Tag Archives: recycle

Buffet Hutch Made From Pallets, Shipping Crates and A Piano Lid

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The pallet hutch made from old pallets – shipping crates, an old wooden desk top and a piece of an old piano

What to do with a bunch of left over pallet wood and shipping crate panels?  Well – for us – it became the materials to build our buffet hutch in our dining room.  It’s a large piece – measuring  6′  wide x 5′ high x 32″ deep.  But it gives us a great place to display and store our dishes, bowls and glasses – while giving us a lot of storage room underneath.  Storage room that we use to store our crock pots, electric skillet, roaster, and our canning pots and pressure cooker.

We created the framework for the piece by screwing and glueing together some old 2 x 3′ scrap lumber.  Next up – we added two  panels from a shipping crate  to form the two sides of the hutch (The same crate panels we used to build the canning cabinet – they work great to provide walls for any cabinet project).  We then covered the rest of the frame with pallet boards and also used pallet boards to create the base of the display shelf

The left and right sides of the buffet hutch are made from a shipping crate panel

For the top – we used the top of an old wooden work desk that I had salvaged and saved from an old decrepit office desk.  Once we had it all together – we gave it a quick coat of black paint – and then followed up with a single coat of off-white paint to give the piece a worn look.

For some finishing touches – we added the top Italian ristorante sign and some lighting.   For the sign we used the flip top piece of an old upright piano that was headed for the trash.   The panel was the perfect length and a perfect fit for the top of the piece.  After that, a little black paint and some white stenciled letters - and the sign was finished

A simple cabinet light mounted inside of the cabinet provides some nice light for display.

For lighting – we drilled a small hole in the back to allow for a cord – and then hung a small under counter light to illuminate the display shelf – and a small spotlight on top to light up the sign.

The best part – with the dings of the old recycled wood – it looks like it has been around forever.  If we do manage to ding a door or nick the wood – it just serves to add a little more “character” to the piece. :)  To receive our DIY and Gardening Tip Posts each Tuesday – sign up to follow the blog via email or hit the “Like” button on the Facebook tab on the left side of the page.  - Jim and Mary

An old piano lid became a sign after a little paint and some stenciled letters

Full size picture of the hutch

Using Pallets to Build A Canning Pantry Cupboard

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Crate and pallet boards after disassembly

Our crate and pallet board pieces after disassembling a pallet and a shipping crate

Over the last few months – about every few days we get a comment or two on the canning cabinet or buffet hutch we built out of old shipping crates and pallets.  A lot of people want to know how we went about making it. So we thought for today’s post we would go through the how 2′s of building with pallets and shipping crates – with a little extra information on the canning pantry.  It’s a great project – with very little cost involved – and lets you store over 200 jars of canned goods!

Our Canning Cabinet made from pallets and shipping crates

Our Canning Cabinet made from old pallets and shipping crates.  We tilted the top shelf forward a touch for a better display, and added a lip to keep jars from coming off the other shelves.

We have actually made two of them – the first we built from pallets – the second from some old shipping crates and pallets.  But for both – the only tools we used were a Sawzall, Nail Gun, Construction Adhesive (liquid nails heavy – duty), 3″ coarse drywall screws and a drill with a Phillips #2 screw bit (for drywall screws)

For the canning cupboard, we started by tearing apart about 4 pallets to use for the sides and shelving boards.   We learned early on to not waste time trying to pull the nails from  boards and remove every little speck of everything.  You end up damaging way too many boards and it takes forever!

Canning pantry shelves are made from pallet boards nailed into 2 x4 frames.

We use a reciprocating saw with a long demolition construction blade and simply slice through the nails.  Leave all of the remnant flat nails in the boards, not only does it add lots of  character – its super quick.  If you place the pallet up on end you can slice through all of the nails in about 15 seconds.  Just repeat the process until you have cut them all and you end up with 15 to 25 single boards to work with for every pallet. (depending on pallet size and make-up – you usually get boards about 3 to 5″ wide by 30 to 48″ long).  With shipping creates – we just disassemble the sides with the sawzall and then you have ready-made building panels to work with.  Whatever you use – pallets, shipping crates or old barn wood – the important thing is to have simple straight boards to build with.

Buffet Hutch made with pallet panels and shipping crate remnants.  Same concept – just a little bit bigger than the canning cabinet.

Anytime we make anything with pallets – whether it’s the canning cupboard or the buffet hutch – we will then use the left over 2 x 4′s that make up the pallet’s inside rails to build the carcass structure.  They are durable – and although heavy – they are free and make the structure strong.  Speaking of the structure – we always use coarse drywall screws and heavy-duty construction adhesive to assemble.  The screws hold tight and the adhesive holds forever.  Don’t worry about anything other than the framing being straight.  Once again if there are some left over bits of nail that have been sawed off smooth – let it be – it just makes for a great patina when stained or painted over.

