fleaChic: flea market savvy

October 3, 2012

Recycling 101
Did you know that more aluminum goes into producing beverage cans than any
other product? Recycle just one aluminum can and save enough energy to power
a TV for 3 hours - or the equivalent of one gallon of gasoline.

Repurposing has many of the same benefits as recycling - saving money and keeping stuff out of the landfill.

The Corner House

I've found old yardsticks and rulers at flea markets for as little as a

quarter each. What a refreshing idea for transforming a dull cabinet.

Lauren Sperber

Here's another interpretation of the yardstick/ruler idea. So cool.

Source

If you find yourself with an extra wood box or drawer, cut small

branches and mount them inside for a woodsy kind of coat rack.

Design Sponge

You're right - those industrial hanging lights

are actually old exhaust fans. So fleaChic!

Myric & Reasen

Ever found an old tool box that was too small to use

as a coffee table and you just didn't know what to do

with it? Add legs and use it as a console or desk.

Here are three treatments for repurposing ladders:

Source

While ladders make useful shelving units, they're also

charming when used as pot and pan racks in the kitchen.

Lauren Sperber

Remember last week's posting of a vintage phone booth

that had been turned into an aquarium? Down-size

the concept with a gumball machine for a mini-aquarium.

Source

What a charming entrance to this French book shop. Face it, there are

some books that will never be purchased at a thrift store even if they're

marked down to a penny. Artist Jan Reynard turns those unwanted tomes

into architectural wonders:

These rings aren't just darling fashion accessories - they're recycled billiard balls!

It would be almost impossible for us to whittle out one of these darling rings

but you can purchase them by the dozen at Supermarket HQ.

Green Issues

On a more practical note - EVERYONE has tee shirts that they don't use

anymore. Turn them into hobo tote bags. Click here for the clever tutorial.

WARNING: This last repurposing will bring tears to your eyes.

Source

This little boy's parents built his Halloween costume

around his wheel chair. Amazing what love can do, isn't it?

October 2, 2012

Growing up in 1960's tract-home suburbia, all of our neighbors lived in the same type of house we lived in - a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, one story brick rancher. BORING!

I envied anyone who lived in a house with stairs and envisioned sliding down a bannister as the ultimate fun. Most of the books I read (the classics, I was a nerdy kid!) featured large, multi-level homes with mysterious back staircases and dark attic passages.

Yes, I've always been fascinated with newell posts, bannisters, landings, and beautiful stairs. . . . . . .

Source

decorare

A Quieter Storm

Heidi Claire

Phoebe Howard

S.R. Gambrel

Ivy & Piper

Roses and Moonbeams

Houses with stairs seem to hold more secrets
and delights than regular houses, don't they?

            Halfway down the stairs
            is a stair
            where i sit.
            there isn't any
            other stair
            quite like
            it.
            i'm not at the bottom,
            i'm not at the top;
            so this is the stair
            where
            I always
            stop.
            Halfway up the stairs
            Isn't up
            And it isn't down.
            It isn't in the nursery,
            It isn't in town.
            And all sorts of funny thoughts
            Run round my head.
            It isn't really
            Anywhere!
            It's somewhere else
            Instead!

-- A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie the Pooh