You can in fact teach an old dog new tricks, if the ‘old dog’ is a used item you found at a garage sale or thrift store. What was once an apple crate can learn how to be a shelf, a window frame can be taught the ways of a calendar. Any old item can find new purpose in your home, and often, the older the better.

Faking the ‘old’ part

Sometimes it’s difficult to find genuine artifacts with that aged look, and if you do, they may be priced higher than seems ethically responsible. When this happens, it’s time to take old into your own hands with this cheap vintage wood stain recipe from homeheartcraft.com.

How to ‘vintage stain’

Cut a quarter of a steel wool sponge and put it in a re-sealable container (ex. Mason jar). Sprinkle a quarter of a cup of used coffee grounds and fill the jar with vinegar. Shake it and let the mixture sit overnight. Then, rub the new, unfinished wood with the steel wool (two coats) and let it dry. Brush the coffee grinds off and voila, vintage wood!

Crate shelves

With its two horizontal surfaces, the wooden crate offers space for organization and decor. From Renee Elliott of recreativeworks.com.

Window frame calendar

Blackboard paint makes the most of this windowpane’s form and gives it new function. From Renee Elliott of recreativeworks.com.

Window frame calendar how to:

Materials:

An old window frame, sand paper, dust mask, protective eye wear, paint (colour of your choice), paint brush. plywood pieces cut to the size of each pane (this can be done at most large hardware stores), chalkboard paint, adhesive that comes in a caulking tube – available at your local hardware store, picture hangers or hooks.

Directions:

1. Wearing protective eye wear, carefully remove glass panels. Next, wearing a dust mask, sand the entire frame until smooth. With a damp cloth, clean the frame to remove any dust left over from sanding. Allow to dry fully.

2. Dip your brush into the paint and allow the excess to fall back into the paint can (you want your brush to be on the dry side) and start painting in the direction of the wood grain. To create the shabby-chic look above, paint heavier in some areas and go lighter (with a very dry brush) in other areas. Set aside to dry.

3. To continue with the shabby chic look, sand some of the edges to get that worn effect.

4. Coat each of the plywood pieces with chalkboard paint and allow to dry. Once dry, turn your frame over and place each of the plywood pieces face down in the correct positions. Next, apply the adhesive around the edge of the frame and plywood, and fill in if there are gaps. Follow the directions on your adhesive for drying time.

5. Attach your picture hangers or hooks, so you are able to hang on the wall.

Find Julia on Twitter @JuliaDilworth.