Upcycled Vintage Shutter - Seasonal Display Center

It's Transformation Tuesday and I've had this shutter that I picked up at the Apron Chick's Sale back in the spring. I hung it up on the wall as it was, waiting for inspiration to strike.

Some of you gave me some fantastic ideas on What Would You Do (WWYD) Wednesday a while back. Someone suggested a memo center and someone else suggested a photo display.

I tried out the photo idea first. I did sort of a fast version by printing some photos on my color laser printer to see if I liked it. My photos weren't quite the right size, but I liked the concept.

 For the clips, I just attached some scrapbook paper to office clips using 2-sided tape.

But then, Christmas came and I got to thinking how I'd like to decorate that shutter for Christmas since it's right in the middle of my living room. I had some metal Christmas trees that I had picked up at a yard sale. They had the letters on them, but they weren't very readable, so I went over them with white. Then, I borrowed a couple of ornaments from my stash.

 

 

I still need to do some adjusting, but this is my draft of the Christmas decoration. I'm thinking I'll try to come up with something seasonal to do on this after Christmas. Like maybe a snowman display. I could save a few snowman ornaments from the tree when I take it down in January and maybe come up with a different saying.

The berry garland was a yard sale find too. I doubt I'll keep it there forever, but it gave me a great place to hang the metal trees. 

It isn't a dramatic transformation, but I thought I'd share my progress. I'm always looking for additional ideas, so feel free to share.

Weekend Most Pinteresting Projects

I found all of the following projects on Pinterest. All links go back to the original blog there the Pinterest post came from, and all photos belong to the original blog posters.

A blog named Mamie Jane's featured several trash to treasure projects with old casters. I love the book ends and the photo wheel.

Who would have thought of building a snowman from old propane tanks? I like this one featured on Pieced Pastimes.

I love the pot rack that Mia from Lilly and Mia's blog created from an old cast iron fence.

A blog called Totally Green Crafts featured wine bottle lights that are cool!

Country Wedding Style Mason Jars

This past summer, I was at a wedding dance that took place at an old barn. Surrounding the perimeter, the bride had placed Mason jars on stakes. It was a pretty upcycle of old jars. I didn't get a good look at how they attached the jars to the stakes. It could be done with the raffia, or it could be done using a mini shepherds hook on each post and a wire handle on each jar. 

 Of course, as long as I was taking pictures, I had to take some close-ups of the flowers.

 Mingling outside before going up the steps into the barn.

 A previous bride left decorations behind. She purchased second hand chandeliers and had them wired up on the ceiling. She also added the draped galrland. It had such great atmosphere.

A definitely tasteful way to create a trash to treasure style!

Trash to Treasure Inspiration from Upscale Decorator

Feature article by Leslie Young on The Commercial Appeal: 

Thrifty Decorator Furnishes House with Found Objects

Kaye McWhorter is not afraid to look like a crazy woman — when it comes to a good bargain, that is.

"I saw a bench on the side of the road in my neighborhood in Dallas, and it couldn't fit in my car. I stuffed it in the back seat and couldn't even close the door. I'm sure people were thinking, 'What in the world is that crazy woman doing?'" said McWhorter, 67, of East Memphis.

hat bench, spray-painted a different color and good as new, now sits in her upstairs guest bedroom alongside twin beds with old garden gates as headboards, a spray-painted wicker chair and several other wayside discoveries to complete a look straight out of the Hamptons.

Photo linked from The Commercial Appeal site

"It's fun," McWhorter said. "It's that trash-to-treasure thing."

The retired schoolteacher has filled her five-bedroom, 3½-bath Pidgeon Estates home with found treasures — sometimes repainted, sometimes reupholstered, sometimes repurposed, and all indistinguishable from her more legitimate purchases.

"I feel like God has really helped me to look beyond things as they are and see what they can become, not just with things, but also with people," said McWhorter, the wife of an ordained minister.

When she drove by a bench disassembled on the side of the road, she saw front-porch potential.

Continue Reading...

Steampunk: Trash to Treasure Becomes a Family Addiction

The trash to treasure addiction has begun to spread to the rest of the family! My son who is a high school student has an interest in welding. So earlier this year, he created this steampunk sculpture for a welding competition. He got to go all the way to the national Skills USA competition in Kansas City this past summer.

His sculpture involves different types of metal, thus different types of welds. I know nothing about welding, so he has me trumped in this department. I do however have a high appreciation for his skills. 

I know the green doily just doesn't jive with the sculpture. It's just that it was scratching the antique table, so I had to put something under it. Any ideas for something more appropriate to use to protect the table that would fit with the steam punk piece?

 

I'm back!

I had to take a break from the blog for a while and I'm glad to be back! I felt as if I couldn't keep up with an overwhelming to-do list and something had to go. I was working on a book (which will be coming out very soon), and I had a bunch of speaking commitments. 

Since family comes first, they couldn't be the "something" that went. In the past, I let sleep go, but for the sake of my health, I knew I couldn't let that go either. I'd have let eating go, but, that doesn't take all that much time. I'd have let exercise go, but frankly, I'd already pretty much let it go.

So, I decided to take a break from the blog.

I'll be re-launching the Trash to Treasure Decorating with a new look and some updates, so if it looks a little odd when you stop by today, I'm working on re-sizing the page and simplifying the layout. 

Thanks for being faithful readers! You guys are great.

Michelle

Weekend's Most Pinteresting

This week, I'm dedicating my "Most Pinteresting" post to home improvement projects that class up outdated elements in the home. I found each project on Pinterest.

