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Reuse & Repurpose: Crafty in the Village

When I went scouting for outstanding examples of decorating with repurposed objects, I made sure to stop by the former Greenwich Village apartment of fashion designer John Bartlet and master framer John Esty. Recently, the couplemoved, but I fortunate to document  their craftiness in my book The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating With Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details where their  handiwork is prominently featured.

One of the first items that caught my eye was this spectacular piece of wall décor. Made out of four triangular terazzo molds, the treasure held inside inspire the imagination: an old clock, a misplaced ruler, chair spindles, a paint brush and a rusty horseshoe thrown in for good luck.

I was equally amazed by this handsome eye catcher (somewhat hidden by the piles of art books and magazines) created out of upholstery materials. Made from woven strips of jute chair webbing that crisscrosses a weathered metal frame, this bulletin board is elegantly illuminated by an articulating light fixture that's attached for added eye appeal and usage.

For more views of these visual visionaries' home, pick up my book The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating With Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details or visit me at The Elegant Thrifter.

Always Frugal, Always Fabulous,

Stan Williams, The Elegant Thifter

Photos by Stan Williams; The Find phot by Jim Franco

Tagged : vintage, thrift, The Elegant Thrifter, The Find, John Bartlett, John Esty, decorating