Easy Vintage and Repurposed Home Projects

If you've been a Lovely Adventurer for a while you probably could have guessed that I'm obsessed with most everything vintage (particularly maps... they are my Kryptonite).  We just recently moved into The Lovely Yellow House in August and slowly but surely I've filled the walls with all my treasures.  

Our First Home! Hooray!

I am not a patient person.  Especially when it comes to crafting or making things. I like my projects to come together quickly and I like for them to be easy. Baking and measuring all the things precisely? no. Sewing intricate items of clothing and following patterns?  no thank you. (Thank the Lord for those of you who can because I benefit from both baking and clothes making a little too much) 

So, when decorating my home with vintage repurposed projects I want them to be easy and fast so I can get that instant gratification that ruins my brain for all other things that require patience and hard work. Below are a few of the projects I've completed in the last few months and with enough imagination and creativity you can easily create something similar with your vintage treasures! 

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Project 1: Repurposed Vintage Fabric/Handkerchief Wardrobe 

We have limited closet space in our bedroom and so I needed something to hang my ridiculously embarrassing amount of clothing in.  I wandered through Target (my other home) and found this beauty: 

or should I say... not so beauty.  It kind of looks like a spaceship or something I should be quarantined in when I'm sick.  So, I stared at it for many days trying to figure out how to make it much more lovely and turned it into this: 

Isn't it SO dreamy?  It makes me happy every time I walk in our room.  

The back and sides are covered in a vintage sheet I've had for years with a pastel floral pattern.   I pinned it at the top with safety pins (I can't see the top from anywhere in the room) but you could also certainly hot glue it if you wanted.  I told you... I'm all about fast and easy. Safety pins for the win. 

The front is made of all my vintage fabrics / handkerchiefs / doilies and ribbons I've been hoarding for years.  If you don't have your own hoarding stash... try thrift stores, garage sales and estate sales. You'll have one in no time! I believe in you. 

I cut up strips of the fabric and different lengths of the ric-rac and ribbon to add some texture.  The vintage handkerchiefs are strung together with... you guessed it... safety pins and some I was able to tie the corners together. 

Each strip I straight pinned to the top (so I could move them around if I wanted) and later would safety pin them.  Some I tied in knots in different places and others I left straight for a messy romantic look.  I love messy and eclectic so get creative and try what works for you! 

Once I was finished and had seriously diminished my pile of hoarded fabrics and ribbons (hooray!) and I LOVED the end result.  I can easily hang up the fabric strip curtain over the corner and get into the wardrobe when I'm getting ready for the day.  I love this, it was so easy and also, so fun! So, if you're a fabric hoarder like me and have a wardrobe or something similar that doesn't match your vibe... try this out! 

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Project 2: Painted Vintage Couch

You guys... Estate Sales for President.  This couch was $12. For reals.  It was not wanted by anyone because well... it was kinda ugly in color.. but its bones were awesome and it is so well made.  I love the gold fabric on the cushions... but I wasn't crazy about the medium dark wood stain that was all over the base of the couch.  I new I needed to change the color but I was not about to sand all those spindles in the back. oh heck no. 

I went to Lowe's and found this miracle paint: 

I wanted a rich blue green color and they had the perfect one called "Stained Glass"

I DID NOT SAND THIS COUCH. it truly was a miracle. I went over it with about 3 coats (my patience meter almost emptied... but I made it) and it dries so beautifully and doesn't show brush strokes.  I was amazed. Valspar Furniture Paint for life. I know there are some surfaces that required light sanding before using this... it's all in the tiny instructions on the back of the paint can that I barely had the patience to read. But I just love how this turned out and I love the contrast of the cool green blue and warm rich gold cushions. 

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Project 3: Repurposed Vintage Map Wall 

I have boxes of vintage maps. Like, an insane amount of them. So... I'm always trying to find ways to repurpose them or put them on display.  I found this awesome world map at an estate sale and knew it needed to be on the center of one of our Lovely Yellow House walls.  

I dug through and found all my favorites and then literally just started putting them on the walls and layering until there was no wall left to see. I knew I wanted this world map to be the center so it was the very last to go on. 

