Creative Living
by Roxanne Griese
Re-purposing household items… Oh what to do with those old placemats, drapery panels, paper towel holders, cheese and salt shakers? They were a must have years ago; do not discard them just yet. I may have a plan to repurpose old items, giving them a refreshing new function.
Going through my collection of placemats yielded a variety of unused and incomplete sets. Placemats tend to be durable and easy to clean, that is why I started using them as cupboard and drawer liners in bathrooms, the kitchen and laundry room. They are so easy, just lay matching mats evenly spaced in your cabinets, I used two for the large under sink cabinets; it adds a touch of the unexpected. Not to mention, the easy installation, no more difficult shelf liners.
When changing your kitchen decor, keep items like free standing paper towel holders; they will hold up to 3 rolls of toilet paper. Kept under a bathroom vanity it keeps extra rolls stacked neatly.
Cheese shakers or sugar dispensers add charm to a bathroom. Fill the shakers with bath salts, bubble bath, shampoo and conditioner. Grouping the shakers together on the bathtub or counter adds character and originality.
Unused drapery panels make a excellent decorative alternative for showers curtains, move the shower rod closer to the ceiling for a more dramatic effect. Remember to use a shower liner.
Quick Tips: For smaller cabinets, trim vinyl placemats with a ruler and scissors. Cloth placemats can be trimmed and hemmed; a tremendous time saver is iron on hem tape.
“Cheese shakers or sugar
dispensers add charm to a
bathroom. Fill the shakers
with bath salts, bubble bath
shampoo and conditioner.”
Roxanne Griese is an Artist; Design and organizing are her passions, to see more articles and artwork visit, www.artbyroxanne.ca