For the third installment feature of Something Old, Something New I’ve rounded up a set of tutorials which will interest parents, young adults and teens. With reality being all too serious from time to time, nostalgic pieces like toys and books evoke beautiful memories of a time gone by; a time of carefree simplicities. What better way to repurpose or purchase little nostalgic mementos recreating them into home décor pieces. This issue we look at four ways to add a little touch of whimsical nostalgia to the home. Click on the videos for the full tutorials.

Hat Lamp

Think of the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland or a Magician, these two personas are known for their headwear. A feature statement, creating a single piece next to a comfy reading chair or hanging multiple pieces in a room gives that quirky touch to a space. You can get all the lighting components by heading over to a hardware or lighting store. As for the hat, look for a sturdy felt hat. Top hats will give you that wacky vibe but bowler hats are also a great alternative. Stay away from party hats which will melt from the heat. Also opting for LED bulbs is a safer option or energy-saving bulbs which emit less heats but still providing substantial brightness.

Book Clock

“Tale as old as time...”, vintage books contain a certain mystery about them but like many books that remain untouched, silverfish can make their way and destroy the sepia stained pages. Good thing with such books is their engaging exterior which can be repurposed as a book clock. Book clocks can be placed along library shelves and mantle pieces while remaining functional. Most hardcover books will work giving enough support and stability. The clock mechanisms can usually be purchased in well-known craft stores.

Toy Bookends

At some point of our childhood no matter the generation, plastic toys were a familiar sight in our (or our kids') toy box  and/or in toy stores. Plastic animal toys especially tinkled with our imagination even though they possessed no movable limbs. Typically small in size sold in packets, larger versions in the form of dinosaurs for instance make great pieces to create toy bookends. Longish shaped toys work best to give the illusion of the toy transitioning through the bookends. A simple project, the toy will essentially be sawed in half so purchase a new toy if you don’t have the heart to cut your childhood toy into pieces. Spraying it a bright bold hue completes the look.

Branch Lamp

This project doesn’t require an old toy but instead acquiring a light-weight dried fallen branch is one of the key items needed to create a whimsical branch lamp. Branch lamps are reminiscent of fairies especially with a string of fairy lights illuminating along the branches. A creative project that can be modified in more ways than one by painting the branches or by adding glow in the dark glitter, miniature butterflies and flowers. Personalize it to suit your style.