Trash to Treasure Tuesday

Today, I'm NOT sharing a project for Trash to Treasure Tuesday.

What? What? What?

Calm down and let me 'splain myself. I'm sharing a COLLECTION of projects, or ideas, sort of. And attempting to solve a decorating dilema that I think is fairly common.

Do you have that space ABOVE your kitchen cabinets? (If you have those soffit thingies, then that's a post for another day, 'cuz I'm solvin' my own problem today, and I'm selfish like that.)

Is that space above your cabinets, like, as challenging to accessorize for you as it is for me? Good. I KNEW I wasn't alone in my misery.

I like fabulous accessories just as much as the next girl, but since I'm CHEAP, I never wanted to spend much on decorative items for UP THERE.

Then, the lightbulb came on. That's what I like to say when I get a good idea, 'cuz I'm not so good at hiding the fact that I'm excited about something. THAT'S WHY I STINK AT POKER.

THAT SPACE is the perfect place to display treasures made from trash. Even if they didn't turn out so good, because no one can see them up close unless they pull up a ladder. And no one's friends do that, do they? Well, I had a couple that did, but I don't invite them over much anymore.

Now, for some pictures.

Everthing here came from a thrift store. Well, the "plant" didn't, but it probably should be trash, I just haven't found anything better to replace it with. I painted the plate, 'cuz it was ugly, you know. The frame was already beautiful black, I just printed out the B on my computer and framed it. This picture also illustrates how easy it can be to change a color scheme with remade objects. When I fell in love with the red/aqua combo, I started looking for thrift store items in those colors. I found that cool Ball jar in aqua, printed the B in the same color and added red with paint and the candle (man, that candle is crooked).

Are you seeing a theme here? No, not the UGLY PLANT theme. Here's another painted plate, only square this time, with aqua accents. The box on the right was $.50 at the Goodwill. It was a Christmas item, so I just added paint and the same stencil that's on the plate.

This stuff is all unaltered thrift store goodies. I like to add the greenery for some texture (this stuff is better than those other plants), and vary the shapes. I also vary the height of the objects, it's just more interesting to look at that way.

More Goodwill stuff. Probably $4.00 total here, people. I did have to paint the star, so I guess that adds a nickel or so.

Here are my TOP FOUR TIPS FOR DECORATING THAT SPACE "UP THERE":

1. Decide on a color scheme and start looking for items that either match, or can be painted to match. Don't look for perfection, unless your friends have ladders.


2. Vary the texture. Use plants (but please find some better than mine), baskets or other rough textured items to balance out the smooth stuff.


3. Vary the height. If all of your items are similar in size, set some pieces on small boxes or pieces of scrap wood to elevate them.


4. Put stuff up there you like to look at. My space doesn't look "professionally" done, but it makes me happy, and isn't that what it's all about?

All right, enough about me ladies. Link up those projects!

Please don't forget to link back to REINVENTED in your posts so that your readers can check out all of the great ideas!