Repurposing an Old Basket
An old basket now has new purpose here at my Bedford, New York farm.
As many of you know, I am very fond of baskets. Over the years, I've collected quite a number of them from auctions, tag sales, or the talented basket-making artisans themselves. In fact, here at Cantitoe Corners, nestled in a grove of tall bald cypress trees just across from my long clematis pergola is a charming outbuilding dedicated to all my many baskets - some are rare and antique, some are vintage, and some are more contemporary. Recently, I came across an old unique two-tiered woven basket. I knew it would make a wonderful addition to my collection, that is, after a little bit of TLC.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Here are some of my most loved baskets. When I moved to my farm, I knew I wanted to store them in a shaded outbuilding where they would be safe and organized.
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- This Basket House is located just down the carriage road from my Winter House. It has windows and a large door for access and proper cross ventilation, and a metal standing seam roof in “Bedford Gray” that should last many years.
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- A good number of these baskets were used during my catering days.
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- Early basketmakers selected materials from nature, such as stems, animal hair, hide, grasses, thread, wood, and pinstraw. Baskets vary not only across geographies and cultures, but also within the regions in which they are made.
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- Basket weaving is the process of weaving pliable materials into two or three dimensional objects – anything that will bend and form a shape can be made into basket. Baskets are made using different techniques, such as “plaiting”, which uses materials that are wide and braid like,”twining”, which uses materials from roots and tree bark. ”Wicker” basketry uses reed, cane, willow, or oak. “Coiled” basketry uses grasses and rushes.
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- I am always on the lookout for interesting furniture and accessories. Whenever I have time, I enjoy antiquing and scouring area shops. Not long ago, I was at the Antique and Artisan Gallery in Stamford, Connecticut. Look closely and see what I spotted right in the center of the photo…
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- … A charming old wicker basket. Right away I knew I could put it to good use at the farm.
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- I dropped the basket off at Curry & Hovis, a furniture restoration business in Pound Ridge, New York, not far from my home. I have had many pieces restored at this shop.
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- Proprietors Eileen and John Curry are true experts in their craft. They have an extensive knowledge of antiques and have been restoring furniture for many years.
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- Walking through the door, one enters a real workshop with many stations and many pieces in some stage of restoration.
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- This side is for surface work and gilding. Eileen is an excellent guilder.
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- Here is a closer look at the basket. I asked that it be cleaned up and painted black.
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- The two basket levels would be nice and deep enough for displaying plants.
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- Here it is all complete – spray-painted a rich matte black. I think it looks terrific.
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- It was finished just in time for a shoot I was doing at my farm. I decided it was just the perfect piece to hold these blooming African Violets. When using baskets for displaying potted plants, be sure to line the basket with protective plastic first.
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- Here is art stylist, Lorna Aragon, filling the baskets. The black really makes the the plant colors stick out.
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- Here is the basket ready for its debut – what do you think?
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- And here it is with one of my precious chicks perched on top. Don’t worry, it was only there for this quick photo and then safely returned to its enclosure. Refurbishing an old find… it’s a good thing.
Martha Pins
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