Repurposed Rolling Pin Window Valance
Do you know why you collect what you collect? One day recently while I was deep in thought pondering this very question I came up with the crazy idea of making a rolling pin window valance as part of my kitchen makeover adventure.
I became a wooden rolling pin collector a few years ago. Why? I honestly don’t know.
I never use them for their intended purpose, but for some reason I can’t leave a reasonably priced one behind at the thrift stores. Especially ones that show signs of rolling more than their fair share of dough. I feel like I need to rescue them and bring them home.
But what is it about them that captures my imagination? You’d think after all these years I’d have it all figured out, but nope. Sometimes I’m still a mystery to me.
So far I have a collection of 18 retired wooden rolling pins, and today I’m sharing how I brought one of them out of retirement and gave it a repurposed life.
How to Make a Rolling Pin Window Valance
Luckily I had the perfect retiree for the window space that I’m working with, and all I needed to put it back into usefulness was some 1 1/4″ hooks, red paint, a red pen or marker, a hammer and a finishing nail.
After mulling over a few phrases for the front of the pin I printed out the one I chose in 90 pt Arial Blackfont.
It was important to me that this window valance tie in with the punched tin panels on my newly painted kitchen cupboards, so I outlined the letters with holes with my nail and hammer.
I think you’d have to be a code breaker to figure out what this says… so…
I played join the dots with the red marker.
This retiree came with plain wooden handles, so it got a quick handle makeover.
Then a little perfectly harmless surgery was performed.
How to Hang a Rolling Pin Window Valance
This is the original little outside window behind the stove area that now looks into the family room addition. I measured where my pin would hang and screwed in two 1 1/4″ hooks.
Then I removed one of the wooden handles….
popped the bar that goes through the body of the pin over one hook…
fit the rolling pin between the two hooks, and pushed the bar through on top of the hook on the other side.
Then I simply pushed the other wooden handle back on the other side.
Easy peasy.
I love redwork embroidery and these words kinda have that look to me.
To me these three simple little words mean life is short so go for it… and let it roll.. whatever you’re it is.
And don’t sweat the small stuff.
I went through my many many vintage kitchen gadget thingies and hung them in a valance looking kinda way.
The whisk isn’t vintage, but I’m on the lookout for one. It’s the only other thing I had that was long enough to balance the egg beater on the left, and it’ll do until I find a vintage one.
The best thing about this is I can just pop the gadgets off the hooks and use them anytime I want, and anytime I find a cool vintage thing I can easily switch things out.
Or I can just look at them and enjoy them. That, I must say, is much more likely, especially when I find a vintage whisk.
You’ll see how this window looks with the rest of the kitchen when I share my final reveal. That’s still a few projects down the road.
My goal for this kitchen makeover is to get my collections out into the open where I can actually see them. What a concept! What good are they doing me in boxes or in storage?
A few more rolling pin retirees will be joining this one in the kitchen, so I guess that’s why I collected them. I must have known, subconsciously, that I was going to need them even though I didn’t know for what.
That’s as good a reason an any, at least for me.
So I’m letting this kitchen adventure roll, and I’m enjoying the project journey along the way.
I hope you are too. 🙂
Don’t forget to pin it!
If you liked this rolling pin window valance project you might also enjoy my repurposed rolling pin wind chime tutorial.
Thanks so much for reading and until next time… let it roll… and
keep on keepin’ on.
XOX
How fun and whimsical! I love the blue and red together. I can’t wait to see the full reveal. I know you’ve spent a lot of time on this project.
Thanks very much Fonda!
Oh, how I love that. Been cool if all your kitchen gadgets all had red handles
You’re really on a roll when it comes to clever ideas.
Love your kitchen make-over by the way.
I have several rolling pins that I have collected over some years now that I need to start thinking about what I can do.
Some I do keep back and do use for rolling my pie crusts, cookies and ext. The others I stpre in a very large crock that sits on the floor
Thanks Colleen! I’ll be looking for more red handled gadgets that’s for sure. Love your idea of storing your rolling pins in a large crock so you get to enjoy them. So much better than in a closet.
Perfect phrase for your rolling pin! I love how the whole thing turned out! I love that you are getting the things you love and collect out where you can see and appreciate them every day!
You are definitely “on a roll” this year!!!!
Thanks Linda! I think that’s going to be my phrase for the year. I’m just going to let it roll.
why did u put nail holes for letters if u were going to paint it?
Hi Penny: As I say in the post I wanted it to sort of go with the punched tin panels that I have in my kitchen. Also I didn’t paint the letters, I followed the holes with markers to create the letters. I used the red paint for the rolling pin handles only. There are certainly other ways to do letters, this was just a personal choice on my part. Quick, easy and fun too.:)
Oh, girl! Just when I think you’ve outdone yourself, you do it again! This is so cute…..brilliant, even!!! Love it, and am really looking forward to your reveal!!! Dona
Thanks so much Dona! I’m having a lot of fun with this kitchen makeover, but I’m also anxious to see it all done. Hopefully it matches the vision I see in my head.
That is ADORABLE Tuula! I love it. The red really pops in your kitchen now. Such a cute idea.
Thanks Florence! I’m having fun adding red accents here and there.
