My youngest daughter {O}, age 8, is all about her accessories. She loves fashion design, and gets great joy out of planning her outfits, head to toe, every day. Her hair accessories have been taking over my side of the bathroom cabinet, and she has been keeping a lot of her jewelry in a box, which as you can imagine, tends to get things a little tangled.  Something had to be done, and I had a great idea for an accessory holder!

There’s an antique place in E. Wareham nearby, called Clam Shack Antiques, that we’ve frequented often in the past couple of years.  I knew it was just the place to hit first, for some of the supplies I needed for my project, as I recalled there was a load of old antique door knobs there.   I rummaged through them all, chose some I really liked, and bought them for a deal.
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At home, I already had the perfect piece of wood.  My father comes down to visit us a lot, and when he comes, he usually brings a load of stuff we may, or may not, want.  He knows how we love to make something, out of nothing.  Or take a piece of junk, and turn it into something nice or useful.   This nice solid piece of wood, was among the last load he showed up with.  It’s not truly perfect actually.  Someone had routered it, but the piece was not cut exactly even, to begin with.  But that’s alright.  We embrace imperfections. (Starting with ourselves.  Do we have a choice?  ; ).

I had all I needed, to get to work on my vision.
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This is what I made.  I painted the wood, and then distressed it a little.  Then I had Michael install 3 of the door knobs I chose for this project, in my particular specified order. (So important, you know.)   I did not want any two knobs alike for this project, so we are saving the rest for another upcoming house project.

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Here, is {O}’s accessory holder in use, just as I had envisioned it. Well, it’s not actually quite done, as you see.  I’ll tell you more about that in a minute.  But the knobs are just perfect, to hang her accessories on.  She has some nice pieces, too!

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{O} is such a fun kid to have around.  She has such a feminine style, and gets so excited about anything I want to do with her, or her room. She appreciates my creative side, has one of her own, and is as enthusiastic as I am, about any project I brainstorm about, or work on.  She loves to work with me, too.

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Hunting for door knobs, has been so fun.  I have discovered how unique door knobs can really be.
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The glass ones can be especially fascinating, and beautiful.

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But even this dinged up one has such character.  I think it’s brass, underneath that paint. This one, and it’s match, were pretty yellowed, when I brought them home.  We just washed them with hot water and soap, and they whitened quite a bit.  They still look old and discolored of course, which is why I love them.  But…not yellow.

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I really still cannot believe, that I grew up in a house that is close to 100 years old, and I never appreciated it’s history, while I lived there.

I want a second chance!

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Which reminds me.  Were you wondering what the 4th hole was for?  I’m going to get a door knob from my parent’s house, that I just mentioned, and add it to this piece of art, that I created for {O}’s room.  It is like art – don’t you think? My father will be selling the house soon, now that my mother has been gone for 6 years.  It’s just taken him a long time, to be ready to let go.  I think he’s still working on that, actually.  (So am I. ) Anyway, that house is loaded with all of the details that a house of that age does, including more doors and doorways than you can shake a stick at. And thus, door knobs.

That 4th hole will be filled, very soon.  I could easily find another door knob in my antique hunting, and I will be getting lots more, anyway.  But it’s important to me, that the last one be from my old home, and {O}’s grandparents, for this.
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{O} confiscated the ceramic bunny, that was put aside to go back up in the attic, from our Easter house decorating pile.  It looks quite fitting and perfect, in her room.  And she found it’s ears, are just the right size for her bracelets.
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And in these photos, have been peeks for you, of another project I have already mentioned I’ll be sharing.  That post will be up by Thursday, in The Homestead (Home & Gardens) section of this blog.

So, what did you think of this project?  Did you like my idea? Please share your thoughts, in the comments. : )  I love it so much, I get giddy.

Like this project? Than ‘Like’ our Facebook Page! There’s some more clever ideas coming up!!

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