What to do?

Stephanie
by Stephanie
I LOVE to repurpose old items. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. I think this one was a loser. It's an old crib rail that I painted and added driftwood to the top to become a place for the kids to display their artwork. Any ideas on how to give this idea a comeback and make it a winner. . . or just try to salvage my driftwood and scrap it?
  12 answers
  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jan 27, 2015
    I like both pieces, just not together. I think the crib part makes a great display. I think the driftwood is really nice. Together, they just don't work. My only explanation is lines are so different that they bother me together. The display is so simple and a perfect backdrop for little artists. The driftwood is more sophisticated. Plus, both are very neutral in color, which work separately, but, just not together. Does that make sense to you?
  • Colleen Colleen on Jan 27, 2015
    It's a great idea, but I generally agree with Cynthia about the driftwood seeming out of place. Maybe that's what's bothering you about it. Definitely try to salvage the driftwood. I think a chalkboard header would look great there instead of the wood, with a cute design or saying of some sort, or your kids names. I just did a chalk board project and it was super easy to transfer a design by hand. I followed this tutorial: http://littlebrags.blogspot.ca/2014/07/diy-chalkboard-monogram-tutorial.html
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Jan 27, 2015
    Have to say I agree with Colleen and Cynthia- the two just do not match. I would salvage the driftwood for another project. If you want to use the crib rail for your kid's artwork, then I would embrace that and paint it another brighter "kid" color.
  • Life Up On The Hill Life Up On The Hill on Jan 27, 2015
    I agree, that the two elements don't necessarily go together. I would say like Colleen, to make a chalkboard header. Get a thin piece of wood and paint with chalkboard paint and then attach to the top. You have a great idea, just needs a little tweaking..:)
  • Sylvia Godich Sylvia Godich on Jan 27, 2015
    Would be great to hang old black and white plotos from the padt of grandparents etc. Framed in old wood. Just an idea
  • Sarah Sarah on Jan 27, 2015
    Paint the crib black first before you deconstruct. Leave the drift wood natural. It might just do the trick.
  • Dawn Landry Dawn Landry on Jan 27, 2015
    Salvage the driftwood for another craft/décor and paint crib rail white. Take pool noodles and slit lengthwise and slide over all the outside edges. Colorful and fun . Use the plastic clothespins that have a shower hook on the end and use these to hang the artwork from the rails.
  • Cynthia Potterf Cynthia Potterf on Jan 28, 2015
    small hooks on crib slats: change to back pack, coat hanger for kids, add small shelf at bottom for their shoes and boots
  • Tracy Tracy on Jan 28, 2015
    I think you could make it a sophisticated display piece by painting the whole thing, as is, a bright glossy white. Then hang some black n white family photos in basic black frames on the crib slats. Hanging on a accent color painted wall, could be awesome!
  • Terri Terri on Jan 28, 2015
    It would be cute to take off the drift wood (do something else with it!), turn it horizontally, weave some wide colored burlap ribbon through the planks of the crib, and hang it with a rope or twine. Then add some cute painted clothespins and the kids could hang their art work from the ribbon. You'd have to glue the ribbon down with hot glue.
  • Stephanie Stephanie on Jan 28, 2015
    Thanks y'all! I didn't like it and just didn't know what to do. I'm going to break it down and use some of the ideas for a "do-over". Will post pics when I finish! :D
  • Jill Jill on Jan 28, 2015
    I agree with Sarah. I think it's because of the colors of the two items clash and it throws you off. Instead of painting it black like Sarah suggested, I would whitewash it a weathered white with just a hint of gray. But before you do, make sure you sand off all the stain and poly from the crib days. It would make it much more appealing to the eyes. Then those clothes pins come next. Give them a bit of whitewashing.