Friday, March 11, 2011

Vintage Inspiration Friday #28 What can I do with that...?

If you're like me, and a junker at heart,
then you can't let a great find pass you by;
even if you don't know WHAT it is or what you could do with it.



A few years ago my hubbs located these
glass and hardwood whatchamacallits at a swap meet.
The first thing to be said was that OK,
... these are cool,
...what are they?
...what could we do with them?
...why are there only 3 of them?







After doing some investigation on the Internet,
I found out these rectangle boxes with glass inserts,
are old door window insets.
When I was young we lived in a house with these stairstepped on the front door,
sort of like this one, except our door was a blue gray.


(google images)


I try to grab every "Bird Book" and print I can find. The illustrations and information, especially if they are vintage, just fascinate the nature lover and artist in me. Soooo, my love for bird prints and old junk got married!



Below is my vintage Lefton birdie


Our rooms downstairs are more rustic with a lot of wood.
The mantel is really huge and with the red brick it's difficult
to keep the rooms from being too dark.




So I try to keep white and light on the mantel.


Some of my ironstone has found a happy place there and it just doesn't want to leave.



other birdie figurines from Czechoslovakia



I can't tell you how many times I DIDN'T make that purchase
that I later kicked myself for.
Go with your gut...
if something grabs your attention,
you'll usually find a use for it someday!




And speaking of birdies and Spring
can an old wire birdcage get by as a "cloche"?
joining Marty for Spring Cloche Party







And now for some wonderful inspiration from last week,

One of my favorite people,
Rebecca at a RE Purposed Life





Sissie's Shabby Cottage



Chippy Door



The Shabby Chick



Honestly, there are so many wonderful posts just full of inspiration.
Thanks so much, all of you who link up for the party!

I'll be joining these great parties this weekend.
Just click to visit!

        


        


             




                     


And I'd love you to grab my VIF button for your sidebar



We're having our Spring Open Houses this weekend,
hopefully, next post I'll have photos!
Have a great weekend,
love you all,
Debra






65 comments:

  1. So cute - i love all the pretty birdie goodies you show in your post. thanks for hosting!! xoox

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank You for hosting today Debra. And what a cool post today just intime for Spring. I always enjoy seeing the birds in the garden. So do the neighborhood kittys. But our gurls kep the at bay from the poor birds. Have a great day............Julian

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm with you. So often I'll find something and bring it home without a game plan. Sooner or later an idea will strike me, then I have to go looking for my original purchase. Those repurposed windows are so unique and the bird prints look perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Debra, those boxes are wonderful. I know a lot of people who love birds and they would go crazy for these.

    I'm hoping to link up later today.

    Wonderful images, love your photography.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What an inspired use for door windows and I know how you love birds! ♥O

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Debra,
    I hear ya!! I can never pass up a good bargin!!! Does get me in trouble though!! lol!
    I love these bird prints, and to think that the frames were once windows! How cool is that!!!
    Have a wonderful weekend!!
    xoxoxox
    Cheryl;-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. so cute!
    lovely photos!
    take care,
    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  8. how clever- would have never known what they were. Love how you used them as frames in your lovely bird vignette!

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow great find, I love your mantel.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Debra,
    The bird prints in the windows was genius. I love how that looks. What a pretty mantel too. Very nice!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  11. We had a door like that when I was growing up; but, I'm afraid I would not have recognized them at a swap meet. You are so clever! Love the bird prints in them. Perfect! Sally

    ReplyDelete
  12. New follower, and obviously new to linking up [hence why I put my name, not the project name :) ]. I love the use of the bird prints!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Debra,
    Oh, you clever girl you...I just love those little window boxes with the bird prints. Their perfect on your mantel along with all the other lovely pieces.
    Also, thank you so much for featuring my barkcloth pillow.

