Home Improvement : I Love Old Windows

I loved the window project that Lisa at Serendipity Chic Design did. Her husband found some great old windows at the dump! Soon after her post, I saw an ad for windows that had been taken out of a house from 1865. I talked my husband in to driving 100 miles roundtrip to go pick some up. Yes, in a snowstorm!! No, we aren't the smartest people to do that--in a snowstorm when gas prices are going through the roof! :) But, we got a couple of very neat old windows. I was also able to pick up a couple for a friend.

I love the wavy old glass!

I hung one on the wall and attached a wreath to it.

I liked it, but felt like it was missing something. So off to my favorite store, Home Depot.

I started with a new fence board that cost $1.87.

I bought Apple Cider Vinegar and some Steel Wool (I had no idea what 'grade' steel wool to get, so I got #0 and it worked great). The vinegar was $1.12 and the steel wool was $3.98, although I only used two out of the 20 or so pieces in there, so I'd say it cost 40 cents.

I read that you're supposed to soak the steel wool in the vinegar overnight, but I am a very impatient person, so I put it right on...

And I didn't even get any splinters. I did wear some little gloves because the apple cider vinegar smell was not appealing to me and I didn't want that smell on my hands.

I let it dry for a couple of hours, then it looked Instantly Old!! (If there are black dots all over it, just put another coat on)