Brilliant Reuse

second hand stores to look for all sorts of fun, old things. Oftentimes we and

fall for the patina, shape or number of a

certain something without really knowing what we’ll do with it. Most of the items have long finished their service for their original purpose. We always

initial impulse.

Then the task is to come up with new buy things on our possible

either right

then and there or perhaps once we get



applications

BRILLIANT REUSE

Our greatest passion is going to markets

back home. It takes creativity as well

process. If you read our magazine, you’ll find articles featuring these items each month. part of the

It’s been over four years now, and we’ve delivered many ideas through the years.

So by request, we’ve now collected the

best ideas in this book especially for our readers who also love to be creative.

ISBN 978-87-92843-25-8 ISBN 978-87-92843-25-8

9 788792 843258 9 788792 843258

J E A N N E D’A R C L I V I N G

as inventiveness, but it’s an exciting

Brilliant

2

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

Preface Some of the days to which we look forward the very most are the ones when we’re scheduled to go on a trip to gather items and find inspiration. We’ve instated monthly “flea market field trips,” and we try to visit as many different locations as possible.

There are days when we return without much in the trunk, but most of the time our main problem is finding room for everything. Especially when more people come along. Then the ideas often start flowing as we walk around, talking and looking at the selection. We often have a nice chat with the store owner or people at flea market stands. They’re a source of even more ideas and alternative approaches to the items.

Oftentimes, we find a lot of wonderful things and become so inspired that we want to immediately go home and get started.

We can hardly wait!

All of you who share the same interest know the feeling of excitement which arises when you find something extraordinary.

It’s almost like a “high” when you come across a stack of wonderful, old documents or a pair of worn boots with that perfect patina. The same feeling arises when you get a brilliant idea for how to reuse the items in new and innovative ways, or when you realize that if painted, patinated and decorated with a fun effect, an item or a piece of furniture is sure to look like a million bucks.

Through the past four years, our magazine, Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine, has focused a lot on utilizing all of these wonderful treasures in DIY articles, where we transform the items or use them in a new way. We bring you many of these articles in the course of a year. These are articles which we have always loved to both read and make. We have now collected all of the best ideas in this book, which we hope will serve as a wonderful source of joy and inspiration to you.

Have fun with Brilliant Reuse!

Lonnie and Vivian

BRILLIANT REUSE

3

BRILLIANT REUSE - the Best Ideas from Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine JEANNE D’ARC LIVING Vivian Christensen & Lonnie Würtz Jensen GRAPHIC DESIGN: Tina Hald & Lonnie Würtz Jensen PHOTOGRAPHY: Jeanne d’Arc Living TEXT: Vivian Christensen TRANSLATION: English, German and Dutch: www.wordtoword.dk PUBLISHED BY: Forlaget Jeanne d’Arc Living www.jeannedarcliving.dk www.jdlblog.dk © Jeanne d’Arc Living 1st edition 2013 ISBN 978-87-92843-22-7

4

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

Contents Original Details 6 Purely Ornamental 32 Non-traditional Table Arrangements 48 Charming Textiles 70 Alternative Storage 86 Brilliant Design 102 Unique Furniture 114 Beauty in Decay 134

BRILLIANT REUSE

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jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

Chapter 1 When it comes to interior decorating, it’s oftentimes the

details which make

all the difference, particularly the

SmALL THINgS

which one may not

notice at first glance upon entering a room. It might be a PRETTy

TExT from an old

magazine or a book – placed on a dress form like here, made into a card or as decoration on a box. A with a

special button, a postcard

greeting from the PAST

or

perhaps old silverware turned into jewelry or a coat rack. These

ORIgINALITy

details

are where

truly shows and what

enables you to create a personal and unique

decor.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

7

Old glass bowls are one of the things which can be used for completely different purposes than the original.

These wonderful LAmPS are made from old crystal bowls.

The cord and socket were purchased preassembled so they meet regulations. Holes were cut in the bottom of the bowls using a glass drill before installing the

“lampshade.” One lamp is assembled with an old zinc plate.

An iron floor lamp is fairly easy to find at Danish flea markets.

The lampshades are frequently quite unattractive. The old fabric has been removed from the lampshade frame; then it’s been fitted with a length of thick lace, which has been draped and stitched together in a few places. It’s important to check with a licensed electrician to find out the regulations in your country. You might want to have him make your lamps.

