Carlo Sampietro is an environmentally concerned artisan who repurposes what he literally finds in the street into industrial chic furniture.  A plastic traffic barrel, for instance, becomes a Cloche Chair (with a light-up base) when Carlo Sampietro reinvents “thrown away stuff” from New York City Streets and conjures up his “street is in the house” line of furniture and accessories.  He also incorporates old Police barriers, mailboxes, and even used newspaper and magazine holders into vintage chic tables, aquariums, and even dishwashers!

A 1960s taxi cab topper is ingeniously repurposed into mood lighting.

Who would have known that an emergency barrier can be repurposed into the most stylish workhorse table?

Here’s another great take on the emergency barrier repurposed table idea, and I’m loving the patriotic feel.  What a way to spark dinner conversation!

Yes, that is indeed a dishwasher upcycled from an old magazine rack!

Hello, humble clothespin.

You help my sheets and unmentionables enjoy kisses from the sun and wind.  You hold my chip bags closed, and when I’m grumpy at my husband, you are the perfect weapon.

However, my dear clothespin, I’m afraid have neglected you in all of your repurposed glory.  I haven’t repurposed clothespins into lamps, paint brushes, or even apparel.  While your siblings are frolicking as upcycled clothespins, you are relegated to my clothes.  May this collection of repurposing ideas allow you to forgive me and my boring unmentionables.

Repurposed clothespins showcase their silhouettes via ReadyMade’s clothespin lamp.

Foam brush manufacturers, may you quiver in fear in the shadow of this easy DIY clothespin brush repurposing project!

Even small kitchens without a windowsill can enjoy the beauty of this space-saving clothesin repurposing idea from DIY Ideas.

Big Martha repurposes clothespins and an embroidery hoop to create a holiday wreath.  This would make for an excellent alternative to a bulletin board or even photo collage.

Sandra Backlund shows us there is no limit to what fashion — and a slew of humble clothespins — can achieve.

Inspired from the effective design of the clothespin, Hommin creates a fantastic way to keep your trash stylish.

Has your green thumb been swept up by revival in terrariums?  I am loving the resurgence in terrariums, as I personally am obsessed with miniature plants and moss.  With a handful of pebbles, a layer of charcoal, and slow growing, moisture-loving plants, you can enjoy your own eco-friendly world.

You know that I love repurposed plant containers, and the possibilities for terrariums are endless, as nearly any container, bottle, and even chandelier can be repurposed into chic terrariums.  Here are some repurposed terrarium ideas for your green pleasure!

Preston Baily prepares for a tea party the only way he can – by creating terrariums from vintage cake stands sprinkled with fresh flowers.  Using fresh flowers is an instant way to temporarily spruce up a terrarium for a special event.

The stylish duo behind Wary Meyers show that even the humblest of pickle jars can be repurposed into a terrarium.  It only takes an ability to see outside of the jar, so to speak.

From a repurposed chandelier (1970s esq, true?), Design Spunk created a very stylish accent to her workspace.  I love the contrast of the vintage metal against the delicate orchids.

In a similar vein of inspiration, Kat Geiger of Design Spunk took a broken lamp and turned it into a lovely upcyled terrarium.   This one is available for purchase in the aptly named GreenUnderGlass Etsy shop!

Madebymavis showcases the beauty of upcycling in the terrariums for sale in her Etsy shop.  From upcycled maple syrup jars to salt and pepper shakers, her repurposed terrariums are the epitome of eco-friendly creativity.

Madebymavis strikes again with an ingenious upcycled terrarium.  I love that this one serves dual purposes, creating an eco-friendly ambiance.

With the holidays well behind us, what shall we do with the remaining ornaments?  Regardless of the time of year, you can always enjoy an ornament terrarium inspired by Charleston Home Magazine.  This would make a lovely holiday gift too!

Artist Robert Quinn shows us that small is beautiful.  These are tiny terrariums beautifully showcased in a frame.  One could even take a petri dish set, turn it on its side, and put it into a frame to create a work of living art.

Not sure what to do with all of those obsolete incandescent lightbulbs now that you’ve switched to the crazy spiral ones?   Turn it into a terrarium, but of course!  While this lightbulb terrarium by JohnKit has not fully propagated, didn’t the idea lighbulb go off in your head?

Are you growing a terrarium in your home?   Please tell us about what type of container you are using to house your eco-sphere!

If you needed another reason to love Earnest Sewn, beyond its flattering cuts and commitment to handmade denim, then consider its ambient flaghship store in New York’s meatpacking district — which is filled with repurposed treasures, industrial vintage decor, and a wabi sabi feel.

Jeans are tucked into antique library card catalogs, exposed brick adds a raw feel, and vintage industrial lighting shed the perfect ambient light across the repurposed retail displays.

Vintage signs add wit and irreverent humor to the displays, and bobbins of appropriately colored thread abound.

The versatile repurposed ladder serves as a stylish way to display their soft goods, while weathered wood adds a historic and raw touch to the entire store.

