Add Curb Appeal & Some Vintage Charm To A Birdhouse

 It was in need of a little love as the tin roof had come untacked and it lacked general curb appeal!

I collected rusty pieces of bits and bobs . . . hinges, door knobs, finials, keys, etc., picked up for a few dollars or in small odd lots for $5 a bag from flea markets and antique malls, with this project in mind hoping to add a little vintage charm and curb appeal to this birdhouse.

To do some repair and attach my rusty pieces I used some Liquid Nails, a construction adhesive, also used for my Mosaic Flower Pots. I also picked up some brown screws and panel nails that would blend with metal roof and vintage details of the birdhouse.

First, rehab and repair to the roof with Liquid Nails and the panel nails, tacking it back in place. My hubby volunteered to help so I could photograph the steps.

I pulled out the pieces I thought I might use . . . door knobs and plates, hinges and old lock, and some metal rings and then added a few more pieces from my stash as I went.

Note: In this day and age of fewer flea markets and shopping opportunities, check Etsy or eBay for sellers with an assortment of vintage metal pieces you can buy in a ‘lot’.

My dad was a bit of a hoarder and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. ;) I recently brought home a few pieces from his stash, including this rusty metal sconce. It’s ready to be repurposed with the help of a bolt cutter.

A 14-inch bolt cutter makes it easy to cut the metal bands and leafy vines on the sconce, no hand strength required and can be purchased for under $20! A bolt cutter also makes it easy to to make your own DIY Flower Supports .

I cut the little curlicues off the end of the sconce for a porch railing of sorts. 

I applied Liquid Nails to the back of the metal to adhere it to the wood rails and roof.

A little curlicue and strip of metal band from the sconce was added as a ‘ridge vent’ and decorative detail to the birdhouse roof.

Rings were added to the openings of the birdhouse for decoration and can also serve as predator guards.

And a steeple was fashioned and cobbled together using a rusty finial,

a thingamajig and a whatchamacallit. :)

This is a fun project you can do with a birdhouse you already have, giving it a makeover to use decoratively or adding some curb appeal for your feathered friends!

More views and photos at the blog link below.