Side of the cabinet – simple straight pallet boards nailed to a long pallet board makes up a building panel.

Once we have the structures carcass built – we just simply use all of the straight boards cut from the pallets to cover.  For this we will use the nail gun for speed and looks – but you could just as easily use a hammer and nails.  Once you have trimmed it out to your liking – you can paint, stain or leave natural – and you have a unique conversation piece.

The biggest piece of advice – don’t sweat the details!  The biggest mistake people make when using reclaimed lumber or pallets is tot try to make it too perfect.  It’s far better to not try to sand everything super smooth  - or take out every little crack or dent in the wood.  Let them be  - it just makes it look that much better.

We do have complete plans for the pantry on our Etsy shop - but whatever you build – the key is to make it yours and have fun with it!

Jim and Mary

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Front view of the cabinet

Front view of the cabinet

Canning Pantry made from pallets

Canning Pantry made from pallets

Using rain to water our garden…our solar driven rain collection system takes shape

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The water tote being connected to the diverter spout

The water tote being connected to the diverter spout

Our tanks still sitting on the truck in front of the barn waiting for us to unload!

***We have more updated pictures at the end of this post from installing the totes.

It’s a beautiful sight to us!  Two bright and shiny 275 gallon water totes that will become the backbone of our barn’s rooftop rainwater collection system.  They will be used to water our entire garden, grapevines, and flowerbed areas – and let us attain our goal of using 100% reclaimed water for all of our gardening needs.

Thanks to another craigslist find this past weekend – we picked up the two used totes for just $40 each from a manufacturing plant.  They were used initially to hold molasses syrup for the food plant – but they are in pristine condition, completely washed, cleaned out and ready to start holding our rainwater.  These tanks have a huge 6″ cap opening on top for filling – but more importantly – with just a little modification using simple garden hose adapters – we can turn the 2″ bottom outlet into a standard garden hose hookup, complete with a shut off valve.

Recycled water totes are a great way to store and use rainwater – just make sure your totes are clean and were not used to hold harsh chemicals that could leave harmful residues.

We will finally be installing our gutters on the barn in the next few weeks . Instead of directing the downspout into regular run off drains –  the rainwater from the metal roof will be carried by a small diverter installed in the downspout to fill the water tanks.

Our system is really pretty basic and very simple.  When both tanks are full – they will hold 550 gallons of fresh water – enough to water our garden every day for nearly a month if mother nature decides to send a drought our way.  We will keep one tank at the top of the back hill above the garden hidden within the compost bin fence.   The other tank will be installed at the back corner of the barn, hidden behind a decorative fence and large grasses. That tank will be connected to the downspout to catch the rain water coming off the metal roof of the barn.   A simple overflow tube will be installed on the main rainwater tank that will send all excess water to the regular drains when the tanks become full.

The biggest hurdle to overcome was how to get water to our top tank.  It makes sense to have the usable water up above the garden.  It’s the highest point of the property – and if the tank is there, we can simply use gravity to water all of our plants.  We first thought about using the tractor and a small wheeled trailer to move the bins when full – but we decided it would just be too difficult to do – and probably end up damaging our tanks with the constant movement.  So after a lot more thought and a little research - we have settled on pumping the water from the bottom tank to the top tank  when needed,  using a permanently buried hose and a small water pump powered by an inexpensive solar energy system

We will use a simple downspout rain diverter to take water to the tanks

How does it work?  - It starts with the use of a small solar panel that will attach on to the back of the barn roof.  The panel collects the sun’s energy and charges  a small battery panel in the barn.  That battery power can then run the small electric pump and push the water up to the second tank with a simple flip of a switch.  A great way to get all of our future watering needs at no cost!

So – hopefully with a little good weather and some luck – we can at least have the gutters and main tank connected within the next week or two and begin filling the main barn tank – with the solar pump and panel installation following shortly thereafter.   Our goal is to have the system operational by the main planting of our garden in mid-May.  We will be sure to post updated pictures when we have it all up!

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Filling Up With Rain

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Filling up about half full after a rain,,,

Filling up from a good rain

Filling up from a good rain

Back Barn Gutter

Back Barn Gutter

Farm Update – The Barn Pergola / Kitchen Project Underway

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This isn’t exactly the best time of year to get major projects done!  Between softball and baseball games, spring planting, mowing, and building the pergolas we sell  - our own  ”to do” list sometimes suffers.  What’s the old saying…a plumber’s leaky faucets are always the last to get fixed…well…that is about how it has worked for building our own barn pergola!

