Container gardeners take note. Tired of clay pots? Think vintage, because when you do, therell be lots to choose from. Most likely vintage items will be worn and chipped which will only add charm to your garden.

Raid the Bathroom.

Forget about a relaxing soak in the tub. Vintage claw-foot bathtubs can be a gardeners delight. They work well because they are big and deep so they can hold a lot of flowers plus all that earth will retain moisture. Just make sure that you are happy with where youve positioned them because once full of soil, theyll be too heavy to move.

Search the Garage.

Galvanized pails and watering cans can make great planters. Vintage bicycles with wired baskets to hold flowers are eye-catching.

Go to the Kitchen.

Enamelware wash basins, pots, colanders, teakettles - work well in the garden because enamelware can handle the elements. Plus any rust or chips simply add character. Even the kitchen sink can add some whimsy to a garden. Wicker baskets can be moved outdoors for garden duty.

Clean the Closet.

Old worn boots, cast off suitcases and trunks can take on a new life outdoors.

Explore the House.

An old chair without a seat can take on a new life with a plant in it. Any wrought iron furniture benches, grates or tables can be recycled for garden use. Vintage coal hogs have a nice shape and be used for an interesting arrangement.

Dont forget vintage inspired reproductions.

There are lots out there. New cast iron, concrete, fiberglass urns in classic styles can give your garden that vintage feel.

Martin Swinton

A lifelong lover of all things old, Martin was born in Toronto, Canada and spent time in Malaysia as a child.

Martin learned to restore furniture when he was a teenager and has worked at an auction house. He owns Take-A-Boo Emporium, an antique shop located at 1927 Avenue Road, Toronto, Canada.

His television appearances include Canadian Living Television, Breakfast Television, Daytime and Toronto Living.

Martin teaches courses on antiques and he writes a regular column "Let's Talk Antiques" for the Town Crier newspaper and "Antiques 101" for the Home Advisor. He also does appraisals for estates and community events.

When Martin is not appearing on television or teaching, he can be found in his shop restoring well-worn furniture, gluing vintage tables or re-caning and rushing chairs. On warm summer days, he has been seen multi-tasking out front of the shop when he chats up the locals and works on his tan.

Martin recalls that he has always been interested in things from the past, so it is not surprising that he graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Archaeology. He holds a high school equivalency diploma from the Ontario Ministry of Education. Martin completed his grade 2 course of studies at Cedarvale Public School before being home school through to high school. At the age of 7 Martin was diagnosed with a bad case of dyslexia, which explains a lot of the problems that he had in Mrs. Mansica's grade 2 reading circle.

His personal areas of interest are Asian art, European furniture and the Arts & Crafts movement. Martin is a member of the Monarchist League of Canada. He lives in Toronto with his wife Andrea and Kurt, his basketball mad 14-year old son.