Don't you just love the weathered patina of these old garden tools?
I found them a couple of weeks ago at a shop downtown. I hope to actually USE my "new" tools this weekend, and give the empty pots that are stacked in the porch corner, their proper attention. They've been crying out for fresh flowers for some time now, and I just keep walking on by! Shame on me!
The little red table was a Goodwill find. It was originally one of those typical "French Provincial" nightstands that belonged to a popular bedroom set that you so often find in the thrift stores. I just painted it red, but not all the way, and then rubbed some of the paint off before it dried. So far its' shabby appearance is holding up quite nicely. Actually, everything on the porch is holding its' own and looking good, EXCEPT for those darn empty pots. ;-)
I am SO in the mood to garden this weekend, and it is supposed to rain! I plan to go by the garden center anyway and pick up several of those hanging baskets of colorful flowers to hang on shepherd's hooks in my backyard. They give a nice flash of color where you don't expect to see it. Your old tools remind me of my old "trug" basket, full of old and dirty hand tools. Must clean them up one of these days!
Posted by: Nicole | April 19, 2007 at 03:31 PM
oh gosh that RED & YELLOW together such a POP! and i HAD one of those french provincial bedroom sets in the 70s ugh! I like your version wayyyyy better:) xo
Posted by: berrie | April 19, 2007 at 03:57 PM
I am still waiting for all the piles of snow to melt! How I wish I could garden this time of year. But it is finally supposed to be sunny this weekend and, dare I say it, in the 60's!
Posted by: Chris | April 19, 2007 at 04:27 PM
I love what you did to that nightstand! The red looks so great against the yellow house. Have fun with the gardening :)
Posted by: Kirsten | April 19, 2007 at 04:32 PM
I'm really loving that red! I'm going to have to find something to paint that color.
Shame on me too, I have planters out front that need filling. Maybe this weekend!
Manuela
Posted by: The Feathered Nest | April 19, 2007 at 04:53 PM
I love red. My kitchen walls are red, and so is one wall in the foyer. Maybe I should spread some red outside...
Posted by: Anina | April 19, 2007 at 05:24 PM
You find such neat stuff. I love the red table.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | April 19, 2007 at 05:27 PM
Love that res night stand. The birdhouses are so cute.. My Dad makes birdhouses out of tree branches and I have several of them around my yard.. I think they are so natural looking
Posted by: leona | April 19, 2007 at 06:12 PM
What a neat color of red. Everything is so quaint and sweet.
~Amelia
Posted by: ameliab | April 19, 2007 at 07:28 PM
Oh I adore the garden tools! I love finding old things and using them.
Posted by: Tami | April 19, 2007 at 07:46 PM
I know just the kind of Fr. Provincial set you're talking about cuz I had 'em as a kid! Loved them and thought I was so classy with my dresser, nightstand and desk - oo-la-la! You've given yours that perfect Daisy Cottage touch!
Posted by: Rose | April 19, 2007 at 11:06 PM
what great tools!
You are featured on Todays Creative Blog!
http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com
Posted by: kim in Camas - ScrapToMyLu | April 19, 2007 at 11:22 PM
Kim, I've always loved your dresser on your porch! It inspired me to start painting an old dresser white for my front porch:) I hope mine turns out just half as lovely!
Posted by: One Womans Cottage Life | April 19, 2007 at 11:34 PM
I'm glad someone other than me has empty pots waiting for flowers. When it's beautiful here I'm busy. When I have time to garden the weather is stormy. I'm putting petunias in my pots soon.
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | April 20, 2007 at 01:23 AM
So this is the confessional post for those with empty pots. Whoops, me too. I've been thinking about them though.
Kim, those are beautiful with their old patina. How many have been tossed out? Even by me. Funny how things with a bit of age look so much better to us as we grow up.
That little side chest painted red is so perfectly Daisy Cottage delicious!
Donna
Posted by: The Decorated Houset | April 20, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Your old tools are wonderful - in our area, they are getting harder to find. Your red and yellow porch always brings a smile to my face. Its so inviting/cozy and says - come, have a cool drink, chat and just "be" and watch the world go by.
Posted by: Connie | April 20, 2007 at 08:59 AM
I love the look of your porch. The red bits look so good against the yellow. I really like what you did to the nightstand. Those tools are great. Old gardening tools are so much nicer than brand new ones. It's nice to wonder who's used them over the years and in what garden.
Posted by: Nonnie | April 20, 2007 at 09:47 AM
I wonder how old your tools are, they make me think of the "victory gardens" that everybody grew instead of lovely little lawns back during WWII, could they be that old? Your house certainly could have had one of those gardens in it's yard. You have such a sweet little porch, I would like to do my large condo balcony up in a quaint old way. Cindy S.
Posted by: Cindy | April 20, 2007 at 09:55 AM
Have fun using your garden tools! I need to get mine out of storage too. Can't wait to plant some flowers!
God bless :)
Posted by: Carrie | April 20, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Love those old garden tools. We have a few too. One of my favorite garden tools must be very old! It's all sort of rusty and has had to have the handle replaced more than once. But it still does a great job!
And yes, we have empty flower pots here. After the freeze, we are tad reluctant! Will get to it, next week, perhaps. I can't wait to get some plants and flowers on the back porch!!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
Posted by: Pat | April 20, 2007 at 11:30 AM
I love the one that looks like a hand...I have one almost identical to it that I've been using in a "gardening" vignette in my laundry room. Love your red dresser too! Do you actually keep anything in the drawers of it? Seems like it would be great to store some gardening items in...and the color is just PERFECT for your lovely little cottage!
:)
Lori
Posted by: Lori | April 20, 2007 at 11:36 AM
I just love red and yellow together! And you did a great job on that table...it looks very happy at your home. The tools are wonderful. Garden tools should be well loved. :)
I have *lots* of empty pots, too. That's on my "to-do" list for next week.
Have a great weekend!
Andrea
Posted by: Southern Heart | April 20, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Old garden tools are so much fun. I wonder about the people that used them before me and what they were like. It's a great reminder of how they don't make things like they used to. Fun colors too, oh you'll have fun gardening with those. Have a great weekend! Happy planting.
Posted by: Cynthia | April 20, 2007 at 01:39 PM
Gorgeous photos my friend. I too have pots that are empty. I was so eager to get them planted when we first arrived here, then the cold snap came along, and I lost steam! Thanks for the reminder!! xoxo
Posted by: Betty Jo | April 20, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Those are beautiful pieces of art, Kim. Especially when displayed on your lovely porch. I think we've all got pots to fill now...I know I do! :)
Rhoda
Southern Hospitality
Posted by: Rhoda | April 20, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Can you imagine the former owners of those tools, I think a gently old soul with gnarled hands and a pipe!
Posted by: Sandra | April 20, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Your dog's picture always makes me gigle. What a ham!
Love the birds nests too.
xo
Robin
Posted by: Robin Sherwood | April 20, 2007 at 07:36 PM
Hi Kim, love the garden goodies, the new chest, and the bird houses. All are so cute and perfectly you!
Posted by: Allie from Minneapolis | April 21, 2007 at 11:26 PM
Oooooh vintage garden tools. There is NOTHING like vintage garden tools to make a girls mouth water!
Cherry xx
Posted by: cherry menlove | April 22, 2007 at 03:48 AM
I adore your little red chest! I'm getting ready to do a similar finish (in apple green!) to a table from my parents. Can you tell me a little more about how you achieved such a lovely "patina"? Thanks!! Love your blog, btw!
Posted by: Tammy | April 23, 2007 at 03:21 PM