Friday

A DIYP Challenge




I'm turning the do-it-yourself tables on you today.

Because I can on this Good Friday.

Plus, our relationship needs a little intrigue once in awhile. Instead of showing you my latest project, I want you to help decide what to do with this gorgeous item I found at a thrift store:



First of all, does anyone know what this piece was originally used for? It's unmarked, but I'm pretty sure it's old. 

It's heavy and actually pretty big. It's about 3 ft tall.

I'm assuming the shelf was created to hang some sort of linens on the dowels, maybe?

I want to paint it. Should I go creamy off-white or black or pink (those are the colors of paint I have on hand)? 




And what should I put in it? Art. Family linens. Small collectibles.

You tell me.

If I use your fabulous idea, I'll send you a fabulous gift when I unveil the makeover!

Oh, yeah, and I got this gem for $8!

I'm loving the frugal life.

Next week, I'll be starting a new DIY series for a couple of months:


Meanwhile, you can check out some of my favorite DIY projects:

A Flag Pennant-this would be adorable in vibrant Spring colors!

48 comments:

Niki Jolene said...

Seems like everyone is spray painting everything they find white these days. And I love it!

That's my vote!

:)

Muthering Heights said...

If it were me, I would go with the creamy white paint, and distress it...then display photos and small collectibles.

I think this piece will look so nice in your house!

Abby HC said...

To me, this looks like it could have been used as a quilt/blanket stand. As for the paint, that depends on where you're going to stick it! If it's going to stay in the room with red walls, stay away from pink. My vote is for white with black accents, and then displaying very colorful objects/linens! (I'm personally leaning towards displaying linens, especially if you have crazy quilts, or other elaborate handmade items!)

jesnicole said...

Hi, I just came across your blog. I loved reading your "editor" section about never being alone. That's something almost every Momma goes through. Nice to "meet" you! I'm Jessica. Have a wonderful Easter!!

Shawna said...

I can't tell how big it is, but would it work as a magazine or newspaper rack? Just open them up, and slip them over the dowels.

As for color...I agree with Abby HC, white with black accents!

Hillcrest Cottage said...

I would use it in my art studio. The dowels could hold either individual sheets of wrapping paper, art paper? Hard to tell the size. The small drawers look like places to organize stuff, too. So...wrapping paper center, ribbons. Can the dowels come out?
Definitely art/craft studio organizer!

Tasha said...

I vote black that way whatever you do with it, it will stand out from the piece.

I love the magazine rack idea. Or gift wrap center, can the dowels come off to hold spools of ribbon? If it can go on top of something else it make an excellent mail sorter, and general office stuff holder. I cant' really tell how far apart the dowels are. But it seems like letter can slip behind at the bottom and catalog's, magazines can be hung on the top ones. Plenty of room for stamps, envelopes, pens, etc. in the little drawers.

Ashley @ Mrs007.com said...

ok I know I told you this already on twitter but I think you should paint it creamy off white and distress it. Then put seasonal collectibles on it to add interest.

My 2nd choice would be to paint it black and add colorful accessories. Whatever you do I am sure it will be beautiful :)

Jessica said...

I love it and for 8 dollars!!!!!!!! I say go creamy white and distress it. I can't wait to see the finished product! Where are you going to put it?

LaVonne said...

It is beautiful. Make it into a jewelry "box". Put rings and pins in the drawers. If the dowels come off put your bracelets, and hang your necklaces. Paint it the off-white color with some pink distressed look. maybe change the drawer pulls to "diamond" studs. $8 is a great price.

Jill said...

It does look like an oldtime library newspaper rack to me as well... I'd go for the black... it will modernize it instantly and is less likely to show wear...

just found your blog - really enjoying it!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Wow...$8...can't wait to see what you do with it!
sandy toe

Missy said...

I know what it is!!! they used to have these in churches in the south It was always hung on the wall and the shelves had the totals for sunday school attendance and church attendance the little drawers held the little signs with the numbers that could be switched out. This one looks in really good shape.

everyday mom of one said...

I think black on the outside with off white on the back of the shelves etc. so that it is a pretty accent.

You could use it for sewing things, thats what I would use it for, keep your pins and needles in the drawer. And hang your spools of cotton on the dowels if you can. Oh i can see it now, wish I had one..LOL Also a pretty bright pin cushion on one of the shelves.

Beth S. said...

Could this little jem have been a hutch on a desk or dresser? I think you should paint it off white and antique it, then display family photos and other treasures in it. Kind of like a big shadow box without the glass.

WOW...$8.00 for such a wonderfully interesting piece? I think I'd better start hitting the antique and second hand shops much harder! Looking forward to seeing the final product!

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Wow...that is a FIND!!! It will look cool no matter what color you paint it! I can't wait to see what you do with it.

PS...if you decide you hate it, I will be there in 2 minutes to personally take it off your hands. ;)

Anonymous said...

I agree with the antique distressed white color. Then I'd spray paint a bunch of little "S" hooks and hang tea cups from the dowels. It looks like there are little tiny shelves behind the dowels you could set the matching plates on.