8

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

Fun LAmPS & LampSHADES

ORIgINAL DETAILS

9

10

jeanne d’arc living

The table lamps on these pages are made from an old siphon and a wooden

It’s important to check with a licensed electrician to find out

New or old lampshades can be spruced up and decorated with old,

baluster from a porch, among other things.

the regulations in your country. You might want to have him make your lamps. If you have a lamp base which you feel is outdated, you can paint and patinate it like the one shown on the left here.

crocheted doilies, motifs and ribbon.

The top has been removed from the siphon, a threaded pipe has been added and a hole is drilled through the glass. Then the electrical wiring, which was purchased preassembled and approved, is installed.

A hole has been drilled all the way through the center of the wooden baluster into which a threaded pipe has been placed to contain the wiring, once again using approved components.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

11

OLD photos

12

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

One thing that’s really easy to find and which offers countless applications is

On the back was the photographer’s name and usually also the address

use them as a “picture” on the wall or as a large card.

The cards can be further

old photographs. Naturally it’s most fun if you’re able to find pictures of your own relatives. We were able to get a hold of quite a few simply by asking family members whether they had any lying around with which they would be willing to part. Oftentimes there’s a story attached about our ancestors that we didn’t even know before.

to facilitate easy reordering. These backsides are really nice, and when using old photographs we’re just as likely to use the backside. We have actually created several collections of both textiles and paper g o o d s w it h inspiration from these.

decorated with lace and buttons for instance.

In the early days of photography, the pictures were always mounted on a piece of heavy cardstock.

The old photo albums are also very decorative to have sitting out. Or you can remove single pages and

ORIgINAL DETAILS

13

photograph of a beloved family member to the outside of a pretty, old box. Maybe a picture of the recipient as a child?

Regardless of whether

Perhaps you’ve been

they depict your own

lucky enough to find a

relatives or people

treasure of wonderful,

whom you do not know,

old frames like the ones

the old photographs

above. They are perfect

are great to hang from

for a collection of

a chain with antique

family photographs,

clips.

letters

and

other

wonderful memories. Try Hang them with other

arranging them like a

small things such as

collage on the wall.

feathers, old watch faces

14

or cards. Or use newer

It’s

photographs, placing

different sizes and

them in small, old frames.

nuances. A single small

To make a fun, personal

frame like this one can

gift, try gluing an old

be hung from a clip.

OK

to

combine

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

Original Details

15

Old telegrams are very well-suited for reuse. Sometimes the motifs might be a bit off, but then you can redecorate them partly. This large telegram is decorated with handmade paper, tulle and a pretty, embroidered letter.

16

jeanne d’arc living

Here is another way to use an old photograph.

This also puts the beautiful backside in focus. The picture has been converted into a key chain by adding two small iron rings.

Original Details

17

For special days, anyone would be thrilled to receive a pretty binder, new or old, to use as a scrap book or photo album.

Use your imagination and try to add relevant items in advance. These might include a small greeting, a motif or something else which you know holds special significance to the recipient. For a baptism, adding pictures, measurements and other information in advance would be perfect. Leave room for the birth certificate and other fun mementos or events that will occur as the child grows up.

18

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

A SPECIAL mEmORy of a SPECIAL DAy

ORIgINAL DETAILS

19

Alternative Trays

20

jeanne d’arc living

A tray can be made from a variety of items. It’s important to consider whether the tray will be used for decoration only or for carrying items. An old mirror looks absolutely beautiful as the base of a small tableau on a table or a dresser.

And old dental tray for instruments also works well for the purpose but may not be quite as practical if things need to be moved around.

This bed table is actually an old, wooden tray, which has been painted, patinated and decorated with a small text. Then four legs were added to make it suitable for use in bed or on the couch either for serving breakfast to your sweetheart or perhaps to sit and work by.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

21

A picture frame can be converted into a wonderful tray. You can even add a pretty motif or text behind the glass. A handle is attached on each end.

A religious motif has been affixed to the small tray above, which has

22

subsequently been painted with a thin coat of white primer.

Once it’s dry, you can sand it a little to add patina. If you would like it to be more durable, you can add a coat of clear varnish.

In the bathroom, we’ve used a meshed tray as a table for the tub.

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

This rustic tray was made from an old picture frame with a velour motif with floral embroidery. The motif was removed to almost magically reveal the beautiful tray. A piece of iron has been bent and attached as a handle on either side.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

23

This wonderful jewelry is made from old silverware.

