What would you do with this antique flour bin?

[beckie.c]

So my grandparents were cleaning out thier basement and have this beautiful (or what I think is beautiful) antique flour bin. Its very similar to the one pictured except green and a little more dented. What I love about it, is that it belonged to my great grandmother, my grandpa remembers his dad hauling it out to thier farm with a team of horses. (I'm such a history nerd, like how awesome family history is that stuff!!) So my great grandmother, had this beautiful flour bin in her home, and gave it to my grandmother who used it in her home and when I would come to visit I'd help grandma bake

Anywho, since they were going to sell it on a garage sale, I scooped it up and want to use it in my house, but just haven't figured out what to do with it. I don't want to put it outside or turn it into a planter, because I don't want it to rust out... so I thought I'd see if anyone had any ideas for decorating with it?

[lecale]

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[Ciel]

Oooh! Possibilities-first, would you want to freshen up the paint in the same colours? Maybe attach a label about the can's history to the lid for fun?

I can see you stashing a bunch of bathroom towels or kitchen linens in the bin. Is there any food item in bulk (dry) that could be stored in the bin and that your household uses? Potential beverage bin when you put ice and canned drinks inside for gatherings? Would have to determine who gets the cleanup task of drying leftover drinks and draining the can later.

Other ideas-all the kitchen gadgets/tools that don't fit in drawers could be stored in there. Keep paper supplies inside (tissue packs, paper towels, paper bags).

Party snack storage bin-for chips, salsa, candies, mixes.

Since the container looks metal, I would be leery about putting anything that clatters or makes noise inside the can. It will drive you up the wall soundwise, unless you line it with a cork liner or similar to squelch rattles/echoes.

[avoncallingu]

I have a small collection of antique cider jugs - you know - the ones with beige bottom, glazed brown top with a "swig-hole" and a thumb-hole so you can drink right from it. Perhaps just a collection of old painted tins or baskets or mason jars just to put in a corner to appreciate. How about mounting a picture of your great-grandparents, grand-parents, and parents on the wall behind it?
I liked the idea of storing towels and wash-cloths in it, but I'd be leary of a "steamy" place, as it still might rust. What about putting a tupperware container it in and storing cereal - somewhere in your kitchen.

Good luck! Let us know what you do!

[lecale]

Dog cookie or kibble storage

[beckie.c]

I love all of these ideas! (I just wish it was a little smaller, it stands 3 ft to a metre tall) I'm thinking it may look nice in the guest bedroom with rolled up blankets inside.

[beckie.c]

How about mounting a picture of your great-grandparents, grand-parents, and parents on the wall behind it?

Oooo this is a super cute idea!

[Frugalbigmama]

Love it!

[gourmetsue]

It's gorgeous! My initial thought when I saw the picture was put it in a guest room with pillows / blankets in it.

[MrsSunshine]

awesome looking bin, what about finding a piece of small round clear glass and using it as a night table/corner table in a room. you can still use it for storage.

[bgheuchert]

haha, honestly I would use it for flour storage!! It is so pretty!!

[bluerose]

Nice peice of family memorbilia to admire and to think about.

[medicmommy]

its so cute!

[oscarandme]

What a beautiful memory. Three feet all - wow you can make a beautiful artificial flower arrangement in it in the colors of your kitchen and stand in the corner or near dining room too to keep the there and like avoncalingyou said have a photo of your grand-parents near like a little vignette honouring it.

You can even shadow-box the lid if it still has it and mark the date and who it belonged to too.

Maybe an artificial tree aswell.

Good luck whatever you decide you already honoured the piece by keeping it in the family. Great brag and show us what you did with it, we are curious.