Anything can be given a new life with a little imagination and creativity.
Recycling old things that would normally be thrown into the trash is not only a way to save our environment, but also a form of art. Many objects with seemingly no life left to them can be converted and used for other purposes. With a little creativity and imagination a whole new collection of art can be created from things that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
Vintage Window Topper
An old fashioned country feel can be added to your kitchen window by making a window topper out of old wooden rolling pins and/or similar cooking implements. Attached securely to the window frame by eye hooks, the rolling pins can be hung in varying lengths as-is for a rustic appeal or painted to add a touch of brightness to the kitchen area. A similar effect can be accomplished by painting an old shutter in a color that compliments your kitchen decor and attaching it to the top of your window frame with a power drill. Garlands of silk flowers could then be weaved in and out of the shutter for added effect.
Junk Lovers Bird Bath
A pedestal ashtray can be brought back to life by converting it into a backyard bathing spot for the neighborhood birds. Choosing a pastel color of rust resistant spray paint will bring beauty to this old relic without scaring the birds away. Most of the old ashtrays were made to be taken apart and emptied, so the actual ashtray can be taken out, leaving a saucer for water. Once the ashtray has been painted, there are a number of other things that can be done for decoration. Planting dwarf fruit bearing shrubs and flowering plants around the bird bath, for example, would not only create an eye pleasing effect, but would also add the pleasure of a miniature bird garden in an urban area.
Window Planter
A planter box can be made out of an old window frame by knocking out the panes of glass, and attaching a wooden rectangular box of the same approximate size with a hammer and nails. Treating the wood with a weatherproof stain will protect against water damage. This project can be utilized indoors and out, depending on how it is decorated and what types of plants are utilized. As an inside decorative piece, a smaller plastic planter can be placed inside the wooden box for drainage and filled with Ivy Hedera. The ivy can then be allowed to tumble over the front of the planter, or even trained to grow in and out of the frame. Outdoors, the sky is the limit as far as what types of plants can be utilized for this project. Petunias, impatiens, and portaluca are all good varieties of colorful flowering plants to give this project a final touch.
