brilliant reuse

Our greatest passiOn is going to markets

and second hand stores to look for all

sorts of fun, old things. Oftentimes we

fall for the patina, shape or number of a

certain something without really

knowing what we’ll do with it. Most of the

items have long finished their service

for their Original purpose. We always

buy things on our initial impulse.

Then the task is to come up with neW

possible applications either right

then and there or perhaps once we get

back home. it takes creativity as well

as inventiveness, but it’s an exciting

part of the prOcess. if you read our

magazine, you’ll find arTicles

featuring these items each month.

it’s been over fOur years now, and we’ve

delivered many ideas through the years.

so by requesT, we’ve now collected the

best ideas in this book especially for our

readers who also love to be creative.

BR

ILL

IAN

T R

EU

SE

JEA

NN

E D

’AR

C L

IVIN

G

9 788792 843258

ISBN 978-87-92843-25-8

9 788792 843258

ISBN 978-87-92843-25-8

Brilliant

2 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

3

PrefaceSome of the days to which we look forward the very most are

the ones when we’re scheduled to go on a trip to gather items

and find inspiration. We’ve instated monthly “flea market

field trips,” and we try to visit as many different locations

as possible.

There are days when we return without much in the trunk,

but most of the time our main problem is finding room for

everything. Especially when more people come along. Then

the ideas often start flowing as we walk around, talking and

looking at the selection. We often have a nice chat with the

store owner or people at flea market stands. They’re a source

of even more ideas and alternative approaches to the items.

Oftentimes, we find a lot of wonderful things and become so

inspired that we want to immediately go home and get started.

We can hardly wait!

All of you who share the same interest know the feeling of

excitement which arises when you find something extraordinary.

It’s almost like a “high” when you come across a stack of

wonderful, old documents or a pair of worn boots with that

perfect patina. The same feeling arises when you get a brilliant

idea for how to reuse the items in new and innovative ways,

or when you realize that if painted, patinated and decorated

with a fun effect, an item or a piece of furniture is sure to

look like a million bucks.

Through the past four years, our magazine, Jeanne d’Arc Living

Magazine, has focused a lot on utilizing all of these wonderful

treasures in DIY articles, where we transform the items or

use them in a new way. We bring you many of these articles

in the course of a year. These are articles which we have

always loved to both read and make. We have now collected

all of the best ideas in this book, which we hope will serve

as a wonderful source of joy and inspiration to you.

Have fun with Brilliant Reuse!

Lonnie and Vivian

BRILLIANT REUSE


BRILLIANT REUSE- the Best Ideas from Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine

JEANNE D’ARC LIVINGVivian Christensen &Lonnie Würtz Jensen

GRAPHIC DESIGN:Tina Hald & Lonnie Würtz Jensen

PHOTOGRAPHY:Jeanne d’Arc Living

TEXT:Vivian Christensen

TRANSLATION:English, German and Dutch:www.wordtoword.dk

PUBLISHED BY: Forlaget Jeanne d’Arc Living

www.jeannedarcliving.dkwww.jdlblog.dk

© Jeanne d’Arc Living

1st edition 2013

ISBN 978-87-92843-22-7

5

Purely Ornamental 32

Original Details 6

Non-traditional

Table Arrangements 48

Alternative Storage 86

Charming Textiles 70

Brilliant Design 102

Unique Furniture 114

Beauty in Decay 134

Contents

BRILLIANT REUSE

77

When it comes to interior decorating,

it’s oftentimes the details which make

all the difference, particularly the

SmALL THINgS which one may not

notice at fi rst glance upon entering a room. It

might be a PRETTy TExT from an old

magazine or a book – placed on a dress form

like here, made into a card or as decoration

on a box. A special button, a postcard

with a greeting from the PAST or

perhaps old silverware turned into jewelry

or a coat rack. These details are where

ORIgINALITy truly shows and what

enables you to create a personal and unique

decor.

Chapter 1

ORIgINAL DETAILS


Old glass bowls are one

of the things which can

be used for completely

different purposes

than the original.

These wonderful

LAmPS are made from

old crystal bowls.

The cord and socket

were purchased pre-

assembled so they meet

regulations. Holes

were cut in the bottom

of the bowls using a

glass drill before

installing the

different purposes

than the original.