    hugs
    Sissie

    ReplyDelete
  14. How creative to find a use for the door windows. They are very pretty and look as if they were meant for each other. Very impressive.
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's nice to back to your homey place! Great to see your interesting mantel dressing. Love your framed birds! I'm always inspired by vintage. SO much more character to things! Thanks a bunch!xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Get OUT of here!!!!!! I remember those doors. Everyone's house had doors like that when I was a kid. How very, very cool. And please. I don't need more permission to buy something I don't need, don't know what to do with, and will wait for "someday when inspiration comes." I'm thiiiiiiis close to Hoarders already!! LOL
    Cheers, Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your door window framed bird images, Debra! And your mantel looks beautiful with all of your pretty little birdies! You have such a gift for putting things together and creating a cozy, elegant look! Thank you for hosting today!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda - Girl in Pink

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your mantel is so interesting with the ironstone, books, birds, etc. You are so creative in everything you do. Thanks for being a gracious hostess. There is always inspiration here!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your birdcage is adorable. Love it how you put the bird and nest inside. I also love your altered "door window". Clever! Thanks for hosting the party.

    Danielle

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love your wire cloche and love the birds!...Christine

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful mantel vignette Debra.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Debra, Your mantel sure isn't dark as it is decorated for the season! It says "spring" in a big way. Love those "what-nots" of door windows. I like to come home w/interesting things, too. I figure out what I'm gonna do w/them later~ silly, huh? But it pays off! The pictures in them are gorgeous and they look so good "perched" where you have them. Birds are such a great theme! hugs, Sue

    ReplyDelete
  23. Debra, I love those. They are so unique and anything with birds is worth getting. That is so neat that they are old windows from a door. Thanks for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would never in a million years have figured out what those were! The house we live in had a couple of doors like that, too. I dearly love what you did with them.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Debra~ Love birds~ your mantle looks beautiful!!! love the whites and the books mixed in and I love the cloche too-it's gorgeous! I linked up 2 things today~ Thanks for hosting! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great look on your mantel...love those door window inserts with the bird prints. Thanks for sharing your clever ideas.

    Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love your mantel! It's beautiful! Found my way here from the French Country Cottage. I linked up 3(!) projects and I am your newest follower. Thanks for hosting the party!

    ReplyDelete
  28. THank you for hosting...I'm a new follower and I've added your party to my linky list

    ReplyDelete
  29. I never would have guessed those boxes were from an old door. How interesting and how great that you transformed them into something beautiful and useful. Your mantel looks so pretty. And I especially love your bird cage. I passed on one at the GW the other day because I just don't have room for it :( I wish I'd bought it! Thanks for hosting another fun party.
    ~Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Debra! How clever! I love the combination of the door inserts and the bird prints! Thanks for hosting! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh my, how I love those bird pics you and your husband brought home. You were certainly wise to purchase those as you have used them so well. I often times buy things having no clue where they will go! LOL!
    I am linking up with your party today! Thanks for hosting!
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  32. Love those bird pictures, Debra! Birds hold a very special meaning to me. We had a door like that too! Thanks for the party. Always happy when I have something to share over here. Thanks for introducing me to a few new beautiful blogs today.

    xo
    Jami

    ReplyDelete
  33. Debra,
    What an amazing find!! I love the bird prints in the old window openings...and so much to look at on this blog!!!! Can't wait to dive in.
    Thanks so much for hosting,
    xo
    lynn

    ReplyDelete
  34. Tis a marriage made in heaven, Debra! I do love my birds too.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank You Debra for featuring me what a great way to start the weekend. You have a good one

    ~~Pattie~~

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love all of your collection of birds and bird images, Debra, and the way you used the old door window inset... great idea! As always... thanks for hosting this fab party! :)
    Hugs,
    Jo

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hey Deb
    Love the birdies and I would have never guessed the whatchamacallits were door windows... they look so botanical/old mercantile cool with the bird prints.
    Thanks for the kudos from last week
    Blessings my friend
    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  38. My heart has flown away over the birdcage vignette!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love how you decorated your mantel. I am your newest Follower. Thanks for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Love the vintage bird frames.. I think they look great on your books..

