The other night, on our way back from my friend Joe Nye’s party for the Dutch Touch Art Company, Jaithan and I were just about home when we stumbled upon this set of folding closet doors out for pickup the next morning.

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On closer look, they were still in great condition. Plus, I loved how tall they are! So I started thinking about this problem spot in our apartment where the radiator is…

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A little while ago, I tried painting it the same warm gray as the walls, but I still didn’t like how intrusive it is. I’d thought about getting a cover made but didn’t want to spend the money. So when I saw the closet doors on the street, I thought, maybe I could turn them into a four-panel screen that might be just the thing I need to cover up the radiator and add a little height to the room. I really didn’t know what I was going to do to spruce up the doors—paint? wallpaper? trim?—but I knew I had to have them! So out of the trash and into the basement they went, while I waited for a little inspiration to come my way.

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Ever since the Knights of Columbus Flea Market last weekend, where I totally got inspired to do a post on china and silver markings for the holidays, I’ve been brushing up on the subject with one of my favorite books.

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How cool are these black and white etchings of old English silver? And talk about inspiration! All I’d need to turn a plain set of folding doors, likely bound for landfill, into a knock-out screen for my apartment is a copy machine, grosgrain ribbon and Mod Podge (a non-toxic decoupage glue). And that’s exactly what I did!

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Check out the final result! I love how it hides that hideous radiator and adds a sense of drama to the room. And it really couldn’t have been easier—or greener! The first thing I did was take off the knobs and give it a fresh coat of paint (low-VOC Extra White from Sherwin Williams). Next, I figured six vertical panels would work pretty well, so that’s how big I enlarged the etchings, all on recycled paper! If you’re doing something like this yourself, I say do whatever you think works best. Just make sure it’s even on every side for a more polished look. To adhere the paper to the doors, all I needed was a brush and some Mod Podge, then followed the simple instructions on the bottle. Next, it was off to the Flower Market for a roll of black grosgrain ribbon. Framing out each of the panels adds that extra finishing touch, don’t you think?

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Now that it’s all done and the weather’s getting cooler, I can’t wait to cozy up in the corner with a little tea in the pot I picked up at the flea market last weekend. I love how the etchings on the screen reflect so much of what I love and surround myself with everyday. And isn’t that what truly makes a home all your own?

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