Barn Pergola starting to take shape!! Putting down reclaimed pavers is up next!

We did however finally make some headway on our project this past week.  We are attaching a 12 x 22 pergola to the side of our barn and then putting down a patio with reclaimed pavers. We hope at some point to add an L shaped outdoor kitchen on the side with some more of the left over barn wood beams – and then be able to finally host some big family gatherings with food from the garden by this fall.

Putting the first coat of stain on the purlin boards before putting them up

It’s still such a long way from the dream…but at least it got a little closer this week!    On Friday –  we took turns digging the holes – each of us taking turns until our arms hurt before handing over the post hole diggers.  By day’s end we were able to set the four posts – and get the main header boards up – along with getting a large load of  the packing gravel delivered.  We will rake out about a 3″ base with the gravel pack for the patio area – and then follow with the pavers.

Chickens having fun playing teeter-totter while we dig out the holes for the pergola

I have to say that the gravel was soooo much lighter to move Friday before we got the three inches of rain in a big storm Friday night!   We pre-stained all of the main purlin boards – but decided after getting them up that we wanted to add a few more more to make it a little more shaded – so that’s why you see some unstained ones now in the picture.  Hopefully by weeks end we can have all of the top purlins as well as the posts stained – and the remaining paver base gravel spread out.   And hopefully…we can stop dreaming of having a dinner on the patio and make it a reality!

Earlier in the day - posts are up - still a lot of painting to do!

The Appeal of Old Barn Wood

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One of our last projects in the barn will be the laying of the reclaimed brick floors – but before that can happen – we had to somehow find a home for all of the leftover wood from the two old barns we tore down last year to make ours.  From extra posts, beams and floor joists, to extra barn siding, old windows and flooring boards – the entire left side under our loft was filled with extra pieces.

My dad’s barn before being torn down. There is a lot of history in all that old wood

After sorting through and saving pieces for enough future projects to last us well into our 90′s – we had to come up with a plan for what to do with the rest.  I guess the easiest way would be to set a big bonfire and clean it all out – but love of old barns and barn wood, in addition to our recycle and re-use mentality just wouldn’t allow for that type of disposal of such beautiful and historic wood.  In addition, we knew there was some value to the wood – you just can’t walk into your local lumber outlet these days and order 100-year-old red oak boards.

One of the many old barn windows that we had – crafters LOVE them!

So, over the course of the last 6 to 8 weeks – we have advertised the left over pieces and parts of our barns on craigslist – and the resulting onslaught of visitors to our “farm” to purchase pieces and parts has opened my eyes to just how many people really do love the past and share our love of the re-use and recycle theme.

More than being able to make a little extra money for the “farm fund” – and much more than clearing out the wood – it has been wonderful to meet new people and hear their “new” plans for the old wood.

We have had a few couples getting ready to build new homes who carefully picked old  beams to use in their new construction.  One gentleman picked up old oak slat boards to build a coffee table for his wife as a present.  A future bride picked up 50 old barn slats to make table signs for their wedding reception.

Old red oak floor joists – many have been re-used as mantles

And the list goes on and on.  A gardener picking out old oak 4×4′s to make a new garden with raised  beds, a crafter picking out old window frames to make decorative art pieces, a table builder wanting massive barn beam legs – and one close to my heart – a gentleman using some of the old wood to make a chicken coop!

We have asked almost everyone that has stopped and purchased to please send pictures when their “project” is finished.  So, hopefully someday in the future we can share a post of updated pictures and stories of all of the items that were built.  But for now, it gives Mary and I a wonderful feeling to know that both old barns continue to give new life to projects everywhere – and it makes all of the hard work from last years dismantling efforts a little more worthwhile. Here are a few of the projects we have made from our collection of barn wood:

Our Old Barn Window Address Sign

Our Old Barn Window Address Sign

Barn Trestle Table with base from barn rafters

Barn Trestle Table with base from barn rafters

Our Barn Doors From Old Barn Floors

Our Barn Doors From Old Barn Floors

Farmers Market Sign We Made From Old Barn Door

Farmers Market Sign We Made From Old Barn Door

9' Farm Fresh Egg Sign We Made From Old Barn Wood

9′ Farm Fresh Egg Sign We Made From Old Barn Wood

Our “New” Old Barn – Carrying on Dad’s Tradition

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The Barn - Completed!

The Barn – Completed!

