Both Martin and I love to dumpster dive and can't resist when there's one nearby. When we lived in the city we hauled home many a good find. In the suburbs they are more rare and also you get the feeling that you're in somebody's yard. We have been known to get stuff there too but have then asked if we can take it. Less exciting that way.
When living in our first city apartment there were quite frequently dumpsters in the neighborhood streets. Sometimes we waited until dark and then snuck in there with flash lights to retrieve something we had spotted earlier.
For the most precious finds we usually can't wait though and just dive in straight away. The best dumpsters are the ones parked outside old shops which are being remodeled. They have yielded us mannequins, vintage gift wrap and various pieces of furniture. All but the gift wrap has since been thrown away in other dumpsters as we got tired of them, but that's part of the beauty of it all.
The top photo shows our dining area. The base for the table we found in a dumpster outside a restaurant and the chairs in one outside of Martins previous job. The green locker was found in a dumpster in the city center. We used to use if for coats but now it sits in the garage. One find which was made by Martin before we met, pre 1987 that is, is the road sign. Hm. It's one I could easily get rid of today. Actually I've tried for the past 20 years but he refuses. Men.
Some of the finds we use right a way after finding them and some we keep for a while and then decide whether they should stay or go. The yellow mirrow may not stay and it may take too much work to get the sink into working order. I'd love it in a bathroom though. We missed out on a second one which was exactly the same and it would have been so cool with his n' hers...
In the basement at work there is a recycling area and I can never pass without taking a peek in the mini dumpsters parked there. The yellow plastic mirror came from there. Today I had to go down there to meet with a delivery guy at the loading dock and on the way back I noticed they had thrown away an electrical typewriter so I pryed off the keys. Have no idea what I'll use them for. Yet. I'll think of something. I also found an in-tray. It's just a simple one but it's a little bit smaller than the regular ones and it's white. I know I can find use for that somewhere. I saw another kind of funny in-tray too, but it was too ugly to bring home though. It said " suspects" on the front and something similar to "cold case" on the side. Yep, the local police department uses the same recycling area as we do!
