The Salvage Sisters' Guide to Finding Style in the Street and Inspiration in the Attic

What could become of a five-dollar box of ball fringe? Or a beautiful old ball gown? A torn lamp shade? What about that cast-iron lobster-shaped cornbread mold? The spunky sisters (née Salvage) have uses for all such quirky items, and in this marvelous guide to making the old new, they infuse what could've been a humdrum how-to book with the narrative suspense of a novel. Their bubbly anecdotes explain how architectural salvage, like pediments and porch brackets; furniture; old clothes, curtains and cloth; and other "humble bits and pieces" can be whimsically repurposed. Hackett, who worked on the publishing program at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and Young (The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decorating Your Home ) give instructions for each of the 50-odd projects, often recommending the use of glue guns, handsaws, electric drills and needle and thread. Granted, a lot of what the authors preach is more about attitude than usefulness. For example, how many readers will actually make a sculpture by gluing mussel, oyster and scallop shells to a mannequin? But such a project certainly reinforces their mantra: "when in doubt, don't throw it out." (June)