Today I’m digging through my archives to bring you 15 ordinary items that I gave an entirely new life to. You might never look at these ordinary items the same way again!
1.
This was the drawer to the awkward “hump” in our babies’ changing table. When we cut the hump off, this was left:
I turned it into a mini bookcase to hold my son’s books:
2.
I found this painting at a yard sale for $2:
I replaced the painting with chicken wire and added fresh paint to create this chicken wire message board:
3.
I found these boring frames and this mirror at thrift stores:
And turned them into a place to hang my hand towels:
4.
This was also a thrift store frame that held this sweet (but dated) nursery print:
I added a little fabric and painted the frame to turn it into this pretty tray:
From Old Picture to Pretty Tray
5.
This pillow started out as a bed sheet and an ordinary pillow:
…before I turned it into a new accent pillow for my bed!
How to Make this Adorable Pillow
6.
I stole rescued this gate from my neighbors trash:
And made a sign for my in-law’s horse barn:
And a birthday gift for my Mom:
7.
I found this headboard at a yard sale for $5:
And turned it into a charming place to hang your coat or hat:
What to do with that Old Headboard
8.
I found this old picture at a thrift store:
A fresh coat of paint, and the addition of metal grate that we had in the garage from another project, and now it’s a magnetic message board:
9.
This cabinet door was one of four I sweet talked a lovely gentleman into letting me buy off of a cabinet he was selling. I didn’t have room for the cabinet, but I had plenty of room for the doors!
It is now the perfect place to hang jewelry!
10.
Last Summer I hit the motherload of discarded fencing, perfectly cut into 4′ pieces and stacked perfectly by the side of the road.
I have created several things with this fencing, including this pretty tray:
Old Fence Pickets to Pretty Tray
11.
I found this flatware box at a thrift store for $3:
And turned it into a cute chest that could be used for just about anything!
Plain Old Box gets a Harlequin Twist
12.
My son had outgrown his crib, but I was sad about getting rid of his crib set. So I turned part of his bumper pad…
Into a cute pillow for his bed!
13.
This was another frame I found at a thrift store:
I turned it into a place to display our weekly menu!
14.
This is another picket fence picture:
This became a vintage inspired tool box:
15.
This trio of pictures was another thrift store find:
I turned them into fun wall art for my boys’ bathroom (I even used leftover picket fence pieces here too!):
Usually when I buy something old and outdated, I have no idea what I want to do with it, but in time everything finds a purpose. 🙂 Have you updated anything ordinary to give it a whole new purpose?
Want to see more repurposing ideas? Here ya go!
XO,
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Tela says
I love all of these! You are so dang crafty!! Thanks for sharing.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Tela! 🙂
Linda Petersen says
Hi Christy~~~Just wanted to let you know that I love your blog & your creativity!!
Everything you do is amazing~~~~you have been blessed 🙂 . Thank you for sharing
that gift & the tutorials that are easy to follow. Your blog is one of my most favorite.
Christy K. James says
Aww…what a lovely thing to say! Thank you so much, Linda! 🙂
Sue Farmer says
Such cute things you made!! I just love all of them.
Hope you are having a great summer!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Sue! I hope you are enjoying your summer too!! 🙂
Ashley says
Love them all! It’s amazing how such simple things have so much potential! And such a fun blog to read. You actually inspired one of my own blog posts. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Ashley! Of course I had to go see what project inspired you and I found your beautiful buffet! It turned out gorgeous!! 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
These are all so great Christy!! I don’t even think I’d be able to pick a favorite, if asked!! Love them all!
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks! You don’t have to pick one, you’re aloud to love them all 🙂
Christy says
Oh my goodness! You are totally me! Down to the name! lol. My friends and family make fun of me, say I’m a hoarder if junk. (Even though they love the stuff I end up making.) I plan on showing them your blog. Maybe they’ll back off! haha!
Christy K. James says
I think we have something else in common… I saw “nurse” in your email address and I’m a nurse too! Ha ha! My family and friends always look at me kinda crazy at some of the things I drag home, but they are always amazed when I show them the finished product! You just gotta prove them wrong. 🙂
Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness says
Christy, these are AMAZING!! I want to do all of them now. Ha! Seriously, you are so creative and have found lovely purposes for all of the “junk.” That’s why I love thrift stores so much! You never know what you can find. Thanks for sharing these, I’m pinning these for sure! 🙂 So glad I found you at Hit me with your best shot!
