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Fab Friday Finds – Unique Memo Board & Curbside Castoff Table

March 23, 2012  Decorating | Organization | Uncategorized

Here’s the story of a lovely lady of an unlikely memo board combined with a curbside castoff to create the perfect landing spot by my back door for notes, keys, shades … and other random things!

At an estate sale a few months ago, I spotted an old crib in the dark recesses of the attic (picture me doing the happy dance)!

I politely declined the possibly bedbug ridden mattress though – getting itchy just thinking about it.

Right away I knew it would be the perfect memo board – one day.

Memo Board DIY - a crib spring is a unique way to stay organized!  kellyelko.com

But since it was almost Christmas when I found it, the crib spring made it’s first appearance on my Christmas mantel.

Crib spring Christmas mantel eclectiallyvintage.com

Christmas came and went and the crib spring came down (much to the hubs delight)!

But alas, he didn’t have time to rejoice for long because before he knew what hit him, he was hanging that spring on the kitchen wall where it’s our new memo board.

Make your own memo board - with a crib spring!  kellyelko.com

 The blue metal table under the spring is a curbside castoff I rescued from the side of the road.

I still laugh out loud when I think of getting caught in the act by the hubs.

Can you believe that at the same moment I was wrestling the table into my car (far from my house, I might add), he drove by shouting, “Just Leave It There”!

He scared the bejeebers out of me but it didn’t deter me from my mission.

Top a console table with marble tiles for an inexpensive fix!  kellyelko.com

The table (did I mention it was FREE!) was topless (how embarrassing!) so I had grand plans of getting a piece of marble cut for the top.

Months went by and she still had no top – until fate intervened.

While cleaning out my basement (which resembled a scene from Hoarders), I spotted some leftover tile used in our house reno.

Three marble tiles fit perfectly!  Entire table = FREE!

The perfect fit around the light switches!

Crib Spring Memo Board

Old clothes pins are perfect for hanging all those A+ (hopefully) papers!

Top a table with marble tiles for an inexpensive fix!  kellyelko.com

Vintage Clothespins

Keep your eyes peeled at yard sales and thrift shops (and by the side of the road) for hidden gems.

Hold your head high while you’re diving into that dumpster and you’ll probably find some pretty cool things too!

And don’t be afraid to shout it from the rooftops – I found it in the trash!

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« Previous: It’s a Cinch – DIY Music Lyric Plate
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Comments

  1. Jan @SouthernJunkin'

    March 23, 2012 at 10:29 am

    Cute and very creative! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Linda @ fingers in the dirt

    March 23, 2012 at 11:19 am

    I’m sitting here in beautiful Pacific Grove California with the sun shining on the ocean….showing your new creation to my husband and telling him “I bet there are some nifty hidden treasures in this resort town.” I think he’s relieved he has a golf date scheduled :).

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      March 23, 2012 at 2:22 pm

      Linda – perfect excuse – he’s out golfing so you should be out junking!

      Reply
      • Linda @ fingers in the dirt

        March 23, 2012 at 4:30 pm

        I agree and the opportunity just fell in my lap. The friends we’re visiting have a garage full of “extra” furniture from their old house…I’m heading to the garage to do some shopping!

        Reply
  3. Christine @ Treasures and Pastimes

    March 23, 2012 at 11:30 am

    *Sigh* Alas, my hubby is the same way…he just doesn’t understand why I love “big garbage day” (everyone puts out a TON of large items) in the next town, I came home with a huge stack of old windows and a wooden crate the other day LOL!! I love this idea and wish I had the wall space to hang one that I have laying around in the basement 🙁

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      March 23, 2012 at 2:23 pm

      My new idea-wear all black and sneak the stuff into the garage before the hubs sees!!

      Reply
  4. Linda @ it all started with paint

    March 23, 2012 at 11:39 am

    The creative ways you re-purpose something I would have passed over or labeled “junk” is inspiring! I may need to start picking through the alley …

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      March 23, 2012 at 2:23 pm

      Just be careful of those giant Chicago rats!