It takes a little practice

covered with pages from an old newspaper, which have been glued

and the right tools to bend it. The ring has also been soldered. But once you get started, you’re sure to be thrilled with all of the possibilities which old cutlery offers.

on with wallpaper paste.

A beautiful piece of vintage bobbin lace decorates the neck of the dress form.

The dress form to the right is new and has been

24

Fun, old containers can be used to store your favorite cream if you don’t care for its original packaging. A small silver spoon is helpful for when you need a dab.

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

ORIgINAL DETAILS

25

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jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

A recurrent item is the egg basket in various designs.

These days, hardly anyone actually uses egg baskets to store eggs. But an egg basket has many other applications. One of the better ideas

ORIgINAL DETAILS

is using one of the mesh-top baskets to hold a bouquet. This is a particularly excellent aid if you find it difficult to tie a bouquet – and it’s quite decorative as well!

Plants don’t always have to be planted in a pot. We’re in favor of using anything within reach as a plant container, including old tureens, gravy boats and pitchers.

27

The same goes for candles. It can be fun to make something into a non-traditional candle holder. How about using an old shoe tree or perhaps an enamel tea strainer?

At the top left, a soup spoon has been repurposed as a small candle holder. Next to

28

it, old pewter candle holders have been decorated with collars made from small glass bowls, which are glued on. Now they can hold pillar candles, and an added, practical bonus is that the wax will not drip onto the table.

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

A BRIgHT moment ORIgINAL DETAILS

29

A stack of old frames without pictures in a variety of shapes, sizes and degrees of patina make up a decoration in itself.

30

jeanne d’arc living

Old, French wood racks can be used to hold other things than just firewood. They are so beautiful and decorative; why not use them for books instead?

In the kitchen, the old cupboards have new handles made from strips of thick leather attached with old screws.

Old balls make a nice decoration for the yard under a cheese or wedding dome.

A piece of old, weathered drift wood has been turned into a wonderful and rustic coat rack. Old keys serve as hooks.

They’ve been turned just a quarter round and attached with old staples.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

31

Want to see more?

Contakt:

Tel. +45 36 93 20 10 Email: info@jeannedarcliving.dk for more informations.

PUBLISHER

JEANNE D’A RC LIVING NEW BOOK IN 2013:

-Med et nordisk tvist

living

here in Denmark and have a touch of French country style. The homes all

:

have the elements that we associate with the style, yet they’re all very different and personal.

a

Jeanne d’ d’arc d’a rc Living vivian christensen Behind the title of this 2nd Christmas book from Jeanne d’Arc Living is the of our passion as well as that of many others through several years.

Lonnie Würtz Jensen essence In the book, we visit 9 wonderful Christmas homes, all of which are located

’arc

inesser

d

F

jeanne

Franske

FRENCH FINESSE - With a Nordic Twist 184 pages - Format: 240x320 mm To be Published September, 2013

Merry Christmas!

touch

Visiting them all has been a great inspiration, and we hope that this atmosphere shines through in this book through the many beautiful photos and texts.

of france

ISBN 978-87-92843-13-5

Je a n n e d ’ A rc Livin g Viv i a n C h r i ste n se n L o n n i e W ü r tz Je n se n

A TOUCH OF FRANCE 9 Wonderful Christmas Homes 160 pages - Format: 240x320 mm Published in 2012

NEW BOOK IN 2013: BRILLIANT REUSE The best ideas from Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine 160 pages - Format: 210x295 mm Published in May, 2013

158

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

FAIRYTALE EASTER 160 pages Format: 240x320 mm Published January, 2013

THE BEST RECIPES from Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine 160 sider - Format 210x295 mm Published in 2012

The Best

The Best

Recipes

PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS: AMAZING RETREATS Under Nordic Skies 184 pages - Published in 2011 CHRISTMAS

.

s.

han

dishes. There are

recipes here

from Jeanne d’Arc Living

s.

Recipes

n ts . H e i French Inspired Homes I n gr e d ie d d it iv e s d o o . ad e .G F r e e fr o m A o w 132 . H o m e mT . ll s h ip pages - Published in 2009 h o r t- cu ts y . as ted e r S m e ll s . rF ee p ar e d w it h th S al . e H e v .