 

Me, our dog Barney, and my Dad’s barn in the early 70′s

Over the past year, one of the most rewarding and yet physically challenging projects for us has been the ever so slow process of building our “new” barn on the farm. The barn is our first “real” building on the property.  (The chickens might argue that their coop was up first – but in spite of their protests – we shall call this the first real one!)

Our barn is the marriage of two old barns into one.  One, a barn we found through an on-line posting that needed to be removed to make room for a driveway.  The other, a sentimental piece of my own life –  a barn that my father built that became a fixture in my parents yard for the last 40 years.

Our original drawing of what we wanted our barn to look like – we were pretty close except for the cupola

Both barns were getting older and in need of some repair – but both had beautiful wood and features worth preserving.  It was a slow process, but with help of family and friends, we worked to preserve them as part of a new barn to serve a new generation once again.

Like many barns of the past – it will hold our garden and farm equipment (in a little lean-to built onto the back).  However, the main portion of the barn is being built to house and share our way of life with friends and family.  The inside will hold a big summer table, a loft and plenty of space for events – such as canning, wine making or holiday parties.  The attached pergola and patio is for an outdoor kitchen where we can enjoy our garden’s harvest and hopefully make dinners in the open summer air.

We began the process at the end of June – trekking our way to Cardington, Ohio to take down a mid-sized barn that we found on craigslist for free.   Looking back – it was probably more than Mary and I could handle – but we stuck with it.  We had our moments – like straddling a half-torn down roof with a saws-all – only to have bats fly out under my legs.  A bit unnerving, but none the less, it gave Mary a great pause to laugh at me as she looked up and waited for me to stop screaming.

Dads barn getting down to the bones.  Note the 36 Chevy paneled truck – my Dad’s prize possession and now being restored by my brother Bob back to its original glory.

A month or so later – we began to take down my Dad’s old barn.  A rustic red barn with a past of its own. You see, it was this very barn that my Dad had deconstructed and moved from a relatives property almost 40 years prior in the fall of 1973.  My father took apart each board – and rebuilt it, where it stood at my parents house until Mary and I took it down to give it a new life once again.  My father passed away when I was just 12 – so it was incredible for me to see Dad’s handwriting on some of the beams and walls where he had painstakingly marked each board to put it back together.

diggin the holes – a long way to go!

Day 1 of the build…setting the poles!

So with both barns down, and piles of wood to work with - the day finally came to start our barn.  We had decided to utilize all new posts and  a metal roof for structural purposes – but to re-use everything else possible from the two old barns from there on out.  With our own design in hand that we developed from our inventory of  ”found” barn wood  - we broke ground for the holes.  We set our first pole in late August – and hoped, at the very least to have a roof in place by winter.

We worked when we could.  After work – weekends – vacation days – a little bit of time here and there to keep at it – and by fall – with the help of some great family and friends…we had the walls and roof up.

We recycled and reused everything we could.  We took my Dad’s old metal roof, flipped it around – and made it into our new lower sides.  We milled down the barn siding boards and made them into our battens for the new one.  The brick floor will be put back down with other reclaimed bricks to make the new floor for the inside, outdoor patio and kitchen.  The list goes on and on…but for us, it’s keeping history alive.

We used Dad’s corrugated roofing to become the “new” lower walls of our barn. We loved the look, and the bonus was that the patina of the painted side really gives the inside a neat appearance

From the Cardington barn we made our two sets of barn doors from the wall and floor boards.- the pergola and outdoor kitchen that will attach to the left side of the barn will be made from its post and beam skeleton.

Our “Farm Fresh Eggs” Sign. We couldn’t wait to put it up after we made it – so it went on before the roof!

Even the nine foot “farm fresh eggs” sign was made entirely from the floor boards.   We have also milled down additional floor boards and beams to create a big summer kitchen table to put in the middle of the barn.  One that we hope will host some big family style “barn” dinners on.

Cutting the big old beams to make legs for the big kitchen table – the beams are almost a 100 years old – but look a the beauty of the wood when cut.

Our barn will be used as a gathering place for family and friends – hopefully for the next 40 years.  We want it to be the centerpiece of our little slice of heaven.

Without the help of friends and family, we would never been able to get so much done! Here my brother-in law Brian helps put the finishing touches on the ridge vent.

This week, we are finishing up the loft and a few inside details, while getting ready to put on the pergola over the outdoor patio space.  Every time we work on it, I know that we both imagine it filled with our friends and families laughter.  We can’t wait till it’s all finished – but we cherish every moment we’ve had building it.

