Although today is Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday, my project this month isn't my normal tutorial with multiple steps and tools needed as much as it's a simple reimagining of how to use an item.
The true definition of repurposing something I suppose.
I recently found this old wood and glass washboard at a yardsale. I may have paid $5 for it, which is a bargain regardless of the shape it was in.
And just to be clear, the shape was not great. Not horrible, but not the best.
There is a long crack across the wooden logo area on the top and the glass scrubbing area is holding on for dear life. If you are not careful when you pick this up I'm pretty sure the glass will slide out.
And then there's the leg problem.
We all get leg problems as we get older. But this poor thing looks like someone was gnawing on its feet.
Or maybe it was just left in the washtub too long and started rotting? But the legs were mighty funky.
So I decided it was a great piece to do a light makeover to and use it in a totally different way while still keeping the original graphics and farmhouse-ish look to it.
I'm calling it a minimal repurpose.
Repurposed & Rustic Table Centerpiece
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Supplies
- A Vintage Washboard (in questionable shape)
- Soap and Water
- Cutting Board Oil
- Soft Clean Cloth
- Miter Saw (Optional)
- Doodads To Stage Your Tray
Instructions
Wash The Cutting Board
I don't know where this thing had been stored, but it was dirty, grimy, and full of cobwebs. I do not need anymore cobwebs in my life, so I used some Murphy's Oil Soap to give it a good scrubbing in my kitchen sink.
Then I let it dry in the sun.
Oil The Wood
Before even laying this in the sun the wood was very very dry.
Using a soft clean cloth I applied cutting board oil to moisten, rejuvenate, and brighten the wood.
Normally you use this kind of oil to season cutting boards (hence the name), wooden bowls, and utensils.
It's a food-grade mineral oil that soaks into the wood which is exactly what this washboard needs even though it will never be used for food.
Because that would be gross. Who knows what undergarments were scrubbed on this thing back in the day.
Even Out Legs
If your legs look like mine and aren't the same lengths any longer you can use a miter saw to even them up.
It's up to you.
I felt my washboard was wonky enough looking with the gnarled legs that I needed to do something to even them a bit.
It made a huge improvement and didn't alter the washboard too noticeably much.
Styling Your New Washboard Tray
I styled my centerpiece with items I had around the house. Some were thrift store finds and a couple were brand-new ones.
You'll remember the gold-leafed bowl from my Vintage Teak Wooden Bowl Makeover project from a few months ago. It's been one of my favorite wooden bowl makeovers so far. And one of my easiest.
The alabaster lamp was found at a small local vintage store a few weeks ago.
I have one of the rechargeable bulbs from Amazon in the socket so the lamp doesn't need to be plugged in to work (perfect for the middle of a dining room table).
To recharge it you just screw it into one of your traditional plugged-into-the-wall lamps for a few hours. Then move it back to your plugless lamp when you want to use it (the charge lasts around 4 hours).
BTW, I was going to link to the bulb I had purchased because I think it's sort of neat, but that exact one is no longer sold (insert sad face). But I did find a better one, which I'm ordering today, that charges with a USB cord (cord attaches to your computer or cell phone) AND has a timer and remote control!!! And it's under $10 - USB Rechargeable Light Bulb with Remote.
I stacked two thrifted milk glass plates as a candle holder. I believe the milk glass plates with beaded edges are from Westmoreland, a Pennsylvania glass maker, although they are not marked on the bottom.
Even though it's almost fall, the only nods to the season are the baby pinecone bowl filler with white acorns and warm brass bells.
I'm not ready to go full-on pumpkin mode yet.
Ask me next week, that may change!
The best part of this simple project is when I get tired of this arrangement I can always hang the washboard in my laundry room for decor.
No harm, no foul, no internet crazies telling me I RUINED a priceless antique (that had wonky legs and the glass was practically falling out).
It's nice to do a simple repurpose without all the fuss and muss every once in a while!
Now let's stop by the other Thrift Store Decor Team's projects for August.
Thrift Store Decor Team Projects
Repurpose A Paint Can - Petticoat Junktion
Art Makeover With Mod Podge - Our Southern Home
Vintage Picnic Basket Makeover - My Repurposed Life
Upcycled Bundt Pan Pumpkin - My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Upcycle Idea for an Under Cabinet Paper Towel Holder - Sadie Seasongoods
Create Your Own Bottle Trees In Your Garden - Shop At Blu
Repurposed Rustic Table Centerpiece - House Of Hawthornes (that's me)
Christy Little
I love this idea! Trays are so fun for decor, and I love the idea of thinking outside the box to use something different!
Kendy
I loved that you used the word doodad, lol
Carol E. Ferree
What a brilliant idea! Now I am going to start looking for an old washboard. I also liked the comment of another comment, where her husband created a door with an old washboard. Thank you so much for the repurpose ideas!
Carolyn Dinger
I guess I need to look behind everything in the antique stores so I do not miss finding one. Glass was real shinny and you couldnot tell that the legs had been longer. Good job ,Pam
Cathy
My husband used one as a door for a spice cabinet he made me. I also have one hanging on a wall in my bathroom. That one has a tin front.
Sarah @ Sadie Seasongoods
I love this idea for using it as a tray/centerpiece base! And how fun to shop your home for the decorative doodads to go on top of it!
Kristin salazar
I have one of these at home, I just need to clean it up and hang it in the laundry room! I love how you used it as tray, it looks great!
Gail Wilson
Pam!
Who knew a beat up wonky leg washboard could function so nicely as a tray! I love that you used the cutting board oil, and the wood looks so nice.
Cutting the legs (feet) off made such a difference.
Simply beautiful.
pinned!
gail
Kim
I currently have four washboards hanging on the wall in my laundry room which, occasionally, are used for their intended purpose. I purchased one of them which was manufactured by the Pearl Company because my much loved and missed grandmother’s name was Pearl. Another was gifted to me by my children. They thought it was unusual because of its small size. It’s actually a lingerie washboard with very small ridges designed to be gentle on a lady’s delicate under garments. I’m still on the hunt for a washboard with green tinted glass like the one my grandmama had. They are, evidently, a rare beast. I admire the use you put a falling apart washboard to. Should I find one in dilapidated condition, I’m going to have to borrow your idea!