How to Recycle a Wooden Ice Cream Churn: Free Roadside Find
Have you ever picked up roadside trash? You never know what you may find on trash day. You could luck up and find treasures for recycling, repurposing, or just great junk. Today, I’m sharing about updating a wooden ice cream churn, which is a true trash-to-treasure adventure. I found this wooden ice cream churn by the side of the road on trash day. Home with me, it came! With a little paint and some flowers, it’s a perfect, budget-friendly centerpiece.
Don’t overlook those roadside finds because you never know what they may be worth. I recently saw one very similar to my free find at an Antique Festival for $90.00.
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How To Update A Roadside Trash Find
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo before I decided to give the bucket a whitewash of chalk paint. But before, it was just a plain, aged wooden bucket with some water stains. Once I added the whitewash, I loved the new look so much that I couldn’t wait to fill the bucket with fresh flowers.
Here is how I updated the old wooden ice cream churn. I used Old White Chalk Paint, but any white paint will work.
- Wash the old wood and allow it to dry completely.
- Mix the paint at a 4:1 water ratio. Stir until smooth. (Note: you only need a small amount to cover this small project.
- Use a brush to whitewash the wood inside and out.
- If you want the paint heavier in any area, add an additional coat.
- Allow to dry and will with your favorite flowers.
How to Add Fresh Flowers to a Recycled Ice Cream Churn
To add fresh flowers, I added a combination of containers to hold water inside the recycled churn. First, fill each container 3/4 full of water before adding plants.
Next, begin adding greenery or herbs to the recycled ice cream churn, spacing them evenly around the containers. I used fresh herbs because I have an abundance of sage and rosemary planted around my landscape. You can also read How to Dry Herbs and How to Make Botanical Art with Pressed Herbs for things to do with an abundance of herbs.
Finally, add your fresh flowers by tucking them into the greenery. Be sure that each stem is placed in water.
These photos are from last summer, when the Black-Eyed Susans were showing up in a big way.
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How To Add Faux Flowers to a Recycled Ice Cream Churn
I’d love to keep the recycled churn filled with fresh flowers and greenery, but it also looks lovely with faux flowers.
Gather a selection of faux flowers that work well with your decor to create an arrangement. If the stems are longer than necessary, bend the wire stems to the length needed to fill your container. This allows you to use these same stems in a deeper container at a later date.
Once again, begin by adding the greenery stems and then fill in with the floral stems. I like to create a loose, natural arrangement.
The mix of various stems gives the Ice Cream Churn a completely different feel than the Black Eyed Susan arrangement. These lovely stems will last until the black-eyed susans bloom again. I saw a couple of faces starting to pop out early, so it won’t be long.
Repurposed Ice Cream Churn in Greenhouse
Another area I’ve loved using the repurposed ice cream churn is in the Greenhouse. I filled it with fresh-picked lilacs in the early spring. Then, I switched them out for faux red tulips for a mid-summer patriotic style. Then, finally, I added dried hydrangeas for fall in the greenhouse.
Related Articles
I love a trash-to-treasure transformation, and one of my first blog posts shared How to Repurpose an old Silverware Box.
In this previous post, How to Use Chalk Paint, you can learn more about using chalk paint to transform your finds.
These great planters were also roadside finds; they look amazing with a DIY Concrete Planter finish.
If you love creative floral arrangements, check out this wildflower arrangement. With these tips, arranging hydrangeas in a basket is super easy.
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Check out more Recycled Decor on the Pinterest Challenge.
Pinterest Challenge
Each month, Cindy at County Road 407 sponsors a Pinterest Challenge, and it’s always so much fun to see each participant’s version of the inspirational photo. This month, the challenge comes from Anderson and Grant, and here is her repurposed picnic basket. See all the inspiration below.
Thanks so much for stopping by today.
Pin It To Remember It
Did you find some great ideas you’d like to save for future reference? To save, hover over the images and pin to your favorite Pinterest Boards when you see the PIN button in the upper left-hand corner.
Oh I love this one! Great idea!
Oh thanks so much.
hi Rachel, I am regretting getting rid of my vintage ice cream maker.
Love the floral stems too! great job laura
Laura,
OH no! I have many regrets but they are replaced with new treasure. Thanks so much.
Rachel: this is a superb example of roadside ‘rescue’! I love it! If an antique shop person had happened upon it it, and changed it up the way you did, she would put a price tag of over $35 on it! Maybe $50! But, in your world, it’s really priceless, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing!
