Showing posts with label Upcycled Vintage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Upcycled Vintage. Show all posts

May 3, 2013

Vintage Bikes as Garden Decor

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There's something whimsical about a vintage bike. And if you paint it a fun color and add a container or basket for planting it brings on the happiness even more.

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Who cares if the tires are flat or the wheels are rusted? In the garden, these things don't matter. Perhaps the spokes will hold a pretty climber like clematis or morning glory.

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A basket or two added to the front, back or sides makes it even more functional for planting.

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Don't fret if the bike doesn't stand up on it's stand anymore. Simply lean it against a shed, a sturdy tree or fence to blend it into your garden space.

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Even suspended on a brick wall, it's beauty is apparent and unexpected. And it still manages to hold a basket of blooms.

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I am anxious to get in the garden this weekend. I may need to stop at the thrift shop first to capture this look!

Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with fun and whimsy.

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October 11, 2012

Easy Bedroom Updates {Vintage Style}

I am still in the process of a bedroom redecorating project, but here's a little peak at my progress.


This little makeover began with a rail from an old church. We had just put a king-size bed in the room and the old queen-size headboard wasn't going to work. When I saw the beautiful carvings on this piece I knew it would work well as a headboard. It was been painted... twice. First black... the color it remained for about a year, and then a very light beige-gray (because that's the two old wall colors I mixed to come up with enough paint for it!) as I decided I wanted to lighten up the room. I added a brown glaze to shab it up a bit and really show off the details. The photo below is of one of the sides.


Next came the vintage wall chandelier. Usually I am on the lookout for hanging chandeliers, but this one caught my eye as being quite unique and perfect to hang above my bed.


The final touch came from Home Goods. The neutral gray color and satin finish along with the tufting on this comforter and pillow set was perfect for the glamorous look I was going for!


The throw pillow was actually from another room. I wanted something to top it off and thought it would do. Can't beat shopping your house for accessories!

The next project will be painting the room. It's due for another update and it is definitely going to be a little lighter and kept neutral. Or... maybe I could put a dark color on the bed wall to accent it....???? Decisions, decisions!

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May 18, 2012

It's Raining Teacups... Great Store Window Display


Here's a cool store window I spotted while in Chicago last weekend. We were in a hurry to get my daughter to the airport at the end of a fabulous Mother's Day in the city, but I couldn't resist snapping a quick picture.

Teacups everywhere! Suspended by ribbons or strips of cloth, this window was definitely an eye-catcher.
I walked by so fast I can't remember the name of the store. It was in the DePaul University neighborhood I believe.

I love interesting store window designs. I know all the work that goes into them and definitely appreciate the creativity.

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May 4, 2012

Crafts Made from Vintage Book Pages

Books... I love to read them, love to collect them, and when they are old and no one else wants them, I love to craft with them. They provide such a neutral base with their tiny black type on aged-white pages. They're inexpensive and easy to find.

I have an entire board on Pinterest of 40 vintage book craft ideas I've collected from the web. These are just a sampling.

You don't really need vintage books to work with, modern ones will work as well. The aged books that are a bit yellowed just add a nice bit of depth to the paper. This book wreath and vase were made as samples for a library program. If you want to make something similar just do a web search for the tutorials--there is quite a few out there.


How about this sweet little origami dress ornament from Folkhaven? The black glittered belt and silver thread add simple, shiny touches.


Folkhaven

The Nester has a ton of ideas on her site, including these sweet drink or cupcake flags.



This beautiful set of wings is perhaps my favorite. So elegant with a rhinestone center and such a unique decoration for the wall, door or back of a chair. These are from Renaissance Soul. They are heavenly!




Have you made anything with book pages? Add a link to your comment if you've written a post about a craft like this or have seen a great idea online. I'm always looking to add more ideas to my Pinterest board.
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April 24, 2012

Vintage Silver Casserole Use Ideas & Share the Love Wednesday Link Party # 59

Welcome back to Share the Love Wednesday! This is a link party where you can share whatever you have a passion for and blog about. It's a great way to find new blogs and find some new followers for your own blog as well.

I have a new use for those vintage silver casserole dishes you see in thrift shops to share today. When I first bought this piece I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with it. I had just started to enjoy vintage silver and the price was right. Before I knew it, I found lots of ways to use it around my home.

Using it as a base for a large glass candle holder is how I've been using it lately. It sits in my family room and I like the contrast of the silver against the matte gray painted table.


I have been trying to clear out the clutter in my decor, limiting tabletops to just three or four decorative items at most. Keep in mind that around the holidays, this rule does not apply! Just a small tray of favorite catalogs and magazines (hello Flea Market Style!) and the candle are my choices for this table.



