Crates as Planters

Spring is here!  And the warmer weather has me thinking about starting my garden and a few planters.  I think vintage crates make excellent planters…the different sizes allow you to experiment with a variety of plants, flowers, and veggies to create a unique arrangement.  You can find crates like the ones in the photos below at your local antique store.  Hope you feel inspired to welcome spring by making one of your own.  Happy Planting!

Photo Credits:  Sunset Magazine, Online; http://www.sunset.com/home/weekend-projects/plant-arrangements-00418000069840/page6.html.  Diggin Food; http://www.digginfood.com/2011/06/update-on-wooden-crate-planter-boxes/.  Just About Home; http://justabouthome.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/more-cool-pots/.

Little Free Library

A few years ago, Wisconsin native Todd Bol was working on a way to remember his mother, who was a teacher and loved reading.  He decided to build a little free library or pop-up library and place it at the front of his yard.  The little library was not much bigger than a mail box, held a few books, and included simple instructions “read a book, return a book.”  With many libraries closing across the country; others took note of Bol’s idea and saw it as a way to fill the need for children and adults alike to have access to actual books.  Little libraries can now be found in 28 states and several countries around the world.  Many of these little libraries are constructed using recycled and reclaimed materials and have included: beehives, old pay phone booths, and dairy crates…Making them not only educational but, also sustainable.  For the video and article on this, see the link below.  Enjoy!

NBC News Video & Article:  http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/10/10634425-using-books-to-build-community

Photo Credit:  http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/

Find of the Day

Since we are nearing the height of college basketball season, I thought it would be appropriate to post this find.  These are sections of flooring from the old Palestra Basketball Arena at the University of Pennsylvania.  See the link below for more information.  Go Quakers!

Posting & Photos:

Provenance Architecturals: http://www.phillyprovenance.com/2010/02/reclaimed-maple-flooring-from-the-palestra/

 

Tiny Texas Houses

Made out of 99% salvaged materials, Tiny Texas Houses provide a great example of what you can do with old stuff…salvaged doors, windows, glass, and even hardware are used in their construction…making each one completely unique as well as contributing to being very efficient.  See the link to their site below to find out more and if you feel compelled to…download a free building plan for your very own Tiny Texas House.

Tiny Texas Houses: http://tinytexashouses.com/

Photo Credit: Tiny Texas Houses website, 2012.

Reuse: Uncorked Glass Company

I don’t know about you but, these chilly winter nights make me want to curl up in a blanket with a glass of wine.  I ran across a feature on the Uncorked Glass Company and thought it was a great story of reuse and reinvention for the creator, who came up with the idea while he was laid off from his job.  The Uncorked Glass Company makes glassware from recycled wine bottles donated from bars and restaurants in their hometown of Atlanta, GA.  Check out the link to their website and the feature I read in Garden & Gun below.  Cheers!!!

Uncorked Glass:  http://uncorkedglass.com/index.html

Garden & Gun 2011 Made in the South Awards:  http://gardenandgun.com/article/made-south-awards-2011/page/0/3

Photos:  Uncorked Glass Company website

Reclaimed: Treehouse

Check out the video link and photos below of a couple featured on The Nate Berkus Show, who built an adult-sized treehouse using 90% salvaged timber as well as furniture and accents found in thrift stores.

Video:  Treehouse

 

More on the Boardwalk at the Barnes

Check out this article by HiddenCity Philadelphia for more on how the Barnes Museum has incorporated reclaimed wood into their construction and how they plan to gain the highest level of LEED certification for the building by not missing any of the small details.  Did I mention that I can’t wait to see this place when it’s finished?

Article: “The Art Beneath Your Feet” http://hiddencityphila.org/2011/12/the-art-beneath-your-feet/

Photo: Barnes Monthly Newsletter, January 2012.

Let There Be Light!

Hello and Happy New Year to all.  In October, I posted some photos of a 1940s salon hair dryer that I found and planned to convert to a light since the size, shape and style of it reminded me of the larger lights that were once used on film sets.  I am pleased to announce that as of today, the old hair dryer has been converted to a uniquely wonderful reading lamp.  More photos to come…Stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

Holiday Decorations

These are vintage sleds that I found and I think that they make great holiday decorations.  You can set them up in front of your fireplace or outside on your front porch.  These two are for sale so, if you’re interested…let me know!  One is a classic-style Flexible Flyer and the other is a 1950s style sled called a Sno-Wing.

   

The Small Stuff

Some smaller decorative items from around my house…Enjoy! Includes: wood crates, an early-style Burton brand snowboard, and an old Pennzoil can.