I’ll be the first to admit that THIS project…is not really a project. It’s more of a famous store hack idea that I turned into a hot chocolate bar. Here’s the story: I was scrolling through Pinterest one day and noticed that one of my followers had pinned a photo of a condiment set from Pottery Barn.
I liked it right off the bat: a cute wooden drawer filled with clear glass jars, perfect for parties or events.
Now, this was several years ago and they no longer sell this. But it was a popular item at the height of the rustic/farmhouse phase!
It also occurred to me immediately- as it probably has done to a few other folks- that this set would be VERY easy to replicate with a few random items. From a thrift store, an antiques shop, or even your cupboards.
Which is what I decided to do, using a card catalog drawer like this!
And thus, this non-tutorial blog post about a Pottery Barn hack was born!
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Building a Condiment Set with Vintage Milk Glass
First things first, that card catalog drawer I showed you. I actually found this particular one on Etsy, which is often my source for specific vintage items. But an old sewing drawer would also work just as well!
Once I had the card catalog drawer, I needed to decide what to fill it with. Mason jars would have been an obvious- and popular- idea. And I love me a mason jar, but I wanted to think a little outside the box. Or drawer, as the case may be.
Carnival glass? Silver plated goblets? Pretty colored sherbet bowls? Let’s face it, the vintage options are endless.
In the spirit of the last days of winter, I decided that vintage milk glass would be a lovely option. So, I gathered two pairs of milk glass creamer and sugar sets.
First, I placed the sugar and creamer sets inside the card catalog drawer. Thankfully, they fit perfectly!
The vintage milk glass white really popped against the dark wood of my library card catalog drawer. It also had a winter decor feeling, which was perfect since I planned to use my condiment set for hot cocoa toppings!
Next, I filled up the condiment set with sweet deliciousness. Mini chocolate chips, peppermints, and marshmallows, of course.
I loved my little condiment set, but felt like it needed one more thing. So, I added little chalkboard labels to the hot cocoa toppings. To keep things as easy as possible, I used a chalk marker pen, which I find much easier to work with than regular chalk.
Perhaps my hot chocolate bar didn’t actually *need* any labels, but depending on which toppings you use, labeling could be handy! Especially if any of your toppings or condiments are specialized, like gluten free, vegan, or sugar free.
Condiment Set in a Card Catalog Drawer
And there it is- easy as can be using all things vintage or secondhand.
Here’s a little side-by-side comparison of the Pottery Barn inspiration versus my condiment set in a card catalog drawer. And please ignore the fact that Pottery Barn has a far better photo!
Focus on the fact that my version is genuinely vintage, not recently made overseas. Anytime I can use secondhand things, I’ll do it!
I won’t be doing many “hacks” that are inspired by big box stores, but it’s a fun challenge nonetheless. I did, however, create this hardware organizer after seeing a replica version online. My version, of course, used a couple of Goodwill finds!
Craft on!
S
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What a fun idea – I already have the pieces for this. Would be so cute for a pot-luck dinner!
Squeal! I love this repurpose diy!! I am hopping over from terrific tuesday. I invite you to share at my Thursday hop too ♥ xo
I’d love to, Katherine! Please send me a link to the site, and the day/time/time zone that your link party opens up!!
visiting from teriffic tuesday linky… now that is a neat idea! I see these catalog drawers from time to time and love them, but can’t think of anything to do with them so I don’t buy them! Next time I will buy! It could do the same thing for a jewelery caddy thingy..instead of the condiments in the cups..jewelery!
Cheri
http://www.fabricandmemories.blogspot.com
Great idea, Cheri!!
Where do you buy the drawers?
This one I found on Etsy years ago!
What a beautiful old drawer and a very neat project! You can change it up for all kinds of holidays and seasons. Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane
Thank you, Diane!!
What a fun (and yummy) idea! Thanks for sharing it at the Vintage Inspiration Party!
Thank you, Angie!
What a fantastic, creative idea! Love it Love it! 🙂 The little signs are beyond cute! I would love for you to link these up to my new party Making Memories Mondays going on now! There’s a great giveaway too! 🙂
Cathy
Thank you, Cathy- done and done! What day/time/time zone does your party go live? I’d love to add it to my weekly rotation. 🙂
Thank you 🙂 it goes live Sunday 9PM EST, can’t wake to see you there 🙂
Fantastic! I’ve added it to my calendar- looks like you have another one on Tuesdays/Wednesdays? (Can you tell I love link parties??)
Awesome!!! I love link parties too!! Yes, come on over on Tuesday nights I cohost Wine’d Down Wednesday!! Happy Thursday 🙂
Will do!
Love it!
Thank you so much!
This is so cute! I have a long wooden tray on my dining table which holds vases. It would be perfect for condiments but I would have never thought of it before seeing this. Thanks for the inspiration! Found you via Inspire Me Wednesdays.
Thank you so much- and I never would have thought of it either…guess we need to thank Pottery Barn! 😉
This is a cute idea! 🙂
What great use of an card catalog file. I love how you made it into a hot chocolate bar. Thanks for linking up this week at #HomeMattersParty linky. Looking forward to seeing what you link up next week.
i just love everything organized (even marshmallows lol) 🙂 I hope you will share your idea with our Link Up – Idea box:
http://milaslittlethings.com/2015/03/idea-box-thursday-link-party.html
xx
Mila
Thank you for the invite, Mila- I’ve linked up and added your party to my weekly calendar! 🙂
I love it! And I love the vintage wooden container you used – beautiful!
Thank you, Maria!
Quick and cute hack! I love it! Thank you so much for sharing at Merry Monday Link Party. Glad to have you! Julia
Cute idea.
Perfect vintage style! I love the condiment holders. The white is so pretty. Pinning and sharing. Thanks for sharing at Totally Terrific Tuesday last week! Can’t wait to see what you have lined up tonight!
Sharon
herorganizedchaos.com
Great hack! Love those drawers. And I agree genuinely old is so much better than made in China. And much more environmentally friendly too. Thanks for being such a loyal linker upper at the VIP!
Thank you so much, Marianne- love your party!!
What a fun idea! I always see those at the flea market too. Thanks for linking up at Found & Foraged!
So cute! I love it! Thanks so much for linking up with Idea Box!
I love your hack – much prettier with the beautiful vintage drawer and milk glass. xo Karen
What a cute and clever idea. I love it! Thank you for joining us at #purebloglove. We enjoying having you every Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
Love this project Sarah! Catching you!
Thanks, Gail! See you shortly at the party!
I Love this beautiful knockoff and it could be used in so many ways too. Love it. Thank you so much for linking up to the Something to Talk About Link Party and GREAT NEWS – We’re featuring you on our blogs tomorrow. I hope you’ll come on over and check it out and of course please link up again. It goes live at 6 am est. See you there, Lisa at Concord Cottage
I love ideas like this! Old drawers are so fun. I used an old sewing machine drawer to corral things for my hot chocolate bar during the winter and loved it! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
What a cutie/patootie idea. Love this and don’t all us vintage hoarders have these goodies, somewhere. Love it, Sandi
Right?? 😉
What a great idea! So much you can do with this.
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger