Project: One Man's Trash

One of the annoying things about living in south Louisiana is that there is no curb-side recycling for things like paper and plastic. On the flip side, you can get rid of basically any usable object that you no longer want without ever having to make a trip to Goodwill. You just wait until after the trash has come and then put out whatever it is you want to get rid of for the "pickers." I put things out on Saturday morning, and they are always gone by Sunday afternoon.

Last week, my neighbors put this little plastic patio table out for the pickers. Last week, the pickers were me! When I found it, the table was white, loose, and covered in mold, mildew, and Spanish moss. I brought it home, bleached it, pressured washed it, scrubbed a little with some steel wool, and then I painted it.

I went to Home Depot to buy a can of Rustoleum because of its magical properties that allow it to bond to anything--even plastic, only to discover that the color I wanted had been discontinued. I chose another color, came home, painted the table, hated it. Then I went to Michaels, where I found the exact color I wanted locked behind a glass door and not a single person willing to let me in. By the time I reached Hobby Lobby, I was in a foul but determined mood. I found the color I wanted, although it was in Krylon, and purchased it. I figured the first coat of Rustoleum would work as a magic primer. I gave the table a second coat of paint, and now I am loving it.

I love brown and aqua together for decorating. I need to remember to try it out in an outfit one of these days.