My Vintage Kitchen Utility Cart Makeover
03 Jun 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Bar Cart, Kitchen Cart, Kitchen Utility Cart, Mad Men, Retro, Utility Cart, Vintage
Remember the old metal utility carts? They were used in the kitchen for extra storage back when kitchen counter space was at a premium.
Moms would slide it over next to the fridge or stove and it was stocked with “new-fangled” appliances that wouldn’t fit in the built-in kitchen storage. A waffle iron. Electric mixer. A toaster.
The high dollar ones were set up with a few electric plugs and an extension cord. Appliances could be plugged in on the cart, with only one cord reaching for the wall socket.
After a move to a larger kitchen many were moved to the back porch or basement for laundry supplies or maybe a science project. In the garage they were functional for a variety of tools. When the resurfaced any number of years later they were in various states of decay.
I discovered original yellow paint beneath the corrosion and black paint on this one. I came across it last fall and didn’t get to work on it through the winter. Sanding and spray painting is absolutely an outside job.
I’d about decided to sell it “as is” and let someone else do something with it when I came across the Design Sponge and her beautiful Before and After Bar Cart.
When you check out her pix you’ll see why I decided to go ahead and make it over clean it up.
Her cart has the fancy handles on each end, but this one is very functional. Most of the corrosion scraped off and there are no rusty spots.
I have a been collecting some 60s era—think Mad Men—glassware, ice buckets, coffee pots, carafes and other related odds and ends. They’ll look great perched on this when I get it finished.
I just have to decide what colors to go with. Any suggestions? And should I stay with silver corner-posts?
Let me hear your suggestions and I’ll start taking this apart.
Jan
Rescued Art-Deco-ish Side Table Shelf
24 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Home Furnishings, Main Street Memorables, Recycled, Second Hand Tags: Art Deco, End Table, Shelf
I rescued this little shelf last summer. It was ugly white paint, so thick it peeled off like contact paper. It was poorly configured and had no feet so it was hard to tell which way was up.
But I loved the art-deco-ish scallops and the fact that it was obviously hand-made.
I added feet and moved one set of scallops to the back.
The solid heavy wood was stained a very dark brown and even after a couple of coats of red paint the brown continued to show through. But the dark aged look was perfect.
I imagine it’s one-of-a-kind, but if I come across something similar I’ll certainly snap it up.
I know a lot of people buy things and immediately paint them a different color, but the person who bought this also bought a dark red floor lamp, so I think it’ll stay like this for a while.
What do you think? Would you want it a different color? Where would you put it and how would you use it?
Vinyl Variations of a Tote
19 May 2012 4 Comments
in Fashion Accessories, Main Street Memorables, Recycled Tags: iPhone, Purse, Tote Bag, Handbag, Pocketbook, iPad, Vinyl, Vinyl Variations, Nook, Messenger bag, Mobile phone, Beach Bag, camera bag, snack bag
I happened to come across a boatload of vinyl posters last weekend and couldn’t wait to make something else out of them.
I’ve made about two dozen different bags so far. I’m just beginning to visualize the extras: pockets inside and out, loops for key chains, long and short straps, really huge and very tiny, fleece lined, zippers, more comfortable shoulder straps…
Vinyl is super easy to cut and sew.
And it makes them perfect for summer outings. Take two to the pool, lake or beach; one to keep things dry and the other for wet suits and towels on the way home.
I started making huge bags, using the size of banner as a starting point.
Then I utilized the scraps into small bags. This little one is made out of a tall “D” shaped scrap and closed with a bit of Velcro under the button.
Here’s a similar style with an outside pocket for a cell phone again with the button for decoration applied over the Velcro tab closure.
This large tote is similar to a messenger bag.
This huge bag, made of scraps from another bag, is the perfect size to hold my Mac laptop and is roomy enough for the mouse and power cord as well.
This smaller flat bag is about the size to hold a Kindle, iPad, Nook or other similar product. It’s open at the top with a Velcro tab closure.
