When a junker’s junker brother has a garage sale

Rustic hand woven baskets - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

When my brother Les told me about his pending garage sale, I kinda figured he’d get rid of some cool stuff. He’s been a collector for MANY years. But know what his answer was?

“I don’t think there’ll really be anything valuable to you. It’s all kinda just junk that you probably wouldn’t want. I wouldn’t worry about coming.”

No worries. I went down there the night before to see if I could be of any help anyway. 

And that’s when he opened his garage. KABOOM. Stuffed to the rafters! And then he pointed across the road. DOUBLE KABOOM. He had so much stuff, that another garage was borrowed!

Ohhhh my. There was enough stuff to warrant getting ready for this half a year in advance. But we had an evening. So… I helped out all right.

Vintage crates - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

When a junker’s junker brother has a garage sale, you gotta help out.

So I made a huge pile on the front lawn for myself to help alleviate some of this pain. I mean… there was really too much to sell. That would have been sad…

Vintage orange crates with labels - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

I REALLY can’t see why anyone would want these fab vintage crates with all the labels still intact. They had to go.

Rustic baskets with hooks - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

Rustic baskets with hooks - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

Super rustic hand woven baskets. Tsk tsk… no. You just leave it to me… I’ll fix what’s broke.

Enamel bowls and red stool - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

Just when I didn’t think my pile of junk could grow any larger, Les mentioned the ‘crawl space’. Crawl space? OHHHHHH, THAT crawl space!

‘The crawl space’ would be similar to landing in front of a garage sale on acerage with big ‘ol barns filled with rust and junk. 

Enamel ladels and pots - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

Vintage radio and seal press - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

The funky little radio and seal press somehow snuck in my pile without me even knowing. I guess they just wanted to stay together. Glad to help!

Brass fire extinguisher, vintage corning ware - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

As we were gutting the crawl space, we didn’t have a flashlight, so Les was knocking around in the dark on his knees hitting my iPhone on switch every so often for enough glow to (pull out that gold!) get ready for the event.

Rusty funnel, enamel bowls - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

Blue enamel bowl, red stool - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

And when this cool blue enamel bowl that I grew up with unearthed, well.. it needed the red stool to keep it company. I’ve been wanting to inject more colour in the house anyway. Reader Ann W has been trying to get me to paint something for YEARS. See Ann? If I wait long enough, I don’t need to! 🙂

2 Way soda pop bottle, old crate, metal cross - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

Now, Les said something about a crate he found that I used for my dolls. I couldn’t remember what I did way back then but we couldn’t find the crate. But no worries. I brought home everything in sight that I could. To be helpful…

Orange crate barbie shower - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

Imagine my surprise the next day when I found ‘the barbie shower!’ It even said Welcome on the floor. What a thoughtful design! And really, a rather great idea. I’d go for this in real life.

Honestly? The cool junk was icing on the cake. Because hangin’ with my brother was even cooler. We reminisced as we unwrapped stuff, and it was like BAM… we were talking the same language and laughing off our (hoarding) collecting ways.

Barnwood birdhouse and old cupboard - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

Huntley and Palmers Cornish Wafers vintage tin - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

When a junker’s junker brother has a garage sale,

Chippy white gate hardware - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

… there’s junk inside of junk too. In a Huntley and Palmer’s Cornish Wafers tin no less. Best jewelry box (full of chippy paint hinges and gate openers) ever!

Old crate shelf - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

So why get rid of all this stuff? Les, Darlene and Shauna have GUTTED their house, removed walls, the works, and are creating a brand new home for themselves! And the old collections just had to go.

They want to start a new collection together. And I couldn’t be happier for them!

Old crate shelf - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

Happy for them, happy for me, we’re all happy now!

And finally… when a junker’s junker brother has a garage sale,

The big junk haul - When a junker's junker brother has a garage sale, via Funky Junk Interiors

… it’s time to plan another garage sale.. in order to get THIS junk in the house!

I give up. Hoarders Unite, the meeting is now in session. Les, how do you take your coffee?

– – – – –

So, did you hear the one about me shopping from a dumpster next door?

Or the time I landed in a rust graveyard junk dream?

Nevermind. Here’s all my junk shopping. You’re welcome! Coffee’s still hot…

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Categories: Family, Junk Drawer, Rambling, Shopping
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42 thoughts on “When a junker’s junker brother has a garage sale

  1. O mi gosh…. what a haul! I’d love to see what you left behind. Wish I lived nearby, I’d certainly be there to hand him some of my money. Show us what you do with these great item, Donna !

  2. Donna, I wish I had someone I was related to that was a junker. Oh boy, I would be like you bringing home a truck full … to be helpful 🙂
    Your brother is so lucky to have someone so willing to help him out ~
    {HUGS} Deanna

  3. Oh those baskets. OK I’m seeing lots of stuff I would love to take off your hands, if you have a garage sale please let me know (with enough notice). I would be more than happy to drive down. This interior girl makes the trek to the coast often enough that nobody would think twice if I told them I was going for a garage sale 😉

  4. What a kind sister you are to your brother! I would have done just the same and chosen the same things! Brother’s need more kind sisters like us! Think I’ll see if my brother needs any “help”!

  5. Hi my name is Claudia and I too collect stuff…OK to my family I am a hoarder. I receive LOTS of remarks and eye rolling about said obsession. I hope there are no dues for this club…as it would stymie new accessions for my stockpile.

  6. I could only wish that we have such commeraderie when we begin to empty my parents house. How wonderful that you get along so well and “speak the same language.”

    Love the Barbie shower. Shows that DIY and junking is in your blood.

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