By Shelly Thompson
I have loved old chippy things since growing up in our old family house on 5th Street. I grew up in a house that was build in the late 1800's, which made me the lucky recipient of watching my parents complete multiple renovation projects. There was the Saturday morning that a bulldozer just showed up to start excavating the side embankment of the hill in our yard...so my Dad could expand the basement. I am sure he and my mom were planning this project for months, but my sister and I didn't know about it...so, imagine our surprise when we woke up to a bulldozer outside our window literally removing dirt underneath our house!! My sister and I each had friends staying all night...so they got to see first hand, what our family reconstruction adventures consisted of. I think those type of things have caused me to be less afraid then many to jump in and start 'dozing' things for a fresh look. But my foundation has always been my passion for vintage windows and doors...the chipper and more worn...the better.
In this time of repurposing, there is no reason why most old doors or windows should hit a scrap pile. These once used items not only have character, they carry history. These worn and weathered pieces have literally seen families coming and going through them for decades. They've seen many people pass through carrying food, a ring for a marriage proposal, a new baby coming home, attendees for Birthday parties, people visiting for Christmas and holidays...these sweet pieces of aged wood literally have the lives of people coming and going through them for decades. While they are mere objects, it's important to remember the time they've spent being the protector at the doorway, or keeping the cold winter winds outside of a warm cozy home.
When I see a window, door, or really any piece of salvage wood sitting on a curb, my car comes to an immediate stop to retrieve it. I just know that at some point...I am going to need that item for something. Pictured below is a perfect example. I got these three paned windows off of a curb, headed for garbage...yet, a few years later when we moved to our 1875 bank building in Walnut, Iowa they were perfect making these lower level alley windows look like they had panes. My husband built the window boxes to make the windows look like they'd been there forever. I stenciled the original name of the bank and year built in the archways above the window. These touches became the focal point of our entire alley garden, but the aged curb find windows, covering the boring plain windows were the perfect touch. As I explained to my husband that day...THIS is why I store all of these old doors and windows to repurpose THIS (and many other projects!).
I have loved old chippy things since growing up in our old family house on 5th Street. I grew up in a house that was build in the late 1800's, which made me the lucky recipient of watching my parents complete multiple renovation projects. There was the Saturday morning that a bulldozer just showed up to start excavating the side embankment of the hill in our yard...so my Dad could expand the basement. I am sure he and my mom were planning this project for months, but my sister and I didn't know about it...so, imagine our surprise when we woke up to a bulldozer outside our window literally removing dirt underneath our house!! My sister and I each had friends staying all night...so they got to see first hand, what our family reconstruction adventures consisted of. I think those type of things have caused me to be less afraid then many to jump in and start 'dozing' things for a fresh look. But my foundation has always been my passion for vintage windows and doors...the chipper and more worn...the better.
In this time of repurposing, there is no reason why most old doors or windows should hit a scrap pile. These once used items not only have character, they carry history. These worn and weathered pieces have literally seen families coming and going through them for decades. They've seen many people pass through carrying food, a ring for a marriage proposal, a new baby coming home, attendees for Birthday parties, people visiting for Christmas and holidays...these sweet pieces of aged wood literally have the lives of people coming and going through them for decades. While they are mere objects, it's important to remember the time they've spent being the protector at the doorway, or keeping the cold winter winds outside of a warm cozy home.
When I see a window, door, or really any piece of salvage wood sitting on a curb, my car comes to an immediate stop to retrieve it. I just know that at some point...I am going to need that item for something. Pictured below is a perfect example. I got these three paned windows off of a curb, headed for garbage...yet, a few years later when we moved to our 1875 bank building in Walnut, Iowa they were perfect making these lower level alley windows look like they had panes. My husband built the window boxes to make the windows look like they'd been there forever. I stenciled the original name of the bank and year built in the archways above the window. These touches became the focal point of our entire alley garden, but the aged curb find windows, covering the boring plain windows were the perfect touch. As I explained to my husband that day...THIS is why I store all of these old doors and windows to repurpose THIS (and many other projects!).
From my salvage pile I created this 'garden workbench' pictured below. It's created from a dry sink that was in pretty rough shape without a top. I had my husband create a sturdy wood top with hinges and then I created a faux wood grain look. I selected an old headboard from my salvage pile and painted it, even adding some touches of green leaves on the wood. The final details were the addition of enamelware pots used as garden utensil holders and of course, for some flowers. I had an old sign that broke all in pieces...not to be wasted, I salvaged the Pumpkin Seeds board to reuse.
Salvaging items is fun and it is truly limitless how you can use these discarded or no longer used items. Don't be discouraged if there is no glass in windows and doors. You can hang dried flowers from the openings, place photos inside, do a vignette of family recipe cards...so many options. Below, is a good example of a cupboard that was missing glass. This cupboard hangs in the upstairs kitchen of our 1875 bank building. It was missing any glass or shelves. My husband made two shelves for the inside from salvaged wood. I placed lace pieces inside on a small rod. It turned out perfect, and it was economical!
I hope this has given you the courage to step out and say I can "Repurpose THIS!"...it make take a few attempts before you love your salvaged piece, but don't give up. The challenging ones, are the projects that usually turn out to be favorites!
Below are some ideas to get you started with windows and door salvage projects. We would love to see your projects! We might even feature them on our Facebook page...with your permission, of course! You can email photos of your salvaged projects by clicking here!
Below are some ideas to get you started with windows and door salvage projects. We would love to see your projects! We might even feature them on our Facebook page...with your permission, of course! You can email photos of your salvaged projects by clicking here!
|
The Salvaged Fence
Seriously, how could you love this more! A mix of amazing doors, complete with hardware...and a window door to peek into the neighbors! If this is too much for you, you could always do a small wall with 3 doors and hang metal pots on the front with flowers or greenery! |
|
The Recycled Swing
This is a great use of salvage materials from the door to the posts! Tip...if your wood has no architectural element like the front of this swing...you can get inexpensive architectural pieces in all shapes and sizes at your local Mendard's or Home Depot. Paint and distress as desired. If you want a color to show through the top coat of paint...apply that color first as the base coat...then apply your main color on top and lightly sand until desired look is achieved. This will give you a vintage aged look with depth, but simply painting and distressing these pieces also works great and looks amazing! |
|
Widows and window boxes
Windows are perfect to create window boxes. These are not only good for outside areas, but also inside filled with greenery, you could even create a window box in your bathroom filled with rolled hand towels! |
|
Tea Room
This is so lovely! The perfect tea room and all created with salvaged pieces. |
|
Shabby Wonder
These amazing doors are a shabby wonder! They look elegant placed against the fence with vines growing around them...and think of all the people that have used these beautiful shabby wonders in the past. |
|
Sweet garden shed
This is the perfect little place to store small garden items. It doesn't take up much space and adds a special feature to the garden. |
|
Salvage Collection
These amazing salvage finds are paired beautifully and create such interest on this fence. This is a great way to use large windows and posts. |
Hopefully, you've found some inspiration in these ideas to get you started on your way to repurposing, salvaging, and loving the fun you can have doing it!