Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Painted Ladder



This morning the birdbaths were frozen and there was frost on the ground. According to the extended forecast, there are warmer days and nights ahead, so hopefully that will be the last frost.



I saw a painted step-ladder on a blog recently and it was just the inspiration I needed! (I wish I could remember where I saw it, I'd love to give credit for the idea.) I bought this weather worn, paint chipped ladder at a garage sale for $1.00 last year. I loved it but didn't know what to do with it. I thought about using it for a trellis, but that is as far as I got with my plans. This past weekend I found the smaller galvanized container at a garage sale. I have had the larger one for several years, using it for herbs. I plan to use the ladder for a trellis and plant a climbing rose or clematis.




The stump in the middle was a diseased maple tree that we cut down. I had been using it for a birdbath base. It is so windy here that I decided to place the ladder over the stump to keep it from blowing over. Once a climbing plant is established hopefully it will be less noticeable. Any ideas on what climber to plant? What color will go with this crazy bright aqua?


Speaking of climbers, the clematis around our front yard light post is full of blooms and gorgeous.


My one lone azalea is in bloom. I was hesitant to try more until I knew they would survive here. So far this is the third year for this one. Azaleas remind me of spring in Alabama.

I wanted to show you more of my garage sale finds. I love this table! I got it at a sale on Saturday for $10.00. Right now I am loving it inside, but I can also see using this as a serving tray on the front porch, maybe. The cloche was a steal for .10, yep, ten cents! The candle sticks were $2.00. The candles were .50 each. The large white pitcher was .50, even the little magnolia egg and the moss were purchased this past weekend.


I got this picture a few years ago at a garage sale too. The lady I bought it from said that it had hung in a museum in Texas. My daughter saw the same picture in the old movie, Father of the Bride, with Spencer Tracy. The painting isn't visibly signed so I don't know anything about it. I'd love to know the history behind the painting.

I love decorating and sprucing up, both inside and out, for so little money!

32 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

You find the most amazing things for so little money.I might add,that I love your style of decorating.Each visit here is like a breath of fresh air.Thanks.
Blessings,ruth

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What great finds Robin. The picture is beautiful. It gives a great sense of joy. Your ladder is neat too. I think a clematis would be perfect on it. Most any color goes with turquoise. Or Maybe sweet peas. I have been into those lately. Ha..

A Garden of Threads said...

Wow Robin, we do not have garage sales here that sell such great finds. Lucky girl. The blue ladder in the garden is neat, I see the annual brown eyed susan vine growing up it. Take care.

Jayne said...

I love your garage sale finds! I never find the good stuff, lol. Your little ladder looks great.

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

Oh what a beautiful ladder Robin! It stands out in just the perfect way. I love that idea... hope you don't mind if I use it too. (:

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I do hope your lovely garden is okay and free from frost bite. We here in Ga woke up to low 40's. I was so afraid my plants would not make it. If this keeps up I fear the trees will think its Fall and start dropping their new leaves. So unlike Ga to be this cold in April.

Unknown said...

Hi Robin - Love the bold aqua colour - I see a trumpet vine with it's bright orange flowers as a great contrast to the blue.
Gorgeous vignette you've created with your amazing garage finds.

F Cameron said...

You're so creative and have such an eye for design! Great finds, too!

We had a light frost here this morning. Never seen it frost this late, but that should be it as we head for the 90s this weekend. I ran outside and washed off the leaves of our gorgeous Japanese maple before the sun hit it. Just in time!

Dave said...

Another clematis would look good. Or you could try a native honeysuckle. I actually have one named Crimson Tide which you might like, since you're from Alabama and all ;).

Connie said...

You are indeed a woman after my own heart when it comes to yard sales and thrift store finds.... I love the ladder! I would suggest morning glories, as a quick growing solution, since clematis may take several years to get established. My favorites are Caprice and President Tyler. Caprice is a lovely blue with a purple star inside (from Pinetree Garden seeds) and Pres Tyler is purple with pinkish white center and is one of the fastest to bloom.

Kelly H-Y said...