This boxy tote is about the size of a vinyl lunch box. It’s open at the top. Stock it with drinks and snacks for the kiddos for easy access. Other versions will have tabs or flaps for privacy if you want to use it as a purse or camera bag.
Come check them out at Main Street Memorables in Norman, Oklahoma. Prices range up and down from around $20 depending on the size and the extras.
What are your ideas for these durable bags? How would you and your family use them?
Elegant Red Side Chair ~ One-of-a-Kind
30 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Home Furnishings, Main Street Memorables, Second Hand Tags: Animal Print, Chair, Desk Chair, Dianna, Furniture Floosie, Upholstered Chair
I didn’t make this, but I just love this elegant side chair my friend Dianna updated recently.
Dianna calls herself the “Furniture Floosie” because of her style of updating old worn out furniture as evidenced by this little charmer.
The wood frame is antiqued ivory with a bold red and golden camel animal print.
My favorite feature is the handle on top.
I could so see this chair in a dressing room or bathroom. It would make a great statement in the entryway or in front of an elegant little writing desk or secretary.
What do you think? If this is your style, where would you put this chair and how would you use it?
Jan
Oh, and if you want it, you can find it at Main Street Memorables. It’s one-of-a-kind.
Desk Drawers Become Wall Art
29 Apr 2012 1 Comment
in Main Street Memorables, Recycled, Second Hand Tags: Drawers, Shadow Box, Wall Display, Wall Hangings
Here are three more of the orphaned drawers I’ve rescued.
The top two are from a 60s era executive desk, complete with drawer dividers. The drawer dividers are conveniently adjustable.
You can display framed art, knick knacks, small books and other collectibles.
These drawers are all wood construction with laminate on the drawer front. They feature simple mid-century drawer pulls. You can take a closer look at Main Street Memorables.
The smaller drawer below is a single that may have once been part of a vintage beside table.
Turns out it’s the perfect size for my handmade and hand-painted canvas cats.
I’ve attached hangars on the back so it can hang with the drawer front on either side. I left the original finish on the front and simply cleaned and polished the insides.
Where would you hang these and what would you display in them?
Primitive Storage Stool
19 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Home Furnishings, Main Street Memorables, Second Hand Tags: bench, Chalkboard, Chalkboard Table, Primitive, Stool
A few months ago I found a little brown stool in a pile of stuff someone pulled out of a barn and brought to the flea market. It was well made out of what looks like salvaged wood.
There are random nail holes here and there.
And there are rough cuts on the legs and crossbars.
The inside of the lid had been painted black and the storage space was unfinished. I used chalkboard paint on the side of the lid and left the raw wood alone.
I thought the crackle paint was the best match for the primitive construction and second-hand materials. I cleaned off the hinges and painted them with a brown metallic paint. The humidity is high these days so the paint is still a little tacky. I’m going to spray an acrylic sealer on the red when it’s completely dry.
This would be perfect to slide under a small desk. I have a little desk and now that I see how nice this turned out I’ve decided to crackle it in reverse. Can’t wait to work on it.
What do you think? Where would you put this to use?
Like this:
Deluxe Doggie Bed
17 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Home Furnishings, Main Street Memorables, Recycled Tags: Dog Bed, Dog Bedding, Hand Painted, Jan Made it, Pet Bed, Pet Bedding, zebra print
Your pooch will love this hand-painted dog bed made out of a drawer found on the side of the road.
It comes with a doggie “mattress”, a pillow, and a blanket. All bedding is cotton and polyester and machine washable. Toss it in the washer and dryer and you’re good to go.
The bed is a recycled drawer painted with high gloss paint which makes it a snap to clean with soap and water. The cotton rope handle makes it easy to tote around and safe for your pet to chew on.
This is one-of-a-kind.
I’ve rescued more drawers and plan to make more dog—and cat—beds and they’ll all be different.
What design and colors would you like to see me make?
