Pallet Project: Bathtub Tray

Not only did Alex Haralson come up with a way to repurpose a shipping pallet for this project, she made a gift her dad loved! Always awesome when a rescue multi-tasks, right?

“My dad has a claw foot tub and he takes bath ALL the time,” Alex explains. Knowing how much he likes soaking in the tub, she figured he could use a tray that would fit across his tub and keep things like movies and hot chocolate out of the water. To make the tray, Alex cut apart a wood pallet to be the right size for her dad’s bathtub. After nailing the boards so they would fit tightly together, she finished off the tray with a dark stain. It looks great and functions perfectly!

Visit Alex Haralson to get all the details on how to make a bathtub tray like this one from a pallet.

By Kimm | Filed under Decor | Tags: bath, bathroom, bathtub shelf, bathtub tray, pallet, pallet project, repurposed, reused

February 28, 2014February 27, 2014

New Use for an Old Wine {Crate}

At The Dedicated House, Kathryn came up with a charming and inexpensive way to hold wood near her fireplace: she turned a wine box into a hearthside kindling box!

“I’ve always wanted a big copper wood holder,” Kathryn said, “however, those are not in the budget right now.” Instead, she realized that she could repurpose a wooden wine crate. The box was made of pine, and looked quite new. Kathryn gave it an aged patina by staining the box. It’s the perfect size for holding her kindling!

Go to The Dedicated House to find out more about this project.

By Kimm | Filed under Decor, Recycled | Tags: fireplace, hearth, kindling, pine, recycle, reuse, upcycle, wine box, wood box, wood storage, wood storage crate

February 27, 2014February 27, 2014

A Wine Cork Craft

Carmel from Our Fifth House share this project at Infarrantly Creative recently, and since it’s a great little recycling project, I thought I’d pass it along to my fellow Rescuers. To make these pretty boxes, all you need is an old book and some wine corks.

For this project, Carmel removed the book pages from the binding and cover. She covered the exposed binding with cute washi tape. Then, she stacked and glued the corks around the edge of one side of the book, to form the edges of the box. A small strip of leather and a nail form a hook and latch. Carmel tells us, “Since my husband and I save all of our wine corks and often times write the date to remember a special night these boxes hold some sentimental value as well.”

View the full tutorial for this fun project at Infarrantly Creative.

By Kimm | Filed under Recycled | Tags: craft, diy box, handmade, keepsake, memory box, old book, recycle, reuse, upcycle, wine cork

February 27, 2014February 27, 2014

Mission Style Coffee Table Gets Painted

At Nicer Than New, Joan found this mission style coffee table in the free section of Craigslist. It was a typical light oak.

To give the table a new look, Joan stripped away the old finish on the tabletop and horizontal board underneath, and sanded the frame. She stained the parts of the table that she’d stripped, giving them a warm honey tone. For the frame, Joan painted it charcoal gray. The result is stunning.

Find out more about this rescued coffee table at Nicer Than New.

By Kimm | Filed under Furniture, Tables | Tags: coffee table, craigslist, free, gray, makeover, mission style, oak, painted, stain, stripped

February 26, 2014February 25, 2014

Adorable Scrap Wood Picture Frames

Juggling Act Mama shared these darling picture frames made by Katie from View From The Fridge. Katie came up with an inexpensive and fun way to make them out of scrap wood.

To create the frames, Katie cut different lengths from popular board leftover from installing new trim in her house. She used simple dowels in the back of the pieces of wood to keep them upright. Pretty pieces of scrapbooking paper decoupaged onto the wood added color and pattern. Katie attached clips and clothespins onto the wood to hold pictures, so that they can be easily switched out. Super cute!

Get all the details on how to make these frames at Juggling Act Mama.

By Kimm | Filed under Decor | Tags: clips, clothespins, decoupage, frames, leftover trim, mod podge, patterned paper, picture frame, scrap wood, scrapbook paper

February 26, 2014February 25, 2014

File Cabinet Gets a Sunny New Look

I’ve seen some fun file cabinet makeovers, lately. (Remember this one?) Here’s another good one from Lisa of The Thrifty Challenge.

One of Lisa’s friends was nice enough to give the filing cabinet a quick spray of durable white automotive paint, which was a big change by itself. To give the makeover a little more flair, Lisa chose a sunny, yellow fabric with a playful pattern, and decoupaged it onto the front of the cabinet drawers. Now she has a happy place to keep all of her teaching files!

Find out how Lisa covered the drawers in fabric at The Thrifty Challenge.

By Kimm | Filed under Cabinets, Furniture | Tags: automotive paint, decoupage, fabric, file cabinet, file drawers, makeover, repainted, white, yellow

February 25, 2014February 25, 2014

Rusty Metal Tea Carts Get a Second Chance

Dena from Hearts & Sharts was delighted to discover two metal tea carts in her great grandmother’s house. Both were rusted beyond belief, but still sturdy, so she decided to rescue them.

Knowing the rust was going to be a problem, Dena got some tips from one of the guys in the paint section at her local hardware store. You’ll have to click over to Dena’s blog to find out which product he recommended, but she tells us, “Not only does it cover the rust and prime, it also levels out those uneven surfaces caused by the rust!” After priming, she finished off the carts in bright, fun colors of spray paint. Tea, anyone?

Go to Hearts & Sharts to find out more about the special primer she used and see pictures of the other tea cart.

By Kimm | Filed under Furniture, Tables | Tags: makeover, painting over rust, rust, rusted metal, spray paint, tea cart, tea trolley, vintage

February 25, 2014February 25, 2014

Outdated Stereo Console Gets a Revival

“Our neighbor gave us this old stereo console for free last Summer,” says Julie at Redhead Can Decorate. “I loved the
lattice on the front, and it had good bones.”

Deciding it was definitely worthy of a makeover, Julie had her husband rip out the mechanics inside. She painted it with Behr Ultra Black Paint in satin. “Then I added Christmas lights to light up our crystal, which I decided to store inside,” Julie explains. The finishing touch was the addition of some real firewood to add a touch of rustic charm. The former stereo cabinet is now the focal point of her foyer. What a transformation!

Get all the details on this stereo console makeover at Redhead Can Decorate.

By Kimm | Filed under Buffets, Cabinets, Furniture, Storage | Tags: Behr Ultra Black Satin, black, cabinet, console, crystal, firewood, foyer, makeover, outdated appliances, stereo, storage, upcycle