Not Your Ordinary Tins

On Friday, I had a little rant at my kitchen.  Guess what?  Well, I was right that pinterest kitchen didn’t fall from my ceiling.  But that’s okay.  I did make the empty spot above the sink a little cheerier.

Robert Opie Steel Sign

It all started with this amazing Robert Opie Steel Sign that my in-laws sent to me for Christmas.  I love old tins and packaging, especially those from the 1930s in England.  They are so iconic and rich with heritage.  Marmite, Quaker Oats, Lyle’s Golden Syrup, Wheetabix – this sign has them all!  I truly love the images and thought this would look great in the gap above our sink with a shelf under it.

Then I found this great shelf at our dump in the take it or leave it section:
(Before)
It was a little sticky, but other than that in very good shape.  I washed it down with denatured alcohol, mineral spirits and then some warm water.  Once it was dry, I got my ASCP out and did one coat of Graphite and one coat of Emperor’s Silk.  Just like the mirror I shared with you the other week:
Mirror

I really love that rustic, wine colored red which happens when the black peeks through the red.  This color also brought out the same hue in the steel sign:

(After)

The shelf is the perfect perch for all the important things in my kitchen.  My olive oil and vinegar from The Roman Table in Scituate Harbor.  Cindy’s oils and vinegars from Italy are out of this world and make even a simple green salad taste gourmet. 

There is now a spot for Luke’s Marmite (he loves it, I hate it!), the Coleman’s mustard and the Herbs de Provence (I use it on everything!).
Especially dear to me is the little green tin car.  I bought it for my mom, when I was little, at a chocolate shop in Andover.  It is an English car with a family inside.  It’s as if, I knew, at such an early age, that I would settle down with an Englishman (and consider England my second home).
The double decker bus I got for Luke at Christmas time.  It was filled with Walker’s biscuits.  The biscuits are long gone, but isn’t it a lovely keepsake?
And there is my new little bit of sunshine (my England in Scituate).  It will do until I can get my pinterest kitchen!
Linking to:
{Primp}French Country CottageFunky Junk's Sat Nite SpecialtoomuchtimeHome Stories A2Z
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Jacks A
Jacks A
12 years ago

Looks fab! Loving the car and the bus, you had such a great eye from an early age! However my Marmite now comes in a huge squeezy jar!

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It's All Connected
It's All Connected
12 years ago

You’ve made such a lovely vignette from an unloved shelf and your collectibles! ~ Maureen

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fiona anderson
fiona anderson
12 years ago

I love that steel sign, and I also have a similar ‘bus’ tin from M&S.
I also love, love love Marmite – on toast, as a sandwich with cucumber, on crackers, on rice cakes, but best of all – in a sandwich (preferably granary bread) with crunchy peanut butter.
It makes the peanut butter all tangy !

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Bliss
Bliss
11 years ago

I love old tins too and have a collection. I don’t think I have any from England though, or I should say I never thought to notice when I pick them up if they are. Way to repurpose a dump shelf!

~Bliss~

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Michele
Michele
11 years ago

What a bright and cheery spot you’ve created! It looks grea.

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Danielle
Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Michele

Thanks, Michele!

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concretenprimroses
concretenprimroses
11 years ago

Nice vignette!
Kathy

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