to school so I can find some good junk !!! I redid some pottery to go with my new dining room ! Nothing fancy but there is spay paint involved : )

http://mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/my-life-under-the-bus/2010/08/you-like-it-but.html

I'm redoing a mirror next !

miranda said...

Oh, this is really cute. I love your bookcase though. Want to see more of that!

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

That is adorable and fits perfectly in with your decor! Nice job! :)

Vicki O'Dell said...

Love, Love, LOVE! :)

Terri ( Meterr) said...

ALRIGHT!!!! AWESOME!!

Kerry said...

OMG...how cute is this idea!!!! I think I will now hunt down a little red wagon!

Thanks for sharing.

Lindy said...

Are you kidding me?? That is brilliant!! You always amaze me!

Anonymous said...

I want a tour of your home. And then you just find me stuff tell me what to do and I will do it. Or pay you to ... lol. Absolutely adorable!

The Old Parsonage said...

Love this idea!!!

LEann

Melinda said...

Simply too cute.

Melinda

laurie -magpie ethel said...

I think every time I leave you a comment it includes the word "brilliant". I dig the stuff you come up with girl!

Kate Riley said...

Your ability to transform trash to treasure amazes me ! I love your mix of red with teal blue, such a great combo !

Hearts Turned said...

Fabulous, Cathe! You're so amazingly creative!

Julie

Deb aka SilentCrazyStars... said...

*slaps my thigh*.. That's a very good IDEA! I love it and you are very talent!

Veronica said...

That's one cute tray! I wish I could see 'joy in junk' like you do - I'm in awe!

Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants said...

I love it!!! I wish my dump sold stuff, great idea!

The Pennington Point said...

Oh my gosh that is so cute! That would go in any room....love it! Lisa~

Unknown said...

Wow! love this!

Art By Wanda said...

Very cool!!!

Theresa Plas said...

Oh it's great! Love that room and your collection!

Linens Lace and Lattes said...

What an inspiration you are. I have to get me some tools!
deb

Kari Sweeten said...

HOW AMAZING!!! I will be linking.
Seriously...WOW!

Unknown said...

You are so darn clever!!!!

Kristi Flanagan said...

Love this! I've seen the old red wagons outside as flower planters but never like this! Love, love, love it! Come plant your creative seeds at my blog party on Fridays: Plant a Punkin Seed at Punkin Seed Productions.

Love to see you there. Love your creative style.

Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions

Erin A said...

Holy Moly, this is amazing!! So so cool. I have a junky old wagon in the garage. Hmmm...hmmm...how to carry this out without the husband first objecting...

Seriously, great job!

Erin
Lemon Tree Creations

DogpackMOMMA said...

I Like! Keep up the good work!

estie + haskell said...

Cathe, you truly are my hero. I won't give up on my dream for you to publish a book... and now I am thinking two books need to be in the works... one for your craft goodies and one for decorating!!

Faded Plains said...

That is so cute...your always amaze me.

Kelly McMaster said...

Oh my gosh, lady! This is such a darling idea!! You're talent and creativity amaze me! I'd love to make one of those but am not sure I could really do it! Can you come to CA and make one for me? tee hee Thanks for all of your wonderful inspiration!

Dee Tollaksen said...

Soooo fab! Love the wagon collection!

ANKH said...

I love it! Especially that it means that the wagon isn't rusting away in a landfill! :)

The setup in the back is cool, too!

~ANKH

katie@tulsadetails said...

This is the best repurposing ever! Love it!

rosie said...

Holy cow, Cathe! I just came across your blog through shabbyvintagemom via a random "vintage hankies" google! So glad I found you! You are a well spring of talent and great inspiration!
rosie

TT said...

I love your idea. I just found your blog from a post on the Craft Edge forum and I love it. I have to say after ready so much of your blog just now that i am moved. I was touched by your post on the interview question. God is so good. I will be back for more inspiration.

Angela said...

I tell ya, you're a genius!!

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

I love this project. Just the right amount of funky and charm! Oh dear - now I have to go try to find a broken down red wagon.

Tea Potty said...

I never seem to get around to fixing up my funky junk! I have a hostess trolly in need of painting and a quirky 60s chair in need of restaining and new fabric.

annie said...

Your vintage wagon collection is wonderful anyway, but the latest addition brings to a whole new level!!
annie

TruWhim said...

What a cool idea. Your wagon collection is wonderful. I love the way you alter them and use them in a variety of ways in the room.

Diane Bohn said...

I just came across your blog and I love it!!! :) I am highlighting you on my blog tomorrow and wanted to let you know. (It will be up by 9 am MST).

http://fromblankpages.blogspot.com/

Diane

Anonymous said...

So super cute!! You're inspiring me to go junking!!

Anonymous said...

The wagons I see like that are all for sale for $50 and up! The more rust the higher the price.
I love how you see potential in all the parts, and not even together.

lars said...

Good grief! You are too much. A recycle section at the dump? Now how cool is that. "They" won't allow us to do any scavenging at our local dump. Am jealous of you, per usual. You continue to inspire!

Unknown said...

<3 it and so very creative!!! just discovered your blog today and it is AMASEZING!

Scott said...

This is fantastic - I just wish we could find these 'wagons' in the UK! Scott

Tracy Wills said...

That is so darn cute, Love it!

Cottage Panache said...

I just love your wagon tray ~ so cute! :) Maureen