Decorating with industrial elements - an old metal cabinet finds new life

Back in February, I wrote several posts about visiting an old mill here in RI.  It had been shut down and my friend,  Kristin Crane, and I were there to pick up left over thread and yarn.  [It's also where I took some great photographs that I'm selling in my Etsy shop.  You can read more in this post and this post.]

As we were leaving the mill, I saw this old metal cabinet on wheels.  It reminded me of an auto body shop tool cabinet.  Since everything was up for grabs, it became mine.

My plan was to find someone in the auto repair industry to powder coat it like a car.  I could envision it painted in shiny fire engine red with little metallic flecks.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find anyone to do the job (it probably would've cost me too much, anyway).  So, I had a friend's boyfriend, who meticulously fixes cars, spray paint it (with auto paint) and this is how it turned out.

I love it and can't wait to find a proper use for it.  I imagine it sitting in my large loft studio space rolling around with art supplies inside.  Okay, I'm dreaming agian. 

Earlier this week, I found some great industrial pieces of furniture in the Home Decorators catalog.  Consider adding a few unexpected elements like these to your decor. 

industrial adjustable height table, $629

Industrial console table, $399

Old mill photos - #3

I've saved some of my favorite photos, from the old mill/warehouse/factory, for last (you can see additional mill photo posts here). Several of these have such vibrant color that I can't help but love staring at them.

It must be the colors and the arrow [or perhaps my twisted mind],
but I can't help thinking this exit is pointing to hell.

I love the contrast of the chain against the background of this photo.


As we left the buildling, it was drizzling outside and the red of this hydrant caught my eye. I hesitated to stop to take the photo, however I'm so glad I did. This may be one of my favorite shots ever. I did not tweak it at all and love how it turned out: the color, the background bokeh, the composition.



I love chairs and I love this blue. Enough said.

I was messing around with layers and textures. I liked how this photo turned out.

So, I need your advice. For the past several years, I've considered (and have had requests) making some of my photos available for purchase. I don't consider myself anything but an amateur photographer - always learning and experimenting with no mastery of my camera. I do love to take photographs, particularly of urban and everyday life subjects with vibrant colors. I consider myself lucky to get good shots.

What do you think? Photography friends, I'm asking you as well.

Should I offer some as prints and cards?


To see more of my photography, you can visit my flickr here. To see all of these mill photos visit my empty factory set here. I will be adding more photos to this set but will not be posting them on my blog.

Photos of old warehouse in Woonsocket, RI

As promised, here are some pictures I took at an old, nearly abandoned warehouse in Woonsocket, RI.

If you ever have the chance to explore an old place like this, be sure to bring your camera. Old buildings like this can be so inspirational (see other inspirations here). I loved the odd items left behind, old broken windows, bright paint colors, and light pouring through the windows.

I can only share a few pictures in this post since I haven't had a lot of time to upload and edit all of them (due to the new pup - also the reason this post was so late). More to come!!

Through an old metal bookshelf, a bright green glow caught my eye. It was the 2 stall bathroom with a large porcelain sink. I loved the retro green and old fixtures.

Taped with plastic, the light poured in through this window making the bathroom glow.

This scale was used to weigh large items, perhaps pallets of yarn. Its large metal base was flush with the floor. Not realizing it was there, I stepped on it. It was about 15 lbs off.

This flag hung in what appeared to be a main entrance to this space. It seemed poignant that it still hung while everything else was gone. It was as if taking it down really meant finality to this company and the people who spent time here.

[click photos for larger view]

Adventure to a textile mill in Woonsocket, RI

I spent the morning with my friend Kristin (of KristinCrane on Etsy) sifting through boxes of thread and yarn at an old mill in Woonsocket, RI. What fun! Besides getting lots of free yarn, I was able to take wonderful pictures of this old warehouse mill. I'll edit them this weekend to share with you next week (I'm so excited).

Kristin and I were planning to meet for lunch when she mentioned she was meeting some friends at this old mill to pick up free yarn (mostly thinner fibers for weaving). Lunch + old mill + free (anything) is a sure fire way to get my attention. I'm so glad I went. When I mentioned this adventure to C last night, his response was, "Great! You need boxes of yarn to go along with your many boxes of fabric." Of course, my staple response was, "Right, like you needed to go through 12 years of medical school and residency in addition to your BA degree." That always does the trick.

Lunch was at a Pho restaurant in Providence. Kristin and I always meet for Vietnamese. So, my morning was rounded off with great food and lively conversation. Thanks, Kristin for a lovely morning! I feel great going into the weekend.

For local weaving and knitting friends, the fibers are available until the end of March. Please contact me directly for details, info@alamodestuff.com.

Have a nice weekend everyone. I have some fun things planned for next week including announcing a virtual baby shower. Stay tuned!!