Saturday, February 23, 2008

Different takes...............

I like to use things in my home for different purposes other than for what they were intended. My throw, in the picture below, is actually a wool drapery panel that I found on a shopping trip one day. I thought the color and pattern really complimented my throw pillow and my red accent wall. Red is one of my favorite things!


The light below is actually an outdoor light fixture. I find that they can actually be a lot less expensive than interior fixtures, especially when bought at a local home store as opposed to a fancy lighting store. I like the golden seed type glass in it. It gives a nice glow at night.

An extra wine rack holds a few of my magazines. I wasn't using it so I thought I'd try it with something else.
Over the years, I've had many different uses for things. I used a tablecloth with clip on rings as a fabric shower curtain. I've used shower curtains to make fabric wall art. I padded a fabric headboard with the smooth side of one of those egg crate mattress pads. Then I covered it with sheets that matched my comforter. I made art panels for behind the bed out of plywood, batting and fabric. I've used a heavy round trash can as side table by adding a plywood round top and covering it with fabric.

What different uses for things have you done?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are very creative!

cotedetexas said...

Your blog is SO cute!!! Thanks for your sweet comments. I can't believe you had the same striped fabric, well, I guess I can- it was pretty popular back then. And you have a beagle, AWWWWW - we've had two - now we have a springer and a Cavalier.

Rosie's Whimsy said...

Very clever.....love the curtain/throw!! :-) Rosie

Karen H. said...

Good Afternoon Nan,
I am here for a visit. I have been in bed most of the day and I'm feeling okay for the moment and thought I would do a little visiting. Your throw is beautiful and it looks so good with your pillow. I'm not a big fan of the color of red, because I have red hair and it's always been a turn-off for me. But I do like it on painted walls. I so love the outdoor fixture you have on the red wall. I love the cracked glass look as well. I would have never thought of putting an outside fixture on the inside. You are very clever and smart. I bet it does look very nice lit at night. That is a neat idea to use a plastic garbage can as a table. You are very creative. The only thing I can think of that I have done is that I use my Mom's old sewing machine cabinet as an end table by my bed. I have a green table cloth I put on it, but I haven't got it on there yet. "THANK YOU" for sharing your creative ideas and the pictures. I would like to see more of your creative things you have done. Hope you can post some more sometime. Take care my friend and have a great evening. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Anonymous said...

The wine/magazine rack is a great idea!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a great repurposer you are! I love the outside lights indoors. Escpecially with the beaded glass.

All of your ideas are great. I love to use things for a different purpose than intened too. Birdbaths as tables, vintage tool totes as silverware totes, vintage picnic baskets as towel holders in the bath...
Hugs,
Penny

Unknown said...

Oh I just adore the wine rack used as a magazine rack. Now why do I not think of things like that!

bj said...

My goodness, my friend....you are so talented and creative. You have a stunning home!
hugs, bj

Kissing of the Frogs said...

Ok first of all I love that panel you have on the couch, it's very pretty! And my...my....you are very clever you know. Thanks for your post, it encourages me to think "outside of the box."
Hugs,
Rose

Cottage Contessa said...

You are full of such amazing ideas! I love, LOVE the outdoor light inside, it looks gorgeous, and the loungeroom with the red walls is stunning. Thanks for sharing such wonderful ideas, I know I will rethink a few things around here now too! Have a terrific week sweetie!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Anonymous said...

I love all your "creative" uses. Your home is so wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Christy:-)<><

Unknown said...

Hi Nan,
what a clever ideas, very creative. I like practical things that you can use all year round, I should think for some of my things a new purpose. Thanks.
Enjoy your week. Suzy

Meggie said...

Clever ideas, Nan! I especially like the outdoor light fixture. In my single days my room mate and I used one of those HUGE spools, used for wiring by the electrical companies, and used it as a corner table (?I know a spool is round)in our living room.

Ruey said...

Hi Nan~
Thanks for the sweet comments on my blog.I noticed we have the same color choices in our family rooms...take a look-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whispering_oaks/454618021/in/set-72157603926567694/

Your home looks just lovely and I. too, have had fun using fabrics for different things. I have used lace tablecloths for beds, tablecloths over couches, as shower curtains and sink skirts.They make everything looks so sweet and add a nice romantic touch. Just yesterday I bought a beautiful piece for $10.00 at a garage sale, which I will be posting soon... Can't wait for those sales to start again!!
Have a great day, Nan~~~
xxxooo Hollyh

Nancy Rosalina said...

Hi, I have been enjoying your blog, hope you don't mind if I add you to my blog list. I really love this wine rack idea!!! too cute!!! Nancy