I love taking an item intended for one purpose and using it for another.
Case in point. Bathroom accessories.
The toothbrush holder to be exact. Who really uses the toothbrush holder?
I mean, I understand the purpose and I get its handy function. But do we really want our toothbrushes on display? I think not.
But that doesn’t mean I won’t buy the toothbrush holder if it is part of a collection.
Take the downstairs bathroom, for instance.
I bought the toothbrush holder that came in the white and chrome hotel collection, but instead of using it to hold toothbrushes, I use it as a vase. I place a single stem of something or other in the center hole and leave the other two holes empty.
In October, I displayed a single maple leaf.
For Christmas, a sprig of holly.
In March, some clover.
For Easter… well, you get the idea.
This allows me to purchase the items in a collection so that all of the pieces match, but without being so predictable in how I use them.
Give it a try. Or better yet, tell me how you’ve recreated an item’s purpose.