The drawers would be filled with linens/napkins to go with the whole tea theme :)

Betsy Smith said...

I am totally for doing some in off white. But instead of the distressed look, what about leaving some brown and doing the background off white. To give it a nice clean look. I totally think those little drawers are perfect to hide those artsy crafty items you have hanging around!

Pam said...

Aww man! Somebody beat me to it.. it looks like one of those things they hang on the wall in churches with attendance and hymn numbers etc.

I'd go creamy white and distress it.

But that's just me! : )

Tiffany said...

I think it would look beautiful displaying vintage linens. If you have some embroidered hankies or napkins it would look great!

Trinka said...

Ok ... just have to put at least ONE request in for stripping the finish and letting the wood show.

I HATE covering beautiful wood with paint ... and who knows how pretty it might be under that finish?

Back to your regularly-scheduled "paint it" comments series. :)

Trinka

Mama Melissa said...

i think you should strip it. see what the wood underneath looks like. then, i'd put a light clear or oak stain on it. not with a brush, but with a cloth. not that heavy stain or lacquer. i think it would be beautiful to show the wood.

if it is 3ft tall, are you going to hang it? this piece seems masculine to me. so, i'd probably put it in a study or in an man's room. i wouldn't paint it white or pink because of that... that's just my thought...

melissa

Anonymous said...

THIS is going to involve some work!
Looks like it already has lots of layers to it. Either strip it or sand it like crazy. I wouldn't paint it black because I think the piece would get lost.Rather, I would paint it cream, and use the black-to do a pretty-scroll like stencil pattern on the top to give it even more character-perhaps adding very slight-yet intentional touches of pink whimsy throughout the piece. Perhaps you could stencil a black branch going across the top with tiny pink birdies on various twigs of the branch? Maybe even do a little decoupaged nest or something-or just swirled stencils up there would be great, too.

I would use it to display your favorite things. Like a quilt and an magazine (hung like a quilt) and maybe some sweet little cups or trinkets from your childhood. Either change out the knobs for glass-or something else unexpected-or paint them pink to match the birds with a black dot in the center of them.

Annikke said...

I don't have any ideas for you, but that is a neat old piece and for a whopping $8 bucks... ya can't beat that!!!!
Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Kristin said...

My first thought was to paint it. I would do black. I love the look of furniture painted black with pretty roses or other flowers/stenciled and painted on it. The black really makes colors "pop".

My second thought jumped to....hanging doll clothes on it!!! I know, I know, that probably sounds silly!

Okay, how about using it as a stationary/mail center organizer? I thought of that because I need one. Right now I have mine in a little suitcase! It would be nice to display pretty paper.

Oh, oh, I have another idea. How about a jewelry organizer? The dowel rods could be used for necklaces and maybe other items like pretty scarves. I really need a scarf organizer. Right now I have all my scarves on a hangar. It would be so pretty to hang my scarves so I could actually see them.

Crayl said...

It was most likely for quilts on the dowels...and the drawers maybe quilting supplies? Great find, the possibilities are endless!

Unknown said...

I like things painted black.
How about using it in one of the girls rooms with their baby clothes hung on it and their favorite baby storybooks?

Anna said...

If you can bear to give it to your daughter, I would put barrettes in the drawers and hair ribbons on the rods.

That would mean the color is... pink.

Building Dave said...

Okay, I am another creamy white person...And I have two different ideas of what to re-purpose it for.

I doubt the dowels come out, so if you want to keep it intact, I would use it as a reading center (ahem) in a private bathroom. You could put small kids books on the top, and change them out as they outrgrow them or put magazines. (Come on, we all know why its called the "reading room")

OR, if the dowels come out (or you want to rig it somehow to make them come out) this would be an AWESOME gift wrapping station...curly ribbon on the dowels, small decorative stickers in the boxes...

Good luck with it! Can't wait to see what you do with it!!

Jaden Paige said...

I would definitely go black. I love that you found this for 8 bucks! Hallelujah to deals!

And what to do with it... Hmm... I would probably use to store hats, gloves, scarves, belts, and other random accessories. Then you don't have to remove the dowels to hang (belts can be threaded through the uhm... whatever it's called... clasp thing? and scarves can either be tied or looped through themselves)

Just a thought! I can't wait to see it all finished!

Jan said...

STOP! don't paint it- I think you have an antique church hymn board and you should check on Ebay first they are going for a lot more than $8

Unknown said...

I actually quite like the natural aged wood, but if it was mine (I wish!) and I had to paint it I would go with cream.

I would turn it into a letter writing station - put stamps and pens in the little drawers. Maybe attach some ribbon or some stretchy elastic across the front, and then keep writing paper and envelopes.

In reality, it would sit in the corner of my dining room and I would keep saying "you know, I really ought to do something with that!" but probably never would!

Jen said...

