Bright Ideas

Marbled lamps.

These lamps originally belonged to my paternal grandparents. The marbled bases had always caught my eye but the lampshades and light bulb holders were making them look really old and tired so I decided with a little love and care I would give the lamps their sparkle back.  

The first thing I did was to get rid of the lampshades which were falling to bits and then separate the parts of each lamp and give them a good clean. The green and silver lamp (pictured in front) was taller than the white one but I wanted them both to be about the same height so I decided to take a section out and trim the inside tubing to the appropriate height. The wiring was also really old and I felt, for safety reasons, it was better to replace it with brand new light bulb holders and cabling. I chose the silver light bulb holders as felt they were more in keeping with the style and colour of the lamps. The only thing left now to get are the lampshades but I won't get any until I have found the right place for them and when I do I will be able choose ones that coordinate with the rest of the decor. 

The lamps might not be exactly the same shape but because they are both pretty much made from the same materials and have similar colours they can work as a pair and still be equally individual which I quite like (and I normally like pairs to completely match!)        

Dual Purposes

Cushion on top of box.

Originally this box wasn't being used to its full potential. It had been placed under a coat rack in the entrance hallway of a house. It was storing blankets inside which could never be accessed without moving a lot of objects off the top of the lid.

To start with the blankets were found new homes upstairs in the bedrooms where they would probably be more useful. Under the coat rack the box was replaced by a slim shelving unit for shoes which was a better way of utilizing the space and the box was found a place in the kitchen where a chair had originally been put.

Still wanting a place to sit in the kitchen I made the cushion for the top of the box from a spare section of foam I had, an old jumper and an old leftover drawer base. Cutting the drawer base and foam just a little bit smaller than the box lid I layered them up before covering them firstly with a scrap section of white fabric and secondly with part of the old jumper, stapling it all to the bottom of the drawer base.

The cushion sits comfortable on the top but can be easily removed when needing to getting inside the box. Inside it I placed three sturdy plastic shopping bags used to separate different recycling materials. The bags are easy to lift out when they need to be empty into outside containers as well as being easily cleanable when they get dirty.

Recycling bags inside the box.

I'm really pleased that I managed to find a better use for this box. It was so close to being thrown away and it would have been such a shame for it not use its full potential. Because the kitchen is so small the box works really well with its new dual functions, hiding the recycling and being a place for someone to sit plus it is the same colour as the kitchen cabinets so it fits in perfectly.  

Adoro la Fiat 500

I've noticed these Fiats out on the roads everywhere especially the white ones and think they look really dinky. After some research I discovered why they are becoming so much in demand. Designed to be a cheap running small car it is environmentally friendly with no need for road tax so I can understand why it is the new 'in' car to have. I really like the green coloured ones as it really gives a vintage feel to it and although I'd love to have one to drive I think it might just be a little to small for me!

Pick’n’mix

Empty food jars are a really good way of storing lots of different types of objects. I use old honey jars to store things like buttons, coins, needles and threads, pins and ribbons etc. Using them in this way makes it easier to find the things that you need so much quicker than having to hunt around in boxes and draws. 

Hat box laundry

I inherited an old faded hat box after my grandfather died and decided to rework it into a laundry box.

Wallpapered hat box.

By simply gluing a large sample piece of wallpaper to the outside of the faded box and putting a laundry bag with a pull cord inside of it, I created a fresh new use for the box. 

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness......

Autumn is here and for my family this signals the start of the apple pie season. To them I am the pastry queen so it is my job to create the pies! Every year the family gather at my parent's house to harvest the apple tree and get the apples ready for storage.

I thought this would be a good opportunity to show off not just my pie making skills but my Lazy Susan potter's wheel.

 

I found the potter's wheel and had the idea of rehashing it into a Lazy Susan. I feel it has an industrial look and by painting it in black metal paint it really smartens it up. Unlike the usual Lazy Susan the potter's wheel also stands higher than most table objects which can be useful if a space is over crowded.

Getting into rehashing

Part 2

After rehashing the first chair I decided to find some more to build up a set. It didn't take me long as my parents were still storing both my sisters childhood desk chairs. Being that my sisters are twins as children they would always get the same things but with slight differences. When it comes to the chairs, I love that they are the same shape and size but with different back detail that just makes them more individual (just like my sisters!). Originally painted white, when it came to rehashing the chairs I had a head start with one of the them as one of my sisters had made a start removing the paint but had clearly just given up half way. By painting them the same as the first chair it makes them look part of a set even with different shapes. My mission is to find more chairs just like these bistro ones, hopefully with the slightly different backs, so I can build up my set. I do have another one that I am just about to start rehashing, luckily a family member was generous enough to donate it to me.