Gorgeous! Love the striking blue ladder and galvanized pail!

Cloudia said...

you got the touch!


Aloha from Waikiki


Comfort Spiral

inadvertent farmer said...

That ladder rocks!!! Kim

beckie said...

Robin, I love the color of your ladder and bucket. Putting it over the tree stump is great idea. I am sure this area will become the topic of many conversations in the future. Be sure to plant something that won't cover it entirely as you want the ladder to always show through some.

Your azaleas is gorgeous as is the clematis. Both are very striking.

I love your treasures and wish I could help on the painting. I am sure somebody will know more about it. :)

Southerner said...

That turquoise is so much fun in the garden!

My cabinets are Lowes Olympic Kitchen and Bath in semi gloss. The color is Navajo White. The glaze is American Tradition faux translucent color glaze in Mocha. I will be doing a blog post on the steps we did to paint them. I am copying the Kraftmaid cabinets at Lowes/Home Depot in color and style. We sprayed ours.

Sherri said...

Robin what wonderful things you have found! Lucky you!! Love the ladder and the painted herb pots!

Gail said...

Yes, a clematis would be splendid~They come in so many colors...I have one that is navy bluish...President is the name, I think! Love the ladder...gail

Jan said...

Still no clematis buds for me here! Your azalea looks gorgeous...you must add more because they do well for you there! I should probably be at a garage sale now instead of on the computer...there are so many wonderful surprises I could be finding! You've surely hit the jackpot;-)

Sue Swift said...

Really like the ladder. That blue is just right against the duller brown of the next and trunk.

Joanne Olivieri said...

The blue ladder - very creative, I like what you've done with it. Those clematis are gorgeous.

Shiny New Allotment Holder said...

A deep orange Crocosmania will look stunning lext to your ladder, I think.

serial tiller said...

A woman after my own heart. I am a yard sale fanatic. You have some beautiful finds there! I have found some really good garden and home decor from YS's.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Lovely, lovely and now I am committed to skulking behind you (or maybe beside you) and attending some of those flea markets. WOW! I can't believe your eye.

Thanks for sharing,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

P.S. I am going to be speaking at the TC Steele historic site next month and I am so excited. I love Indiana and especially Brown County.

Rose said...

I love the blue ladder, Robin! You certainly found some great bargains for both inside and out. You've given me some great ideas for how to replace a broken birdbath base I have--I think I'd better start hitting some garage sales, after all!

Nola said...

I'm a first time visitor, blog hopping today and found you via Getting Grounded. Love the blue ladder, it will make a great trellis. Have a great mother's day!

debsgarden said...

I love the color of your ladder! I think another clematis might look nice, or an orange honeysuckle. A climbing rose would be good, too!

Anonymous said...

Take it to the antiques road show.

The ladder idea is a nice one. I like your photos too.

Carolyn said...

Wow! You got some great treasures at your yard sales. I think your painting is beautiful!
I have an old ladder too but it isn't painted-yet! I have an old cast iron stove painted blue and I planted the pink Fairy rose in it and loved those colors together.

Happy Mother's Day,

Carolyn

Kerri Farley said...

You always find the most amazing things at the garage sales! And you are so creative with them!!
Love what you are doing with the ladder!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Kim said...

What a wonderful blog! I'm so delighted to meet you. Thanks for your suggestions for my living rrom. I love what you've done with your little ladder outside and the goodies you found yardsaling were so amazing and I can't believe the prices! Good for you!
xoxo,
Kim

Anonymous said...

I'm going to have to start going to garage sales if you found that cloche for .10! That's amazing. I love cloches but they can be pretty expensive. Your step ladder is pretty in the garden too. I use small ones (two steps) in mine but have never painted them. They are still in the same shabby state I bought them.
Happy Mother's Day Robin.

Naturegirl said...

Oh my word!!All those treasures found at a garage sale!! I'd better get my butt out there!!
I love love the idea of the painted ladder! Those galvinized buckets....oh my, need that idea too!
Robin thank you for showing and telling!hugs anna