I wonder a lot what my father thought when he took it apart forty years ago.  I wondered if he struggled like we did with removing nails and beams, and in fact – the whole rebuilding process.  In fact – I can’t pass any barn nowadays without thinking about who built it, and what they went through to make it what it is today.  I have so much admiration for the builders and craftsman of our past who built our country’s barns and farms.

I love what building this barn has taught Mary and I.  We have worked side by side every step of the way during the building process – and that is a memory no one can ever take from us.   I’m sure barns of the past that were built by family members had the same type of connection – and it makes me proud to know we are carrying some of the past into our future.

My father, brother-in-law, and uncle working on re-assembling the barn in September of 1973. My brother-in-law Carlton got to perform double duty, as he and his son-in-law helped us tear it back down again this past fall.

I love our new “old” barn.  Every single time I drive into the farm and see it,  I smile.  I remember working through those hot days with Mary tearing down the old ones to make it. I remember all of the scrapes and cuts and bruises building it.  I remember Mary about to kill me as I asked to lay out the squaring lines “just one more time to make sure we got it right”.   And through all of the hard work – I remember the great friends and family who helped us tear down and re-build it into “our” barn.  I remember all of the laughter and all of the fun that went into it.

It was a lot of hard work and yes, all of that work saved us a lot of money…But more than anything – I get to remember by father every time I look at it – and that is priceless.

Our recycled barn as it looks today.

Our recycled barn as it looks today.

Composting 101 – Tips To Make Easy Compost

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“I’m not sure Amelia…but I think they may only be keeping us around to put our crap in that pile!”

One can spend a lot of money on the various products made to help us produce compost – compost tumblers, compost bins , barrels, etc.  But the simple truth remains that you can make compost in almost anything to have your own supply of what is considered “black gold” among gardeners.

Our two bin system – made from recycled pallets

We use a two bin system at Old World Garden we made for free from recycled pallets – one to hold finished compost, the other to contain our latest batch.

There are major books dedicated to the topic of how to create compost, and we could get into all of the nitrogen vs. oxygen vs. moisture content details and arguments – but today’s post is all about keeping it simple.  The important thing is to not get so caught up in it the science that you never get around to starting a pile.

Organic matter makes the difference - especially when it comes to making and adding compost.

Organic matter makes the difference – especially when it comes to making and adding compost.

Compost is eventually going to be made in your pile no matter what you do.  The act of decomposition works on everything at some point – even that old truck slowly rusting in the weeds will put it’s iron back in the soil eventually!

Here are three basic hints for composting that can carry you far in your efforts to make great compost. By following them, it’s made our little two bin system crank out plentiful amounts of the high quality soil additives – helping bump up our garden yields year after year.

Good Compost Is The Key To A Great Garden

Good Compost Is The Key To A Great Garden

1. Chop Up Items You Add To The Pile  The smaller the item going in – the quicker it will decompose.  You don’t have to buy expensive shredders or grinders – a simple run over with the lawnmower can shred leaves or straw before you put it in.  And when you throw in those kitchen scraps – cut them up a few times on the pile with a sharp shovel to slice them up – they will begin to decompose so much quicker with the exposed smaller pieces

2.  Keep your pile moist but not wet.  Too wet, and your pile can get slimy.  Too dry, and it loses the ability to decompose faster.  You should be able to pick up the compost in your soil and feel moisture like that of a damp paper towel or rag.    But don’t fear – it won’t ruin your pile if it gets either way – it will just slow down the process.  If you get a ton of rain and your pile is out in the open, mix in some dry materials (i.e. chopped straw) to help it out.  Maybe even cover it with a tarp to help it not get so wet. On the other hand, if you have a huge dry spell – spray it with a little water when you turn it to get it cooking again.

3.  Keep your pile turned.  If you turn your pile over every couple of days – it really helps add vital oxygen and air flow to the mix – and distributes the moisture more evenly.  All of which result in a compost pile that decomposes quickly.  When you see steam rising when you turn it – you will know your pile is really cooking!

Here are some basic things that are great to include in your pile, and a few to avoid:

Egg shells are great for the compost pile

Great items to compost:

Coffee grounds, peanut shells, banana, orange, grapefruit, potato peels, eggshells, lettuce cores, carrot tops, celery ends, chopped leaves, straw, green grass clippings.

Things we avoid:

Meat and fish products,  cooked foods, cooking oils or oily food remnants, diseased or unhealthy plants,  weeds or invasive plant material, dog or cat feces.

