Treasure Box Wednesday: What's On Your Walls?

Sujatha from Fluff-n-Stuff tasked me to participate in a meme where we're to describe what's on the walls of the room we're currently in. Since this is a decorating blog, and heck, it was also a bit of a slow thrifting week, I figured you all might not mind if we played along today.

Here's what I see when I'm sitting at my computer...


The "Rose Dreams" print is actually sheet music from the early 1900s which I'd framed. It's hanging on the inside of the closet door by my computer desk. Below it is my handy-dandy memo board where I keep blogging graphics specs I need to remember (and never do), and some pretty cards I just enjoy seeing...


Next on the wall is the first two of three George Hacker art deco prints from around the 1930s. I bought them all separately over a period of a few years at various flea markets...


Here, by the guest bed, we have a mirror I bought for about $3 and painted up to look aged. I like the way the patina turned out. It looks a bit like an interesting relic now. When I got it, it was a poorly-stained brown shade...



Over the guest bed, is the third George Hacker print, and two vintage oval prints I bought from the Goodwill a few years ago. I think they were about $1 a piece...


Here in the far corner is yet another old mirror. I got this one at "Junk for Joy" in Jeanette for $5. Like its cousin mirror, I just had to use a bit of elbow grease to get it clean. Up in the far corner is a porcelain floral plaque from the 1950s...


And last? We have these two prints which I bought separately but seem like they're two angles of the very same scene...


Interestingly, one is signed "Falkenberg" and the other signed "Eckenberg" in precisely the same handwriting, and the style of art, and the rather European look to the scenes are identical. As these were both done around the 1930s, when calendar art companies were looking to make it seem like they had more artists than they really had, I suspect these were both done by the same artist.

Now what his or her name was, however, I absolutely don't know. I've never had any luck finding out information on either Eckenberg or Falkenberg.

So that pretty much wraps it up for this Treasure Box Wednesday.

• If you missed Sunday's post of Treasures from Throwaways: The Doable Ideas Marge Missed, you can click here for that.

And, hey, if you'd like to talk about a favorite item on YOUR walls right now, well, I'm all ears for that, too.

Have a great rest of your week!

Treasures from Throwaways, Part Two: The Do-able Ideas Marge Missed

Last week our maniacal, made-up crafter "Marge" went on a complete trash-to-treasure redecorating binge based on a 1976 Better Homes and Gardens book called Treasures from Throwaways. For folks who weren't sure this book wasn't as fictional as our friend Marge, I've included a real-and-for-true cover scan here as evidence. You can call it "Exhibit A."


But today, I'm afraid Marge won't be joining us. (Yes, I feel that sigh of relief myself!) And why? Because I thought we'd talk about some of the more positively inspiring projects from this book-- ideas that you might be able to use and adapt for your own trash-to-treasure projects... and not make your friends and family worry much about your sanity!

What I liked in particular about the projects featured here today is how the "trash" items they use actually seem to transform beyond their mere individual components, into interesting, useful or artistic pieces on their own.

Like these "Striking Candlesticks"...

These exotic metal candleholders are made of tuna cans, juice cans, gelatin molds, tab top rings from old soda cans, chair glides, drain pipe, beads, a steel rod, nuts, bolts and wire.

When I saw these, it occurred to me that folks who enjoy making garden totems would recognize that these candlesticks are done much on the same general principle. Just some ideas for a different sort of treatment of the same concept. And fire-resistant, too!

Next, we have an unusual way to spruce up a plain table using imported olive oil cans...


Not only does a plain old table get a new lease on life, but you get a fairly durable, flat surface to put beverages on, reasonably resistant to moisture. The design becomes solely up to you, depending on what Olive Oil brands and packaging you choose.

Next we have a project that looks time-consuming, but I thought was quite unique. Can you guess what the delicate doll furniture below is made of?


Need a hint? The secret is tin cans, fabric scraps, cotton and enamel paint!...


Tiny dressing tables, chairs, beds and more, all seem possible through some clever, careful snips of the can!

Now this next piece is a bit unusual, but I could see this working in some variation as inexpensive wall art for a very modern kitchen...


The book calls this the "Utensil Safari Wall Mount." But it sort of reminds me of a "Kitchenalia Death Star." Even so, interesting utensils in varying sizes and shapes are mounted onto a backing board and all sprayed a unifying color. The effect offers variety, and is certainly unique.

And last, I wanted to show you three different ways to create fun chess sets from unexpected items. Any idea what these painted wooden chess pieces are made of?...

This particular set is put together from Tinkertoys! Wheels, spools, cyllinders and beads combine to make easily identifiable Kings, Queens, Rooks, Bishops and Pawns.

Another chess set calls for empty thread spools in varying sizes. These have been painted up in checks and harlequin patterns in navy and white, and red and blue...


And this one below is my absolute favorite-- largely because this set has look that is somehow both modern and vintage at the same time... What to do with those old TV tubes?

Here's a closer look...


The tubes sit on bases made of 1/4 inch clear plastic, to retain the translucent, high-tech feel.

Well, I hope the projects featured today might spawn some ideas for you clever t-to-t'ers out there.

• For folks who missed part one of this book, Treasure from Throwaways -or- Marge Gets Maniacal, click here.

• And if you'd like to check out last Treasure Box Wednesday, where we look at some fun thrift store and flea market finds, click here.

I hope these Dog Days of Summer are finding you happy, well, and able to do the things you enjoy most.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Time for Unique Finds

After a few thrift-less weekends, this weekend it was nice to put on the ol' comfy shoes, grab my tape measure and keys, and hit my favorite thrift and antiques haunts.

One of my favorite finds of the day came from the L&L Fleatique-- this 1930s Bakelite clock, featuring a little girl on a swing.

I was instantly charmed by the teeny Alice in Wonderland type girl perched in front of a white, very 30s picket fence, and a Thompson-styled cottage print.

The clock mechanism needs a bit of work I haven't been able to dedicate to it yet. Perhaps I can get it running, and perhaps not. But either way, I really love it's style.

My other favorite purchase of the day was at Graham's Antique Mall in Ligonier. And it was a whole luncheon set of 36 pieces of the Hazel Atlas Modertone Platonite I collect, all for $32. There are cups and saucers (none of which I had yet), a creamer, sugar bowl and 12 dinner plates in excellent condition. As I kept bringing stack after stack up to the counter, and had confirmation on the surprising price for the lot, well, I was one happy gal!


At the Good Samaritain thrift store, I uncovered this nifty pink omelette maker. Now I'll never have excuses for sloppy looking omelettes-- plus, the pink sorta made it more fun, to me.


I also found this 50s/60s pink printed glass with various bon-bon trays and kitchen scenes on it. I've seen these in black before, but never in pink. I was on a roll, pink-wise, I guess.


And finally, there was this teeny lost lamb... Lost, largely because after such a busy day, I don't really remember where I found the little fellow. Possibly the Salvation Army...


Of course, I also located a few fun craft and decorating books of the 70s at the Salvation Army. I believe many of you might be familiar with them, as one helped me tell the tale of Marge and the Maniacal Trash-to-Treasure Decor this last Sunday.

Next Sunday, I'll show you a couple of t-to-t ideas from that same book which I thought were actually quite clever!

PS-- Marge will not be joining us, so I hope you'll feel free to pop on by.