The glass candle holder fits right in the base of this casserole. Check out the tarnish on the bottom. It doesn't bother me a bit! I like the patina and the depth it adds to the carvings on the cute little chubby legs and the rim.





If you're looking for more ideas on using a piece like this, click here to see how I used this same silver casserole in early spring.

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Let's kick off Share the Love Wednesday! This link is from a blog called Holiday Sparkle. I have to admit, the blog title sounded like a place I definitely wanted to visit.  These are some gorgeous handmade trees. When you visit Chris' blog, you'll see that she has made these trees for just about all the holidays, including some fabulous pastel Halloween trees that are really unique. She has an Etsy shop, and there is a coupon code for 15% off on her site right now.




Take a few beautiful things, style them pretty, take a good picture. Those are the basics for what makes for a great blog post! Stop over and visit Linda over at Delight to see more gorgeous pictures and ideas.


This next link is from Carol's Picture Blog. The post features her favorite flowers to grow from seed and there are some gorgeous pictures of Carol's flowers and garden. If you have ever wondered if seeds are worth your time, this post will show you that they are!



Share the love and show off your blog with the linky tool below. After linking up your post, if you see a blog post that inspires you, invite the author to join the party. I love to see new blogs and ideas and I know you do as well. Please include a link back to the party either with one of the party/blog buttons on my sidebar or a text link.

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March 29, 2012

Vintage Silver Casserole: Spring Edition

I see these silver casserole sets often in thrift shops. I've picked up several to use in different ways around my home.



I look for details like these carved, ornate legs. The tarnish doesn't bother me. I kind of like the dark rainbow of colors it brings out. The patina only adds to the beauty of the piece.



I decided to use the casserole to hold some tiny pots of baby's tears plants. The combination of silver and terracotta is a nice contrast in color and finish. And the finished look is much better than a plastic pot.



Covered with a glass dome from Hobby Lobby, the light still reaches the plants and keeps the moisture in while the little plants take hold in their new pots.


Stay tuned for more unique ideas for these casserole dishes, or click here for more posts about vintage silver.



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January 6, 2012

A DIY Coffee Tray Created in Vintage Style


I found this brass rim with pretty scrolls in a thrift store on one of my trips to see my daughters. I knew it had potential, and pictured it with a piece of glass cut to fit the bottom to get it back in service. It was just a rim when I found it; $6 brought it home. At the register, a fellow thrift shopper complimented me on the find and suggested adding a mirror to really dress it up.


When I took it to the glass shop they actually thought it was originally a piece to a light fixture. Of course it wasn't perfectly round, but they were able to cut a nice 1/4" piece of mirrored glass to fit. Having the mirrored glass cut to fit was  not as inexpensive as I would have originally thought, but it was definitely worth it.


I have the tray set out on my kitchen hutch with coffee mugs, a vintage silver sugar bowl, a small Waterford vase with a few teaspoons inside and a thrift-shop silver plate bowl with coffee filters.




I like the contrast of the tarnished silver and the unbleached coffee filters.



The reflection of the silver and pale mugs is really pretty. It also looks great with crystal wine glasses set upon it. The mirror was a great choice, thanks to the friendly shopper in line next to me as I paid for the brass rim.




Now every morning as I get my coffee I'm reminded of my trip, a friendly shopper sharing decorating advice and the successful outcome of a creative vision come true!
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Linking up to:
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December 6, 2011

DIY Lamp & Thrifted Mantel Decor...& Share the Love Wednesday Link Party!

Lots of new partiers came on board last week! It's always fun to learn about new blogs; I visited every single link from last week's party and found quite a few.

Thanks to everybody that linked up last week--such a variety of posts to choose from. I am featuring these two blogs from last week.

This lamp is gorgeous. Who would you guess it's from... Pottery Barn? Restoration Hardware? Nope... it's a DIY bottle lamp from Mallori at Vintage Finds! Love it... I think Mallori's is actually better looking than those at the retailers!




This next link has so many pretty elements... vintage goodies, greenery, a beautiful candlestick & more. What caught my eye though, was the crate displaying the ornaments. Isn't it gorgeous? Such a neutral element as a showcase for those bright and shiny ornaments.... love it! See all the pretty details up close with Dana at Circa Dee!


If you've been featured, grab a button!

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Bring it on for this week!  Link up the best of your blog and be sure to link back to the party with a button or text link. If your post has been removed because there wasn't a link back, add the button below or a text link and link up again. Most importantly... mingle... click around the other links and get to know this fabulous group of partiers!



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