Although meats and oils can be successfully composted in high temperature piles – for the average weekend gardener – these spell trouble.  They bring in unwanted vermin like raccoons, possums, mice, even rats…and they can smell awful.  We really try to do a good job just saving and consuming our leftovers so we are not throwing out much anyway – but for us – we just avoid putting these types of things in.  Weeds and unhealthy plants are a no-no because if your pile isn’t hot enough, it may not kill the resulting seeds that can germinate in your soil.  As for the dog and cat by products – for numerous potential health reasons, it’s best to avoid altogether.  However, chicken, rabbit, cow and horse manures are a great source of nitrogen for your pile and can be used if you have available.

So now that you’re making it – how can you use all of this valuable compost that is commonly called “black gold”?

Compost is the key if you want big, healthy plants!

In the early spring – a few weeks prior to planting, we will work a 2 to 3” top dressing of compost into our raised bed rows.  Then, at planting time – we will put a cup in the average tomato planting hole, mixing it in with the soil from the hole.  We use it one more time to top dress and mulch our garden plants, doing this once the plants have begun to take hold (at the 2 to 4 week stage).   A good shovel full or two around the plant’s base will give great weed control and moisture retention.  In addition, the compost slowly releases nutrients to the plants when it rains or we water.

I do need to point out here that this is finished compost we are applying – not the hot stuff from a cooking pile.  If your compost is still warm and cooking – you DO NOT want to put it near your plants or it can burn them and kill them.

The biggest step in composting is simply to take one and try it!  Even if you make mistakes, remember – everything turns to compost eventually :) !

Happy composting!  If you would like to receive our weekly gardening and DIY tips – make sure to “Like” us on Facebook, Twitter, or sign up to follow the blog via email in the right hand column of the website.

Jim and Mary

Rear view of recycled compost bin – 2 bins – one for finished compost – one for new

Recycled Compost 2 Bin System – Made from old pallets with a recycled brick floor

Recycle, Re-use and Re-Purpose in Style!

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If you really think about it – we all have a little repurpose in us.

After all – didn’t we all learn the great art of repurposing from our youth?  First, as children making that incredible fort from an empty box and blankets.  Then progressing to our college dorm room or first apartment with fine furniture like “milk crate shelving” and the “empty case of beer box” coffee table.

We found this solid wood armoir top for free – the bottom was damaged on delivery – so we turned it upside down, repositioned the shelves and added a top. Now it holds and displays all of our kitchen wares

For us – it’s now taking those early repurposing skills and “growing them up” to speak  – to truly craft useful and appealing things from what otherwise would end up in a landfill.

I never realized until looking around the house and farm just how many things we have created and now utilize through the art of repurposing.  I have to go back to our beginning for just a second, and borrow a few lines from our “about us” page to get across the point that you don’t have to live on the fringe to be resourceful by repurposing and recycling:

“We’re far from “hippies”…we don’t aspire to live “off the grid”, and in spite of our children and friends constant ribbing, we don’t wish to make our clothes from hemp. What we are – are two individuals committed to a more simple approach to life, who want to be responsible for a majority of the food we eat, and conserve the resources we consume”.

It’s that last line above about a simplistic approach and conserving resources that defines repurposing to us.

The re-use and repurposing of materials has become not just a way to live more responsibly while cutting costs, but evolved into a hobby and an art for us.

Buffet Hutch made from pallets, an old desk top, and piano lid top – the bottom opens up to hold additional serving plates

Yes, it’s true – it really helps us make and build things less expensively – and sometimes far better than we could build or buy new.   But, moreover, it gives us the added benefit to create history and stories into the things found in our home.

Reclaimed bricks create the patio floor for our pergola at the farm

We take pride in making the finished product aesthetically beautiful AND functional while repurposing. Realizing that it’s pretty easy to stack a couple of dirty crates underneath a piece of found plywood and call it a  repurposed table, we strive instead to find balance between re-use and beauty…hence the term “art”.

In some cases – the money we have saved truly has been amazing.  Our signature farm piece – our barn, has been built with repurposing in mind from the beginning.   We knew we wanted a classic “old world” barn, with beautiful space clearing rafters instead of trusses, a  true loft, and real wood instead of pole barn metal for siding.  It was also a barn that we knew would cost upwards of $20,000 to $30,000 to have custom-built – until the art of repurpose entered.

The Barn Project – taking pieces and parts from two old barns to create our “new barn”

Our cost to this point has been just shy of $1600.00 – and that includes $500.00 for having to have massive amounts of grading done.  How did we do it – by repurposing the hell out of two barns we tore down.

We’ve include more on that story along with other repurposed projects at the end of this article – but before I get too carried away with our project’s – let me share some of the keys to how we have successfully repurposed – and where we have found our materials.

The How:

Stand alone bar made from two old doors cut down and a remnant from a structural beam

Have Ideas in Mind.