These wonderful

LAmPS are made from

old crystal bowls.

The cord and socket

were purchased pre-

assembled so they meet

regulations. Holes

were cut in the bottom

of the bowls using a

glass drill before

installing the

“lampshade.” One lamp

is assembled with an

old zinc plate.

An iron fl oor lamp is

fairly easy to fi nd at

Danish fl ea markets.

The lampshades are

frequently quite

unattractive. The

old fabric has been

removed from the

lampshade frame; then

it’s been fi tted with a

length of thick lace,

which has been draped

and stitched together

in a few places. It’s

important to check

with a licensed

electrician to fi nd

out the regulations

in your country. You

might want to have

him make your

lamps.

9ORIgINAL DETAILS

Fun LAmPS &

LampSHADES

1111

The table lamps on these

pages are made from an

old siphon and a wooden

baluster from a porch,

among other things.

The top has been removed

from the siphon, a

threaded pipe has been

added and a hole is drilled

through the glass. Then

the electrical wiring,

which was purchased pre-

assembled and approved,

is installed.

A hole has been drilled

all the way through the

center of the wooden

baluster into which a

threaded pipe has been

placed to contain the

wiring, once again using

approved components.

It’s important to

check with a licensed

electrician to fi nd out

the regulations in your

country. You might want

to have him make your

lamps. If you have a lamp

base which you feel is

outdated, you can paint

and patinate it like the

one shown on the left

here.

New or old lampshades

can be spruced up and

decorated with old,

crocheted doilies, motifs

and ribbon.

ORIgINAL DETAILS


OLD

photos

1313

One thing that’s really easy

to fi nd and which offers

countless applications is

old photographs. Naturally

it’s most fun if you’re able

to fi nd pictures of your

own relatives. We were able

to get a hold of quite a few

simply by asking family

members whether they had

any lying around with which

they would be willing to

part. Oftentimes there’s a

story attached about our

ancestors that we didn’t

even know before.

In the early days of

photography, the pictures

were always mounted on a

piece of heavy cardstock.

On the back was the

photographer’s name and

usually also the address

to facilitate easy re-

ordering. These backsides

are really nice, and when

using old photographs

we’re just as likely to

use the backside. We have

actually created several

collections of

both textiles

and paper

goods with

inspiration

from these.

The old photo albums are

also very decorative to

have sitting out. Or you

can remove single pages and

use them as a “picture” on

the wall or as a large card.

The cards can be further

decorated with lace and

buttons for instance.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

14 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg14 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

Regardless of whether

they depict your own

relatives or people

whom you do not know,

the old photographs

are great to hang from

a chain with antique

clips.

Hang them with other

small things such as

feathers, old watch faces

or cards. Or use newer

photographs, placing

them in small, old frames.

To make a fun, personal

gift, try gluing an old

photograph of a beloved

family member to the

outside of a pretty, old

box. Maybe a picture of

the recipient as a child?

Perhaps you’ve been

lucky enough to fi nd a

treasure of wonderful,

old frames like the ones

above. They are perfect

for a collection of

family photographs,

letters and other

wonderful memories. Try

arranging them like a

collage on the wall.

It’s OK to combine

different sizes and

nuances. A single small

frame like this one can

be hung from a clip.

15ORIgINAL DETAILS


Old telegrams are very well-suited for

reuse. Sometimes the motifs might be

a bit off, but then you can redecorate

them partly. This large telegram is

decorated with handmade paper, tulle

and a pretty, embroidered letter.

17

Here is another way to

use an old photograph.

This also puts the

beautiful backside in

focus. The picture has

been converted into a

key chain by adding two

small iron rings.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

18 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINgjEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

For special days,

anyone would be

thrilled to receive a

pretty binder, new or

old, to use as a scrap

book or photo album.

Use your imagination

and try to add relevant

items in advance. These

might include a small

greeting, a motif

or something else

which you know holds

special signifi cance

to the recipient. For

a baptism, adding

pictures, measurements

and other information

in advance would be

perfect. Leave room for

the birth certifi cate

and other fun mementos

or events that will

occur as the child

grows up.

