REPURPOSEFUL FRIDAY !!!!!!

You know that I'm a complete fool for recycling, upcycling, and reusing objects in a clever way other than their intended purpose.  The little clutch purse to the right was created from of a 1966 calendar towel.  Popular in the 60's and 70's, most people didn't use them because they had sentimental value or were souvenirs.  (I actually have two from the years my children were born.)

     There are three reasons why I love this particular repurposing -

               1)  the weathered old door is gorgeous;

               2)  it's functional and an organizational dream;

               3)  it's so clever!!

Lowe's has wooden picnic tables on sale right now.  For less than $100, a little paint, and some distressing, you can replicate this darling idea.  How much fun would it be to have an indoor picnic year 'round?

The photo to the left was actually part of a series on crafting spaces.  Mounted on a cork board covered with leftover wallpaper, these vintage ladles were put to work in a useful and delightful way.   I don't think I've ever been to a flea market or thrift store that didn't have a selection of tarnished silverplated utensils, trays, and serving pieces - and usually they're inexpensive. 

Would you think to hang an old barn door in a tiny guest bathroom?!  Me, either.

This is a repurposefulness duo - the wreath is made from the yellowed pages of an old book!  Simply fold a page like you did as a kid to make a fan, pinch the bottom and adhere to a styrofoam ring with a straight pin.    

When you run across funky old boxes at flea markets

do you wonder what you could do with them? 

Anything!

 

I love Yankee Candles and they're currently featuring these darling pumpkin candles.  But, you can make your own.  We're surrounded with an abundance of pumpkins right now - simply find one with a good stem, carve out the center of the stem and insert a little birthday candle.  Simply darling.

What a great gift-giving idea:  vintage jewelry turned into bookmarks. 
This screams "Rainy Day Project for the Kids!" 

I can't get enough of recycled milk crate ideas - and, grouped together, these crates make great shelving.

                          

Due to their instability, most of us quit using these stumpy

little step ladders years ago.  You probably have one languishing

in your garage right now.  After coming across this photo I started digging through our garage and found one:

 

What a cute idea - the more paint splattered it is, the better.

You're right, these are antique key plates sculpted into a funky and original hanging lamp.   LOVE IT!

You may never look at a church pew the same way again.  I've found ones similar to the one in this project for under $100 - what a great headboard that comes with a built-in side table.

Large industrial drawers are a little harder to find than regular desk

or dresser drawers.  Simply hung on the wall, they make excellent organizers and display space for just about any collection.

Growing up in the 60's, new housing developments in the suburbs were a way of life.  And so were these telephone cable spools.  Before underground utilities, the phone company hauled tons (literally) of these spools out to the urban sprawl where linemen climbed new telephone poles and strung wire across the area.

Just about every family on our block had one in the back yard 'cause when we found an empty spool we kids would turn it over on its side and roll it home!  Interior decorator Randy Weinstein brought back a little nostalgia with this kitchen table idea.

Vintage post office letter sorters are pretty darn hard to find but not impossible.  If you're lucky enough to come across one, grab it - what a great way to display a collection. 

Images, top to bottom:  Montclaire Made; Apartment Therapy; Country Living; LaBoomeria; Sweet Pickins; Yankee Candles; Good Housekeeping; Castles, Crowns & Cottages; Randy Weinstein Designs; Real Simple; Smarty Pants; Wood Love; Roost