I found this anchor in a vintage shop in Pensacola and knew right away it was an upcycle project and I could make a simple and pretty cool vintage anchor doorstop with it.
The day I found it was a really big turning point in my life.
We’d just left our youngest, behind. Austin, who is now a freshman in college was obviously thrilled. I tried to be strong, but the tears kept flowing anyway. We were officially empty nesters. My husband knows me well and knows the best way to dry my tears is retail therapy.
He was a very good sport.
We went from store to store all over Navy Blvd checking out the vintage and antique markets.
Which is where I found this awesome anchor.
DIY Vintage Anchor Doorstop
Soon, our crazy hot and humid weather will leave. In its place will be a wonderful fresh and cool coastal breeze that lasts until early summer. This is our time of year to open the windows and air out the house 🙂 Doorstops are necessary, otherwise we’d have constant banging doors.
Upcycling old stuff is cool.
Rust stains on your floor are not.
Here’s how to upcycle an old metal object and protect your floors. Use a wire brush and get off as much of the rust as you can. Wipe off the rust dust.
Give it a good coat of Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer. Let dry thoroughly.
Paint your piece.
I gave my vintage anchor doorstop a few coats of red and white chalk finish paint. Followed by two coats of clear wax.
The colors match us, our love of boating and lifestyle. This little piece turned home decor will always remind me of the day we dropped off Austin to begin his life as a young adult.
I miss him. I’m proud of him too.
My food bill has also gone down considerably 🙂
So, I look back on that day with bittersweet memories. I love that I’ve upcycled something vintage that now has meaning to me.
My little vintage anchor doorstop will be versatile too. I’ll probably move it around. Now, it can be used at the front door for the workers who are finishing up our coastal style master bath addition.
Later, I may build a vignette with it.
Recycling something old can be a simple as my vintage anchor doorstop. It doesn’t need to be complicated, or expensive. I think I paid $3 for my anchor.
Most imortantly, it holds a cherished memory, which is of course priceless to me.
Do you have an old sentimental item lying around like my anchor doorstop that you could bring new life to and reuse?
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Linda at Mixed Kreations says
What a great find! Thrifting always makes me feel better too! Your anchor turned out so pretty and makes a great door stopper, and a sweet memory to cherish. I’ve been an empty nester for quite awhile. Both my girls left then came back before they flown the coop for good. But now they both live out of town in opposite directions. Don’t get to see them or the grandkids enough.
Wendi says
Hi Linda and thank you! I love this anchor doorstop …and the memories that came along with it. I know the feeling of missing the kids when they’ve gone. It was bittersweet for us, one one hand we loved having our little house, which we bought here in FL for just the two of us, to ourselves. On the other hand we miss them all. Our daughters and grandson are back in TX and we don’t see then enough at all.
Christine says
That is adorable, You did a great job!
Wendi says
Hi Christine and thank you! We still use this anchor door stop all the time 🙂 I’d love to find more, they are so useful. Thanks so much for your visit!
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
What a darling nautical transformation. I still have a hungry 14 year old boy at home and feel like I spend 1/2 my life at the grocery store.
Thank you so much for joining the gathering at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
Wendi says
You’re welcome & thanks so much for the sweet comment!
Amanda @The Kolb Corner says
What a wonderful find! Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!!
Wendi says
Hi Amanda, thank you, it was! I’ve been on the lookout for another one ever since and haven’t seen a good deal or a good anchor!
Sue@betwixthomeandschool says
Oh my gosh Wendi, what a bright doorstop. I always wonder what people do with old rusty pieces like you found and now I know. I’m inspired to try one of my own. I absolutely love all your paint projects, you’re simply endless. Thanks a bunch!
Wendi says
Hi Sue! That little anchor was such a good find, and such a good price too! We use it a lot more than I thought we would. I hope you find something like this in your area. Paint completely transformed it from a trash piece to a cute home decor item:) Thanks as always, for your visit & have a great week!
Angie says
Really great find for $3 and it looks great! We have 2 years before we’ll be empty nesters. I don’t even want yo think about it, sniff sniff.
Wendi says
Hi Angie! Thank, it was a good find. It looks great in the house too. Enjoy every last minute of your teen 🙂 They grow & go so quickly! Thanks so much for your visit & note:)
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
What a perfect item to use for a door stop in your coastal home. I especially love that it has a sentimental value to it – those are the best projects! Having become an empty nester in June, I promise it gets easier. I still have my days where I miss my kids terribly, but that will never go away. That’s when the memories of them running around this house flood back and put a smile on my face.
Hugs my friend,
Marie
Wendi says
Marie…It was a very good find. I’m a sucker for this kind of decor and even more so when there’s a personal attachment. I used to have a vintage iron for a doorstop at one time…but for here the anchor works so much better:) That’s right, you are a few months ahead of me in the empty nester program! We do mis him, but I have to say I’m enjoying the lower food bills! That boy could chow!