19

A SPECIAL

mEmORy of a

SPECIAL DAy

ORIgINAL DETAILS


Alternative TRAyS

2121

A tray can be made from

a variety of items. It’s

important to consider

whether the tray will

be used for decoration

only or for carrying

items. An old mirror

looks absolutely

beautiful as the base

of a small tableau on

a table or a dresser.

And old dental tray

for instruments also

works well for the

purpose but may not

be quite as practical

if things need to be

moved around.

This bed table is

actually an old, wooden

tray, which has been

painted, patinated and

decorated with a small

text. Then four legs

were added to make it

suitable for use in bed

or on the couch either

for serving breakfast

to your sweetheart

or perhaps to sit and

work by.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

22 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINgjEANNE D’ARC LIvINg22 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

A picture frame can

be converted into a

wonderful tray. You

can even add a pretty

motif or text behind

the glass. A handle is

attached on each end.

A religious motif has

been affi xed to the

small tray above,

which has

subsequently been

painted with a thin

coat of white primer.

Once it’s dry, you can

sand it a little to add

patina. If you would

like it to be more

durable, you can add a

coat of clear varnish.

In the bathroom, we’ve

used a meshed tray as

a table for the tub.

23

This rustic tray was made from an old

picture frame with a velour motif

with fl oral embroidery. The motif was

removed to almost magically reveal the

beautiful tray. A piece of iron has been

bent and attached as a handle

on either side.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

24 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINgjEANNE D’ARC LIvINg24

This wonderful jewelry is

made from old silverware.

It takes a little practice

and the right tools to

bend it. The ring has also

been soldered. But once

you get started, you’re

sure to be thrilled with

all of the possibilities

which old cutlery offers.

The dress form

to the right

is new and

has been

covered with pages

from an old newspaper,

which have been glued

on with wallpaper paste.

A beautiful piece of

vintage bobbin lace

decorates the neck of

the dress form.

Fun, old containers

can be used to store

your favorite cream if

you don’t care for its

original packaging. A

small silver spoon is

helpful for when you

need a dab.

25ORIgINAL DETAILS

26 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINgjEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

2727

A recurrent item is

the egg basket in

various designs.

These days, hardly

anyone actually

uses egg baskets to

store eggs. But an egg

basket has many other

applications. One

of the better ideas

Plants don’t always

have to be planted in

a pot. We’re in favor

of using anything

within reach as a

plant container,

including old

tureens, gravy boats

and pitchers.

is using one of the

mesh-top baskets to

hold a bouquet. This

is a particularly

excellent aid if you

fi nd it diffi cult to

tie a bouquet – and

it’s quite decorative

as well!

ORIgINAL DETAILS

28 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg28 jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

The same goes for

candles. It can be fun

to make something into

a non-traditional

candle holder. How

about using an old

shoe tree or perhaps an

enamel tea strainer?

At the top left, a

soup spoon has been

repurposed as a small

candle holder. Next to

it, old pewter candle

holders have been

decorated with collars

made from small glass

bowls, which are glued

on. Now they can hold

pillar candles, and

an added, practical

bonus is that the wax

will not drip onto the

table.

29

A BRIgHT moment

ORIgINAL DETAILS

30 jeanne d’arc living

A stack of old frames

without pictures in a

variety of shapes, sizes and

degrees of patina make up a

decoration in itself.

3131

Old, French wood racks

can be used to hold

other things than

just fi rewood. They

are so beautiful and

decorative; why not

use them for books

instead?

In the kitchen, the

old cupboards have

new handles made

from strips of thick

leather attached with

old screws.

Old balls make a nice

decoration for the

yard under a cheese

or wedding dome.

A piece of old, weat-

hered drift wood has

been turned into

a wonderful and

rustic coat rack. Old

keys serve as hooks.

They’ve been turned

just a quarter round

and attached with old

staples.

ORIgINAL DETAILS

Want tosee more?

Contakt:

Tel. +45 36 93 20 10Email: [email protected] more informations.


