8.07.2009

Salvaged Windows + Burlap = Fabulous!

Happy Friday! I hope you've had a good week. My husband was out of town for four days so, as usual, I got about halfway on a bunch of projects but then...real life intervened. :) C'est la vie, I guess!

Here's a fun idea that can be adapted lots of ways. Years ago, my husband (then fiance) and I bought these salvaged windows. At the time, I simply sanded off some of the flaking paint and gave the wood the once-over with some polyurethane to keep it from peeling further. They looked adorable above my husband's bachelor bed (although he would object to the term "adorable" and might prefer "manly and strong in an artsy-kind-of-way").

I dug them out of a box after forgetting about them for years. I tried hanging them on the wall but felt like they needed a little something instead of that vast expanse of glass. Enter: burlap. Seems like burlap is everywhere these days!

I just glue-gunned the burlap to the inside frame of the windows all the way around.

I think the windows look perfect sitting above my work table. I love how the burlap gives them more interest and texture.

And I even had a little extra to wrap a smells-good-but-is-way-too-orange candle. Now it looks cute but doesn't scream "Sesame Street!"

And you may have noticed in the photo above that my sewing machine is back! That's because I've been making more curtains in anticipation of the big shiny furniture delivery truck that's coming to my house over the weekend.

Family room makeover coming next week, stay tuned!


52 comments:

Ally's Corner said...

Wonderful idea!!!!
Can't wait to see your family room.
Ally

Sara said...

Super cute...as always! I've got some old windows that I attached an old quilt to the back of and love them!

sarah @ life {sweet} life said...

Love the burlap...those look great!! How exciting about the family room...can't wait to see it! :)

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

I love these windows! They look great.

Jboo said...

Wow -- beautiful!! You are so busy -- how do you get so much accomplished! Have a great weekend!

janet

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Great idea! So simple, yet such a statement!! :)

Jodee said...

That looks great! Hope you have a great weekend!

Jessica Ryan said...

Fabulous! How ingenious!!! I can't sew (sew sad!! LOL) but I can handle a mean glue gun!

The Writer Chic said...

Perfectly beautiful, as usual. Well done, Carrie.

Free Art Printables said...

That is awesome! They look fabulous! Jen

Joy said...

I love the shape of those windows! And with the addition of the burlap and the placement above your desk, it looks like a photo from Pottery Barn.

Arlene said...

Love the way it turned out!

The Little Red Shop said...

Carrie...your windows above your worktable make me think of......a beehive!! How appropriate!!! They look great!

: )

Julie M.

MegJill said...

Still love your table redo! The whole area looks so calm and inviting. Makes me want to sew!

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Love salvaged windows and your burlap idea is a great one! Looking forward to seeing your family room :).
Beth

jamie said...

Very nice! I love the unique shape of the windows and the burlap was a great addition!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Those look just wonderful! I love the burlap idea...would never think of it!
sandy toe

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

What a great idea... the windows look so beautiful!! Great find with those salvaged windows, they have such a neat and unique shape!

Courtney said...

Love this project. The windows look great above your table!

Shannon said...

Love those!! Those windows are beautiful!

Emily said...

Wow that looks great! They would even look good with no glass, a backer board and burlap-- to use as a memo board above a desk.

Anonymous said...

Great idea. I love the shape of the windows. Looking forward to the make over room.
QMM

Stacey said...

YOU are amazing!!!
I LOVE visiting your blog!
I've not been blogging...ohhhhh, for quite some time now but I DO make it over to your blog every now and again!!!
STILL loving it!!!

Desiree said...

Cute windows...very architectural!

Can't wait to see the makeover next week...

-Desiree

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Your sewing table is way too clean - my area never loos like that unless I am completely out of ideas! I can dream, though. - oh and the windows look great, of course.

Lana said...

What a great idea and it looks GREAT! I absolutely love it! I can't wait to see the room makeover...you always have such GREAT ideas!!

Chris said...

I absolutely love those--even without the burlap! Of course, the burlap just makes it that much more perfect! Great place to put them, too!

K and A said...

Ahhhhhh I like them so much better!!Gives them more depth. Although I always think burlap makes everything better-lol.
Speaking of-I just saw the cuuuutest curtains in the new anthropologie catalog today and this made me think of them. They aren't burlap but sure look like it!
~Amanda

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=983128&parentid=HOME-CURTAINS-PRINTED&pushId=HOME-CURTAINS-PRINTED&popId=HOME-CURTAINS&sortProperties=&navCount=5&navAction=push&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=024&colorName=BEIGE&isSubcategory=

Ms. Tee said...

Those windows were such a great find. The burlap was the perfect finishing touch, too! :)

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

Those look great with the burlap!

Unknown said...

I am in love with those windows. So pretty!

Windy said...

looks great! I am still wishing I could sew - am thinking that's what I will ask for for Christmas.

Stacy said...

Looks awesome!

PS. You could even use dry erase markers on the glass to write memos! (Try it in a small corner first to make sure it isnt porous glass) Love it!!

~Stacy

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

How very creative and cute.....Love the simplicity of them. PERFECT.

Blessings,
Spencer

The 5 Bickies said...

wow those are cute. I love architectural pieces for decorating!

Anonymous said...

Your windows are fabulous! I love the shape of them and the burlap was a terrific idea.

Gretchen

Jo said...

Love the *new* windows! Can't wait to see what the delivery man brings you!

Jo

Its So Very Cheri said...

I love the shape of those Manly ARTsy windows.

Sorry-I've been out of commission -- terribly sick for over a week-- but do you want to know how I cut my grocery bill in half? go to Cut your grocery bills now plus I have a give a way and a new Mr Linky party starting tomorrow but Mr Linky will be up by 8 p.m. tonight

Cheri
Its So Very Cheri

sherri said...

Love this project, and your little sewing table area looks fabulous! I'm also glad you found your dog! I'd be unable to enjoy myself too, if I lost my dog!

Unknown said...

Oooh, a furniture truck, I LOVE those!! Can't wait to see what you're up to.
Love the burlap in the windows, that's a fabulous idea.

the undomesticated wife said...

Those windows are fantastic!

Southern Fried Gal said...

Cute pieces! I totally get the real life thing - working on a little of that my way, too! Can't wait to see your room redo. I think I have a project in just about every room in the house - oh my!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Girl, I gotta tell you that I picked up a whack load of windows recently and even after doing a post about what to do with old windows, I still hadn't decided howo I wanted to decorate with all of them. (I'm only planning on hanging two.) This burlap idea is so fantastic! I'm thinking I may even back some of my windows with burlap and cork to make a bulletin board of sorts. Gosh, greeeaaaat idea!! And I just love the shape of your windows. So unique!!

kacyd said...

I love that...I have a window hanging in my upstairs hallway - I think I will give this a try!! Thanks!

Michelle said...

Oh those windows are fabulous!

Unknown said...

Great idea!!

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

Oh that is nice.

REALLY nice!!

Mandi Shandi said...

LOVE them! You did it again!

Debra said...

Perfect above your desk! I like the look with burlap.

Debra

Anonymous said...

Looks awesome!!!!those windows are looking fantastic...What a great idea...thanks for sharing..
--
Reenee
Best Affordable Security Systems Suitable for Renters and Apartments, Business and RV

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Ohhh they look like something from Ballard!!

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

Um. I just realized that I commented on the wrong post; however, I love your burlap windows too! Me and burlap go together like peas and carrots. : )

~Misti