Who knew that an antique flour tin could be beautifully repurposed into a magnolia bloom vase?  With the metal accents and weathered wood, the vintage industrial feel is outstanding and is nicely complimented with a seagrass rug.

In the back of Earnest Sewn’s store, shoppers enjoy a changing mix of collections and art exhibits.  The Trovota Shop ingeniously repurposes antique chairs as creative displays of their clothing.

As part of the “New Hive” collaboration from last summer, organic matter, bees, and jars of honey create an interesting and mysterious ambiance.  Don’t the vintage glass honey jars look marvelous as a doorway?

There are so many elements of this repurposed retail shop I would love to incorporate into my home.  Look out Anthropologie — it looks like Earnest Sewn is giving you a run for your decor money!

We all know that we should not judge a book by its cover, but what about bookends?  Don’t judge a bookend by the fact that it is marketed as one.  Looking around your home will present you with a medley of creative options that allow you to create repurposed bookends.  Here are two upcycled bookend ideas from yours truly, followed by inspiration from contributing creatives.

Architectural salvage places are the perfect place to start hunting for unique bookends.  I found this pair of brass flourishes from an architectural salvage yard, and their weight and shape made for perfect repurposed bookends.

For a literal interpretation of bookends, why not use vintage typewriters?  From my collection of antique typewriters, I borrowed two black Royals to make repurposed bookends.  I think the end result is quite inspirational for a writer or literary enthusiast.

Outdated (yet adorable) vintage cameras enjoy a new spotlight as bookends.  1453designs repurposed vintage Kodak Bakelight cameras, along with mah jong tiles and dominos, to create chic and stylish camera bookends.

While LPs still have a place in my home, there are some genres of music that simply need to be repurposed.    While we have all seen vinyl record bowls and coasters, this DIY tutorial shows you how to repurposed LPs into bookends.  Now that’s music to my eyes!

What do you use as bookends in your home?  I would love to hear about them and see photos!

Whether it’s my desire to prevent future birds from being trapped or the intriguing architectural lines, vintage bird cages have also captured my attention.   In an effort to repurpose my growing collection, I have found that vintage birdcages make the most charming lamps.  With the lamp kits that you can purchase for $5 – $10, a string of LED lights, or even candles, you can repurpose vintage birdcages that chirp with light and charm.

As some of you kind readers may recall, my first birdcage lamp related project was restoring an antique Italian chandelier and hanging it on a birdcage stand, which makes for the perfect solution for renters who want to enjoy a chandelier — but also need to take it with us!

If you have the pleasure of finding a wooden birdcage, then you can easily purchase a wood lamp kit to create beautiful ambiance in your home.  While this birdcage from A Cottage Industry is not vintage nor handmade, it is excellent inspiration for antique birdcages.  You could actually mount the lamp kit to the top of any wooden birdcage by removing the top finial, if needed.

Be inspired by Philadelphia’s Dog Haus, hosted by the Philadelphia Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and sweeten any birdcage with its own curtain, which naturally diffuses the light without any lamp shade necessary.   If you would like to hang your newly repurposed birdcage lamp, then you can purchase a hanging lamp kit (Ikea has one for about $4).  You may want to use fire-retardant spray on the fabric, or opt for LED lightbulbs, just in case.

Go wireless and use a string of LED lights to illuminate your newly repurposed vintage birdcage, like ZuZuPetals.  You can use rubber bands or clips to create the shape you desire for the light sculpture inside the birdcage.

To create a fantastically stylish and bohemian look in your home, be inspired by shelikesdior‘s photo by stringing a medly of vintage birdcages across your ceiling.  Only one needs to be illumminated, and I love how the different genres of birdcages are brought together using a common color theme.

Pray tell, have you repurposed any vintage birdcages in your home?  I always enjoy hearing about your projects and ideas!

I have a deep, dark, and not-so-secret obsession: vintage suitcases!   However, considering that the hubby does not understand why I insist on dragging home vintage suitcases when I already have a dozen, I constantly need to find ways to repurpose and upcycle my collection of vintage suitcases.  Here are some ideas from yours truly and others who also find themselves in the suitcase repurposing predicament.

While I use a vintage suitcase for my styling kit for photo shoots, another sits faithfully by my desk as a filing cabinet.  I used an accordian file (the ones that frustratingly never want to stay upright or open), and enslited velcro tabs to attach the organizer into the suitcase.  When I open the suitcase, the accordian file expands – and conveniently stays vertically open by my desk!  This is an easy, five minute project perfect for tax time.

Regardless of the shape or size, your trusty vintage suitcase can become a chic side table, making a perfect conversation piece.  This collection is made by T.O.M.T, otherwise known as “The Other Man’s Treasures.”

If you don’t have the time or inclination to make your own, stop by LisaKathrynDesigns on Etsy, where you will find her version of chic and artistic upcycled luggage side tables.

Who knew that vintage luggage could have such furniture versatility?  The creative yorkpatty made this sassy repurposed luggage chair for her lucky sister-in-law’s birthday.  Even the fabric is upcycled from a sheet, accented with hand-stiches.