      Reply
  5. Shannon Fox

    March 23, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    Dang those hubbies sneaking up on us! I bet you jumped 😉 Great fit with the marble on the table top!! Woo Hoo, love when something comes together like that. Looks great Kelly!! You heal up and don’t do too much.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      March 23, 2012 at 2:24 pm

      Those hubbies do like to cramp our creative style sometimes don’t they!!

      Reply
  6. Whitney @ The Rooster and The Hen

    March 23, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    Even without a gall bladder you are as creative as ever! I love the color of the crib springs – did you paint it or was it that way from the get go? And that table and tiles are the perfect match!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      March 23, 2012 at 2:25 pm

      The crib spring actually came that color green! I was so excited about the fab color (usually only see silver or brown ones)!

      Reply
  7. [email protected]

    March 23, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    Awesome finds, both of them! Love the crib springs, and especially that green color, and your curbside rescue looks amazing with it’s new free top! That would have scared the bejeezus out of me if my hubby yelled out “Just leave it there!” , while driving by. I am usually so in the zone when I have scored something, that if it were me, I probably would have been so startled, I would have dropped and broken that table!
    We don’t have as many great OLD things out here in Cali to trash pick from. I miss that part of living in the midwest!
    Have a fab weekend!
    xo-Lisa

    Reply
  8. Kirby

    March 23, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    What a great idea, Kelly!

    Reply
  9. [email protected] A Sort Of Fairytale

    March 23, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    this is so cute…i love it and love the color too!! I want one…

    Reply
  10. Anne

    March 23, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    Love it, especially the story of the table! lol Thanks for the inspiration & the laughs.

    xox

    Reply
  11. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

    March 24, 2012 at 11:24 am

    how perfect….I love that Christmas mantle…so many fun uses for a discarded item

    Reply
  12. Stacey

    March 24, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    There are several things I love about blogging….nice people, getting to peek into beautiful homes, and learning from others. Your idea of using that crib as a memo board is brilliant! It looks great and you saved it from an untimely fate. Same with the shelf…I never look at anything the same way anymore.

    Thanks for sharing your gorgeous reno. Your home is amazing!

    Reply
  13. debbie

    March 25, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    How cute Kelly. I love this, so proudly displayed!

    Reply
  14. Patty

    March 25, 2012 at 9:43 pm

    You are a really good writer (made me laugh), besides making good use of old things. I enjoyed reading this. I love the clothespins holding the items on the crib spring. I could see the apple picture framed. I love kid art.

    Reply
  15. Yvonne @ StoneGable

    March 26, 2012 at 10:40 am

    What a cute, cute, cute idea! Just think what can go up on that great memo board! The clothespins are a darling touch!
    Yvonne

    Reply
  16. Marilyn

    March 26, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Oh, I have been looking for a vintage crib spring, lucky find! I love your display! First time here and your newest follower, hope to see you visit! I’ll be back to check more of your talent!

    Reply
  17. Debbie refreshrestyle

    March 26, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    I’m kicking myself! I saw one of these the other day and didn’t get it~not free but at a junk store!
    Debbie

    Reply
  18. [email protected]

    March 27, 2012 at 7:47 am

    Those crib springs work great for so many things…love it on your mantel too. Your story about your hubby busting you with the table is classic…sounds like something that would hapeen to me too 🙂 Laurel

    Reply
  19. Maria

    March 27, 2012 at 10:14 am

    What a great idea! Nicely done!!!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  20. [email protected]

    March 29, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    LOVE this!!! One of these crib springs is on my “list of stuff I’m on the lookout for”

    Reply
  21. debbie

    April 1, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    You are too much girl! I love that! Very practical and cool. A for sure conversation piece. Thanks for sharing Kelly!

