Raise your hand if you’ve ever come across a really cool vintage piece that you had absolutely no idea what you were going to do with, but because you’re a crazy antique hoarder you decided to get it anyway?! Meeeeeeeeee! That’s basically exactly what happened with this metal bin that I’m going to share with you guys today. Yep, I had no earthly idea what I was going to use it for, but I couldn’t let it go. And I owe it all to my sweet aunt and uncle who were actually at an auction a few weeks back when they spotted it for me. They texted a photo of it to my mom, who then texted it to me and asked if I wanted it. It was the cutest little bin with seven cubbies, so of course my answer was YES. I mean, you guys know how much I love anything with cubbies. I’m practically obsessed. I told them to go ahead and bid on it for me up to $30. Well they ended up snagging it for just five bucks. Whoot whoot! I’ve been trying to find a place to put this thing for several days now and I finally styled it in an easy peasy fall mantel that I’m excited to share with you guys today.
My favorite thing about this metal bin is all the little cubbies. And I think this one is really unique because instead of being square, like the other ones I have, its got this long rectangular shape. It’s hard to tell in these photos, but it’s actually laying on its backside here. I did that so I could stack a bunch of mini pumpkins inside each slot, then sit my pumpkin sign on the flat edge up top.
These are all real pumpkins I picked up at the grocery store. I love these little guys way more than big pumpkins. They’re super cheap and I just think they’re easier to style. You can use them in so many different ways–like on the mantel or piled up in a basket like I did recently in our entry way. Or even in an antique doughbowl like I did for this post in our living room. Lots of fun possibilities!
One of my favorite things to do is find vintage goodies like this and then figure out a way to repurpose them into something new and fresh. But I’ll tell ya, this one was a challenge for me. I must have moved this old bin around to about 20 different places in our home before it ended up here on the mantel. Really, I’m not kidding. I was actually getting kind of frustrated with it because I just couldn’t find a spot to make it work, but then finally the light bulb went off and I realized it would fit perfectly on the mantel. It’s even the exact same width and almost the same length too. It was meant to be I guess. And paired with a bunch of mini pumpkins and my farm fresh pumpkin sign this was the easiest fall mantel to put together.
Well I hope you like my newest little cubbie/vintage bin/pumpkin sorter. I’m not really sure what the right term is for this little guy, but I love it. And I hope this inspires you to think creatively about your decor. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and use your vintage finds in new and unexpected ways. It’s actually a lot of fun and you’ll be super cool for doing it. Promise.
Thanks so much for dropping by the blog and spending part of your day with me. I always appreciate it! xoxo
love, love, loveg
Super cute!
Thanks Anna!
Love it!
Thank you Karen!
Love multi-use items like this. Can’t wait to see how you use it at Christmas time.
Me too Liz, so many fun possibilities with this guy!
I am sure I can use it if you can’t find a spot for it when the fall decor comes down. 🙂 Adorable!
hahah will do Rachel! 🙂
I want one!!! I love it!
Thanks so much Heather!!
Sooo Cool!
thank you Sherri! xo
That’s why I love you…we are kindred spirits…I often do not know what I will do with treasures I find, but somehow it always works out and I find the perfect spot. Cubbies and small drawers always attract me. I found an adorable little chippy white cupboard last time I was in my home state of Michigan and it is on my last blog…take a look, you will love it too.
Haha, I think we are definitely kindred spirits Brenda! Cubbies and small drawers always draw me in, I just LOVE them! And I’ll have to head over and check out your blog to see your chippy white cupboard!
LOVE! And, it helps us to learn when you show us things like putting it on it’s back. Great tip! Thanks, Sarah!
Definitely. Sometimes you have to mix it up in order to make it work!
I love it! Kim
Thank you sweet Kim!
ADORBS!
Thank you Kim! 🙂
As usual , Just awesome . Great way to use an old item. Most people would trow things like this away. Loveing the inspiration here 🙂
Thanks so much Teresa, this is a really fun little piece!
It’s perfect for your mantle! I LOVE pumpkins, all kinds and all colors, so of course I adore how you styled this. Love the symmetry in pumpkin sizes, too!
Aw thanks Rhonda, I appreciate that!
Hi Sarah!
Just wondering if you could tell me where you bought all of your white curtains through out your home. I love them and would like them for my home.
They’re mostly drop cloth curtains! I have a post about them here: https://sarahjoyblog.com/step-by-step-drop-cloth-curtains/
Oh my gosh. I have never seen anything like it before. I just love your taste in decor and actually trying to incorporate in my own home. You inspire me sooooo much. 😊 Thank you for always sharing. I always look forward to your post.
Aw thank you so much Sharon! Grateful to have you here! xo