I recently visited a wonderful antiques, collectibles, and gifts store named Wisteria Cottage. It’s wares spread through two cottages and spill out onto the grounds of this beautiful park like property. A few days later I received a call saying that I had won a $25 gift certificate. I could hardly wait to go back and choose my prize but alas, the store is only open one weekend per month. (In the future I will blog on some of my favorite places to shop, including Wisteria Cottage, but for now you can look them up at http://wisteria-cottage.blogspot.com/).
So, with gift certificate held tightly in hand I drug my husband shopping last weekend and what treasure do you think I chose? I could hold a contest but I’m sure you would never guess!
After looking at yard art, rustic items, fine antiques, Americana . . . I couldn’t get past the old ironing board that the owner, Sharon, pulled from a back room. It was just like the one my own mama used when I was a child. What is so compelling about an old ironing board? All I can say is that it made my heart happy. Every week my mother had her ironing day. She would stand at that board lovingly tending to her family’s clothing while singing old Gospel songs along with the radio.
Just looking at this old board I could almost smell the crisp linens pulled off the clothesline in our backyard and in my imaginings, I breathed into my lungs the starch-scented steam rising off the top of the board. I could hear the radio announcer say, “This is the Walk Through the Bible Radio Program, with Dr. J. Vernon McGee”, and the music begin to play, “How Firm a Foundation . . .”
Needless to say, that ironing board came home with me that day. So now, how do I justify money spent (even gift card money) on an old ironing board? I believe it has GREAT potential! Here are just a few ideas:
How do you like it as a library table? I think it is stunning as a display piece for some treasured antique books and my mama’s little night light. She bought this lamp in an antique store when I was a child and painted it white. She was a painter too!
Or how about using an old ironing board next to a dining table as a buffet or sideboard?
Sure, dishes can get heavy but probably no heavier than the pressure of my mama’s strong arm on the iron as she pressed out the wrinkles in my dad’s cotton shirts. And if she was feeling a little angry . . . I’m sure she vented her anger by pressing even harder!
Lastly, here is my ironing board turned plant display stand, under the eaves of my porch. I think it is quite lovely!
As you can see, I painted my ironing board turquoise, the very color that came to mind when I saw it standing there with it’s red metal crossbars. The legs I’ve painted a crisp white.
(This was my second experiment with homemade chalk paint – Recipe #2 of 3. I will be sharing all three recipes, with pros and cons, in an upcoming blog, so stay tuned!)
So, now that I’ve shown you the great value of owning an old ironing board what will I do with mine? As I said, I knew it would be turquoise. I also knew it would hang on my laundry room wall as the inspiration piece for my laundry room re-do (a far, far in the future project!).
Let me assure you that this ironing board will NOT be staying on the wall! Though I rarely iron anything at all, I have decided to junk my old tabletop, half-sized, pressboard ironing board (maybe one of my girls will want it) and I will use the real thing! I think I may just learn to enjoy time spent ironing. Anyone know where I can find a radio station that plays old Gospel music?
What about you? What things have you seen the hidden potential in and what ways have you given old old item a new purpose? I’d love to hear your restoration story 🙂
Blessings,
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melissa @ daisymaebelle.com says
What a great find! And, how special all of the memories that it brings for you. My children will never hold the memory of their mother lovingly ironing for their father. . . maybe they will have special memories of us running through the drive-thru at the cleaners? Seriously, I think it looks great. My favorite was the “side board” option! I am your newest follower!
Patricia Krank says
Thank you Melissa, for your nice comments and for becoming a follower of my blog. That means a lot to me coming from someone with your eye for a good thrift store find and your great talent for decorating. Patti
Elaine Louderback says
Love this story…working on trying to comment Google giving me grief. Bear with me!
Elaine Louderback says
Yea! Made it on….ironing boards….what a lovely memory!I love this story….I no longer own an ironing board I sold mine two years ago in a garage sale. Mind you,my ironing board came from a second hand sale 30 years prior. I have never purchased a new one in almost 40 years of marriage The reason being I am still holding out for my mother’s. Her ironing board was a brand new wedding gift in 1947. Things were built to last in those days She is still using it 55 years later…eventually it will come to me In the meantime I still have the pleasure of occasionly seeing her press a shirt collar or a pair of slacks!
Patricia Krank says
Elaine! I’m so glad you viewed this blog post. I love how certain objects from our childhood can bring back such strong memories and feelings of happiness don’t you? I didn’t show the underside of this ironing board, as it seemed a bit too invasive, but it had a woman’s name written in permanent marker and “Seattle, Wash.” The writing style looked like my mom’s! I didn’t paint over it as it was too precious.
Pi Casso says
This post is really incredible, one of the most helpful I have ever read, indeed. picasso