I needed a new broom. The reason? I used the old one to hack away at a large chunk of snow and ice that hung perilously over the entrance door as it thawed. It broke.
One of the reasons it broke was probably the fact that I hadn’t done a good enough job the last time around to attach the broom stick to the head. This time I made sure to get a good fit by sharpening the end of the stick further up…
… and pre drilling all the way through the head and stick and then driving a 5 cm/2” screw right through the whole thing. Now it’s solid. Trust me.
This time I wanted to do something different so instead of staining it I varnished. I used what I had around which might not be perfect for outdoor conditions but better than nothing.
Just varnishing was a bit boring though so I used masking tape to add some random stripes along the stick and painted them white.
Here’s my new broom all ready for some sweeping action at the front of the house.
Kinda croquet-esque don’t you think?
A perfect example of the William Morris quote, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." There's no reason to have a broom that doesn't have a little pizazz. Makes sweeping almost fun. Happy spring from Minnesota! It's still snowing here!
Posted by: Linda G. | April 23, 2013 at 02:32 AM
Maybe I am first? Probably not - but I will say it anyway :
A new broom sweeps clean!
You made your look great by the way
Posted by: Susan | April 23, 2013 at 02:34 AM
Linda G - We've also had a tiny bit of snow these past couple of weeks but nothing that's lasted luckily!
Posted by: Carlos | April 23, 2013 at 02:44 AM
That is cute! I would enjoy sweeping with that.
Posted by: Leena | April 23, 2013 at 03:17 AM
Are those pull out shelves on top of each set of drawers?
Posted by: Natalie | April 23, 2013 at 05:14 AM
Natalie - They're chopping boards. Standard feature in older Swedish kitchens :).
Posted by: Carlos | April 23, 2013 at 05:41 AM
Such a little thing makes such a big difference.
Miracle girl. I'd never have thought of such a small change at all.
Great!
Posted by: Katharina | April 23, 2013 at 06:37 AM
So cute! And yeah, very croquet-esque :)
Posted by: Judith | April 23, 2013 at 06:48 AM
"Alice: [curtsying] Yes, Your Majesty, but I just wanted to ask you...
Queen of Hearts: I'll ask the questions! Do you play croquet [sweep]?
Alice: Why, yes, Your Majesty.
Queen of Hearts: Then let the game [sweeping] begin!"
As for the push-in chopping boards, we had one just like it in my family home in Warsaw. The home was built in the early 1960's.
Posted by: Zosia | April 23, 2013 at 07:34 AM
We had a built in cutting board in the house that I grew up in that was built in the 1940's. Thanks for the inspiration to turn something as mundane as a broom into something so much more.
Posted by: Nancy in Canada | April 23, 2013 at 10:03 AM
Love this....anything to make chores more fun! Very nicely done!
Posted by: Lesley | April 23, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Brilliant idea for fixing the broom head in place! The push broom that I have always swivels on the handle. I'm going to use your angled drill-and-screw solution! And then I'll add some stripes; maybe on the diagonal this time.
As far as the pull-out cutting board goes, our house was built in 1978 and the kitchen has one installed. I don't use it, but it's quaint that it's there. As I examined the house's features and did some research, I found that it has many MCM features. Sometimes I feel like Jan Brady.
Thanks for the tip, Benita! And have a terrific day!
Posted by: Peggy | April 23, 2013 at 11:04 AM
You. Are. Amazing.
Posted by: Kathleen S | April 23, 2013 at 11:37 AM
I love that you don't settle for "meh" on anything. Customize and make it yours! Love it!
Posted by: Lisa | April 23, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Peggy, I love the idea of the diagonal stripe, like a barbershop pole. That will be my next broom!
Posted by: Carlos | April 23, 2013 at 11:50 AM
It's wonderful when quotidien things are beautiful as well as useful. Very Shaker-esque. Thanks for the how-to.
Posted by: maddux | April 23, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Only you, Benita, would think to bring such style to a simple broom. Inspiring.
Would you comment ont he subtle lace pattern on the cabinet doors -- wallpaper or ???
Posted by: Holland | April 23, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Holland - Read all about it here: http://www.chezlarsson.com/myblog/2012/11/hobby-room-update.html
Posted by: Carlos | April 23, 2013 at 12:38 PM
I buy my brooms pre-assembled.
I loved,loved, LOVED my built in cutting boards. Sadly we remodeled and I lost them :(
Posted by: Kismet | April 23, 2013 at 01:35 PM
Oh this is really neat! I think I might be shopping for a broom in the near future!
Posted by: amanda | April 23, 2013 at 02:24 PM
Did you once say that you found your outdoor table at ikea? I think I just saw this one in person... it's nice!
Posted by: amy | April 23, 2013 at 03:21 PM
Amy - Yes, it's the Falster from IKEA and it's great!
Posted by: Carlos | April 23, 2013 at 03:24 PM
Benita could we see a photo of the whole deck? I am trying to rearrange mine and need inspiration :).
Thank you!
Posted by: Josseline Wood | April 23, 2013 at 05:48 PM
Josseline - Check out the archives from May last year, there are some images there http://www.chezlarsson.com/myblog/2012/05/index.html
Posted by: Carlos | April 24, 2013 at 02:16 AM