Learn from my mistake, dear friends. I naively thought that sticky tack would hold all of these up.  It doesn't. at all. not even a little bit.  I got so frustrated as I would be pushing down the corners as hard as I could and then an entire piece I just finished with would fall down.  Just don't. Sticky tack not for the win. 

So I bought these lovely gold thumb tacks (because I love gold everything) at home depot and started from the beginning.  So far it is still standing and it's been 2 months... so I'd say the map wall is here to stay. Which is good because I love it. 

So whether you have maps or vintage prints, sheet music or book pages... repurpose and make a feature wall in your house!  I get a little giddy every time I look at our map wall. It's just awesome.  Maps were great for me because they are so large and it look maybe a few hours to hang them all up.  I loved it. 

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Do What You Can…

At the end of most blog posts I love to give you a little inspiration so here is a little design I created…

I hope you enjoyed these ideas... please tag me on all the social medias if you ever try them!  I'd love to see and comment with alll the heart eye emojis! 

Know you are loved, sweet souls. 

Love,

The Lovely Adventurer

Lovely Adventures Near Kansas City

Some of the sweetest people I know got together and paid for a round trip ticket so I could fly "home" and volunteer for a week at my favorite place, Heartland Camp, as well as see my beautiful family, friends, and hit all my favorite spots around town.  I didn't want to overwhelm you with exclamation marks within the first sentence... so I just went ahead and left them all out.  But just imagine like a million, okay? great.  Also, you can imagine all caps letters. for the entire first sentence.  

I tell everyone in Colorado that I am from Kansas City, MISSOURI (everyone thinks I'm from Kansas... ummm... no).  But the truth is that while I love the city, the places that have the biggest pieces of my heart are Liberty, Missouri (my hometown and about 30 minutes from downtown KC) and Parkvile, Missouri (home to one of my favorite places in the world and about 20 minutes from downtown KC).  

So, in honor of my flight home, to see the people and places that I love, I've compiled a list of 10 things I'm going to do and visit during my week there.  Because I love lists.  a lot. 

Can we also just pause and say how hard it is to have multiple "homes"?  Home is where my husband is, without a doubt.  But home is also my mom and dad's house and home is also Heartland Camp and home is also in Australia.  Home is so many places where people I love are.  It's impossible to choose just one.  So when I say "home"... I mean that one place where the people I love are.  

Things to do at "Home"

1. Hug Mom and Dad (duh.)

This one is mainly just for me... I mean if you know them too you can definitely hug them... but if you don't, they'll probably still hug you anyway because they are the sweetest but it will be kinda weird. 

2. 54th Street

If you're looking for really delicious food at a decent price and you're in Liberty or near Zona Rosa, this is a must.  You have to order the Gringo Dip.  You'll probably look on the menu, see the price and think "What is this stuff made of?!  Pure gold?!".  Yes. Yes it is. I have yet to find anything that matches its deliciousness.  My husband can confirm that at least once a week I say, "You know what I miss?  Gringo Dip."  I will probably be there at least every other night this week because #halfpriceappetizersafter9  is the bomb.com and so is 54th street.  The super nachos are also a superb choice. 

3. Catfish and Tater

If you're in Kansas city and looking for a day trip to fill your desire for small town charm stop in Liberty at their historic downtown square.  Some of the stores are forever changing but I'm happy that one seems to be sticking around.  Catfish and Tater is hands down my favorite place to shop.  I've never been to a "boutique" style shop that is so warm, friendly and absolutely my style.  The clothing is quality and the atmosphere is so fun.  Heather, the owner, has done a beautiful job at adding her style to the shop's decor and ensuring that each customer is treated with kindness.  There are also so many fun locally designed accessories that make great gifts for those who couldn't travel with you.  I always walk out with one of a kind pieces.

The adorable Liberty Square

4. Bittersweet Soap

While you are on the square just a short walk away from Catfish and Tater is a beautiful old historic home that has the front porch my dreams are made of.  Inside is a shared shop of vintage treasures and handmade soaps/beauty products.  The owner of The Bittersweet Soap Shop is probably my favorite aspect of the visit.  I don't know her but she always strikes up conversation as though we are the best of friends and is just the sweetest soul.  

