Recent traditional décor projects had me giving some meaningful pieces renewed purpose. These transformations include an old carpet scrap, a broken flowerpot, and a bed headboard. One of my favorite aspects of traditional design is rescuing old items, touching them up, embracing their imperfections, and integrating them into contemporary living.
A 1940’s Carpet Scrap
I was thrilled when my dad found a carpet scrap from my great-grandparents’ home. Not only was it a floral design that was much to my taste, but it was also in excellent condition for 1940’s-era carpet. My great-grandparents brought the scrap to their summer cottage to use as needed. Somehow, it was overlooked and tucked away in the cottage attic until 2020. Recently, I took it to a rug specialist and had them bind the unfinished edges to turn it into a runner. I’m so pleased with how it turned out and I love the feelings of nostalgia and family history that bring a smile to my face each time I see the rug.
A Broken Flower Pot
This piece is not vintage, but falls under the “lessons learned” category. I recently purchased this small planting pot during a trip to the Chicago Botanical Garden. Its deep red color–my favorite!–drew me in. I owned it for two days when I dropped it on the floor, breaking it into five pieces. Luckily, I had all the pieces to make it whole again, but when I superglued it together, it did not look good. The seams were visible and shiny from the glue and bits of white ceramic could be seen through the cracks. I was disappointed and figured I’d have to toss it. But, I held on to it for a few days because I loved the pot’s color and hated to part with it. Then, I got an idea. I pulled out some white puffy paint and traced the cracked lines. It added so much texture and looked like a vine, so I added puffy leaves and dried them. Lastly, I painted the puffy areas a contrasting green. The pot is still imperfect, but I love it even more with its 3D textural additions! Chalk this one up to taking life’s disappointments, applying some creativity, and emerging with a transformed object that is both different and wonderful.
A Carved Wood Headboard
The carved wooden piece after I dusted and polished it. It was previously used as a bed headboard.
The last piece I’m featuring today was an item I bought from Facebook Marketplace. It was intricately carved in a churchy, gothic way and I appreciated its age and craftsmanship. I wish I knew, but its origin is unknown. The previous owner had creatively applied a board to the bottom and attached it to bedrails to make it into a headboard. I wasn’t sure how I would use it, but I gave it a thorough dusting using pressurized air to get into the grooves and shone it up with wood polish. Then, I sanded the bottom painted board and stained it to match. Finally, with the help of some fearless professionals with very tall ladders, I had it installed as a decorative crown to the two-story windows in my stairway. Though it’s missing its apex and some other details, it still serves as an impressive and beautiful piece of carved wood and I’m glad I gave it yet another new life.
I sanded off the layers of paint from the bottom board
I stained the bottom board
Headboard decoratively displayed high above tall windows in a stairway
What pieces have you repurposed for your traditional décor?
