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12 Amazing Reuses for Quirky Vintage Items
The best things in life are free — or nearly free. Hit the flea market or forgotten storage and check out these ideas for clever home decor
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
I started out the year as I always do, motivated to spruce things up, move things around, save some money and work up some clever repurposing projects. I created a couple of articles for inspiration and shared them with you. After completing a few projects like this nightmare, I ran out of steam around late February.
Thus, it's time for a fresh round of inspiration. This time around, consider some of these unique vintage items that are enjoying a second career around the house. Even if you don't find these exact items, I hope they will open your mind to new ways to use some of that old stuff you find the next time you clean out the attic. Heck, I hope it inspires us all to clean out our attics.
Thus, it's time for a fresh round of inspiration. This time around, consider some of these unique vintage items that are enjoying a second career around the house. Even if you don't find these exact items, I hope they will open your mind to new ways to use some of that old stuff you find the next time you clean out the attic. Heck, I hope it inspires us all to clean out our attics.
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What is it? A metal ballot box.
What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a nightstand that provides plenty of storage. And hopefully it's not full of uncounted ballots and dimpled chads.
Requirements: Finding a ballot box or creating a "General Ballots" sign on the computer and sticking it on a vintage metal trunk.
What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a nightstand that provides plenty of storage. And hopefully it's not full of uncounted ballots and dimpled chads.
Requirements: Finding a ballot box or creating a "General Ballots" sign on the computer and sticking it on a vintage metal trunk.
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by Louise Lakier
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| What is it? A pair of old wrenches. What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a gate handle and latch outside the home of two Seattle artists. Requirements: Wrenches are easy enough to find, but you will need to know how to weld. |
| What is it? A vintage glass pie display case (right side of photo). What is it doing in its new life? Acting as an elegant side table in The Concord Green House. Requirements: A trip to the flea market or an Internet search, and being very careful with the glass sheets when transporting it. |
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| What is it? A nesting nook for birds. What is it doing in its new life? Providing a nest for sweet vintage pitchers and jars inside the house. Requirements: Lots of elbow grease to make sure it's clean and sanitary; someone who knows how to hang something level and find studs; two people to hang it. |
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What is it? A vintage metal file rack.
What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a patinated dish rack at The Old Painted Cottage.
Requirements: A bit of a search; removing excess rust with a wire brush.
What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a patinated dish rack at The Old Painted Cottage.
Requirements: A bit of a search; removing excess rust with a wire brush.
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| What is it? An industrial cart. What is it doing in its new life? Being an industrial-chic coffee table. Requirements: These are available ready to go as coffee tables from several retailers, like this one. |
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What is it? A stack of magazines.
What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a plant stand instead of taking up valuable storage space.
Requirements: Magazine hoarding tendencies.
What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a plant stand instead of taking up valuable storage space.
Requirements: Magazine hoarding tendencies.
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| What is it? A bunch of former Mom jeans from the '90s. What is it doing in its new life? The varied amounts of fading create interesting denim stripes on these throw pillows at The Upward Bound House. Requirements: A stack of unflattering jeans you wouldn't be caught dead in anymore and the most basic knowledge of sewing. If you ever took home ec and can thread a machine, you're good to go. |
by The Locker
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What is it? Vintage suitcases.
What is it doing now? Serving as storage and as a table at Etsy artist Lockette's studio. She also uses them to transport and display her wares at shows.
Requirements: I guarantee you that someone in your family, in spite of having used a suitcase with wheels for years, has a stack of these collecting dust somewhere. Clean out the musty smell by throwing a dryer sheet inside each for a few days, then airing them out outdoors.
What is it doing now? Serving as storage and as a table at Etsy artist Lockette's studio. She also uses them to transport and display her wares at shows.
Requirements: I guarantee you that someone in your family, in spite of having used a suitcase with wheels for years, has a stack of these collecting dust somewhere. Clean out the musty smell by throwing a dryer sheet inside each for a few days, then airing them out outdoors.
by Shannon Malone
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What is it? A stack of old teacups and other china pieces.
What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a unique and stylish floor lamp in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz.
Requirements: A wiring kit, superglue, um ... if you need to put holes in the china to run a wire down the middle, then this is beyond my DIY skill set. Otherwise, you can attach the cord down the back of the lamp and stick it in a corner, and no one will be the wiser.
What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a unique and stylish floor lamp in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz.
Requirements: A wiring kit, superglue, um ... if you need to put holes in the china to run a wire down the middle, then this is beyond my DIY skill set. Otherwise, you can attach the cord down the back of the lamp and stick it in a corner, and no one will be the wiser.
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| What is it? An old cattle feeder What is it doing in its new life? Serving as a container for succulents. Requirements: Finding an old cattle feeder (or buying a new galvanized tub at a hardware store; it has a similar look and is very inexpensive), poking holes in the bottom, spreading some gravel, filling it with soil and adding plants. |
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by SFGIRLBYBAY
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| What is it? A collection of vintage ceramics. What is it doing in its new life? Adding style and fun to a desk while corralling office supplies. Requirements: Trips to the thrift store, a search on eBay or a look through your own cabinets to pick find pieces like this for a song. Tell us: Do you have some creative repurposing going on in your home? Please inspire us by sharing them in the Comments section. More: Decorating on a Budget: 10 Repurposing Ideas Decorating on a Budget: 12 More Repurposing Ideas |
Ideabook published on May 18, 2012.
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I love the tea cup and saucer lamp, that's great.
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