Well, this project was fun and maybe to some of you......a bit freaky. This urine specimen bottle display is colorful and can be shown off in different ways.
The bottles make great vases and guess what inspired the color of the water? Ha!
I shared the urine bottles and metal rack last week. I bought them at an auction. The price was a little high but there are endless ways to use this set of bottles! They will be such fun at Halloween. Maybe serve up something ghoulish in them?
I used food coloring in the water and at first just wanted the water to be different shades of yellow and not real dark.
Then I changed my mind, said what the heck, and went darker with the yellow. I made a short video of the whole process but I’m going to walk you through it too. Today is Thrift Store Decor Day and we have some stunners.
The projects we share can be anything that’s old or used or both. Everything doesn’t have to be made over….maybe just used in a non-traditional way. My project today is not a makeover but a great display idea.
The first thing I did was clean the bottles really well in scalding water and then bleach and then soapy water again.
Next I called a couple of neighbors looking for food coloring. I checked one store and all they had was gel food coloring for icing and such. The package of food coloring I borrowed has an expiration date of 07/2014. Do they still make liquid food coloring?
I mixed the food coloring and water in a glass container then used a funnel to pour the water into the bottles.
The pretty yellow flowers are from JoAnn’s. I bought them a couple of months ago when they were on sale. I try to never buy anything at regular price.
The vintage cloth tape with the floral design is a long ago purchase. It’s been in my stash forever. I cut one piece of ribbon to tie around one bottle. You don't want to overdo it and get all matchy-matchy.
See the video for the project below....
Making Urine Bottle Vases
And I cut different lengths and pieces of flowers for the bottles.
Yellow and orange are two of my very favorite colors and this display is on my mantel. The mantel decorations were all green and orange until I added the bottle vases. You can find my favorite yellow project here.
I didn’t put flowers in all of the bottles. When the bottles are in the metal carrier it’s a bit much to have flowers in all of them. Such unique vases. Remember when looking at a thrifted item to "think outside of the box". My friend Sarah made some of the cutest vases I've ever seen using milk bottles.
I’m so happy with my purchase and my vintage urine specimen bottle vases. What do you guys think? What ideas do you have for the urine bottles?
Leave a note before rushing off on the tour with ideas or comments. Take the tour by clicking the links below the “before makeovers” photo collage……
Repurposed Kitchen Tools As Planters from House Of Hawthornes
Shutter Shelf DIY from Refresh Restyle
Florist Vase Makeover from Sadie Seasongoods
Nightstand Makeover from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Bookcase Makeover from My Repurposed Life
TV Console Makeover from Our Southern Home
That’s it for me. You guys have a great day and thanks for being here, Kathy
Author: Kathy Owen (Petticoat Junktion)
Kathy is the founder of PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, old hardware, rusty stuff, and thrifty finds into unique home décor. Kathy’s projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Read more about Kathy here.
Karins Kottage
So funny and yet they look fabulous as vases with your pretty flowers. I kind of can't get over the yellow water hahaha I did not know these existed but they really look cool and what a conversation starter! I would love to have you come link up at my Centerpiece Wednesday Linky party on my blog!
Karin
Marie
LOL Kathy, too funny that you filled them with yellow food coloring! I had a chuckle over Paulla Jeffer's suggestion. Pinned
Sharon Girvin-Davison
Lovin this! I used to work in a laboratory so this is nostalgia for me.
Melanie
These are amazing and so unique!!!!
And so much cooler than the (empty) plastic cups my dad had lined up after his vasectomy. Lol ?
Sharon Girvin-Davison
Melanie, that is Hysterical!!!
Debbie Westbrooks
These are so cool! Honestly the first time I've seen urine bottles, I did laugh a little reading the title!
Michelle
This is so unique and so creative! I love it! And the colored water is perfect!
Linda Hickey
Love your idea with the set of bottles. Who new what you could do with them. A cute idea.
Christy @ Our Southern Home
Kathy, You are a hoot!!! These are such cool bottles and perfect for flower arranging. That yellow water!!! Ha, ha!!!
Rebecca Payne
I love this idea
Kathy Dunn
Love it! Using the colored water was perfect.
Stephanie Wenner
Any idea where to look for more online? My husband is a urologist so would make for a great office decoration!
Kathy Owen
Yes!! Check Ebay
Toni
Curious: how much WAS the price? They are very cool.
Kathy Owen
$29 + 10% buyer's premium
Kristin salazar
I didn't even know these existed lol I love them 🙂 I hope your hubby feels better!
gail
Well, I don't think I've ever seen these specimen bottles in any of my junkin' days!
Clever use Kathy, and they really do make adorable vases!
pinned!
gail
Pam @ House Of Hawthornes
You are cracking me up with the yellow water! Sorry to hear about the hubby's broken elbow/wrist thing. That sucks. I broke my elbow a few years ago and thank God I didn't require plates and screws and all that. Hope he mends quickly and as painlessly as possible!
Bettty Jane
What a unique find......... and you made it even better!
Sarah Ramberg
OH EM GEE these are fantastic! I have never heard of urine specimen bottles- what an amazing find!!! (And smooches for the link to my milk bottle vases!).
Janet
Too funny! I love it! Looks like you and I share the same twisted sense of humor - and imagination! You go, girl!!!!!
Paulla Jeffers
The decorated urine specimen bottles would be great at the check-in desk in a urologist’s office? Maybe with a printed note to drink more water!
Stormee
Very interesting post as always. Thanks for all the inspiration. Hope the JTS is on the mend and not trying to do too much.