    Reply
  22. thoroughly modern me

    April 1, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    I think you will continue to find new uses for your crib springs. Love the story about your husband driving by.

    Reply
  23. Sarah

    April 1, 2012 at 10:49 pm

    Great idea!! I LOVE this! It looks great and is so unexpected!

    Reply
  24. Angie

    April 2, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Very cute idea! Love the green~
    Angie

    Reply
  25. Mary Alice Patterson

    April 2, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    Your spring memo board is fabulous!! It looked good on the mantel, but the memo board idea is genius.
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  26. Betsy

    April 2, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    I love this and the unusual green color! I have a perfect spot for it in my studio:-) Keep up the curbside and attic hunting!

    Reply
  27. Carol

    April 3, 2012 at 12:44 am

    I love the green color of your old bedspring. I want to find one to suspend from the ceiling in my closet to hang all my purses.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      April 3, 2012 at 10:30 pm

      Great idea Carol – let me know if you find one!

      Reply
  28. Sweet Posy Dreams

    April 3, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Cute story and creative use for the old spring. That green color is great.

    Reply
  29. Emily

    April 4, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    I love this so much!! In fact, I went to a huge flea market this weekend in search of an old screen for my mantel.
    No luck, alas.

    I’m featuring this today!!

    Reply
  30. Emily

    April 4, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Well, I meant to say an old SPRING not screen. But, hopefully you got my drift 🙂

    Reply
  31. Bonnie and trish @ Uncommon

    April 4, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Oh..this is great! Hmmm….do you think Trish might let me steal back my crib I gave her?? I could use the one from that!! You did a great job!! 🙂

    Bonnie @ Uncommon

    Reply
  32. Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating

    April 4, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    The color is great, and I love how you’re using it. I’m too much of an in-the-box thinker to utilize things so differently than they were intended, but I’m glad there are people like you who can!

    Reply
  33. Katy Lunsford

    April 7, 2012 at 10:23 pm

    You are so mart! Someone just had on at the curb in my neighborhood – I kept looking at it, trying to figure out if I could repurpose it! Now I know for next time. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  34. Chelsea

    April 9, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    fantastic! Love this upcyle!! Must find baby crib as soon as humanly possible…

    Reply
  35. Mindie

    April 18, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    Wonderful recycle project. It looks great.

    Reply
  36. Christina at I Gotta Create!

    April 22, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    I am completely in love with this!! I need to ding great junk like this. Lol! I will be featuring you on Facebook this week. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Igottacreate/100573240032625
    thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina

    Reply
  37. Crystelle Boutique

    January 27, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    Wow! These crib springs are looking great in your home. I have one sitting in my basement for the same purpose, but have not yet gotten around to actually utilizing it. But you have given me the extra push I needed. Thanks!

    hugs x
    Crystelle

    Reply
  38. Katrin

    April 13, 2015 at 6:03 am

    This is a great idea! Love it! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Eclectic's The Key: RRR Transformation Party | The Rooster and The Hen says:
    April 10, 2012 at 9:26 am

    […] and fun options for decorating with vintage and unique materials. For example, she repurposed this baby crib into a memo board: Repurposed an umbrella into a fun spring display on her back patio: And pulls out all the stops […]

    Reply
  2. Eclectically Vintage Family Room and Breakfast Nook Tour says:
    May 21, 2012 at 4:00 am

    […] my Crib Spring Memo Board and my Curbside Castoff Table? I wish I could change my lighting as often as I wash my hair! This Pottery Barn clip […]

    Reply
  3. And the Ribbon Goes to … Creatively Disguising an Ugly Wall Vent says:
    August 27, 2012 at 4:02 am

    […] Luckily, I had the rest of the antique crib languishing in my garage from My Crib Spring Memo Board. […]

    Reply
  4. A Very Good Year – the Best of 2012! says:
    December 27, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    […] A crib spring turned memo board. […]

    Reply

KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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