Before & After - A Silver Screen Debut

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.

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...

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.

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.

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!

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?

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?

Comments

[Christine]

ummm can I adopt you?...lol What a wonderful idea! Do you have to move it when the heat is on? I have screen that someone gave me that I put in between my living and dinning area but it doesn't look right...yep it is still there after three years and it still doesn't look right! I really like the height of yours.

that is such a cool idea...love!

[jess]

yes, that is truly what makes a house feel like a home.

ah the joys of mod podge! i hope you don't mind another question, did you attach the grosgrain ribbon with mod podge as well? hot glue gun? :)

[Stephanie Jordan]

Eddie,
I LOVE the color of the walls in your apartment photo in the Washington Post. I ran right out to get the sample chip of the RL paint Brompton Grey but, it looks so much greener. I have white sofas, black and white draperies and I would like a sophisticated grey wall color. Does it look less green on the walls, or do you have another color suggestion that would look closer to the photo?
You are perfection and I love you!
ps. My house is a 1774 English manor house
in Frederick, MD.

[Stephanie Jordan]

Eddie,
I LOVE the color of the walls in your apartment photo in the Washington Post. I ran right out to get the sample chip of the RL paint Brompton Grey but, it looks so much greener. I have white sofas, black and white draperies and I would like a sophisticated grey wall color. Does it look less green on the walls, or do you have another color suggestion that would look closer to the photo?
You are perfection and I love you!
ps. My house is a 1774 English manor house
in Frederick, MD.

[June]

Saw this on sale for $9.95 on dover publications website and remembered this post. You might have it/ have a more comprehensive reference book, since you are such a collector:

"American Silver"

--A practical guide to recognizing, identifying, and appreciating the finest American silverwork. Photographs and drawings of masterworks from leading collections show some of the finest work by Jacob Hurd, Jeremiah Dummer, Peter van Dyck, Edward Winslow, John Coney, Paul Revere, and other renowned silversmiths. 52 halftones, 14 black-and-white line illustrations.

http://store.doverpublications.com/0486418170.html

[DecorPad]

genius, seriously!

[Two Tall Girls]

Eddie, you're the best!

[Rob Thomas]

Okay, the white painted pumpkin thing? .....not so much.

[Ron/ The Netherlands]

Hi Eddie,

This is my first comment on your blog. Have subcribed many months ago. Love your blog and all your neat decorative ideas. Just wanted to let you know you did a great job with the found screens, double use them to cover your radiator ( not a bad looking radiotor I must add) I did the same in my garden room. A little smaller and it was part of the big 'master-plan. Yours is a spontanious one. Would love to send you an image....

Ron/ The Netherlands.

[Jen - cakegrl]

What a fabulous idea! I love the way it fits into the look of the room. Oh how I wish I was in an area more conducive to such rewarding dumpster diving!

[Marianne Renaud]

Gorgeous transformation of the screens. Really lovely idea. And the teapot is so beautiful. You really inspire me. I picked up 2 red Le Creuset pots at the Wellesley dump this week...gotta love those. I have a question for you...what finish of paint do you prefer for your before and after projects? I also picked up a round two tier cocktail table at the dump..its in rough shape but I thought it would look great painted, but what finish. Best, Marianne

[Ivy Lane]

FAN-TABULOUS!!!!

[Judy]

Wow Eddie you just amaze. That is absolutely stunning.

[InteriorsObsessed]

Geeeniuuuuussss! So cute!

[Garrison]

Fantabulous...does it ever worry Jaithan that you'll run out of projects for your home or will you just move to beautifying the closets and inside your kitchen cabinets?

[Aunt SuSu]

Congrats on your win last night! You needed it!
Love the screen - I have three in my house that also hide radiators (my house was built in 1858 so all pipes are visible) and I have two others in storage - you will always use them.
If you would like to email me back, I can give you some tips on collecting porcelain and particularly how to tell the age. I have a large collection of blue & white Romantic Staffordshire, English Blue Willow and Spode; also both copper and pink lustreware - so I share the same addiction!
My home is also filled with expensive and not at all expensive finds - it is very "collected", not very "done" which is what I prefer. I shop everywhere and some of my best finds have been in places where you think you won't find a thing. Much more fun that way!

