You know one of my favorite things is to upcycle, which is to find a new purpose for an old object. Shopping at Goodwill, I often find shelves full of wood accessories. Last week I purchased a wall candle stick holder. They were very popular in the 1980s during the country decorating phase. I immediately knew I could turn it into a paper towel stand.  

I wanted the option of either hanging the stand, or setting it on the counter. So I needed to cut off the decorative bottom.    

My husband has power tools, but a hand saw will work just as well. You just want to make sure the bottom is even so it sits flat on the counter.  

I measured the candle holder part and bought a wood dowel to fit snuggly. In this case, I needed a 7/8 inch dowel and cut a 9-½ inch piece (I didn’t want the dowel to show above the paper towel). Glue the dowel in the holder and allow to dry.  

The hardest part is choosing a color. I like spray paint because it’s fast and there’s so many colors and finishes to choose from. Pick a color that coordinates with your kitchen décor, or something that contrasts for a splash of color.  

I like the plum color, but it needed some added decoration. I made a copy of “recipes” from an old book, cut it to fit and “decoupaged” it to the back. I think a copy of an old recipe handwritten by Grandma would be even better.  

Add some charm to your kitchen décor with this fast, easy and inexpensive upcycle project!