I know my fellow antique hunters will understand when I say “you know it when you find it.”
I’ve been hunting for a double wash basin for about a year and, while I have found several of them, I never found one that was just right.
Just the right price, just the right color, right shape, right everything.
Well, I spotted this one and I felt that rush that happens when “you know it.”
It’s just the prettiest shade of green and I love the detail on the front of the basins, the angle of the legs, the little casters…
I even like the little spigots!
…and, of course, the zinc basins.
I decided to roll the wash basin across our parking lot to have a little photo shoot in front of the old mill that is basically condemned, but makes an awesome backdrop for me!
All of the accessories on the wash basin will be for sale at Lucketts, including the clothespin bundles and dried lavender bunches.
I found the wash basin I’ve been searching for and, believe it or not, I am planning to sell it at the Lucketts Spring Market! I really don’t have a perfect place for it right now, so it doesn’t make sense to hoard it when I have a sale coming up. If it doesn’t sell, then it’s just meant to be mine. If it does, well, I’ll find another one I love when the timing is right.
As I was carrying out the wash basin, I noticed a collection of twigs, straw and fluff on the ground next to the studio door. I knew just what it was, because I noticed it last spring, too. A little bird was trying to build a nest on the trim over our door and the ledge just wasn’t wide enough.
I think we’ll have to put a little house out there for future birds. That just seems like the hospitable thing to do!
Enjoy your weekend!
What a find! I wish I lived closer… Missouri is just too far for me to travel to a sale!
You don’t have the perfect place for it??? Why not consider putting it out on your deck this summer with a large flower pot in each side. The wash basins already have drainage built right in and will look so sweet with flowers cascading over their sides throughout the summer. I’m always on the hunt for similar finds, even though I already have several that I press into service every season.
Great idea Bev!!
I have a washtub just like this one only with peeling white paint. It says “Ideal” in large script on each tub. I have had geraniums in it for years I am thinking of selling it. I love it, but am paring down a bit on gardening. Question—-what should I ask for it?
Great idea Bev! I can’t imagine finding the perfect piece just to sell it???? Hopefully she will use it like you suggested.
The wash tubs work perfect for parties. Fill each side with ice. One side for soda and one side for adult beverages. As the ice melts just open the spigot and drain some of the water out and add more ice.
This is just what I’ve been looking for and I’m so envious that you found it! I have been wanting one to use as a planter on my patio. I’m anxiously awaiting the Lucketts Spring Market as its a favorite of mine and I look forward to it every year. I fear someone will snap up this amazing piece before I arrive. If you ever consider selling it before the market I’d be interested but know that’s not really fair to all. Just thought I’d throw it out there! Happy weekend.
I am interested as well, perhaps I should drive down the night before and camp out!
Wow, I didn’t even know these things exist. I could have used one about 25 years ago when I lived in an old house with no washer or dryer and did laundry by hand in the bathtub! Living in PA you have no idea how great a wealth of antiques you have to choose from vs. other areas.
Thats so true! I live in WA state and unless I go to an antique store I very rarely come upon cool old stuff at sales..
Be still my heart. That thing is gorgeous. Love the color and shape. Heck, love everything about it! Great find.
I have one just like this but peeling white paint. I have it on my covered porch . I use it when I am entertaining and fill it with ice for drinks. The spigots come in handy to drain the water. If I don’t use it for drinks I put the covers on the basins and serve drinks on the top.
Such a grown up decision, but now with all these good ideas, you are allowed to change your mind and keep it!
Great find!!!! We have a nest on our back porch, in a wreath. The birdies have already hatched. I am enjoying them, second year for them. Last year was a straw hat hanging on a hook!!!!
what a great find & color. I had lots of wash tubs last year and so far this year they’ve all been priced higher then I could go. love how you displayed your’s
I had to click over from the newsletter to to say
‘gasp!’
You lucky woman!
I’m right behind Krista – would LOVE to have this wash basin AND I’m going to Lucketts again this year!
I would buy that in a heartbeat alas I’m in Kansas.
Marian, I know just a little more about birds than about furniture, so I believe the bird building that nest was probably a phoebe, and they are actually very good at building on vertical surfaces. They won’t use a bird house, and the birds likely to use a birdhouse on or near buildings will be the ones you shouldn’t be attracting, like starlings or house sparrows. If the phoebe builds a successful nest and the sparrows move into the birdhouse, the sparrows are very likely to kill the phoebes. Just a warning….
