REcreate

If you want to get your upcycling on, REcreate is the place to go. Owner Katie Thompson's innovative ideas and eclectic style = one of a kind items. Sadly for most of us, we won't be able to go to her store in Cape Town, Africa. But there are pictures of it on her site and she has an online store.

REcreate Studio

I was initially drawn to REcreate when I saw these suitcases chairs - what a cool idea. I am drawn to the black/green one. Here's another unique idea, an ottoman made from a galvanized tub.

This hatbox ottoman is super cute and has the bonus of storage

Here are some repurposed clocks designed by Katie.

These lamps are great and would fit in any contemporary, industrial or eclectic decor

More great repurposing ideas from Katie. I especially like the fryer basket. A grouping of the garden sieves above a desk would be nice.

Katie says that she loves creating functional art from discarded nonfunctional junk. She's definitely got the knack for it!

Recreate studio is in Salt River, Cape Town, South Africa

Thrifting Finds

Ever go to a sale where the offerings are slim and you start to regret the time and gas spent to get there? THEN you find one great thing. Such was the case this past weekend at an estate sale. I was about to leave when I noticed a great side table in the corner. I paid $35 for it and took it home.

I like the style of this table -  the details on the drawers, the legs, the open space and iron bars on the side.  The brand name is Brandt. I've seen some of their more rustic furniture. Think I'll spray paint the knobs and feet covers black for now. Flanking the table are my Baker Chairs, a previous craigslist find.

I found two pieces of Dansk enamelware at another sale. The pitcher is a really pretty cobalt blue, which doesn't show in the picture. I think it will be great with fresh flowers in it. I paid $6 for it. The brown casserole has some wear on the enamel around the edges, but I was excited to find it so I bought it anyway, it was only $3.

The candleholders were $6 for the pair. They are heavy for their size and have great mid century style. The label says nagel, made in Germany. Anyone familiar with these? I feel like I've seen them before.

I bought this vase for $1.50, I like the style and finish. It says USA originals on the bottom with other markings. I've come across USA pottery countless times but the markings seem different.

Did you have any good finds this past weekend?


This post is a part of Thrift Share Monday with Apron Thrift Girl 

Inexpensive Fix - Bar Cabinet

Here's a project I did last summer using thrift finds. I found a cabinet at a University Surplus Store. It's actually a metal bookcase that wood framed doors were added to. Wish I had before pictures, but that was before this blog. Anyway, the cabinet was all black, had stickers, scratches, a nameplate and was dirty. But I liked the lines of it and the super long hinges that show on the outside. I spray painted it gray inside and out,  except for the doors which I painted black.

I use the cabinet for storing glasses, ice bucket, coasters etc. 

Above the cabinet I hung this print my husband and I bought in the Napa Valley as a memento of our trip. The print has a border of wine labels and a map showing where different wines were made. 

The wood sculpture was a steal for $20.00 at annual thrift event for a local assisted living organization. 

On top of the cabinet I have a ceruse finish tray with different coasters and a decanter. 

I'll probably do more rearranging/adding, just not sure what to do yet. I like this cabinet, but it's not permanent. It was an inexpensive fix.  I'd like to put a nicer piece of furniture in it's place at some point. No rush, this cabinet is very functional until I find exactly the right thing when I can afford it.