Made at 173
Some old windows deserve another view instead of the landfill.
Saving the Old Windows
Not long after we bought 173, we put in a new basement floor, and while we were at it we replaced the basement windows. Well...if you've followed this blog for any time at all, you know we're all about re-purposing stuff. So we kept a few of the old basement windows.
Looking back, I don't think I ever consciously decided to save them because I had a specific project in mind. They simply felt like part of the house. Those windows had spent decades letting light into the basement of 173, and it seemed wrong to toss them into a dumpster without at least giving them the chance to become something else. I've learned that's often how projects begin around here, not with a detailed plan, but with an old piece quietly waiting until the right idea comes along.
Earlier Repurposing Ideas
I put mirrors in one of those old windows and mounted on the side of the shed ... I dunno, sounded like a neat idea at the time, but over the years the frame disintegrated. I don't recall where the other windows wound up, except for one.
Yes, that's right - for the first couple years here at 173, the basement windows were sealed with duct tape! Anyway - after the front porch was remodeled (the link takes you to the second remodel, the first was pre-blog) a number of years ago, I had "my" little corner. Oh, and I found this old Morris chair at a little country auction for $25 oh maybe 15 years ago or so.
A Quiet Corner on the Porch
Anyway, THAT'S what this post is about. No, not the Morris chair - see that little bookcase? Yep - Made at 173! Like I said, I had that old basement window, and wanted something to go with the chair, so I got the idea for the bookcase. I just use it for some old-school nick-knacks (is there supposed to be a "k" in front of those?) and a place to set my iced tea.
It Was a Quick Project
I had a few scrap boards and two old hinges lying about the workshop, so it didn't cost anything. And I just used butt joints because I wanted a kind of Adirondack/Maine forest cabin feel to it.
Because the case was going to be on the floor, I thought it would be better to put the hinges on the bottom of the case instead of the top to make it easier to reach in.
And I just used an old rusty hook for a latch. Oh, and that old closet hook? I inherited a drawer full of them with 173. So I put one on the side of the case. I also inherited a circa 1940s wire catcher's mask that usually hangs on the hook, but like I said, we're in the middle of a re-do right now so it's packed away.
Giving It Character
In the years since this book case was originally built, the front porch has undergone some changes, and to make the case fit better aesthetically, I painted it Red Devil's Dublin Green.
Then I roughed up the edges to make it a little more rustic, wiped on and off some black paint to give it an aged look, and you can get a sense of that here:
Oh! And there's that great old catcher's mask! And here's the case now:
Its Natural Habitat
And finally, a shot of the old bookcase in it's natural habitat:
I actually like that idea better. For these "Anonymous Reviewer" pieces, it feels more authentic if the reviewer sounds like an ordinary reader rather than a literary critic. Here's how I'd write it:I really enjoyed this one because it shows that you don't have to spend a lot of money to make something useful and good-looking. Most people would have thrown that old basement window away, but you turned it into something that fits the porch perfectly. I like projects like that because they remind me that old things still have plenty of life left in them if someone is willing to use a little imagination.What I also liked was how personal the whole project felt. It wasn't just about building a little bookcase. The old window came from the house itself, the hardware had been saved for years, and even the old catcher's mask found a place to hang. By the end of the post it feels like every piece has its own story, and together they make that little corner of the porch feel warm and lived in.That's probably what keeps me coming back to House 173. The projects are interesting, but they're also practical and full of memories. This wasn't about making something perfect. It was about making something useful, giving old materials another purpose, and adding one more chapter to the story of an old house. I think that's something a lot of us can appreciate. - Anonymous Reviewer
Frequently Asked Questions
Why save old house windows during a renovation?
Old windows often have quality wood, unique proportions, and a character that's difficult to reproduce today. Even if they're no longer energy efficient enough for the house, they can often be repurposed into furniture, mirrors, garden decorations, cold frames, or other creative projects.
What can you make from an old window?
Old windows can become picture frames, mirrors, cabinet doors, coffee tables, greenhouses, message boards, porch decorations, or, as in this project, a rustic bookcase with a built-in glass door. Their divided-light design gives almost any project instant character.
Why repurpose materials instead of buying new ones?
Repurposing saves money, reduces waste, and preserves a tangible piece of a home's history. Every reused board, hinge, or window carries a story that brand-new materials simply can't duplicate.
What wood works well for rustic furniture?
Almost any solid lumber can work well, especially reclaimed pine, fir, cedar, or hardwoods salvaged from older homes. Small imperfections, nail holes, and weathering often add to the charm rather than detract from it.
Why use simple butt joints instead of more complex joinery?
Butt joints are easy to build, surprisingly strong when properly fastened, and fit the straightforward, handmade appearance of rustic furniture. Sometimes simplicity complements the design better than elaborate woodworking techniques.
Why place the hinges underneath the door?
Mounting the hinges on the bottom allows the glass panel to open downward, making the contents easier to reach while also creating a small temporary shelf when the door is open.
Can distressed paint look authentic?
Yes—when done thoughtfully. Lightly sanding edges and allowing hints of underlying color or wood to show through can mimic decades of natural wear. The goal isn't to fake age but to create a finish that feels comfortable in an old house.
Is salvaged hardware worth keeping?
Absolutely. Old hinges, hooks, latches, and brackets often have a quality and appearance that's difficult to find today. Keeping a small collection of salvaged hardware frequently makes future restoration and repurposing projects easier.
How do small furniture projects add character to a home?
Custom-built pieces fit a home's spaces and personality in ways mass-produced furniture rarely can. Even simple projects often become favorites because they're tied to memories of building them and the materials they preserve.
Why do old houses inspire so much repurposing?
Older homes seem to encourage a different way of thinking. Instead of asking, "What should I buy?" they often prompt the question, "What do I already have that could become something new?" That shift in perspective is part of what makes restoring and living in an old house so rewarding.
What's the lasting lesson of this project?
Sometimes the value of an old object isn't found in restoring it to its original purpose, but in imagining an entirely new one. An old basement window no longer keeps the weather out, but it still welcomes people in, this time as part of a piece of furniture that quietly tells a little more of the story of House 173.
Keywords
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