My problem was that I couldn’t find anything tall and skinny with character to fit that narrow patch of wall.   Also, there’s a meddlesome electrical panel inside the pantry, which restricts any decor in this space.  But then I spied an old wood framed mirror with chipped paint at the local salvage yard.  I decided to give it a makeover, and repurpose it as a little chalkboard in my kitchen!

Here’s my sweet little salvaged mirror turned memo board !

The layers and layers of chipping paint were pretty awful, so I decided to get down to the bare wood by stripping it all off with some Citrustrip. 

You can read my previous detailed adventures in stripping paint with Citrustrip right here.  

Based on the grooves in its side, I determined this mirror was actually a double hung window converted to a mirror at some point.  I gave the window a quick coat of gray paint because I thought I wanted to do a distressed look with gray undertones, but then changed my mind halfway through and decided on a pure white paint finish. 

I wanted to cover the grooves on the sides of this old window, so I formed a frame by cutting some wood with my miter saw, attached it with finish nails, then filled in the seams with with wood filler from True Value.  I added some appliqués for decoration, then sanded around the edges of the appliqués with my Dremel.

Let’s pause. 

Can I get an ‘Amen’ from all of you out there who own a Dremel ?

LOVE this tool !  Santa gave me one last year. 

If you don’t have one, put it on your list, pronto!

They have Dremels at True Value. 

And chalkboard spray paint ! 

Two layers right on top of the mirror, plus two coats of True Value’s ‘Calming Sensation’ for the frame left over from the boy’s dresser. 

My little pieces of chalk sit right on the window ledge.

I love how its sits so perfectly in my little happy corner of our kitchen. 

And it’s just skinny enough to not obstruct the microwave door. 

Perfect perfect perfect for reminding myself of necessities. 

Or writing sentimental notes.

I was forced to hang it high because of the electrical panel inside the pantry wall.  I had planned on using this for just my own scribbles, but this little guy wanted a turn, even if he had to struggle on his tippy toes !

My munchkins sure are smart. 

They always figure out ways to get their paws on new things. 

Then I noticed what my first grade daughter had written just before my little guy had his turn.   

*sniffle*

Don’t you just love chalkboards?

Me too.

“I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience.  I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project.   However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.”

Before I forget, the very sweet and oh-so-stylish Sarah of A Beach Cottage is featuring me today, so pop on over to learn something new you never knew. 

What I truly love about outdoor antique fairs is the exposure to other people’s conversations.  I’m not eavesdropping on purpose.  But one can’t help overhearing the most interesting observations with so many persons milling about inspecting, inquiring, and always commentating.  I find it fascinating.  I find people fascinating, with all of their different tastes. 

I have perused several of the the larger local antique fairs in the past month, and I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve found inspirational.  Some can be recreated right at home. 

Take a tour with me. 

I spotted this mirrored coat rack made from architectural salvage.  It reminds me of the coat rack I made with an old headboard.  You can see that project right here. 

Look at these beautiful conch shells that someone has carefully embellished with pearl string.  They’ve been mounted on secondary clam shells and they make quite a pair.  They were very large shells, about 8 inches tall, and so very pretty up close. 

How about these hand painted nightstands?  Look what some bun feet, appliqués, and a distressed and hand painted surface can do to enhance a simple piece.  

Do you love copper teakettles as much as me?  Like the song, “…bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.”  They are one of my favorite things too. 

This copper chest adds just the right amount of traditional style with modern glitz.

I’m like a moth to a flame with beautiful silver.  Oh, to have an entire collection and a hutch to display it in. 

This was a clever idea.  Broken china applied in a mosaic on silver platters.  Great DIY project.

I’d love to have one of these around my house.  I appreciate anything that can multitask.  This handy cart can hold craft supplies one day and serve cocktails the next.  Someday I’ll find one for myself. 

Look at what you can make with a door, a cabinet, and some hooks.  You could find a 30” wide door and 30” wide cabinet at a home improvement store, attach them, trim them with baseboard, then prime and paint them both.   The mirror and cushioned seat are an added bonus.  What a marvelous hall tree for a foyer or narrow wall space.  This is another fabulous DIY project. 