Sandra
Sandra,
I agree. It was a great find and I love using it. Thanks for your encouragement. I’ll be looking for more treasures this weekend at the beach.
Love the Black Eyed Susan’s in an ice cream churn! Beautiful!
Thanks so much. I appreciate your comments.
What a great trash pile find! Back when I could run, I would find the best things beside trash cans as I ran. I would frequently run home carrying a treasure. The two arrangements that you created are so pretty and they both look great on your porch.
Paula,
Thanks so much sweetie. It’ so fun to find a roadside treasure.
Hi,
I really hate getting rid of my churn now! I love what you did with this one and I
Have the same two little iron birds in one of pics that I would like to paint….can you please tell me how to do this and what paint to use to get the finished effect.
I am not a crafter at all but downsized home, retired and am trying to use what I have to
create new looks and your ideas inspire and help me so much. Keep them coming!
Va in NC
These came with that finish, but a white wash of chalk paint should do the trick.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
I’ve been looking for one of these for like forever and am soooo bummed about not having any luck! Totally love how you’ve painted it. It looks fantastic on that table. Thank you so much for joining in. I know you were busy so it means a lot. Pinned!
Cindy,
Thanks so much. I appreciate you for hosting these challenges.
Your ice-cream-churn-turn-flower-vase is so pretty! Love the finish you put on it, along with the arrangements! Great twist on the challenge!
Julie,
I appreciate your encouragement.
What a great find and love the new color and pretty flowers, thanks.
Marlene,
Thanks so much. I’m glad you like it.
I love the character of this old bucket, Rachel. And it looks beautiful, overflowing with fresh or faux flowers. Think I need an old wooden bucket in my life; I’ve got a ton of galvanized ones, but not any wood. You’ve inspired a little treasure hunting, I believe;)
Lora,
I hope you can find one. This one was a deal. LOL
Wow love the ice cream churn and both ways of styling with the flowers. I had to re-read your post because both arrangements looked like real flowers. Love it Rachel!
Michelle,
Thanks so much. I’m glad you like it.
Love that idea! Will be looking for a old ice cream bucket! 🤗 I have always loved baskets and have got a few sitting around! Thanks for sharing all the ideas from others on how to make them useful! Have a great day!
Margie,
I love baskets too and I love styling with them. You’ll probably see more of those too. LOL. Thanks for always being so encouraging.
Rachel, so pretty!!! I love the churns new look! It is really inspiring when something looks so totally new; I hear you on trying out different flower arrangements in it. <3
Enjoy your fun "new" urn and happy almost summer,
Barb 🙂
Barbara,
I really appreciate you for stopping by.
RACHEL I always feel so inspired when I visit you! This is a truly fantastic repurpose. Now I’ll be on the hunt for a churn of my own.
Laura,
Good Luck. I hope you get lucky and find one in the trash.
What a great way to reuse an old ice cream churn bucket!
Cindy,
I am so glad you like it.
OMG, just last week while we were on a walk in our neighborhood, I saw an old wooden ice cream bucket out by the neighbor’s trash. I thought about picking it up, but then thought, “But what would I ever do with it?” I blew it! Now I know and will forever regret not grabbing that bucket thanks to your lovely post. 🙁 Opportunity missed. LOL
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Niky,
I can understand! But when in doubt, grab it. LOL
How awesome to find that old ice cream churn, Rachel. I love the white-wash treatment you gave it. Fresh or faux flowers both look great in the churn, inside or outside. Great use of someone else’s discard.
Carol.
I really appreciate your kinds words
You did a great job with this Pinterest Challenge Rachel. So beautiful!
Kim,
Thanks for stopping by.
Your bucket looks so pretty whitewashed and with any variety of flowers! It’s so inspiring Rachel!
krisin,
Thanks so much.
I am totally kicking myself for donating the old ice cream churn that we never used. Why in the world didn’t I keep it for a plant bucket! This looks amazing. Your screened porch is fabulous!
Christy,
We’ve all gotten rid of items that we later regret. Maybe you’ll find one on the roadside. LOL
Wow! I love what you’ve done with the old wooden ice cream churn, Rachel! The flowers are so beautiful in it. You always have so many wonderful ideas and I absolutely love reading your posts! Thanks for sharing!
Mary-Ann,
I really appreciate you for all your comments and encouragement. Thank you so much.