I love these ideas because,
A. They are simple and easy, and
B. they are using things in unexpected ways.
C. The items used are simple everyday objects that are easy to find, that you probably already have.
I think you’ll like them too.
1. Use tiles for trivets.
I had some tiles left over from some work done on our house, but you could also buy some tiles that you like.
All I did was to add felt to the bottom so that they don’t scratch my table. We use these all of the time at the farm.
2. Use an interesting plate for a spoon rest.
You just need a pretty plate next to your stove, and instant spoon rest! I really don’t like the spoon rests they sell in the store, because most of them, are boring and uninteresting, so why not just use a cool plate instead? I think a butter plate would be about the right size.
3. Use a muffin tin to hold candles.
This is a really cute idea, it protects your table from hot wax, and warms up a room.
4. Use a pretty tureen or bowl to hold string.
I use this very old soup tureen to hold string, but you could use it to hold about anything. I have some pretty bowls I leave out in my kitchen that hold tomatoes and other fruit or vegetables. If you need to leave a bowl out, why not use a pretty one?
Hopefully this got your wheels turning, and you probably came up with a bunch more ideas. If you have any ideas you would like to share here, leave a comment. I’m sure it will will help someone to use things in a new and different way.
Clever ideas!!
Great ideas Anita!…
Great Ideas–I really like the candles in the muffin tin one! I just got an Ironstone soup tureen and put hydrangeas in it and it looks gorgeous.
Darrielle
I can so use your ideas. You can usually find plenty of pretty tile at your home improvement stores for around a dollar.
Hhhmmmmm… gears spinning now! Great ideas.
These are great ideas Anita. I’ve used tiles as trivets when we were in the old house.
Cynthia
Very clever! I like to use Tuscan looking flowerpots that I purchase from places like AC Moore or Michael’s on my bathroom counter to hold all the stuff that usually accumulates on my bathroom counter, like toothbrush, toothpaste, eyeliner, etc. I cover it with a hand towel when the pots get too cluttered looking.
Anita, these are some great ideas, I especially like the muffin tin used as a candleholder, very cute.
Anita,
Very clever, indeed!!!
Love the string in the vintage ironstone tureen, dear friend!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Those are really creative ideas! I think the candles look really cute in the muffin tin. I am really glad that I read this before I ever bought a spoon rest, because you are so right! They really are not cute and a little plate would be much prettier while still serving the same purpose. 🙂 Thanks!!
Love the candles in the muffin tin!!! Super cute use of an everyday item!
I use an old silver-plated platter sitting on an old fat candle holder to keep all of my ‘stuff’ that I need on my craft table. Jar of paint brushes, pencils, rulers, glue sticks, tape. You get the idea.
I especially love your twine and string in the vintage soup tureen. I’m going to look through my closets for a similar beautiful bowl to do the same. Maybe use one for my twine and string and another for all of the different glue bottles I use.
Thanks so much for the inspiration! Love, love, love your blog!
Thank you for such great ideas. I have a really old muffin tin that was my mother in laws. It has a great patina with kind of a starburst pattern. It’s just a neat piece but I wasn’t sure it’s really suited for baking anymore so now I know what I’m going to use it for, candles.