Scavenger Files, Upcycled Inspiration and Creative Ideas

Scavenger Files, Upcycled Inspiration and Creative Ideas

About once a year I hit you with upcycled inspiration and creative ideas that I’ve found in my travels.  I tend to share when my photo gallery fills up.

My inspiration may come  from someone’s home, a restaurant, a hotel, a flea market or a craft fair.  You can find some of my last  inspiration journeys here.

The majority of the following ideas are from a recent trip to the southwest.

One of the hotels we stayed at had several of these side tables carved from a single hunk of wood.

I need to pass this idea on to my middle son who loves playing around with his chain saw.

This crab tray was from a friend’s house.  To me it looks like it was created from my old standby, pallet wood.   Use regular drawer pulls on the sides or make your tray more nautical with added dock cleats.

These travel inspired luggage pieces, found at the thrift store, are actually just wooden boxes painted to look like luggage.   They are only about 10 inches deep and made to be used as shelves.

If you can build a box and find corner hardware you could recreate  this set of faux luggage and display all your travel mementos.

If  your Grandma’s quilt has seen better days and you can’t bear the idea of getting rid of it, how about preserving just a piece of her creation in a handmade frame.

Don’t want to make a frame?  An old window will work just as well.

While we were in the desert southwest we found many native American inspired  art pieces, such as this painted door near the Grand Canyon.

In one of our hotel rooms , the towel rack was made of pipes screwed together.  Of course you would have to have pipes that wouldn’t rust.

This towel rack was just screwed to the floor.

This was a wine storage room located in a restaurant we dined in recently.

I always love the use of vintage windows and barn wood.  Could that be scaled down to use in someone’s home?

Upcycling is everywhere.  I’ve seen pickup truck tailgates used as benches, but never as the walls and doors in a bathroom.

This was at a restaurant along the old Rt 66.

Not sure where this guy came from but look for my own rake inspired creature coming soon.  This moose (?) also uses an ax head, shovel and rebar for his full upcycled ensemble.

This lamp is so cute with all the swimming fish.  I need to be on the lookout for an old ginger jar lamp that I could stencil or stamp on.

Find your inspiration.  This was in a gift shop window.

At a diner/car wash/gift shop/gas station we found a bunch of tin creations crafted into coolers.

If you’re interested, and are ever in Arizona, this was located at  The Thumb in Scottsdale, previously visited by Diners Drive ins and Dives.

More repurposed inspiration from a Stop sign, license plates and Craftsman toolbox.  Now you have a moveable table on wheels with plenty of storage.

This cute little serving tray /cutting board was found in the same friend’s home with the crab serving tray.  Can you tell she lives near the water?

This cute little pergola was also found at one of the hotels we stayed at.  I’m not sure my own home could handle white curtains.  Here on the very humid East coast I  think mold and rainy weather would be an issue. However, I think I could pull off those basket lights.

This last photo was artwork found in a Mexican restaurant.  The artwork wraps around something, probably a 4×4, giving a vibrant 3D effect.

That’s all for now.  Hope you found something that speaks to you.

Until next time, stay inspired.

Related posts:

Recycling an old Rake and Shutter Fall Market Days and Blue Pumpkins Pallet Wood and Piano Paper Roll Holder Bathroom Makeover, 20 Upcycled Towel Holder Ideas