NEW BOOK IN 2013:BRILLIANT REUSEThe best ideas from Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine160 pages - Format: 210x295 mmPublished in May, 2013

FranskeFinesser- M e d e t n o r d i s k t v i s t

Jeanne d’arc Living

vivian christensen

Lonnie Würtz Jensen

FranskeFranskeF FF FF FinesserFinesserFFinesserF- M e d e t n o r d i s k t v i s t- M e d e t n o r d i s k t v i s t

Jeanne d’aJeanne d’aJeanne d’ rc Living

vivian christensen


NEW BOOK IN 2013:

FRENCH FINESSE- With a Nordic Twist184 pages - Format: 240x320 mmTo be Published September, 2013

Jeanne d’Arc Living Vivian Christensen

Lonnie Wür tz Jensen

je

an

ne

d

’a

rc

l

iv

in

g:

a

to

uc

h

of

f

ra

nc

e

Behind the title of this 2nd Christmas book from Jeanne d’Arc Living is the essence of our passion as well as that of many others through several years. In the book, we visit 9 wonderful Christmas homes, all of which are located here in Denmark and have a touch of French country style. The homes all have the elements that we associate with the style, yet they’re all very different

and personal.

Visiting them all has been a great inspiration, and we hope that this atmosphere shines through in this book through the many beautiful photos and texts.

Merry Christmas!

ISBN 978-87-92843-13-5 Jeanne d’Arc LivingVivian Christensen

Lonnie Wür tz Jensen

A TOUCH OF FRANCE9 Wonderful Christmas Homes160 pages - Format: 240x320 mmPublished in 2012

JEANNE D’ARC LIVINGPUBLISHER

159

PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS:

AMAZING RETREATSUnder Nordic Skies

184 pages - Published in 2011

CHRISTMASi French Inspired Homes


FRENCH SENSTTIONSin Nordic Gardens


FRENCH ATMOSPHERSin the Nordic Way


All books are published in four languages; Danish, Dutch, German and English. Some are also available in Swedish and

Norwegian. Find them at your local Jeanne d’Arc Living retailer.

from Jeanne d’Arc Living


Vivian Christensen

Th

e B

est Recipes

fr

om

Je

an

ne

d’A

rc

Liv

in

g

We LOVE good food, cosy COMPANY and inviting DISHES.

For us a meal is MUCH more than what we put in our mouths.

It is the entire MOOD around it. This book contains more than

180 RECIPES with ENTICING pictures and INSPIRING dishes. There are

no gourmet recipes with mysterious ingredients.

Only SIMPLE DISHES, which everyone can make…but with great RESPECT

for GOOD ingredients.

In response to repeated REQUESTS we have collected THE BEST recipes here

from Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine – from the first three years.

ENJOY!

ISBN 978-87-92843-08-1

The Best

Recipes

from Jeanne d’Arc Living


Vivian Christensen

Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . He

althy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives




. Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship .




Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with




Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good




Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free




from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells




. Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free fr




om Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food




Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts .



. Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food















Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting . Cosy . Food Prepared

Vivian Christensen


Vivian Christensen

with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells . Fellowship . Inviting .




Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells .


Cosy . Food Prepared with Love . Short-cuts . Homemade .Good Ingredients . Healthy . Taste . Free from Additives . Wonder Smells .


The Best The Best The Best

RecipesRecipesRecipesRecipesRecipesRecipes



PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS:

FAIRYTALE EASTER160 pagesFormat: 240x320 mmPublished January, 2013

THE BEST RECIPESfrom Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine160 sider - Format 210x295 mmPublished in 2012

jEANNE D’ARC LIvINg

Our greatest passiOn is going to markets

and second hand stores to look for all

sorts of fun, old things. Oftentimes we

fall for the patina, shape or number of a

certain something without really

knowing what we’ll do with it. Most of the

items have long finished their service

for their Original purpose. We always

buy things on our initial impulse.

Then the task is to come up with neW

possible applications either right

then and there or perhaps once we get

back home. it takes creativity as well

as inventiveness, but it’s an exciting

part of the prOcess. if you read our

magazine, you’ll find arTicles

featuring these items each month.

it’s been over fOur years now, and we’ve

delivered many ideas through the years.

so by requesT, we’ve now collected the

best ideas in this book especially for our

readers who also love to be creative.

BR

ILL

IAN

T R

EU

SE

JEA

NN

E D

’AR

C L

IVIN

G

9 788792 843258

ISBN 978-87-92843-25-8

9 788792 843258

ISBN 978-87-92843-25-8

brilliant reuse

Documents

jeanne darc livingtext

best ideas

forlaget jeanne darc

lot of wonderful things

stack of wonderful

wonderful treasures

old things

diy articles