You see, this is where the towels were SUPPOSED to be hung. See no towels…I could argue that it was too high, which is true for half of my kids. But what about the other three? My conclusion, towel racks are pointless (in my house anyway) and we needed some hooks. Desperately.
So, I went shopping in my stash of random cool objects I buy for $2 at the Restore…and these curtain tie backs are what I found. I have had them for over a year at least, they have been patiently waiting for me. And yes, it was $2 for all 5 tie backs, Sa-weet!
Since I love reclaimed wood I grabbed one of these really wide fence boards I got last year at our city spring clean up. I started to see how these curtain tie backs would work for hooks and I was impressed at how perfect they were!
I decided to cut off the end and use the jagged edge pieces to make shelf supports. I used the two triangle end pieces and cut one from the middle.
Using another smaller reclaimed fence piece I glued and nailed it on the top of my wide board (top left). Then I glued and nailed on my end triangle pieces for the shelf supports.
I love the weathered ends, pure and rustic. Fun side story- The top piece of old fence wood is actually from my Old fence wood framed mirror, it got broken when “someone” knocked it off the wall. The wood broke in a few places so I have since been re-repurposing it! Oh, I better sand off that word, not sure why it is there…
Next, I took my curtain tie backs and gave them a good coat of spray paint. I used Rustoleum’s Heirloom white. Ever spray painted in the dark? Probably not the best idea. 🙂
I wanted something fun and bathroom related on the shelf board…it is always hard for me to decide this type of stuff. So I finally just went with a well used: wash, brush, floss, flush. Good words to live by in a bathroom, maybe the words will actually sink into my kids brains if they see them several times a day?
I cut them out of contact paper on my Cricut and stenciled them on in white.
Using a Martha Stewart Stencil I added a little flourish on each end. I used the very end of the same design to separate the words as well.
Dorothy Trevena says
November 7, 2014 at 7:03 amAbsolutely love this sign and would like to make. What are the dimensions? What size is lettering? What model Cricut do you have or what cartridge did you use? Thank you in advance.
katie says
June 30, 2014 at 7:32 amUmm this is awesome. I would love to get rid of my ugly towel bar and replace it with something cute like this!
Kristen says
June 29, 2014 at 11:51 pmI LOVE this!!! Fingers crossed I’ll come across some metal tie backs so I can be a copycat. BTW what font is that you used? It’s perfect!
Mindi says
June 30, 2014 at 12:27 amThanks so much Kristen, I hope you find some too! I used the Birmingham Titling Bold font for the words. Hugs!
Feral Turtle says
June 28, 2014 at 9:12 amThis is such a great idea! Towel bars are useless in this house too.
Pat says
June 27, 2014 at 10:57 pmGreat repurpose idea! It’s funny how we see things outside their intended purpose and it works!
I like to use ceiling fan blade brackets for hooks…and I’ve seen them used for CURTAIN TIE BACKS…go figure!
have a great weekend y’all!
Patricia
Tuula @ The Thrifty Rebel says
June 27, 2014 at 10:30 pmWhat a wonderful idea! I think it turned out really great. Love the rustic wood with the white.
girlfromwva says
June 27, 2014 at 4:00 pmI really love this! Is it secure on the wall with the eye hooks and wire? Just wondering since I know my kids would probably find a way to “knock it off” or something…thanks so much. I have some curtain tie backs from the late 1970’s or early 80’s that i could probably use for this reason! 😀
Mindi says
June 27, 2014 at 4:19 pmThank you so much! It is secured with the wire and eye hooks on two screws. It is secure and has not been a problem with my kids, however I would use two D-ring hooks if you have them. That is what I planned on using and I just had one. Since I am lazy and didn’t want to go to the store I just did the wire. I am excited you have some curtain tie backs to use, you won’t regret making some hooks with them!
Di B says
June 27, 2014 at 10:30 amSuch a great idea. I have moved and found an extra tie back hook that wasn’t used in my previous house. What was I going to do with just one? It’s a great idea to hang my towel to dry! Thanks
Julia - Vintage with Laces says
June 27, 2014 at 10:27 amGreat idea, Gail! It turned out wonderful,
darrielle tennenbaum says
June 27, 2014 at 9:53 amGreat idea and it looks so good! Thanks for the inspiration!
kim says
June 27, 2014 at 9:07 amGreat idea – I’m pinning this! Now you can use your extra time not picking up towels and working on more projects. 🙂
Jeanette @ Creating a Life says
June 27, 2014 at 3:12 amAbsolutely love it!