Aren’t these so pretty?  These plant stands can go anywhere.  They’re so perfect for a covered porch or a sunroom.  They’re surface is just big enough to sit next to a gorgeous chair and hold a beverage and your favorite read. 

I liked this chalkboard shadow box hung with checkered ribbon on a brightly painted French door. 

Here’s a shadowbox end table – a great conversation piece for whatever is displayed inside.

Some colorful collections of starfish and spools of ribbon. 

A painted window is always a nice way to welcome guests.  All you need is a salvaged widow and some paint designed for glass (available at craft stores) and you’re in business.  Stamps would make it easier to perfect the letters, like I used for these monogrammed plates.  Imagine this hanging from a porch or positioned in an entry, or on top of a hutch.  Charming !

Here’s another pair of nightstands that I adored.  Look how they’ve been painted a cream color, then given a coffee glaze over the edges and in the detail. 

How about these chairs?  A little old fashioned without the paint, but all of a sudden with this turquoise shade, they are so darling.  Add some fabulous fabric cushions and they make for a lovely dining space.  Put some blue decorative glass on your tabletop, and pop!  Perfect.

Speaking of paint, this is my new favorite treatment.  When I saw this today, I just knew I was so right to paint my brother’s nightstand and dresser in these tones.  It’s a mushroom taupe shade, then it’s been given a subtle metallic glaze on the deco panels.  This is my absolute favorite look from today. 

These are all the rage right now, and I liked this golden version of a giant fork and spoon.  They would be so fun in a dining space, or in a restaurant. 

I nearly handed over my credit card when I saw these.  I love them.  Don’t know where I’d ever put them. But I love them.  Don’t ask me why.  I just love them.

I’ve been looking for one of these sunburst style mirrors, but this one was just too small.  I’m still on the hunt. 

I’m such a sucker for seltzer (or is it spritzer?) bottles.  Look at these colors.  I liked the lavender one best – it was so unusual.  Almost like mercury glass.  But it was $120 dollars.  So I put it down.  Fast.  But not too fast. 

This retro outdoor set just screams “I Love Lucy”.  And since I love Lucy, I sure love these too.  They were vinyl.  They were hysterical.  C’mon, something inside of you likes them too. 

One vendor who makes all of his wares out of salvaged goods.  This was his latest creation: slatted wood coffee table trimmed with iron decorative grills.  Very cool cottage style. 

Another stunning bench made out of a headboard.  My favorite is the scalloped detail. 

Look at this old wooden carousel horse, displayed in a frame constructed from a salvaged fence.  It was huge.  And it was quite a piece of art. 

Then there was this bust that reminded me of a Degas sculpture.

Of course, I had to drool over the Bakelite Lady’s impressive collection. 

Here are some bulletin boards made out of coffee sacks. 

A butcher block table made from an old desk.  Great for a kitchen island. 

These are planter boxes formed out of decorative fence posts. 

And these antique carved panels would add big impact to any space.

That’s just a glimpse of some of the great pieces on display.  I hope you found one or two inspiring.  Did you have a favorite?  Do tell.

I go looking for great finds in Sebastopol at least once a month.  One of my favorite stops is Ray’s Trading Company, offering some of the best salvage and vintage finds around, as well as great reproductions.  The proprietors can answer any question about anything in their warehouse, and they are never shy about telling you if something is a reproduction or a true antique.  I ask a lot of questions and I always get an education. 

My apologies in advance for the quality of these photos – they were taken with my iPhone since my camera battery died.  

Inside Ray’s, you can find all sorts of antique knobs, pulls, keys, crystals, and doorknockers. 

Ray has claw foot tubs, pedestal sinks, and a great selection of table legs, balusters and columns. 

Salvaged windows of all shapes and sizes!  So much possibility here.  Imagine what you could create with decorative paper, paint made for glass, or even chalkboard paint.  I would add some knobs to the bottom, and make a coat rack for my mudroom, or display one horizontally on top of a hutch for added interest. 

