Salvage

I've always loved a salvaged door (as the barn door in my former living room above will attest). A great old door can separate two spaces or fill the role of headboard for an otherwise ordinary bed. When hung from the ceiling, windows can act as room dividers without blocking light. Or when propped on a console table, they introduce height to a grouping of found objects. Old signs that have nothing to do with a room's purpose add a bit of whimsy and fill the role of art at a fraction of the price. A room that otherwise leans toward the feminine finds balance when factory pieces are introduced. Chipping paint, cracks and rust are part of the appeal -- perfection is over-rated.

railroad sign

railway sleepers

English pub sign

garage door

architectural columns

 

 carnival ride & industrial baskets turned upside down

Images: 1) L.Gaule. 2, 3 & 4) Country Living, May, June & November 2012. 5) Elle Decoration, May 2012. 6 & 7) Flea Market Style, Summer & Fall/Winter 2011. 8, 9 & 10) Vogue Living, July/Aug 2011, Feb 2012 & July/Aug 2010. 11) Cote Est, Sept-Nov 2011. 12 & 13) Flea Market Style, Winter 2012 & House Beautiful, July/Aug 2012.    

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Turn vintage tin boxes into cute upcycled planters

I recently bought a box lot of rusty old boxes at auction (without viewing - often a mistake!) and back home I was a bit disappointed. The boxes were all damaged, dirty and rusted, used for screws in someone's garage, and I put the whole lot in storage for the time being.
Then last week, as I was sifting through old stock looking for planters to sell at my Mother's Day shopping event, I remembered them.

I decided to have a better look now and as I opened the rusty boxes, the brightly coloured insides of the lids stared back at me and I smiled. Beautiful vintage advertising signs, well preserved in the dark while the rest of the tins changed colour.

I made small holes in the bottom for drainage, as well as through the lid and side so I could put a piece of string through to hold up the lid. Pansies and other bedding plants are now growing where once screws were kept.
Upcyling at its best.

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My vintage furniture shop in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire....is open!

The proud shop owner!

The 'al-fresco' bar

Moustache mirror made by Dee-licious Finds, beautifully modeled by Chris

A courtyard full of vintage (and two wee boys)

Nina singing and hubby Glenn playing air guitar with the bbq fork

Upcycled telephone bench

The Malpaso Gang playing in the woodworking shed!

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Shop: Pass the Baton

It's been many years since I lived in Tokyo, and back then my idea of the ultimate shopping experience was Kiddy Land -- a 5-story department store full of toys. If I were lucky enough to find myself back in Japan, my first shopping stop would have to be Pass the Baton. Both an online and brick-and-mortar shop, Pass the Baton celebrates personal culture. Every consigned item is displayed with the name of the consignor and a little story about the item's history. Sellers also have the option of donating the proceeds from their item to charity. Beyond being a brilliant concept, everything is beautifully displayed to accentuate the value of objects that have enjoyed a previous life and haven't just emerged from a box or factory.

Images: Pass the Baton.

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Gypsy Chick inspirations

I'm a chick Obsessed. As with any new adventure, I DIVE right in. I usually come up for air later on with just a few scratches...  Being this one has been a long term dream, it casts an even more surreal glow effect. Many thanks to Small farm Girl for her comment to my last post on the dilemma of contrasting decor themes. As to the subject of the Vintage camper decor, she suggested "Why not do both!". I began to think intensely upon those words and realized, if I change the Blue of the one choice into Turquoise and add some reds, rustic oranges and other desirable's in there to POP- I could mesh it together for the balance I sought. So the hunt began as I embraced my admiration for the Gypsy interior using Turquoise but keeping things middle road enough for The Captain.

I have contemplated some solar light self made lanterns to use with the camper being MANY candles in such close {and OLD} quarters is a bit scarey. Our local dollar tree has the landscape spike ones for $1 a piece which I knew fit perfect for my plans. the lanterns can be hung on the canopy or set on the ground in the sun during the day to charge & placed about for their evening enjoyment. I'll share a tutorial if you can wait that long but there are plenty of similar ideas on the net.

I am SO making a few of these knotted rope holders but a trip to the flower factory will produce much nicer glass vessels then mason jars {no proper gypsy chick would use Mason jars when they could be holding gems from the garden bounty~ unless of course they were tinted...}

Tutorial found over here at marthe Stewart living:

http://www.marthastewart.com/900270/knotted-hanging-lanterns

Speaking of tinted jars,I do believe this is pure WOW!

Who knew something as simple as GOLD puffy paint & food coloring dyed Modge podge would transform jars into Moroccan inspired lanterns! http://www.designsponge.com/2011/03/diy-project-moroccan-lanterns.html

Maybe not as perfect as the real thing but close enough! and boo coo bucks saved in the process.

Now how about a Moroccan inspired rug.Oh, the bust the budget price tag making you TRY to ignore the want? Then why not try out this tutorial using a shag rug and Rit dye!! Yep. Over at gorgeous & shiny things, you will find yourself in awe over the transformation you can create.

http://gorgeousshinythings.blogspot.com/2011/07/make-it-beni-ourain-rug.html

Has me turning the wheels on how I can transform a colored rug using bleach in place of the rit dye for some "milk thistle lily damask" Gypsy designs. Now where's that Bleach gel pen.....