Her soaps and other handmade products are amazing and never disappoint. There is always a new smell we have to try and they make great take-home gifts as well.  

5.  Hillcrest Hope Thrift Store

Just a couple blocks away from the Liberty Square is, in my opinion, the best thrift store in town.  It is large, bright, always organized and quite trendy!  I don't know if I've ever walked out empty handed... if I have it's because I was demonstrating serious self control that day.  There are always fun finds and they put out new stuff throughout the day so it is never the same. 

I must admit that while I do love the treasure finding, my favorite part is that my grandma is usually volunteering in the back.  Hugs from her are sunshine for your soul and always make me happy.  She's one of my favorite people in the whole world and I can only hope I'll be as beautiful as her someday.  

6. The Red Apron

The Red Apron is only open on the third Friday-Saturday every month.  If you're lucky enough to be in or near Liberty, Missouri during this time, you have to stop by.  It is a collection of vendors that sell re-purposed and repainted vintage home decor and furniture.  The prices are reasonable and the place is always so beautifully organized and displayed.  

If you are there when the owner, Kirsten, is working she will undoubtedly brighten your day.  The vendors work hard between sales to find treasures and create new pieces so the store never looks the same.  It is located in a red building tucked back on a country road.  Tons of charm and the hunt for new treasures is so fun.  

7. Friendly Bean Coffee

"Yes, hi.  I would like a large strawberry smoothie with whipped cream and a large chocolate chai, please.  Oh!  And can I also get a cranberry oatmeal scone, please?"  

This is exactly what you should say when you go through their drive through.  You won't regret it.  They are locally owned, the only place in town I've found that serves Big Train Chocolate Chai (which means they get 100 gold stars) and are always delicious. 

8. West Bottoms // Vintage Revival

You've probably guessed by now that I have a serious love affair with anything vintage.  Every first Friday of the month the area in Kansas City named "The West Bottoms" is flooded with people and food trucks for a three day monthly celebration of everything vintage.  Old warehouses and run down buildings have been renovated and given new life.  There are floors of handmade and re-purposed vintage items.  The selection of food trucks for lunch are amazing and it's it such a fun time to walk around and explore. 

My personal favorite stop is Bella Patina.  Their displays and passion for supporting their local city are inspiring.  You could almost spend your entire day just in Bella Patina!  I usually have to demonstrate my highest level of self control when shopping there... but typically walk out with a little something :) 

Image Via: Bella Patina 

9. Parkville Coffee

Parkville has an adorably whimsical main street that leads down to a beautiful park next to the Missouri river.  My favorite spot to stop on my way down to the park is Parkville Coffee House.  The coffee is wonderful... you can order anything and not go wrong.  What I HAVE to get every time is their bacon and egg frittata.  If I'm feelin' crazy I'll get a whole... but most of the time a half is plenty to fill me up.  I get the whole grain bread (the best) and you can order it to go or to stay.  I crave their frittatas... I could probably eat one every day and not be sad about it. Not even a little. 

10. Heartland Camp

This is a home for me.  I think I could write multiple posts on how much I love what God does in my life through Heartland Camp.  I've never met a more genuine community of people, had so much fun at a "job" and felt that I was exactly where I was meant to be than in this place.  I am so excited to give a week of my time to serve God, kids and this community.  

If you are looking for a place to send your kids, volunteer, have a retreat, work or just hike around.  These 320 acres of sacred ground will take you in with open arms.  It's a must see, in my opinion.  I've been a lot of beautiful places and I think this place and its community still takes the cake.  

So, if you're looking for not so touristy things to do around Kansas City, I highly recommend the list above.  They are places that I miss dearly.  Mainly I miss them because of the company that accompanied me and the beautiful memories I have.  So, make sure you have some awesome people to take with you.  Genuine relationships and wonderful friends make everything better.

See you soon, Kansas City. You're the best.

Love,

The Lovely Adventurer