Ooohhhh..what a find! I would paint it black (or a suitable color for your KITCHEN!) and use it as a place to hang pretty hand towels. The spot on the left could be painted with chalkboard paint and you could put your menu or shopping list there. The drawers could hold coupons, recipes, etc. You could stencil "Complaints to the Cook could be hazardous to your health" on the top where the cut out patern is. I have more ideas but I see where some have already been left by your other readers. (Great minds think alike!)
Happy Painting!
jenlaser2015@yahoo.com

Erica said...

You've got so much beautiful stuff in your home (from what you've shown; don't worry, I'm not a stalker). I think this one should be used for the beautiful things your children make. You could paint it the off-white color and distress/antique it a little so that some of the brown still shows. Then punch holes in the corners of some of the kids' (and your) favorite works of their art, tie ribbons to the corners, and hang them from the dowels. The little shelves can hold the clay items they make at school or some other little trinkets they create or love. The drawers can hold smaller things they make or things they write, like letters and cards to you and your husband. Hmmm, now I want to do this. On my way to the thrift store...

Precision Quality Laser said...

Well, I think stripes or polka dots would look awesome and bring some funkiness to the piece. But, it all depends on how much work you want to go into the painting part of it! :)

Looks like it was used to display quilts or linens. I say keep with the feel of it.

Although, one commenter mentioned using it do display kid art...I LOVE that idea!

pcb said...

I'd paint it black (but distress it) and hang vintage linens on the dowels and use the shelves for black and white family photos, both new and old.

Kristen said...

Wow! All of your ideas are amazing. Every time I think, "Yes, that's it!" I read a new idea. I'm going to have to really think about this project. I can't wait to share it after my Dollar Store Decor series!!

Miss Spoken said...

I suggest using it as a jewelry armoire. You can screw it to the wall through the holes already at the top (or attach hardware to the back), paint it black to showcase the jewelry, replace the hardware with something a little glamorous or deco and consider lining the drawers w/maybe velvet. I can't tell how deep the cubby on the left is but you could add photos, vintage art or even mirrors there. I love the piece. Great find!!

JC said...

I would paint it pink and put it in one of your daughter's rooms. Hang a small mirror in the larger opening, add word art(vinyl lettering) in some girly phrase at the top adn use the drawers for rings, bracelets, etc. I would hand "s" hooks from the hardware store over the dowels to hang necklaces, bracelets, ribbons for hair, etc.

You could also do the same thing, but paint it white and distress it and hang it in the kids' bathroom. Use it for all of the girls hair things. Remove the middle dowel and store hairbrushes, detanglers and hairsprays on the side with the dowels. Have fun! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

arkie said...

Could this be a shelf to hold men's collar's, ties, and cufflink's, etc.?

Whatever it is I would enjoy it! It is a great find!

(By the way, I found you through "Works for Me Wednesday".)

AmyW said...

Like someone else above said, i'd leave it alone and check to see if you have something valuable first!

Nancy said...

My first choice would be to strip it and stain it or to rub it with some lemon oil to bring out its natural beauty. Second choice would be to use the creamy white paint.

I think it would be lovely to display heirloom linen: embroidered items,doilies, personalized baby bibs, also baby cups, baby bracelet, baby teether,heirloom jewelery, etc. Make it a 3-D heirloom display case, you might say!

I can't wait to see what you choose and how it turns out!

Nancy
allibrary(at) aol (dot) com

BlueCastle said...

I would paint it black, distress it a little to match your style, and then use the shelves to hold family momentos. Small souvenirs from a trip, a button off a favorite coat, a small baby shoe, tiny pictures, etc. Each family member could have their own "cubby" and fill it with what they want to. I'd hang other momentos from the rods too. I've been wanting to find something like this for myself - to use just the way I'm suggesting. You could shrink some of your kids' artwork and display it here too. One section could be devoted to you and your hubby, how you met, pictures of your first date, etc. The possibilities are endless, and I'm taking up too much room in your comment section, so I'll stop now. :)

Unknown said...

Definitely I would strip it, see what condition it is in and apply a few coats of rubbing wax. I would use it for craft items. It would be lovely if the dowels could be removed to hold ribbons and embroidery thread.

Tara said...

First thought that came to my mind was mail center! and I would definitely paint black!

Love it!
Great find!

liz_toel@sbcglobal.net said...

Great piece that you found! I think that you should paint it pink - accent the front of the drawers and maybe the back of the open spaces with cool paper or fabric (glued on) and use it for a jewelry box! Hang bracelets and necklaces on the dowels and use the drawers for earrings. You could even add some screen or radiator metal (the pretty sheets of metal with patterns cut in them) to hang earrings from. The holes at the top need a strand of cool beads and/or charms strung through them!

Lori said...

I didn't read all the other comments, so forgive me if this is redundant!

I'm thinking that was once a dish rack, and I'd consider using it in a kids' playroom as a cute book organizer, kind of like this one:
http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/making-childrens-bookshelves?autonomy_kw=book%20rack&rsc=header_1

The lines are really cool and I bet it would look awesome painted some bright color. Have fun! :)

Adena said...

I guess you could give it to me, but seeing it would cost more to ship than you even paid for it, I would opt for the creamy white!! I painted my walls colors and love the creamy whites against it. I have no idea what it would be for though.