Yesterday, The Girl came back from running an errand and told me about a new area she had discovered while she was out and said she wanted to show it to me.
So, we hopped in the car and set off.
Well it must have been trash day because all the sudden I spied something promising in a trash can and yelled STOP THE CAR!!!
Was that a sisal rug? I need one of those…
But before I could pull the sisal rug out of the bin there was a blue and white rug sitting on top of it and what do you know, the rug was in perfect condition!!!
So I threw it in the car.
And then went back to pull out the sisal rug.
Are you kidding me!?
And well, I am now the proud owner of two new {to me} rugs. 🙂
Have you found anything good on the curb lately? Do tell.
Peace Out Girl Scouts, I hope you have a great day.
~Mavis
See More Trash to Treasure Posts:
- Dansko Shoes, a Free Fire Pit and More
- Red and White Enamelware + Vintage Berry Press
- Terra Cotta Flower Pots
- Mavis Scores BIG at the Goodwill
- One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure – Pumpkins
- How to Find Free Containers For Your Garden
- Mavis Goes to the Goodwill and Finds the Best Dress Ever!
Jennifer says
Great finds!
Charlotte says
Made Frito pie last night!!!! It was delicious. Husband asked for it to go in our regular rotation. Thank you!❤️
Mavis Butterfield says
Glad he liked it!! 🙂
Coleen says
I love a good trash pick. We recently got a “new” to us, basket ball net and stand. Our old one crashed in a wind storm. Then my hubby found the next size up bike for our grandson, it just needs air in the tires. Win! Win!
Meg C says
I’m sooooo jealous!! Great finds!
Nancy says
Wow Only you!! Those are nice!!! But I wanted to know the new place the girl discovered??
Emily says
Awesome find! How do you clean your newfound rugs when you get them home?
Jennifer says
What is a sisal rug?
suzanne says
Sisal is a natural fiber like rope twine made from agave. They can shed really badly but look awesome. I personally love seagrass for a natural fiber rug. It’s bulletproof.
Tracy says
….true, but they stain and you can’t really deep clean them.
Lillian says
Great finds!
Where are you going to place them?
Elle says
SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is appalling what people will throw in the trash rather than donate at a thrift store. Those are fabulous.
I haven’t trash picked anything for a long time. What I find here is a lot of cardboard sticking out of the garbage can right next to their recycle bin-so frustrating.
Can’t wait to see where you use those!
Happy Wednesday 🙂
Lace Faerie says
Around here in the Pacific Northwest WA, all thrift shops and donation places are closed and big signs saying NO DONATIONS NO DUMPING. But there have been some awesome free or very very cheap finds on Facebook marketplace, Freecycle and curbside. I have a huge trailer of donation items from cleaning up my late father’s house, all waiting for charity shops to re-open!
Mel says
I finally gave up on waiting for thrift to re-open and sold some items on Facebook marketplace this weekend. It felt good to free up the space on my back patio where I stacked the totes of giveaways and my daughter’s old bike.
Cari says
People in our town started a “Buy nothing” group on Facebook at the beginning of this year. During lock down, word got out and the group ballooned. It has been a great way for people to clean out, not waste and interact with their community still. The groups are by town so search if you have one or start your own.
Idaho says
Score is right!! I cant believe people put that stuff in the trash! It should be taken to a thrift store (we’ve reopened in Idaho) OR put next to the trash, so others don’t have to dig thru the garbage!
Lori says
I found a rocking chair and a dining chair! Glad you were able to keep these out of the landfill.
Kara says
Those are awesome!
I scored one of those large vintage green enamel lights that sell for $250 on Etsy and eBay. It’s completely intact with the original globe lightbulb. It was my best trash pick ever!
Jen M says
Way cool! Im always seeing stuff I woukd like to bring home. Dumpster diving will get you picked up by the cops here. You have to ask the homeowner if you can remove the item.
That said…be careful with soft furnishings. I threw out furniture, carpets, bags and bags of stuff last year. A visitor to our home brought bedbugs. I found out they live in baseboards and behind walls, not just in beds. The eggs are sticky, and can be picked up just by setting a purse on a chair or carpet. We threw everything away that we felt like we could part with before we paid 3k for treatment (the cheapest option). I didn’t realize how rampant they are. Bedbug guy said he treated uber cars, buses, taxis, apartments, mansions, hotels, resorts, camps, and always has a full schedule.
Mable says
Found a set of four really fancy chairs in a garbage pile. We are still using them 20 years later.
Kippy says
There is a really interesting blog run by a guy in Montreal called Things I Find in the Garbage. He finds all sorts of amazing things.
My best curbside finds have been a vintage wood nightstand, a floor lamp with no shade—two weeks later and a few blocks away I found a new lampshade that fit perfectly, a vintage small metal table, a 1950s metal outdoor chair-I reupholstered the seat and back in bright fruit patterned oilcloth. Did the same thing with a similar found chair and sold it for $20 at a yard sale. Some items I find, fix up and put back on curb, where they are quickly picked up. I’d never take carpet, bedding, pillows from the curb for same reason a previous commenter made.
tia in boise says
just checked out his blog—his may 24 post is titled “Bits & Bobs”! no way!!!!!
Mimi says
Score!
We’re always putting on the brakes for free stuff. The last great score was a perfectly good chest freezer which we gave to our son because it was too large for our needs.
Teri says
Fantastic find! I keep hoping our thrift stores will open but they are still closed 🙁
And no yard sales going on either 🙁
Do tell what the new place the girl took you to.
Wynne says
When the thrift stores open back up, consider checking out the one at Edgecomb Community Church. It’s a really pretty little church in between Damariscotta and Boothbay. They’re also part of an amazing mile-long yard sale on Cross Point road in August (not sure what this year will bring). Anyway, the folks who run the shop make a big effort with their displays and have great prices.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you! 🙂
Kelly says
Heck of a find! Did you have to ask for permission from the owners before you were able to haul it away?
Nancy Sadewater says
Thrift stores near here are beginning to take donations again, even though the stores are still closed. Check with your local thrift stores. Love the rugs and hope you enjoy them.
Michelle Hogan says
WOW! What a huge blessing!!! In my home we believe NOTHING happens by chance and God smiled richly on you today Mavis. My daughter and I look forward to your adventures everyday, and when we read the “rug” find we both looked at each other and said, “God blessed HER!” So enjoy…those rugs were hand-picked for you to find, and because you are willing to adventure you are NOW the proud owner of “new to you” rugs! This left a BIG smile on our face all evening long. Thanks so much for sharing!
E in Upstate NY says
Where my brother lives, a suburb of major city, you have to have a permit to trash pick! Permit information includes your vehicle info. Apparently they were having lots of messes left from pickers. Homeowners can and do get fined for messes, plus they can’t put things out more than a few hours prior to scheduled trash pick-up.
My brother didn’t know about the permit, and was in middle of loading a wooden desk and chair when the police stopped by, asking about their permit. Guy was nice, no ticket but watched to make sure no mess was left. Police know the trash schedule, so they cruise those streets.
Tracie@SomewhatAwry.com says
LOVE! My husband is always mortified when I drag something home from the neighbors trash, lol. But I can’t stand it. One of them put out a HUGE picture frame – with the plastic wrapper still attached. Crazy town. I priced them at $36.99. Score!