[Kimberly]

Only you, Eddie! I would do that and it would look like a Kindergarten project. You pulled it off!

[Jan]

Seriously brillant idea!! Well done! And thanks for sharing it with us! Not just a "green" idea -- but a quicksilver bright one!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage who drinks hot tea by the gallon .... usually a stronger mix like English Breakfast or Assam ....

[dutchbaby]

Dumpster diving at its best! The images you chose are perfect! You are an inspiration; thank you so much for sharing your talents with us.

[Keri]

The screen looks amazing, and it certainly adds a je ne sais quois to that corner and makes it so cozy...and that vintage silver teapot is just so pretty! A perfect little oasis indeed!

P.S.: Your chevron/herringbone wood floors are bananas! Lucky duck! When you were apartment hunting, did you just see those and say, "I die!"??

Happy almost weekend!!

[hillary]

wow eddie! these are just so...funky. lol. just kidding. these are great. i love how you saved what was going to end up in a landfill and turned these into a beautiful screen that really enhances that space. loves it.

[Tamara]

OK, that is just the greatest transformation of folding doors! Love the over all look.

[Allison]

Wow -- this is a fabulous idea! AND I have the perfect person to share it with, my friend was looking for something with height to fill a void where she had a large plant. This would be perfect! And so much variety is possible, modern, cottagey, formal, etc.

BTW, did you make those window treatments yourself? Details? :)

[pve design]

trash to treasures, you seem add a polished finish to everything you touch, happily ever after.

[Marina]

First, the trophy idea is pure genius! Thanks! Second, I noticed you have a tremendous silver collection. How do you keep up with polishing? Are they any tricks or special products you'd recommend?

[Silja]

Absolutely amazing! I love that the screens are so tall, it really makes the difference. You have inspired me to go through my family attic and take out some of the old silverware etc. I am now having lots of fun polishing stuff for future entertaining. Thanks!

[Roxy @ There's No Place Like Home]

Love it! Great idea:)

[Mabrie]

You are SUPER creative and resourceful!
I wish I had that much creativity in my left toe!

[LindsB]

WOW!! Those came out amazing, and they look perfect right in the corner of the room!

Where did the beautiful picture behind them go to? Did you find a new home for it?

[milly]

Eddie & Jaithan....GREAT JOB!! I really like the gross grain ribbon idea. How did you adhere it to surface of the folding screens?

[pinar]

they came out beautiful.. you really have an eye..
and the prints.. are the perfect choice..

enjoy your tea time corner

[LayersofMeaning]

wow! amazing! I really love how they turned out.

[Pam]

Oh my goodness!!!! Those doors are crazy beautiful. At first I liked the photo of the radiator, brings back memories, but then YIKES-you did a fabulous job.
Hugs,
Pam

[Paloma of La Dolce Vita]

Eddie, you are incredible! You always see the potential in even the most mundane items. The teapot looks beautiful.

I loved how sassy you were in last night's episode! You're hilarious.I'm not sure how I feel about Wisit going home over Natalie. He was like this season's Michael (season 1). Congratulations on your win!

[Karena]

Oh Eddie, you are so smart and resourceful! I love screens!I will post an image soon on my blog of one I have in my little den/office.

[Seleta]

Oh my gosh, you are amazing. This is so Breakfast at Tiffany's. Rock on with your bad self. [don't you love dumpster diving, BTW?]

[pigtown-design]

I wish I had that book. I've got a great one on the silver marks, which I keep meaning to post about. I love the way the screen turned out.

[Austin]

I love how you manage to make someone else's trash into your treasure!

[Dianne]

You are so talented. Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas.

[j]

Very resourceful of you! I hate radiators; all of mine seem to be in the most inconvenient places!

An unrelated question - how do you store all of your collections? You seem to pick up so much great stuff and I'm just wondering how you keep it all while not letting it overtake your home. (Something I am struggling with right now!)