L o n gr e d ie n ts Won ood ood P ar e d w it h I it iv e s . v it in g . C o s y . F. H o m e m ad e .G F r e e HES o o d P r e mp e m ad e .G o o de e fr o m A d d ip F . n FRENCH SENSTTIONS ts .

I te y cu . s as to r T o . H o . T as te . F r s . F e ll o w s h g.C th y .

Sh e ll s . I n v it vine . S h o r t- cu ts y h L o v e n. gr e d ie n ts . H e. al W o n d e r S.mF o o d in Nordic Gardens e ll it th m ip w al h e s d S e H w r o . ar e o ll . Fe it h L I n gr e d ie n ts e s . W o n d y . F o o d P r e p e .G o o d I A d d it iv e s it in g . C o s y ts .

S m e ll oso d P r e p ar e d w.G r t- cu pages - Published in 2008 ood d d it iv n v it in g . C o s ts . H o m e m ad . F r e e fr o m w s h ip . I n v e . S h o192 RESPECT o s y . F ts . H o m e m ad e . F r e e fr o m A r t- cu th y . T as te m e ll s . F e ll o e d w it h L o v .I C o ts . H e h n ip h ie s d S e w . te o cu al gr P r e p ar e .G o o d I n m A d d it iv e s S h o r t-ts . H e al th y . Teasr S m e ll s . F e llp ar e d w it h L o v en gr e d ie n ts . H e . W o n d e r S d o o F . o y dI Pre ond iv e s v it in g . C o s ts . H o m e m ad te . F r e e fr . F e ll o w s h ip .

Te d ie n e s . Wg . C o s y . F o o dH o m e m ad e .G oeoe fr o m A d d itip iv it . I n e . S h o r t- cu H e al th y . T as e r S m e ll s FRENCH ATMOSPHERS d d h r .

A . I n v it in . cu ts ov nd te . F e ll o w s w s h ip h L o v e . S h otsr t-. H e al th y . Tnasd e r S m e ll s . PF r e p ar e d w it h Lo o d I n gr e d ie n tsd d it iv e s . W o in the Nordic Way r e d w it o o d I n gr e d ie n d it iv e s . W o . C o s y . F o o d. H o m e m ad e .G F r e e fr o m A 184 pages - Published in 2008 d e .GF r e e fr o m A ds h ip . I n v it in g . S h o r t- cu ts e al th y . T as te . r e p ar e d . F o o d P n v it in g . as te . m e ll s . F e ll o w e d w it h L o v e n gr e d ie n ts . H y s o C .

I it in g F e ll o w s h ip . n d e r Sy . F o o d P r e p ar ad e .G o o d I m e ll s . ip . I n v F e ll o w s ho n d e r S m e ll s e. s . W o n d e r S n g . C oosr t- cu ts . H o m e m . s ll e m S iv e s . W d it iv . Sh om Ad Wonder d it it iv e s .. F r e e fr o m A.dT as te . F r e e fr d d from Jeanne d’Arc Living A All books published in four languages; Danish, Dutch, fr o m th as te are . H e al th y te . F r e e e al y . T e d ie n ts Lonnie Würtz Jensen I n grand th y . T asI n gr e d ie n ts . H.G German English.

Some are also available in Swedish and d al o e o H Vivian Christensen . o o d . H o m e m ad e d ie n ts d I n gr e . H o m e m ad e .G ts o Norwegian.

Find them at your local Jeanne d’Arc Living retailer. o cu tr .G o h e r t- cu ts e.S H o m e m ad e . S heop ar e d w it h L o v v o L h it w ood Pr Cosy . F

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

159

second hand stores to look for all sorts of fun, old things. Oftentimes we and

fall for the patina, shape or number of a

certain something without really knowing what we’ll do with it. Most of the items have long finished their service for their original purpose. We always

initial impulse.

Then the task is to come up with new buy things on our possible

either right

then and there or perhaps once we get



applications

BRILLIANT REUSE

Our greatest passion is going to markets

back home. It takes creativity as well

process. If you read our magazine, you’ll find articles featuring these items each month. part of the

It’s been over four years now, and we’ve delivered many ideas through the years.

So by request, we’ve now collected the

best ideas in this book especially for our readers who also love to be creative.

ISBN 978-87-92843-25-8 ISBN 978-87-92843-25-8

9 788792 843258 9 788792 843258

J E A N N E D’A R C L I V I N G

as inventiveness, but it’s an exciting