 

The first project is from DIY Design. Do you have ugly bi-fold closet doors that just cream 1970s? I love this solution! Be sure to check out the full post on DIY Design for the tutorial.

Hate the color of your outdated cabinets? Try this tutorial from Monica Wants It.

Be sure to check out the follow-up Q and A about the project too.

Looking for more of a distressed look? Then this tutorial from Simply Rooms (by Design) might interest you. The before and after picture below features the new hardware as well as the new finish (in case you were wondering). See the real before picture on the blog entry.

Check out what a little board and batten detail can do for a room in this post from Just a Girl.

A Decorative Fireplace Mantel with Old Shutters

A few weeks ago, my readers left several great ideas for my WWYD Wednesday post about old shutters. I'd like to share a couple of photos sent to me from reader Julieanne. She says, "I found the old mantle at an auction for $70 and added the shutters and glass handles! Absolutely love the finished result!"

Me too Julieanne! Check out this before and after, everyone.

Before:

After:

I love it Julieanne! I think a fake fireplace adds a lot to a room. I have one too, but yours is fabulous! Do you hide anything behind the shutters? I like how the transformation sets off the mirrors and that ornate piece in the middle.

Thanks for sharing with us. 

WWYD Wednesday- Door Knob

I have this door knob that I believe is porcelain, but it looks like marble or stone. I want to use it for something decorative. So, I thought it would be the perfect idea to put to my readers for What Would You Do Wednesday.

I thought I had a good photo, but when I blew it up, it's a little blurry. Sorry!

What do you think? What would you do with it?

WWYD Wednesday - Wood Finials

I picked up these two finials at a yard sale. I'm not sure what I'll do with them just yet, but I know someone out there will have an idea for WWYD Wednesday. They normally would screw into the end of a wooded drapery rod, but I'm looking for something less traditional.

They are made of wood, and they have wood screws attached. What would you do with this?

WWYD Wednesday - Dominoes

I bought a box of assorted sized wooden dominoes for 25 cents at a yard sale. Now, I'm wondering what to do with them. Any ideas?

 It's What Would You Do Wednesday. The day when it's your turn to tell me what you would do with this item. I didn't count them, but it's an empty chocolates box full.

 I'm thinking I could make jewelry or a picture frame...or who knows what?

I can't wait to hear your ideas!

Transformation Tuesday - Furniture from...a Box Spring?

Sometimes, the creativity of my readers just amazes me. I received an e-mail from Linn at The Home Project last week with a photo of the new furniture she and her husband made from an old box spring. My husband would likely use the wood for firewood, or toss the whole thing on the brush pile. But not Linn!

You'll have to hop over to her blog to see the full post, but here's a teaser for you from her photos. This has to be one of my favorite Transformation Tuesday ideas.

Linn shows their full tutorial of how they created these great pieces for their deck. 

Thanks Linn, for sharing your creativity with my readers.

Photo of the Week - Muse Monday

It might look like impressionistic art, but it's really a photo taken in my back yard during a rain downpour while the sun was out.

Teapot Turned Flower Pot

My husband rescued this big aluminum tea kettle for me from the trash. I love it! I turned it into a flower pot and now I'm waiting for the Gerbera Daisy to bloom. Now, if I could only remember what color flower I planted in there.

What Would You Do Wednesday - Vintage Shutters

I bought this shutter at the Apron Chicks Barn Sale in May, and I'm planning to hang it on the wall. But now I need your help. On this What Would You Do (WWYD) Wednesday, I'm wondering what you would do with it and I'm looking for suggestions.

 At a yard sale, I bought this berry garland, so I'm thinking I'll use it on here somehow. But now it's your turn. What would you do to turn this into a wall decoration?

Leave your WWYD comments below, and who knows? Maybe I'll use your idea!

Transformation Tuesday - Pallet Benches Part 2

I finally had some dry days to get the deck re-stained and the new benches coated for the first time. I love how it turned out! In case you missed the first post, the benches are made from pallets and my only investment was in the bench pads from Walmart (only $20 online, and much more in the store). The pads were exactly the width of the pallets, and just the right depth for the way the seats worked out with the pallets. 

I originally purchased pads for the back rest too, but then changed my mind when I decided it was just as comfortable without them. So I returned them and got a big pillow which will make a great arm rest, or napping spot.

Here's a shot of what they look like from the back. Again, I'm sorry that this project just doesn't lend itself to a tutorial. Pallets are so different depending on where you get them, which means you have to design as you go.

We cut the pallets up and made one into the bench part and another into an upright (with just a little bit of an angle on the backrest). Then, we used additional pieces as supports to screw everything together.

 We stacked two pieces of pallet on top of each other to make them taller.

Here's a view from the yard. The rest of the deck is pretty low to the ground, but this corner was higher. So, the benches take the place of needing a railing.

 We added a little table in the corner where the two benches meet. Great place to set a book and a cup of coffee.

My husband added an extra pole for the patio umbrella on the side of the deck. I can have it over the seating, or attach the umbrella to the pole on the table on the deck. It's nice to move the shade around as needed.

These chairs also live on the deck. I bought them two years ago.

 And when I need to cover the pads for rain, I can fold the bench pads and put them under these rain covers from the other chairs. It makes for nice storage for my fabric pieces.

 Now, doesn't that beckon you to sit and relax? I'm so happy with the transformation. Total cost: $55 for the two cushions and the pillow.

It's my birthday present from my husband. :-)