Repurposing vintage goods provides you with unique and personal decor that will become a conversation piece in your home.
Sometimes vintage goods no longer serve their original purpose, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be repurposed and given new life. Doing so preserves their rich history and can help us conserve resources. In a time of shortages and rising prices, repurposing vintage has become even more practical.
Using Family Heirlooms
This old military trunk belonged to Rich’s grandaddy during WWII. It is stamped with the names of the places he traveled while he was in the air force. The stories this trunk could tell! It was sitting on a top shelf in his garage for years. Rich built a base for it and attached some casters. Now we use it as a coffee table on our back porch where we can see and enjoy it everyday. It gives us a place to set our drinks while we watch the kids play in the backyard and it brings back fond memories.
Repurposing Pieces that are Broken
We were recently shopping at an antique mall when we came across some broken cardboard lined fruit crates that were priced at $5 each. We promptly snatched them up, brought them home, and took them apart to use as signs on our wall. They look right at home here next to our pantry door. I love the graphics on them and the character they add to this space.
Revamping Storage Drawers
I have to admit, when Rich showed me the set of old, rusty, metal hardware drawers that he wanted to buy at a flea market last year, I was a little skeptical. They were heavy and not much to look at. A couple coats of paint, a reclaimed wood top, and some hair pin legs gave those drawers a whole new life. What could have easily have been thrown away became one of our favorite pieces of furniture.
Displaying Vintage Books
I’m a sucker for vintage books. I especially love old children’s picture books with thick textured pages and colorful graphics. These can often be found at antique shops or flea markets. You may even have a few that hold special memories for you. A lot of the time, the covers on these books are stained or torn. One of my favorite ways to repurpose these is to remove the pages and make a gallery wall display like the one above our piano. Children’s book pages look charming and whimsical in a nursery, kid’s room, or play room. Nature books make great seasonal wall decor. You can even hang pages from an atlas or a mechanic’s manual. Repurposing vintage book pages is a great way to personalize your decor. You can use frames, clipboards, thumbtacks, or tape to hang your pages. There are limitless possibilities!
Repurposing Industrial Salvage
This Rochester gas and electric barrel lid was found in an old barn in New York. I love its faded green paint, weathered wood, and stamped graphics. I didn’t have a use for a barrel lid, but it made the perfect base for a centerpiece. It adds extra dimension and color to my tablescape. It could also be hung as wall decor.
Start thinking outside the box and you’ll be surprised at all the ways you can repurpose vintage goods. What’s your favorite repurpose?
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