From Thrift Store Find to Functional Fancy: DIY Marble Paper Towel Holder
A Spark of Inspiration and the Hunt for the Perfect Match
Cast your mind back a few years. A quaint little thrift store beckoned, and nestled amongst the treasures was a marble cheese plate with a captivating glass cloche. The price tag of $3.99 was practically a siren song, and while the cloche initially stole the show, I held onto the marble base, a decision that would prove to end in an unexpected way.
Fast forward to our new home, and the quest for the perfect paper towel holder began. The ever-present stainless steel option simply didn't resonate with my vintage aesthetic. The constant battle against water spots near the sink only magnified this disconnect. My ideal holder craved a touch of bygone charm, a whisper of a forgotten era.
The Magic of Repurposing: Breathing New Life into Old Treasures
Retail therapy wasn't the answer. My mind drifted towards a DIY solution, a project that would weave together practicality and vintage charm. Initially, a wooden base seemed like the natural choice. But then, during a brainstorming session with my ever-resourceful husband, a brilliant idea emerged – why not utilize a marble cheese board? It was a stroke of genius! But frankly, the thought of potentially shattering a pricey piece of marble during drilling wasn't particularly appealing.
Enter the lightbulb moment – the forgotten marble cheese board! Talk about budget-friendly upcycling magic! Locating it amidst the recent home upheaval proved to be a mini-adventure, but the triumphant "whoop of joy" upon rediscovery was music to my ears.
From Cheese Board to Chic Stand: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now for the fun part – let's get down to the nitty-gritty and transform this thrifted treasure! Here's the arsenal you'll need to create your own marble masterpiece:
- Thrifted Marble Cheese Board: The star of the show!
- Dollar Tree Toilet Plunger (Our Not-So-Secret Dowel Rod): Genius repurposing at its finest.
- Cordless Drill with Drill Bits: A masonry bit and a regular bit for a smooth drilling experience.
- Water: Your drill bit's best friend, keeping things cool during the process.
- Orbit Sander: For a flawless finish on the dowel rod.
- Compact Circular Saw (Optional): Only if you need to trim the dowel rod like we did.
- Work Table with Clamps: Ensures stability during drilling, sanding, and cutting.
- 2 Inch screws (2): The silent heroes holding everything together.
- Empty Paper Towel Cardboard Roll: The practical foundation for your new holder.
- Antique Glass Doorknob: The quintessential vintage touch.
Cheese to Chic: The Transformation Begins
- Marking and Drilling with Precision: With a steady hand, mark the center of the marble cheese board. Patience is key here. Using a few drops of water to keep the drill bit cool, carefully drill a hole through the bottom of the marble. Don't be surprised if it takes longer than expected – in our case, it took about 4 minutes. Start with a larger drill bit (around 1/2 inch) and gradually work your way down to a smaller size (1/4 inch) for a precise fit.
- Dowel Rod Prep: Measure and mark the dowel rod to match the height of your trusty paper towel roll. If necessary, use the saw to trim it to the desired length. Sand the top of the dowel rod for a smooth and polished finish. To prepare for screwing the dowel rod into the base, mark the center of each end.
- Assembly Time: Feed one of the screws up through the bottom of the marble cheese board, ensuring a secure connection with the dowel rod. Repeat the process with the second screw from the top of the dowel rod.
- Vintage Flair: Slide the paper towel roll onto the dowel rod, followed by your charming antique glass doorknob. This adds a touch of weight for stability and a delightful visual element.
Voila! Your brand new (well, almost new) DIY kitchen project turned paper towel holder with a delightful vintage vibe is complete. I was giddy with excitement – the project turned out exactly as envisioned! With a total cost of just $5.24 (including the thrifted cheese board and repurposed plunger!), this DIY is a budget-friendly win.
More Than Just a Paper Towel Holder
This project is a testament to the power of transforming everyday items and embracing your creativity. It's also about creating a home you love without breaking the bank. Repurposing and upcycling not only reduces clutter but also injects a unique personality into your space.
So, what do you think of my vintage decorative paper towel holder? Would you give this DIY project a try? Let me know in the comments below!
Can I ask for your help? After seeing today's video, can you tell me if you prefer this method to tutorials or do you prefer how we have always shared with you in the past? Video editing takes a lot of time, but I like to know what my readers think too since you are the reason I am sharing. Thank you for your help. 🩷
Source List:
- Dollar Tree Toilet Plunger - Dollar Tree
- Cordless Drill - Amazon
- Mason Drill Bits - Amazon
- Orbit Sander - Amazon
- Compact Circular Saw - Amazon
- Work Table with Clamps - Amazon
- Marble Cheese Board - Local Thrift Store
Great project, Cara! The glass knob is the perfect finishing touch. As for the video, it was great, but I'm just as happy with step-by-step photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback Ann and thank you for your kind words. I am loving our "new" paper towel holder now. The vintage feel is right up my alley, and not like any other out on the market since we made it with items we had around the house. I love being able to marry items together to decrease on my craft stash, while also getting a look that is all me.
DeleteThis certainly looks like a nice upgrade and transforms something functional into something more like a decor item. I like the look of this!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Molly! I am loving this new paper towel holder too, vintage vibes, a DIY, and not a lot of money? Yes on all! Thank you so much.
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