It all started during a visit to a friend’s place in Lake George. In talking about rebuilding her lake house (more on that later), we looked through photos of her sister’s place on Shelter Island. Leslie Hoffman, my friend’s sister, has built an extraordinary sustainable house there and the photo below caught my particular attention. She is waiting for her deck to age to the color of an antique galvanized coal bucket. Read more about her living laboratory for sustainable principles here or follow her on Facebook.

I couldn’t shake that image of the old galvanized metal bucket – the color and texture had captivated me. Later that same visit I was reminded at Lakeview Antiques in Bolton Landing…

Returning south to New Jersey, my interest was unabated…

Culminating in the most amazing find…

The logo makes me think I have made a great discovery. I don’t know much about Pennsylvania Railroad memorabilia, but I am sure someone else out there does. I’ll report back when I know more.

In the meantime, how should I use it?

To hold shoes near the entryway?

For a huge floral arrangement à la Rebecca Cole?

If not flowers, maybe plants? Or perhaps as a giant ice bucket for cooling summer beverages?

This just in…I am thinking it might look best atop my newest find – this china cabinet. And if I win the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint giveaway over at From the Right Bank, I’ll have just what I need to paint it! Stay tuned for more on this fixer-upper…

Image credits: 1. via Gimme Shelter, 2-6 & 10. me, 7. Martha Stewart Living, 8. Rebecca Cole Designs, 9. Pottery Barn