I had a cheap secretary office chair. Its back became useless and the back support failed, In preparation to discard it, I took the back off and inspiration hit. The low seat with casters was perfect as a roll around seat on the garage floor when servicing equipment such as lawn mowers, bicycles, and autos. It beats stooping over to get at low places like waxing the lower panels of a car. We recycle dozens of 64 fluid oz plastic bottles, but a few have been put to other uses. Using shears, I cut the bottom off and gave the end a scoop shape. The handle and lid was left in place. It made a good bird seed scoop. There were some scraps of lumber left over from building our house. Some measurements, a few hand saw cuts, and nailing the parts together gave me a nail carrier. I've been using that thing for 40 years. Other scraps were used to make 3 shelves for the back of the garage. Asphalt sealer comes in large plastic buckets. About every 5 to 7 years, my driveway gets a coat of sealer. Not all of the buckets were discarded. I kept about 10 of these and those come in handy for a variety of chores. If I need a ballast weight to hold me lawn mower handle down to tip the mower up for removing the blade, I grab a bucket, go out back and put in a few rocks from the rock pile and now I have a ballast weight to do the job. Other buckets can store sun flower seed after the sack has been opened. Setting the lid on the bucket makes a mouse and insect proof container.

That's awesome! Great reuse of an existing material!

Gosh don't tell me I'm the only one with "stuff" they don't know what to do with? I have this. It's from a house my parents bought that was built in 1900. It's the back from a fireplace, but IIRC the fireplace was more modern so gas, maybe? It's NOT iron...I'm not sure what it is, really. The center circle opens up via a hinge and it's about 20 wide by 27 high. It would fit my fireplace perfectly, but it would be sitting sideways :( Anyway. Would you get rid of it and try to exorcise your sentimentality, put it back in the closet, or try to so something (?) with it?

We just bought a house that has a bar off the great room. It has a small sink. We don't drink a lot. Since it's already plumbed for a sink, we are thinking of ways to keep the sink, but still be able to use the area. I'm looking for ideas. One idea we came up with is to make it a craft station for the kids. They can wash off the paints etc at the sink. It's not going to be a long term use though. I appreciate any other ideas. Thanks.