Repurposed Old Doors

 I begin this post with a heart felt thanks to my husband.  Thanks, Darling!

This is the post where I admit my Pinterest addiction.  I can thanks several students (college) my first semester in Tennessee for introducing me to this epic (and wonderful) time suck.  I have said, more than once, that if Pinterest had been invented before I finished my dissertation, I would not be Dr. Kat.  That said, I have adored collecting pins (it's much easier than collecting crap!) of things I love; pinning ideas for craft projects; and dreaming about the many renovations going on at my house.


Last summer, for instance, we had the (hideous) paneling removed from the (not so) Great Room and replaced it with drywall and some gorgeous turquoise paint.  During that time we had new doors and windows installed.  Imagine my husband's surprise when I refused to let the doors or windows go.  And imagine his amazement about 10 months later when I showed him a few of my pins of "old door arbors".  In fact, this pin was one of my first ever pins! 


A few weeks before Mother's Day my husband dragged the doors up from the basement and began sanding and repairing them.  He caulked seams to prevent water damage and proceeded to paint those puppies THREE times with our favorite outdoor paint, Valspar Duramax (We have used this amazing paint on the porch, the bathroom cabinets, and the trim and bead board throughout the house!).  He had to fight the carpenter bees for the 2x6s, but in the end he won!

Like most of our home projects, they take roughly four times longer than we anticipate.  So shortly before Father's Day found us in the yard assembling this arbor down by the sidewalk.  Again, the husband thought of everything.  Instead of just propping the arbor up in the lawn surrounding the walkway, he created a foundation to protect the arbor from sitting on or in the wet earth.  This man thinks of everything.

After some time leveling, multiple brackets, and tons of screws, he caulked every hole and sealed every crack before repainting the arbor for a FOURTH time.  I am thinking this puppy is going to be able to withstand all sorts of weather.

After much discussion we decided upon Monrovia Climbing Roses in white and yellow.  They've been planted and their training has begun.  I cannot wait for them to begin climbing and blooming.  And I cannot wait to see what project we tackle next. 


Don't forget, I have those windows to do something with! 

China Cabinet

Nearly five years ago I purchased a nifty mid century modern china hutch for $25.00.  I loved this cabinet and have regretted leaving it behind when I moved to Middle Tennessee.  Since my move to Tennessee I have continued collecting china and crystal as the thrift stores in this area usually have a remarkable selection!  The need to replace the china cabinet I left behind has reached critical mass.  For a few months I have been cruising the Craig's List adds in Nashville in hopes of finding a cabinet.  Last month I found just the one! 

It is currently just housing various glassware and dishes.  I need another cabinet before I can begin sorting, organizing, and presenting my grandma's Candlewick, Osage Clayworks pottery, my silver rimmed barware, my mom's (now mine) Midnight Rose Bavarian China and much, much more! 

Coffee Press

My brother makes a mean cuppa via a French Press... He rather got me hooked last summer when I stayed with him and Robin whilest finishing up the dissertation... I was tickled when he gave me his lil' Lexan French Press (You can buy your own for about $20 at Safety Central.) The Lexan coffee press is virtually indestructable and great for making a cup o' joe whilest traveling or camping. Yum! My lil' pot is 10 oz. But they come in 33 oz and 50 oz (50 oz of coffee?! I could do it! But my heart would stop!) for the serious drinker... coffee drinker that is!



Well, I was shopping the other day at the local Salvation Army Thrift Store (my favorite retail venue in the 'Burg... okay, second favorite... Highway 13 Antiques being my first!) when I found a Pyrex (!) French Press for TWO DOLLARS! Yes, $2.00. Woot! A little coffee pot cleaner and a lot of water and the press cleaned up and shined up nicely! I cannot wait for company! I am ready to press up a nifty lil' pot o' coffee!



Well now, you can go and buy your own used Pyrex Coffe Press at Ebay for about $15.00 plus shipping... Making my $2.00 pot that much more of a SCORE! And with a nod to my lil' sis... Press pots are great for loose tea! Much better than tea balls as they allow the tea to fully expand... Love it; love it; love it!