Marian, is the little towel for sale? I have a soft spot for vintage tea towels . . . I LOVE that one! Would match my kitchen perfectly . . . .
I just bought one last weekend which does not have the cool folding top. Love yours!
I had no idea such a thing existed. It is very nice in shape and color, one can find many use for it, just needs some imagination.
Love this! What would the chances be to find another one exactly like this?! I would definitely find a place for it.
Gorgeous! Form and function at its finest!! Speaking of which, did you know those cute clothes pin make great chip clips?
i will take it off your hands!
That wash tub is a real beauty! I applaud your attitude in not “hoarding” it, but I must say, girl, I think you are entitled to keep it for a while at least. You can FIND a place for it!l The idea Bev, above, suggested of putting it on your deck and filling it with flowers is a good one, I think. Well, of course, it’s up to you, but I think you should indulge yourself on this one, you work so hard, you really do deserve it!
Now that I’v tried to corrupt you—-! I have never tho’t that a vintage wash tub would even still exist, let alone be for sale. I remember helping my grandmother do laundry in her basement with an old ringer washer, though. Then she’d have to carry the heavy, wet laundry upstairs and out to the back yard to hang it on the clothes line. This, times maybe three loads in one day! Wow, do we have it good, now, ladies! Of course, the clothes and linens don’t smell as good out of the dryer as they do off the clothesline. Sigh!
Anyway, Marian, good score on the wash tub and I hope you keep it. At least temporarily. Because I can’t stand you being so reasonable about it! Puts me to shame!
What an incredible find. I see them here in Missouri fairly often, but have never have seen a green one. For Gardeners, these are the most wonderful useful items. Many of us use them out in the yard to rinse off the dirt on veggies before bringing them inside. Great for root veggies like carrots, potatoes, turnips. Also easy to rinse off leafy greens and any veg to eliminate carrying dirt inside to the kitchen.
What a beautiful piece of history Marian and LOVE the zinc! This brings back memories of my Grandma’s laundry process and especially the “sprinkler” she used before steam irons. Absolutely lovely in all respects!
D.a.r.l.i.n.g.
And I can just see you taking over the old mill some day for your studio. It’s got your name all over it xo
When antiquing with friends I always hesitate to tell them what I’m looking for. They try to be helpful but I hate saying “No that’s not quite right” over and over.
It’s like you said, I’ll know it when I see it. And I won’t be able to describe it because I only vaguely know what I want. I just know what I don’t want or isn’t right.
I bought one at a yard sale last year for $15.00 and it is green just like yours! We use it at outdoor parties filled with ice and beverages. I have thought about planting an herb garden in it for my deck but right now it just stores a lot of my gardening supplies.
No one stages pieces as beautifully as you do.
Such good ideas for your washtub! Think how useful it will be when your boys have parties or friends over. Just fill it with water bottles and healthy snacks. It’s always nice to keep the action outside if possible. Just trying to convince you to consider keeping your find.
such a Beauty.It looks my Grams.I think I need to fly from california for the Market… Great find. But you seem to love it. enjoy it if you can..
I found a similar wash basin a decade ago at the Lucketts Fair, no lid though, it’s going in my garden building to hold dirt (I’ve been waiting for this building FOREVER! ) I love it! Can’t wait for this years Market…I have an envelope where I’ve been stashing money weekly…I am afraid you are going to get a lot of that money, making list of items I have seen through your posts.
Totally just bought one of these for our bathroom remodel.
Yes, my contractor thinks I’m crazy.
But I can’t think of a more perfect double sink.
And the basins are large enough for baby baths.
So, yes, I’m a fan.
Absolutely love the colour… I vote keep it …use as suggested in any of the comments above…Mine is beige enamel (not nearly as pretty as the green) but I’m keeping it for my laundry room makeover someday. Works as a laundry folding table right now 🙂
Such a unique piece!!
I love your beautiful find— my favorite color! I can’t believe you’re going to sell it.
Love this! My old farmhouse ‘needs this”!
Super cute and the green is perfect!
Lauren | Lovely Decor
xx
I found one in an antique shop a few years ago. Exact same color as yours and I agree that the second I found it, I knew it was coming home with me. My only difference is that my two tubs are not attached to each other. The just sit side by side. I have bought others but had never seen were the tubs were stand alone. Have you seen that. Someone posted that they found one like yours at a yard sale – cheap. Well mine was NOT cheap, but I grabbed it anyway. I have it on my back porch and have used it for iced down drinks as someone earlier mentioned. It is just so cute!