Have an idea in mind for what you need when you’re out looking.  Don’t become one of those…oh..that’s neat – ill use it someday people.  That can really contradict the living simple theory.  “I’ll use it someday” is a term I have found to end up somewhere between a garage you can’t park in and a barn full of junk.   We never want to be there…ever!  So when looking at something that has crossed your path – really have an idea in mind for what you can use it for – or don’t bring it home.

Think Outside The Box.

If you take anything from this article – this is one to take!  You don’t have to use things for their intended purpose.  Sure, it’s great to be able to find an old table and refinish it into a new purposeful table…but when  you think outside the box.. really unique and inspired pieces happen.

Think outside the box…barn doors made from the walls and floors of a barn we tore down for free

I like to call them conversation pieces.   For us it was making barn doors from floors and walls!    Or using my father’s old roof to become the lower walls of our new barn.  It’s life as a roof was over…it had some surface rust – and some nail holes, etc.  – but by bringing it down to the ground level turning it around so the good galvanized side was out – it became a wall covering.  It made a great appearance – in fact – the rich patina of the reds and greys from the old painted roof looked so good inside – we kept them in tact to the delight of visitors.

I find the easiest way to look outside the box is to take points 1 and 2 together.  If you already have an idea in mind – you can look at materials that are not normally used  - and begin to think it through to see if they would work.

Made to hang inside the barn for decor – our 9′ Farm Fresh Egg sign

Don’t be afraid of Failure…it was already going to the junk pile!!!

Don’t be afraid to try things – what is the worst you can be out when your already starting with junk?  It becomes junk!

I have had my share of mistakes, but i’ve learned it’s not the end of the world.  There was the massive crate I brought home to try to make my first chicken coop out of…about two hours into it, and with the crate collapsing around me…it made a wonderful bonfire starter for an outdoor party that weekend.  The point is, things won’t always turn out, but don’t get discouraged – have fun with the attempts and it just makes you smarter for the next one.  And make sure you don’t keep those old failures around…it’s clutter.

SO – WHERE DO I LOOK FOR THINGS?

 CRAIGSLIST

Craigslist find : The post and beam frame shown here will become a massive pergola frame for our outdoor kitchen at the farm. We have re-used almost 75% of this barn on various projects after tearing it down this last summer

Well –I must admit we are both avid craigslist readers.  It is where we found our barn for free, the bricks for our barn floor, etc.  I will usually take a few minutes early in the morning or late at night to scan through the categories that interest me and see what deals I can find.  Sometimes, people truly just want to get things out of their house.   You know the saying, one’s person’s junk is another’s treasure.

LEARN THE ART OF ASKING

However , an even better tip is to learn the art of asking!   If you see something laying out, or something at work that is being thrown out – don’t be afraid to ask!  The worse that  can happen is a no.  Asking has been a great blessing for us – Mary mentioned to a builder last year that if he ever came across old bricks to let us know.  A week later – he dug up an old patio with a ton of great old bricks..he dumped them for free at the farm.. We made our pergola, chicken coop and compost bin floor from them, and used the broken ones to fill a small ravine – now that’s re-use!   If Mary would not have asked – they would have ended up in a landfill.

Compost bins made from old pallets – an easy start to repurposing!

We get great leaves and compost material from another landscaper who is looking to drop off leaves he collects..we save him a dumping fee…we get great compost material.  It can go on and on.

This tip goes so far beyond just repurposing…and into really helping save space for the landfills.  Ask your local breakfast shop to save their coffee grounds, potato peels and egg shells for you – its incredible in the compost pile and they are usually happy to be doing something good that they can promote too!

YOUR LOCAL HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE

Many areas now have a great store for repurposers.  A Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  You get great deals on overstock, unused or donated items…and they get to make money for their charity.  It’s a win –win.  The biggest thing here is to go by often – you never know what will be there and you have to see it first to get the good stuff!

KEEP  YOUR EYES OPEN

Yes, I get accused of driving like a grandpa when I go down the road by our kids.  They just somehow think it’s because  I am old…but truth be told but a lot of the reason is because I’m always looking around.   If I see something I really wanted at the side of the road – I’ll look. Once again – I don’t collect junk to collect junk…I have a purpose in mind and a use already .  Then I take action on it to get it where it needs to be.

The Chicken Coop was made from used shipping crates and pallets. The only cost was the shingled roof that was purchased at a quarter of the cost at our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore

AVOID THE  “Sanford And Son Syndrome”

Now the really difficult part – is to balance all of this with the simplistic approach.  We call it, avoiding the Sanford and Son Syndrome – in reference to the old TV show with their house and property amidst a junk yard.

