Bar Carts

I love the idea of having a bar cart at the ready in my home. I've been musing about this for awhile, (click here for a previous post) but common sense tells me to wait until my male teenage son is older. Still, there's no harm in looking!

Bar carts offer a lot in their smaller size, portability and wide range of design possibilities. Best of all they can be found secondhand and customized to to

personal preference.

image via apartment therapy

I like the yellow and industrial style of this cart. I could see a wood soda crate on the bottom for bottles or glasses and another wood box for supplies.

image via SZ Interiors

Here's an idea I wouldn't have thought of, using a vintage trunk for a bar

stand. With the accompanying accessories this vintage trunk's stature has

really been elevated.

image via Design Crush

Vintage bottles with nice typography

image via Starbies and Sangria

Isn't this a pretty setup? This brass bar cart has nice functionality with the bottle  and wine glass holders. I think the red chair and animal print are very nice touches. What a great use for a chair with a lot of character. It's easy to find them at sales and on craigslist. One can of spray paint is all you need.

image via casasugar

So many different styles of bar carts can make deciding difficult.

image via MODERNFifty

Industrial design is always a big draw for me, love the green.

image via NATHAN & CO.

Really nice mid century style on this wood bar cart.

image via edmajo.info

The bright red orange color modernizes this rattan bar stand.

image via houzz

This steel cart has heightened functionality with three shelves, like the pop of blue at the bottom.

image via One Kings Lane

This wood cart has some nice storage and the bonus of leaves. Plus it's style would fit in many different types of decor.

Upcycled Entertainment Centers and Armoires

Just like the vcr, entertainment centers and armoires went out when the flat screen TV came in. Scads of them can be found on Craigslist, begging to be sold for a mere pittance of their original price. Let's take a look at what some creative people are doing to give them a new life.

image via sew dang cute crafts

Tam of sew dang cute crafts turned this entertainment armoire into a sewing

center and a very nice one at that. Tam has other brilliant ideas for upcycling

on her blog.

image via ser.en.dip.i.ty

Great redo on this entertainment center and fabulous reuse. This would be great in a home office or craft room.

image via Thread in Her Hair

Could this be any cuter? How fun for these lucky kids to have a play kitchen like this. Beats those small plastic ones.

image via Pickin' Greens

A little segway here, an entertainment armoire made from old doors.

image via My Repurposed Life

I like the rustic look of this dresser that has been repurposed, it would

be great in a smaller space. This one require skills (they cut a dresser in half), but you could also do this with a chest of drawers. What a great use for a chest or dresser that has a drawer or two that doesn't work!

image via Glimmer & Grit

Great upcycle on this entertainment armoire - this could be repurposed as a

dresser or gorgeous linen closet, in a dining room or kitchen - just about any room.

image via Baer Home Design

The great thing about repurposing these large pieces of furniture is giving them a new lease and a new purpose. Changing furniture that is tired or out of date into something attractive and functional is very satisfying. The armoire above has great style, but even greater functionality - look at all it can store. How nice to have everything in one place, easy to see and get to.

Upcycling For Outdoors

image via fed up with lunch

Who'd thunk painting tires bright colors would actually make them look fun

and attractive?

image via Project Minify

This cinderblock garden wall looks upscale.

image via nest full of eggs

Using old mailboxes like these for planters is industrial and charming at the same time.

image via dornob

Here's a bench that almost anyone can make, made from old discarded chairs.  

Places like Home Depot or Lowe's will cut your lumber to a specified length.

This idea has so many possibilities!

image via Lotus Editions

I really like these tables that would be great on a porch or deck. You need some skills for this one...

images via dishfunctional designs

I really like these outdoor ideas for shutters, but there are many more ideas

for old shutters on dishfunctional designs.