T.O.M.T also ingeniously repurposed vintage luggage into the most intriguing medicine cabinets!  Isn’t this so clever and creative?

Had I seen this adorable booth in person, I would have swooned!  Lockette makes gorgeous paper and fabric stationery, creatively displayed in tiers of suitcases – which make it perfect for both setting and packing up.  I love how she uses mini clothespins to hang her lovely cards – more of which can be  seen at the Lockette Etsy shop.

Of course, you can always use your vintage suitcases to store your belongings.  Country Home transformed an antique suitcase into the perfect crafting treasure box.   Line the suitcase with paper, and then using either hot glue or velcro, you can create your own traveling craft store.

Do you have the vintage suitcase bug?  I’d love to hear about how you have repurposed your vintage luggagge!

Imagine walking into a cafe filled with warm colors, creative furniture, and vintage Indonesian film posters — one that is a stark contrast to its minimalist, yuppie neighbors.  As the delicious aromas of coffee brewed from local Indonesian farmers fill your spirit, your eyes are surprised by all of the unique ways the restaurant design has been repurposed.   Welcome to KEDAI, a wonderful cafe located in Kemang in South Jakarta, Indonesia.

Tika is the creative proprietor behind this splendid cafe, where I know I would spend most of my evenings if I lived an ocean closer!  She was inspired to incorporate her love of colors, creative upcycling, used objects and second hand furniture to create a chic ambiance – with help from her power tool wielding mum!  When she went hunting through Jakarta looking for old wood that would become tables and cup hangers, she found much more than she had imagined….

Customers wash their hands at a tin bucket fashioned into a sink basin,which sits on a gorgeous table made from reclaimed wood.  Better yet, the water comes out from a chicken faucet purchased from a Bangkok market.

Forget particle board!   At KEDAI, you can be part of the alternative energy movement by dining at repurposed tables made from oil barrels that Tika cut in half.   Enjoy the cafe’s healthy food, clearly made without additives or MSG, and be inspired by all the creativity around you.

Using metal rice bowls commonly found in all Indonesian households, Tika created gorgeous lamps that let out the perfect amount of starry, diffused light.  She drilled the patterns into the rice bowls, although if you want to “borrow” this idea from KEDAI, you could possibly substitute vintage colanders for metal rice bowls.

Taking repurposed lighting to a new level of creativity, Tika fashioned a chandelier from vintage silverware pieces, and the result is magnificent!

Tika utilized reclaimed wood pieces, leftover from chair and desk projects for the local public schools, to create unique and charming chairs.   It’s also so lovely to see the entire ambiance of the creative cafe.

If two creative repurposed lighting fixtures were not enough to impress you, then dine under the “stars” created from upcycled bicycle rims. I absolutely adore all of the subdued lighting in KEDAI.  Not only is it inspirational for writing, but also the perfect place for a first date!

Now, are you ready for the best part?   Tika and her friends just opened the doors to Bikin Barang, a “Little shop of handmade knick knacks, vintage treasures, and craft supplies,” which translates into “heaven” in my vocabulary. 

Thank you Tika for sharing your wonderful space in this Room (or rather, Cafe) Without a Key Tour!  I hope to visit in person in the near future!

Finding the perfect vintage ladder has been on my treasure hunt list of late.  Providing both style and chic storage functionality, repurposed ladders can be used from bathrooms to living rooms.  If a ladder graces your home in a room other than the garage, I would love to hear about how you have repurposed it.

The unexpeted combination of a construction ladder and a delicate chandelier creates a lovely ambiance via Brocade Home.

No upward ladder climbers here!  At Idle Hand Tattoo in San Francisco, science!alex spooted an upcycled ladder turned into an unexpected and quite practical bookshelf.

The creatively talented Maya and her mother created an absolutely intriguing vignette using an old ladder, barn wood, and wire baskets.  Even better, you can enjoy the full DIY tutorial at maya*made!  I could spend hours exploring all of the vintage treasures artfully displayed on this fantastic upcycled ladder.

With the addition of a few planks, a vintage ladder is repurposed in Real Living into a stylish display piece.  So long curiosity cabinets!

Of course, your guests will be delighted with Martha Stewart‘s idea of using an antique apple picking ladder as a chic towel holder.

From an older repurposed bathroom post, a bathtub caddy is fashioned with the help of an antique ladder.

Of course, if you find yourself in my shoes, desperately lacking a vintage ladder, then be inspired to make your own.  In this image from Christine Churchill’s  The Collector’s Eye, the featured ladder could be created with decorative molding or trim, fastened to even two long branches.

Do you share my cravings for the feel of glass typewriter keys as you hopefully pen your next best-selling novel (emails suffice too)?  If you can no longer tolerate the feel of plastic keys under your fingers, then my friend, it is time to steampunk your keyboard!  The Steampunk Workshop has a great tutorial (albeit complicated) on how to make the most fantastic keyboard ever.  For the not-so-technically inclined, you can purchase repurposed, steampunked keyboards, such as the one featured below, from Datamancer.  I wonder if this purchase could qualify as a tax-deductable office expense?