I’ve come to the conclusion that I do not have a talent for finding, re-imagining, and revitalizing thrift store finds. My friend Charlotte from Ciburbanity, however, is a boss when it comes to transforming a jewel in the rough. I mean, just look at her impressive gallery of thrift store makeovers. Her ombre file cabinet is insane, right? Are you familiar with that show, Flea Market Flip? Yeah. I could never be on that show. I’d be sitting alone in my booth with all of the thrifted crap I couldn’t sell. But Charlotte? That show was made for Charlotte.
Charlotte invited me to take part in her Swap It Like It’s Hot blog hop, which is where a group of bloggers buy about $10 worth of crap at the thrift store, swap the items amongst one another with the challenge to stretch our creative muscle and reinvent those thrifted items. Sounds fun, right? I thought so too. But before I could say, “wait a minute. I suck at this,” Charlotte sent me these items:
Verrrrry funny, Charlotte. Seriously, you’re a comedienne.
What am I supposed to do with that horrendous hand-painted birdhouse? Sometimes, things found at the thrift store should be left there. They’re at the thrift store for a reason, my friends.
But the wooden tray? I actually really liked it just the way it was. Don’t believe me? I totally included it in my Spring Home Tour! Sometimes improving upon something means leaving well enough alone.
I suppose I could have sanded, stained or painted it a different color, but I’m actually a fan of the natural wood.
Okay, so back to this birdhouse… thing.
I decided to remove the panel with the precious little heart on it, then I spray-painted it a pretty coral color. I added some hooks and voila: arrow-shaped key holder! Arrows are trendy and a spare key (or three) is always a good thing, right?
Or you could just forget about the hooks, turn it right side up and store little treasures in your tiny divided house. Okay, okay, so this project may not be a home run for me, but I think I made something crappy into something… less crappy. Amiright??? I warned you: this is not where my talent lies. Clearly. But there are folks who do know how to do it right and those folks are linked below. Enjoy! If you need me, I’ll be in my workshop building something new.
aaaw i was sad to see the lovely hand painted details go… 😉 kidding! awesome working with what you were sent! the key holder is adorable!
I love how you redesigned that bird house! Like you said, some things are thrift shop for a reason 🙂 I love this blog hop!
I love that coral color! Don’t sell yourself short, Jen. Sometimes a simple spruce up is all something needs 😉
Jen, Your key holder is so cute. You really came up with a creative way to transform that birdhouse. Genius!
Ha! Too funny. But…you underestimated your talent, to see a trendy arrow in an ugly birdhouse is pretty impressive. 🙂 Love how you styled the tray too.
I think that arrow key holder looks cute! This gives me an awesome idea to showcase our old house keys, like a memory box 🙂
I love the arrow idea for keys. What fun!
You’re not giving yourself enough credit. I think it’s adorable! Is it going to be part of a future home tour ? 😉
Weell that’s adorable. You don’t have talent my foot. Love that arrow.
xo – kb
I love it! It’s simple but adorable, for real!
HAHA. You’re hilarious! I love a good arrow. I figured you and your masterful ways with all things wood could soak it and twist it and transform it into a chandelier or something. 😉 Love that you were part of the fun! xx
Yes! I’ll get right on that. 😉
Cute idea! And so clever, turning it into an arrow! I think you did a great job.
Clever and cute!
The key holder is a great repurpose! So cute.
You are so funny, but alas you transformed that horrendous birdhouse and that’s what it’s all about. Actually it’s kinda fun as a key holder! 🙂
I’m the exact same way…I would much rather build from scratch. Your key storage birdhouse turned out really cute!