These reproduction decorative washers were originally designed to prevent bolt heads and nuts from pulling apart from brick or concrete walls.  I think they make such interesting decor.  I’d love to fashion them into bookends, or display them in a series.  

I thought this vintage spritzer bottle was fabulous. 

How about some old trunks or crates?  For storage of course, but turned upside down and stacked, they make a rustic end table.  

These washbasins would make great planters or creative storage displays. 

These brightly colored buckets are so great for a kitchen, bathroom, kid’s room, anywhere. 

Several choices of iron beds:

Ray has both reproduction and antique scales.  I couldn’t decide which one I liked better.

I was fascinated by these vintage American made glass insulators, used in the good old days on top of telegraph and telephone poles, and electric power lines.  Apparently, there’s a whole organization of collectors dedicated just to glass insulators.  Who knew?  Place them on a windowsill, in your garden, or turn them upside down and create a hanging candle holder with some wire.  For a history on insulators, look here and here.

Here was my favorite item I discovered today:  vintage springerle cookie molds, dating back to a German tradition.  Functional, decorative, and just plain cool.  For a history, look here.

I had such a great day exploring the flea market and Ray’s Trading.  I picked up some very special finds for my limited edition Etsy ‘Home for the Holidays’ Shop, coming this October. 

And there is still time to enter the HouseHold Wall Words Giveaway – it ends Sunday August 16th at 8 p.m. PST, so don’t miss out.

Here’s the Before and After:

I think great fabric makes stylish wall art.  These two memo boards also add practicality, and a place for displaying inspirational images or mementos.  Here they are (unadorned) on my office wall. 

How to Make a Memo Board from a Recycled Cabinet Door:

Supplies:

1.  
   1.  
      1. Cabinet door
      2. Fabric of choice
      3. Quilter’s batting
      4. Ribbon of choice
      5. Staple gun
      6. Nail head upholsterer tacks
      7. Rubber head mallet
      8. Pliers
      9. Picture hanging hardware

Step One:  Remove any hinges or remaining knobs.

Step Two:  Press your fabric to remove any creases.

Step Three:  Align your cabinet door on top of your quilter’s batting and fabric.  I used two layers of batting to give it a hint more tufting. 

Step Four:  Attach your fabric to your cabinet door with a staple gun.  Secure corners last. 

Step Five:  Lay out your ribbon on the top of your fabric covered door in a grid pattern.  Allow extra ribbon to overlap over the sides so you can later secure it to the back. 

Step Six:  Use pliers to stabilize your nail head, then pound into wood with a rubber head mallet. 

Step Seven:  Secure ribbon to back of board with a staple gun.

Step Eight:  After securing all of the nail heads, lay your memo board face down on your work surface.  It’s best to use a towel or cloth between the nail heads and your table to avoid scratching the delicate nail head.   Secure picture hangers to memo board. 

And that’s how these:

Get turned into these:

Here’s a look at the tufting up close.

I’ve just started adding some momentos: 

Oh, and ahem, yes, in the bottom left, that is the dream crooner himself Michael Bublé with yours truly.  It’s a long, funny, serendipitous story about how I ended up meeting Mr. Bublé.  Let’s just say it was one of my favorite life moments EVER !  I think I’m his biggest fan.  Like, bordering on obsession.  Love him.  LOVE.

Stay tuned for more projects recycling my old cabinet doors…

Interior shots: 

Check out these chandeliers, all so different: 

Here are a few images from the salvage yard outside:

In my conversation with the manager a few weeks ago, I was told that Restoration Hardware photographed their store and in his opinion “copied” many of their ideas.  This is complete hearsay, of course, but I couldn’t help noticing these pieces from RH’s spring collection:

Entablature Mirror, $3,290

Trestle Wood Salvaged Dining Table, $3,290

Salvaged Wood Sideboard, $2,990

Gun Barrel Salvaged Dining Table, $3,290:

I say, if his opinion is correct, then imitation is the best form of flattery.