How do you get a DIY towel holder for the bathroom out of an old porch baluster? By accident of course.
This month's Thrifty Style Team project came about totally by accident, well...necessity really.
Let's start at the beginning.
When we lived in Illinois, the hubs and I went to a flea market and were browsing the booths when I saw these cool vintage porch balusters for $2 each. I didn't have a use for them at the time, I just liked the way they looked. The chippy paint and the color were just right, in my book. I bought 2 of them and put them all over the house, hoping to find the perfect spot to use them.
I never found the perfect project so they went into the basement and eventually made their way to North Carolina with us. Again, I moved them all over our new house to find a place for them but they eventually went into the basement.
It wasn't until we were working on the bathroom that we found a use for 1 of them. I had put hooks up in the bathroom to hang our wet towels but they quickly pulled out of the wall, even with anchors. The hubs wanted to slap a board on the wall to give the hooks some stability but that wasn't going to happen. Not in my house.
I understood what he wanted to do, and the reason why, but a 2x4 wasn't going to cut it and I had to come up with a better solution fast. Yes...my vintage porch baluster finally had a purpose. I was going to turn it into a rustic bathroom towel rack.
*Affiliate link used - please see my Disclosure Policy for more info.
So easy to do, too. The paint job was left alone (I mean...how can you mess with chippy paint perfection?) As for the hooks, I just picked up a couple at the store (*similar here) and attached them to the baluster. I did drill small holes in the wood before I added the screws so the wood wouldn't split. A couple of wood screws were used to attach it to the wall and it was done.
Much better than an old 2x4 and it adds a little character to the room. It turned into the perfect towel holder.
I knew I would find a place for it...eventually.
I know I owe you a tour of this space but it's just not ready for a reveal. We still have a few things left to do and then I can show you the rest.
It is a tiny space though. As in...the photos had to be taken from the hallway...small.
Teeny tiny...and not a lot of natural light. It's one of the many quirks of a small, older home.
The ladies of the Thrifty Style Team are bringing their "A" game this month, as always. Make sure you check out their thrifty finds.
Check out the other projects I've done in our small bathroom.
Updating Old Doors with New Glass Knobs
Kim says
Great job! Love the way you used them. It's like they were waiting for the perfect place.
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Kim! I think you're right. They were waiting for the perfect spot. 🙂
Melanie says
Oh my goodness! Love it!!!!
Kristi says
Thanks Melanie, I appreciate it!
Pat M. says
As usual, just perfect. You've given me an idea for hanging towels in my own personal "master" (also tiny, tiny) bath.
Kristi says
Awww, thanks for that, Pat! So glad it's inspired you! 🙂
Jillian says
LOVE that towel rack...love it. I knew you would do something fabulous in there.
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Jillian! Not a lot of space to add the "pretty" so I need to add it where I can. 😉
Appreciate you stopping by.
Jessica says
I love this so so much. It gives me hope for all the random things that I have held on to for years.
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Jessica! I'm afraid I have way too many random things that I've held on to that I'll never use. Must. work. on. that. 😉
Marlene Stephenson says
What a cute idea and so perfect. I love using old pieces,thanks for the reminder of ways to use them.
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Marlene! I'm just glad that I finally got to use this piece. 🙂
Sharon Warren says
Pure cuteness! A small space makes character pieces show better!
Kristi says
Awww, thanks Sharon! There's not much space in here to display so I'm glad I could use something a bit decorative. 🙂
Bliss says
Cute, unique, one of a kind, and thrifty all rolled into one!
Kristi says
Thanks so much!!!
Marjorie Dineen says
Once again you have done a fantastic find and how to use it. You really have a good eye for finding the unusual. Love it.
Kristi says
Awww, thanks so much Marjorie, you really made my day! So glad you like it. 🙂
Meegan Fast says
I just love this. Your while bathroom has great personality!
Thank you for sharing your talent and vision.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Meegan! This tiny space has definitely been a challenge to decorate but it's coming along.
Cindy says
I love the story behind this project...and the diy towel rack turned out to be the perfect use for the balustrade!
Kristi says
Thanks Cindy! I'm happy that I was finally able to use it. 😉
Vicki and Jennifer says
So glad you held onto these! They look great in your bathroom - such a perfect and creative idea!
Kristi says
Thanks so much, ladies! I don't usually hold on to things but I'm glad I did this time.
pam says
Great idea. I'm glad you finally found a fitting use for it!
Kristi says
Thanks so much Pam! I'm so happy that I didn't get rid of it when we moved, and that it finally found a good spot in our home.
Staci says
Love it!!! Where did you get that beautiful towel? I'm always looking for beautiful neutral Turkish towels!
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Staci! I got the towel from Olive and Linen https://www.oliveandlinen.com/. Love their towels! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks so much!
MaryJean says
i subscribe to a few blogs, but yours is one of my favorites! You guys always have such great ideas. I wonder how you think of all of them.
I will finally be retiring from my job as an Immigration Paralegal at the end of this year. You can imagine how stressful it has become just by watching the news. Can't wait!
I will be picking your brain for ideas on starting a blog if you don't mind. I hope to do this with my daughter-in-law and include her great ideas that she comes up with for kids.
P.S. Your place is really looking great!
Kristi says
Awww, thanks MJ. I have too many ideas and no time to do them. The hubs would say it's a curse. 😉
I'm so happy to hear from you again. I know you must be excited about retiring. It's been a long time coming.
A new blog...how exciting! It's a lot of work but so rewarding, and you meet the most wonderful people (like you and all of my other awesome readers). 😉
Debbie says
It looks great!!
Kristi says
Thanks so much Debbie!
Sandra says
Ooooh! I wasn't quite sure what a "baluster" was so I looked up the word AND image and I was on the right track, lol. What a marvelous piece that you put to great use. I want a baluster now! Thank you for sharing your projects.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Sandra! I never know what to call it but Google says "baluster" and Google knows all. 😉
Thanks for stopping by.