    ReplyDelete
  41. Debra, Thanks so much for featuring my Door! I love that door and so tickled you liked it too! Speaking of doors, I remember the three stepped doors and those bird inserts would be awesome! I feel your pain with making a darker room lighter I have a "wood living room". As always love your pictures and thank you so much for hosting this link party!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Debra, Love all of your birds and nature displays and vignettes. Did you put the bird prints in the window panes or did you buy them that way? Very creative. Thanks for hosting your wonderful vintage party.
    ~ Julie

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello Debra, thank you so much for this beautiful post and hosting this lovely collection!
    Have a great weekend,
    love Maaike

    ReplyDelete
  44. Sweet Debra,-
    YES, take the things home, if your eyes can`t leave them....SO TRUE
    I love your wonderfull bird cage "cloche" so sweet decorated, and also all your birds- your eye for matching all things together, is wonderfull ,dear.
    Hugs, Dorthe

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Debra, I just love you mantel, it's so pretty.... and I always love anything with birds!!! Thanks for hosting!!!
    hugs~~~ Daphne

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi Debra...love your creations! Just perfect for Spring! Thanks so much for hosting each week...so much fun!

    Have a great weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Oh my goodness; I always disliked those doors but who knew that they had such wonderful "parts"!
    Love what you've done with them...and thanks for hosting!

    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi there, I've only recently discovered your site. It's wonderful to find a fellow 'junker at heart'. Last summer at an auction I bought a cast iron something or other. Paid $30 and everyone was asking me what it was and why was I so intent on having it. I had no idea, I just saw it and loved it. I'm still not sure what it is, an umbrella stand possibly? and haven't found a use yet but I'm still thrilled I bought it as I know one of these days it will find the perfect spot in my home.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Debra,
    I love those bird pictures. And I remember those front doors!! How funny!
    I have been hitting all my Good Will's to find old book with pictures like that!
    I love your glass birds too. I have 1, I wanted to collect them but then everyone that I found that I liked was really expensive! Who knew!?

    ReplyDelete
  50. love your bird prints! my aunt and uncle had a door like that and I loved it. Great and interesting use! Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Debra, I was finally able to finish my post. It took me forever today to get my pics loaded? Happy Friday to you, T

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thanks for hosting! I am linking up again this week. Love the birds...makes me so ready for spring!
    xo,
    Sena

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi there~ Just stopping back over to say thanks so much for sharing this at my party and being such a great Friday party friend~ Hugs, Courtney

    ReplyDelete
  54. Oh I love your mantel, it is so pretty with your beautiuful vignette. The birdcage is just perfect. So pretty with the bird and nest. Gorgeous. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love that rusty wreath ~ Everything looks so French and Beautiful ~ Lovely! Blessing sweet Debra! I couldn't resist linking up! XO

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hello Debra,
    what a cute and springy post. Thank you for hosting this nice event.
    Greetings, Johanna

    ReplyDelete
  57. YES!...the pretty cage passes by large as a cloche, I love it with the little ceramic bird and blue eggs. I love this party and thank you for hosting it, I'm most definetelly joining this friday coming, I can't wait! Hope you visit me as I would be delighted to have you.
    XOXO
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  58. Seriously those are 1960's era DOOR windows? Okay, I call myself thrift and LOVE to repurpose but I fully admit I would never EVER have imagined it!

    Great job - your displays are gorgeous - sublime!

    I'll be clicking to follow for more!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Debra, my sister , who isn't a blogger but does the Christmas Tea I'm always posting about, anyway when I showed her your last post, she said I went to eat there, that is the place I was telling you was so neat! She goes to Family Camp around there every Oct. She loved the Tea Room.
    Those "frames" are so cool and love the bird pics!
    Ha Ha, this post was a ramble, hope you understood!

    Lezlee

    ReplyDelete
  60. Hi Debra....I just love the vintage window inserts that you have turned into art! Just beautiful! Thank you, too, for stopping by with your kind comments. Throughly enjoy your "Vintage Inspiration!"

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hi Debra, The prints inside the boxes are wonderful! What a unique and creative idea. Thank you so very much for sharing this at my new party. Take care.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  62. I love your remake of those "whatchamacallits"! Of course, if it involves birdies, I'm probably gonna love it. ;)

    Thanks for linking to the party. I'd love to have you join me each week.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you. Feel free to comment, big or small. Be sure and leave your name and blog if commenting under anonymous. Thanks friends

New Posts in Your In-Box