The best way to avoid it is to really concentrate on the ideas you have in mind and what will work for them.  Second – if you do pick something up and can’t or don’t have a use for it anymore – get rid of it – don’t become the “collector of junk” .  If you struggle with this – just watch one episode of “hoarders” and it should cure you of the Sanford and Son Syndrome.

So with that said – here’s a closer at some of the projects we have accomplished with repurposing the last few years:

The Barn

This was the granddaddy of our repurposing projects for sure!  The barn was built from remnants of two old barns we tore down last summer.  The metal roofing we reused to skirt the bottom 4’ around the barn.  We re-used the boards from my dads barn to remill and make all of the battens for the board and batten look.  All four doors were made from the floors and walls of the Cardington barn.  And we salvaged the entire frame of the Cardignton barns post and beams to create  a massive outdoor garden pergola that will attach to our barn this spring.

The Bar (picture above)

We took 2 old solid wood doors form an old building that were to be thrown away.  Cut one down to have the two ends, and left the other whole as the front.  The massiveness of the found items made the piece work.  The heavy oak top was then salvaged from an old beam from a building in Tiffin, Ohio.  We simply added a plywood top and a little cement board and tile, and we have room for our keg and tap on the left – and shelves on the right.  Not a bad bar for less than $25

Canning Pantry Cupboard:

What can you u do with old shipping crates and a couple of pallets?  Well in this case we came across a supply of shipping crates that used lounge and groove boards as the casing.  We carefully dissembled them and had wood for many projects including this one (see below for more of the uses we made from shipping crates).  Using  remnants of 2 x4’s from the pallets – we built a casing for the canning cupboard – then sheathed it in tongue and groove boards and created space to hold over 200 jars of canned goods – even better – the rustic look makes it a perfect fit in the dining room.  The boards work perfect and give a great finish either stained painted or left to weather naturally.

I hope you found this helpful, and if you have any stories as well – please feel free to share.  That’s my last point for sure…never stop learning from others.  Who knows, one of your tips might just inspire me for my next project like I hope one of mine did for yours.

Happy recycling, repurposing and re-using!

Jim and Mary

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We are New Parents…well, sort of.

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So we may not truly be new parents, but the anticipation and the excitement of  our seeds sprouting through the wet soil have made us feel like it over the this past week.

Seedlings sprouting for Sangria plants

We got an early start on planting the Sangria pepper seeds,  our famous ornamental pepper plants.   Jim actually bought me the first plant a few years back for mother’s day, and we loved it so much that we  ended up saving the seeds of the this rare plant because they were so hard to find at our local nurseries.  Last year we planted the seeds in mid-February, but because they take so long to germinate, we decided to plant them in late January this year to get a chance to enjoy the beauty of the plant a little longer this summer.

Sangria plants in a pot on our back deck

Last year we planted a little over a hundred starters.  We enjoyed giving them to our friends and family and looked forward to the pictures they sent us over the course of the summer.  It was exciting to see where they planted their Sangria plants and the hear how the peppers made progress as they turned from purple to red.  We also used some of our plants in our garden beds as a small ground cover plant.  They really did well and filled in nicely.  This year, I think we will plant even more and possibly closer together (we planted close to 200 seeds this year).

Ornamental pepper plants at the Pergola on The Farm

We also decided to expand our seed starter collection to include the Poinsettia hot pepper plant, and what we hope to be Sweet Tangerine Dream pepper plants.  I say hope because we believe we might have purchased a mislabeled packet of seeds.  The picture on the front of the packet is what we were hoping for (Tangerine Dream), but after some research on various websites, the name on the packet (Tequila Sunrise)  appears to be much different than the picture displayed on the packet.  Only time will tell — and heck, who isn’t up for some ‘unknown’ adventure…that is how great things truly begin, right???

We also decided late last year to reuse yogurt cups as an alternative to traditional seed starting containers for our herbs this year.

Reuse of yogurt cups as starting pods for our herb garden

We recycle daily, but one day Jim came up with the idea that the cups would make  great planting containers for some of our seeds this year.  And what a great idea it was!!!  Now we won’t have to transplant the starters into bigger containers; they will be large enough to go from the yogurt cups  and be planted right into the ground.  Then yes, we will recycle the plastic.

We hope to continue to expand on our seed garden every year and are always looking for something new and exciting to plant.  The best part of all, is sharing our starters with others.  We will keep you up to date on the progress of the plants and eventually the answer to the mystery seed question.

Happy planting…only 33 days until Spring!!!!

Mary and Jim