Scavenger Chic

Decor and Upcycling Inspiration from all Over

• By Joan
• October 22, 2018
• 6 Comments

If you look at the top of any of my pages you’ll see a category labeled, Scavenger Files.  Scavenger Files is where I’ve pulled together a bunch of miscellaneous pictures I’ve gathered on my travels.  Things that inspire me, found treasures, flea market and thrift store finds and hopefully  things that will inspire you.

A week ago I revisited Black Dog Salvage.  Black Dog Salvage is the architectural salvage yard where they film the tv show Salvage Dawgs.  You can find my first visit here.  I couldn’t resist the return visit since we were in the area attending a wedding and they always have a bunch of items that they have repurposed and recycled into household furniture.  So, the first pics you’ll see here are from my latest visit.

After that, you’ll find a bunch of miscellaneous photos I’ve taken over the past year.  Things I haven’t shown previously which have caught my eye and like I said, hopefully inspire you.

Does anyone in my family need a headboard?  I would love to make this one.  Notice the natural wood log lamp on the nightstand.

I know Black Dog Salvage does a lot of metal work so I imagine they have cut their own sheet of rusty stars.  Combine that with barn wood and it’s a beautiful, rustic American flag.  On the side you can just make out more barn wood cut out in the shape of Virginia.

Upcycled dishes and vases make great garden decor flowers.

Anybody know what this piece used to be?  It looks like a piece of farm equipment  tilted on it’s side to become shelves.

I’ve made two hand cart/dolly coffee tables and this is their version.  So hard  to get a clear picture  while it’s sitting on a patterned rug.

You can find my versions here and here.  I picked up another handcart, so expect another coffee table in the near future.

Carved wood floor lamp.

They had two of these wall panels.  I believe it’s reclaimed wood.

Vintage window coffee table.  If you would like to make one of these I used wheels similar to these for my pallet wood coffee table.

This (bar?) is in 3 sections with 2 windows per section.  Make 1, 2 or 3 depending on your space.

I always like a good mirror upcycle. I don’t know what they used to encircle this mirror though it was labeled rolling pins.

Another mirror, this time with random pieces of reclaimed moulding.

These remaining photos are from travels over the past year.

Any time I see pallets used in new and different ways, I snap a picture.  This menu board was outside a restaurant in Canada.  Who doesn’t like free signage.

This was from the wedding that I attended last week.   The wedding took place at an apple orchard.  These were hanging from the ceiling in the barn where cocktails were served.  The ceiling was painted black so the lights really stood out.

This is just one of the panels.  The pallet wood was painted white then wrapped with white wired twinkle lights then suspended.

Another pallet wood project.  This project also using the full pallet, was planted with succulents.  I found this in the outdoor dining area of a local restaurant.  They actually had 3 of these beautiful succulent planters but there were too many people  for me to take the full picture.  People were trying to eat their dinners. 🙂

On a home tour I found this sweet gazebo being taken over by Major Wheeler honeysuckle.

This shot was captured at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  While this kind of installation is probably too large for most backyards, just one section with a hanging plant would make a beautiful addition to any landscape and add privacy as well.

These hand crafted rocking chairs were found gracing the front porch of a home on the eastern shore.

Such a unique tree fort with drift wood walls.

I love when artists can envision works of art from trash.  Upcycling at it’s finest, a deer from a hinge and pitchfork.

Is that a horse yolk and hoe fish?  Last time I attempted to identify an old farmhouse piece my trusted readers corrected me, so if it’s not a yoke please let me know.

I couldn’t even begin to tell you all the pieces in this horse besides the tractor seat and chains.

A close up of the horse head.  I can pick out a wrench.  🙂  It’s like I-Spy.

Not too long ago, I made my own version of a barrel table, but I love the way this wood encircles the barrel to make it into a table.  This was from the same restaurant which had the succulent planter.

This guy was found in a gift shop in Maine.  I picked up a bunch of driftwood while vacationing there this past summer which I could totally see using as his bones.  Maybe you’ll see that project in the future.

Can you envision this upcycled bottle light over  a bar? This was from the same wedding venue that brought you the pallet wood twinkle lights.

Final picture which could be so cute in your garden if you have young kids and need stepping stones…a DIY mosaic hopscotch.  A fresh layer of pine needles obscures the  blocks just a bit, but I think you get the idea.

Stay inspired.

Shared at Wow us Wednesdays,