Christy K. James says
Thank you so much, Amanda! I am proud to say I’m a thrift store-a-holic! No shame here 🙂
Fotini Roman says
You are seriously amazing, I love everything here!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Fotini! I love a good repurpose! 🙂
Allie says
Hi my name is Allie and I am thriftoholic. My husband might divorce me one day for it. Oh well, I’ll be in thrift heaven, me and my treasures! I love your upcycles!
Anyway Christy, I wanted to let you know that I have featured it on Worthwhile Wednesdays http://www.craftyallieblog.com/2014/09/worthwhile-wednesdays-33.html. Stop by grab your badge, and link up again!
~Allie
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Allie!! I too am a thriftaholic! 🙂
Audra @ Renewed Projects says
Totally enjoyed reading this post! You have a wonderful eye for decorating. I like that you had several creative options for the “same thing,” you’re frames have so many uses.
Christy K. James says
Oh yes, there are so many possibilities with frames! Thanks for the positive feedback, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Suzy says
So many wonderful ideas! I can’t choose a favourite but I’m inspired!
Christy K. James says
SO glad you enjoyed them, Suzy! Thanks for stopping by! XO
Lorraine Csatellon-Rowe says
I absolutely LOVE each and every project you’ve created! I have pinned this post so I can CASE everything. Thank you so much for sharing all you do!
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Lorraine! This one was pretty simple! 😉
Lorraine Csatellon-Rowe says
You’re very welcome Christy. I don’t think any of these projects were “simple” at all. They’re so creative and I’m sure you put a lot of work into each one! Thanks again for everything you share!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha I thought your were referring to my sweater stockings I posted about yesterday! Yes, not all of these projects were simple, but not impossible. Thanks again and I’m so glad to have you here, Lorraine!! 🙂
Tania says
I love all of these repurposing ideas!
Tania
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tania! XO
heather j says
thank you so much for the inspiring ideas….i love all of these:) my name is heather and I am also a thriftaholic:) i love them. i love having a story about each item i give a new life:)
Christy K. James says
Ha ha I am right there with you my friend! I love that the things we find already have a history too. 🙂
Diane says
where are you buying all the french fabric. in atlanta, it is so expensive. it also never goes on sale
Christy K. James says
I purchased it at Hancock Fabrics and I can usually get it at 40-50% off on sale. I pay $12-$15 per yard for it in my area. Hancock fabrics usually has a coupon on their site that you can pull up on your phone or print out, good for one cut of fabric. Hope this helps!
Diane says
thanks so much for that information! that does help. you are so frugal
Christy K. James says
You’re welcome! 🙂
Suzanne Retallack says
Hi Christy,
I love all the things you make or makeover. I have been doing a few things myself and just finished re purposing an old wooden candlestick to be a bangle holder, to keep my bangles tidy and stop them cluttering up my jewellery box! I would send you some pics but I don’t know how. Looking forward to seeing what else you get up to!
Suzanne xxx
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Suzanne! Sounds like your bangle holder is a fantastic Upcycle! You can always message me on my Facebook page and share pics that way if you’re on FB, or click the contact tab at the top to reach my email. 🙂
Amy@Europe's Calling says
Seriously lovin’ your blog! So creative and great on a budget! Thank you for sharing!
Christy K. James says
You are sweet! Thanks! I love my cheap décor ha ha. 😉
brenna says
I found a rocking chair that was missing an arm. Any idea?!
Christy K. James says
Can you remove the other arm? Then you could fill in the holes with Elmer’s wood filler.
brenna says
That would be great! Thanks!!
Christy K. James says
Sure, good luck! 🙂
Dolores Rose says
I love your repurposed ideas! I’ve made use of old insulator glass as a lamp in my patio by placing them over a raised board with holes for night lights on cords (I used a two bulb receptacle).
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Dolores! I bet that is so pretty at night! 🙂
Florence says
Hi Christy!
Enjoyed your blog post! You did some remarkable things with all those items you found or thrifted. Especially like the transformation of the 3 picture frames into your towel holder! I usually just pass by pictures at thrift stores, but no more!
Thanks again! I’ve subscribed & shared…
Christy K. James says
Thank so much, Florence! Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for choosing to follow along! XO