Weekend project? I think so.

Oh the lowly shipping pallet. Designed to get goods from point A to point B and then cast aside faster than you can say the word pallet.

http://greenbuildingelements.com

And while a bulk of these pieces are destined for the landfill after one or two uses, some of these pieces get a second life. 

http://www.flickr.com

That's right, a few lucky pallets are given a purpose other than being tossed on top of college frat party bonfires...some of them end up as headboards. You read that right. Headboards.

While others end up as daybeds.

Intrigued yet? I know I am! While sourcing out images for 'How Crate it is' I came across a couple pictures of shipping crates that had been re-purposed and given fresh new lives as furniture and home accent pieces. This afternoon while trying to focus on a boring project at work, I kept thinking about these pallet projects. I even went as far walking out back to the warehouse at work to see what was available.

And while I haven't figured out what I'd like to create out of old shipping pallets, or how I'll get them home, I'm totally into the idea of giving some lucky pallets a new lease on life. If I could, I'd even go all out and try something nifty like the pallet accent wall (where can I find that buck?!?).

Wanna know the best part - warehouses and retailers have stack upon stack of pallets that they'd love to give to you. That's right. No coin out of your pocket! With a little elbow grease, perhaps some paint or stain, pulls or casters you can end up with a piece that's uniquely you!

Here are a few more of my favourite pallet creations -

And lastly, how sweet would this bad boy look in a retail space at Christmas? When the time comes and I'm in my own shop (a guy can dream) I'll be stealing this idea!

Let your imagination run wild!

D-

All pallet project imagery - http://webecoist.com

Fresh ideas.

I love seeing fresh takes on classic decorating ideas. Case in point, for years people have been hanging plates on their kitchen and dining room walls. I've seen it all - from classic Blue Willow ware to the less classic (and generally scary looking) Bradford Collection plates (usually featuring gag worthy cutesy images) it's an idea, that love it or hate it, isn't going anywhere soon.

The good - 

http://www.homelife.com.au

The bad -

http://www.beautifulway.com

And the downright tacky -

http://uglyhousephotos.com

I'm no exception to this idea. I've been collecting brown & white transferware for a while now and have been trying to figure out how I can display and showcase my pieces without making my place look like someone's great aunt's house.  While perusing the Steven & Chris show site I came across an idea that I think I might have to steal for my own place.  How's this for a new take on a traditional look - 

http://www.cbc.ca

Steven and Chris have taken this idea to the next level by creating an interesting vignette by overlapping a interesting array of sizes in what creates a very free-flowing, yet put together look. As well as sizes, they've mixed patterns, prints and solids to give the arrangement a unique and distinctive look.

http://www.cbc.ca

While chances are that I'll end up grouping my transferware in this fashion, these pictures do have me thinking about the plates that I brought back from Mexico that are sitting in storage and all of the interesting pieces that a guy can stumble across while out and about.  What to do!?

D-

Best. Idea. Ever.

Whenever I'm wandering around thrift stores, used furniture stores and auctions I tend to see a lot of really ugly brass furniture. You know, the stuff that everyone's Mom (except for mine) had in their living rooms throughout the 80s and early 90s. The type of stuff that would look right at home in an episode of (insert name of favourite 80s sitcom here).

http://www.decorateitonline.com

And while a lot of pieces have a feel that's distinct to that era of decorating, occasionally I'll see a piece that has a classic shape, that if it wasn't nasty brass, would look fresh and very current. However, up until recently I'd written off these pieces as a) if I spray painted them they'd look cheap and 'thrifted' and b) having the pieces professionally plated in a snazzy chrome finish is way outta my price league.

However, I stumbled a blog posting that has me excited and reaching for my oven cleaner! Chris from styleNorth has figured out how to remove the nasty brass plated finish from great looking furniture and accessory pieces using, get this, oven cleaner, super fine steel wool and a paste rub polish that's usually reserved for car rims.

http://www.stylenorth.ca

I'll let you check out the styleNorth blog for the details of how he transforms pieces, but it seems easy enough that even I can achieve success and end up with a stunning (and very on-trend) steel framed, glass topped coffee table that I normally wouldn't be able to afford. Or what about my coveted and long desired steel bar cart....you know the type. Think early 50s through early 60s MGM film, or old James Bond flick. Filled to the brim with crystal and colourful bottles. I'll even go so far as to picture Mister and myself entertaining friends and mixing signature cocktails while decked out in our best Sinatra style suits while someone places a ditty on our non-existent piano....(no more classic movies for Dan).

http://4.bp.blogspot.com

Dreamy isn't it? I don't know anybody who has a bar cart, nor do I know if I'd actually use a cart if one came into my possession, but the idea is tantalizing none the less.

Just think!  A couple hours of work (or multiple weekends if your name is Dan and you start projects but have trouble finishing them), and you could have an awesome find like this -

http://www.stylenorth.ca

So that leaves me asking the question - if a dated brass coffee table destined for Goodwill can be transformed, what else is there available in the online swap and shops that's worth transforming?

Say something like this double bed?

Or this nifty little bar cart (right up my alley)?!

The possibilities and opportunities are endless! The only thing left to do is find an item worth refinishing. Well, that and figuring out how to tackle my project without getting stupidly high on Easy Off, but we'll worry about that when the time comes.

D-

Sustainable chic.

When surfing the net during my lunch break or after work, I'm always on the lookout for new items to draw inspiration from....and to add to my mental list of items that I'd like to have in my own home at some point (I should note that this mental list is now multiple pages and includes a freestanding bathtub, lucite dining chairs and a pool table).

I recently stumbled across a drool worthy line of sustainable home products out of Malibu that has me ready to grab for my Mastercard.  Living Simplistically was founded in 2009 by artisan Joshua Waldbaum who's mission was to create beautiful limited edition home products out of abandoned materials.  And boy has he succeeded!

http://livingsimplistically.com/mirrors.html

Waldbaum's collection is composed of stunning accent pieces created from reclaimed driftwood, furniture from reclaimed hardwoods and other home products composed of natural materials.  I'm in love with this line - it's simplistic, yet refined; a definite mix of statement pieces that would look good in any home regardless of one's personal style.  That and I love the fact that it's upcycled!

Here are a few more of my fave pieces -

http://livingsimplistically.com/accessories.html

http://livingsimplistically.com

http://livingsimplistically.com

http://livingsimplistically.com/furniture.html

http://livingsimplistically.com

Obviously, I've fallen in love with the entire line and have added the works to my mental list.  The only questions left are a) do they take Mastercard and b) do they ship to Canada.

Neat huh?

D-