That is one of the most unique decor ideas I’ve ever seen, Tuula! You are so talented! The rolling pin fit perfectly, like it was meant to be. Love the saying and the hanging gadgets. Can’t wait to see what else you have up your sleeve! Xo Kathleen
Thanks you so much Kathleen! I do have a few more fun projects planned. I just love repurposing. It’s so much fun!
How fabulous is that?! Very fabulous! I love it and goes so well with the whimsical color combo of red and aqua.
Thanks AnnMarie! I honestly didn’t think I would have this much fun with this kitchen makeover. I think the colour scheme helps with that a lot. It’s so happy!
OMG how cute tuula! You are so creative!
Tania
Thanks so much Tania!
Tuula, I am in love. I collect rolling pins but my only reason for doing so is I kept my Mother’s and just started picking vintage ones whenever I found them. I have a crock full on display in my kitchen. Your rolling pin valance is beyond adorable and a fantastic way of displaying your vintage kitchen gadget collection. The window over my sink is a little too wide otherwise, I would be copying your creative idea.
Thanks very much Sharon! How wonderful that your collection started with a rolling pin that belonged to your mother. I think a crock is a fabulous way of displaying them so you can see them and enjoy them. I’ll have another rolling pin project coming up soon.
Very cute idea. Love how you worked in the vintage utensils. So creative!
Thanks so much Judy!
Tuula, this is madly cute – and I’m thrilled by how chic it looks. With such a boho kind of concept I would have expected something a but more funky/fun…but yours is truly elegant!
Thanks Michelle! I’m calling it funky elegance. lol.
What Sharon said! If only my window was a little less wide. One of my favorite ideas of yours yet! Fabulous repurpose!
Thank you so much Cecilia! Sometimes I’m so glad that I listen to my crazy ideas. 🙂
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want one of these . . . you are amazing!
Thanks very much Connie!
Hey Tuula,
That is genius!! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Patricia!
Love this idea! Great job! I’m going to use it !
Thanks Cindy! I’m so happy that my project has inspired you.
Tuula, you knocked it out of the park once again. The rolling pin fits the window space so perfectly, the pin + space truly seem made for each other! And the “LET IT ROLL” lettering really nails it (pun intended). I really enjoy your wonderful inventiveness with repurposing beautiful old objects to give them a brand new life. Well done Tuula!!!!
Thanks so much Lori! lol. Pun appreciated. 🙂
Holy wow! I have a very small vintage rolling pin collection that currently just hangs on the wall. I am becoming more and more anxious for this move because there WILL be a rolling pin valance or two happening! Thank you SO much for this share!
Thanks Debbie! I’m sure your valances will look fabulous. I’d love to see a picture when you’ve done one. 🙂
,
You are so creative!. PINNED!!
Thanks so much Karen! I appreciate the pin. 🙂
This is so fun and creative! You never seem to amaze me. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you so much Jann!
Such a cute, unique valance. Thanks for linking up to the talk of the town link party!
Thanks very much Becky!
This idea takes the cake, Tuula! (Or should I say pie crust–ha, ha.) An absolutely charming idea, perfectly executed–so fun and unique. Thanks so much for linking up your posts with us at Vintage Charm 🙂
lol. Thanks so much Diana!
What a stunning way to re-purpose a rolling pin. I love it to bits Tuula.
Thank you so much Michelle. 🙂
This is really fun and cute. I am saving up some antique kitchen utensils to make something out of. I love them because to me they tell a story.
Great inspiration.
Thanks very much Leanna!
I love this! I have a collection of rolling pins also. My idea was to make chimes–I plan to use a wooden bowl or something for the top of the chimes and hang the rolling pins. I am hoping they will have a subtle sound like bamboo chimes. I am going to add other wooden utensils like spoons. I love to have history hanging around! Thanks for this.
Thanks Beverly! I love to have history hanging around too. I made a wind chime with the rolling pin as the main part and silverware as the chimes. Your idea sounds fabulous!
I have been collecting rolling pins as well…OK I love kitchen gadgets too so this is a perfect project for my kitchen! Thanks for the great ideas on what to do with some of my other rolling pins as well!!
You’re so welcome Susan! There’s just something fun about old kitchen gadgets. I’ll be sharing more of mine in future kitchen makeover posts.
REALLY CUTE idea!
Thanks very much Ramona!
There is a better way to have words placed without putting holes in rolling pin. . Over all this is a neat idea
Thanks Debra! I agree, there are many ways you can put words on things. I specifically chose this method because I wanted it to look like faux redwork embroidery. It’s quick and easy and I like the look. And the holes keep you from going out of the line, which for me would be easy to do if I just used dots.
Like the others commented, ”if I only had a smaller window”. I just wanted to make a quick suggestion. To make the lines of your red letters stand out you could use really small nails with a flat head and wrap embroidery thread around the outlines. The reason I would not use yarn is that the fibers do not have a smooth finish like embroidery or cross stitch thread also you may want the thread to be shiny. When I saw you drill the holes I thought for sure that was what you planned to do. You may have thought of it and choose not to. I just wanted to comment with my suggestion for your readers. I always read the comments in every post because they have great ideas or a little snip of ways to improve or ways they may have done a project a a little bit different. Going to check out you tin cabinets. Love your ideas.
Thanks April! I did think of that, but I decided to go with the marker instead. I think the thread idea would look great though. 🙂
I have to agree-add the red floss or yarn onto nail heads would really make Let it roll ROLL!
HEEHEE, I know, do it on our own!
Thanks for that suggestion Kat!