Little brother Army brought me some very pretty scarves/shawl pieces from his time in the Middle East. He also made the mistake of showing me the bounty he still has filling rubbermaid containers when I helped them move from across (or is it diagonal) the country. I may have to seek out his willingness to part with a few more textile items in my color palette.

 Over the last 6months I have noticed a few similar scarves with the gold thread woven in at the thrift stores. Of course at the time I resisted snatching them without a clue what i would do with them. Now? I'm smacking the forehead with after thought. while making mentals to start snatching away!

Picture & tutorial via American Gypsy

Over at American Gypsy {whom has inspired today's post}, has shared a way to get those exotic pillows using scarves. Of course, you could use throws or other large pieces to make pillows for the bed or floor lounging. Luckily I found her as I mooned over exotic pattern pillows, rugs and blankets. Scarves run a whole dollar at the thrifts here and textiles all run under $4. Now if I could only find the color scheme I desire, I would be set!

http://www.americangypsyliving.com/2009/08/goodbye-scarf-hello-bolster.html

Now as for a piece to use on the outside of My Gypsy Chick caravan, an AWNING! Over at "This Montana life", you will find a very helpful {and again boo coo buck saver without the reduction in Glam}, easy Awning tutorial!  http://thismontanalife.com/make-your-own-awning-step-by-step/

One must have something, after all, to make shade as well as hanging those solar lanterns upon.

I truly have not a single idea on what color route to go with {burgundy? green?, ?,?} I am leaning to a solid color top with Indian influenced shape scallops. This is the Mediterranean scallop found via four seasons tent masters:

 Yep. That's the shape I want hanging from the edge of the awning. Thankfully I have all winter to tackle that project.

Thank you for all the encouraging words & sharing in the happiness of my newest adventure. As you know, I'm all over the map.  Now you can throw in some Vintage Camper remodeling to the mix.

I go this Friday to measure her tires and HOPEFULLY find a used pair before bringing her home. otherwise she will be riding a landscape trailer. Who knew camper tires would be such an ordeal PLUS cost more then car tires? Gently Used tire shopping at boat yards & RV repair shops is in my future.

Sweetest dreams,

~Tammie

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Tin Can Camper Hunting

Years ago, I came within hours of buying a Vintage Tin Can camper but those dreams were dashed. With things slowing down on the to do list around here, those dreams crept back in for the enjoyable remodeling project.

I think I found her! My Betty! A 1967 FAN Coach Camper that needs SOME work but not a huge overhaul. This dreamy Vintage camper was bought by the current owners as a restoration project a few years ago but their jobs kept them from going beyond the cleaning as well as the start of repairing the once leaked upon roof interior. I ventured out this weekend with Little man at my side, to look the 13 foot long camper over.

I fell.. HARD. I did not expect to have the first one I look at to have such an impact. She met every one of the bits on my checklist and I made my offer after discussing it with The Captain. I find out today if this will be my "Betty".

You can see where they began to remove the water damaged ceiling wood as you peer through the door.

 

 She even has a tiny Latrine! Not sure if that will be removed or remodeled until I get in there.

See the original stove in ugly brown? Rust Oleum has refinishing product for that.

Standing in the doorway, you see the back seating/ twin bed area as well as the Kitchen side. The seating has a wood pull out system which would fit a Twin size mattress perfectly. The electric fireplace is obviously not original but would be added in the remodel plans. Fall Camping would be much nicer with a heating unit.

The current owners have already sanded down all the wood {BONUS!} for stain & sealing. This dining area transforms into a Full size bed nook. That stick on squares of tile MUST go.

Get a look at that most likely never used oven!

I will be crushed if this one slips through my hands but in defense of the possibility, I was not prepared to buy this soon. I wanted to look over as many as possible to educate myself in differences, what to look for, etc. I got lucky with this couple. A project they meant to undertake no longer fit their schedule and they want it to go to someone who wants it for restoration remodel to USE. NOT resell for a profit being they were selling it so low in price. The wife has voiced it to her husband whom told me, his wife prefers I get it since all the other interested parties are looking for a resell venture.

Now if only that would play in my favor of our negotiations...

Hopefully, I share next the excitement of bringing "Betty" home but if not.... the hunt will continue.

As for the current undertakings,

Black Raspberries are being picked every morning, producing almost 3/4 a colander each time. PLENTY more on those canes but one of my larger spots has been invaded by black angry hornets. Grr.

Frog & I hit some trails around the lake for Blackberry reference and could not pass up some picking of the areas black raspberries. Upon which we found this nestled within the heart of a patch just 3 1/2 feet off the ground:

I have neglected you so this warmer season and will try to be more of a presence. Especially if I get my "Betty". yep. Vintage Camper remodel fun. Maybe I can get her ready for a trip to the Country Living Fair this September with Panda at my side. That place is surely to produce some Tin Can fancy decor.

Sweetest dreams,

~Tammie

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