My toboggan days are far behind me; not only are our winters in the Northeast too warm for those epic snow days that I used to remember as a kid, but I'd argue that my "golden years" of gearing up to get a chilling adrenaline rush are long gone.
When people first walk into my home, they are often overcome by all the green. To most people, I'd imagine it feels as if they're walking through a forest, and it's challenging to focus on everything that's going on within their surroundings. I say this only because most people walk out without ever noticing one of my favorite DIYs, which is a vintage wooden steel runner flexible flyer-converted-plant and pot shelf in my kitchen.
Through the green towards the window, you'll be able to see a flexible flyer plant shelf, which has become overgrown with philodendrons and ivy.
A close-up on the underside of the flexible flyer. You'll see the S hooks that are used to hang pots, pans and coffee mugs.
Granted, the sled is something that's hard to spot. I've let my heart-leaf philodendrons (Philodendron scandens oxycardium), Goldheart Ivies (Hedera helix 'Goldheart') and English ivy (Hedera helix) run rampant and completely overtake the station. Instead of pinching back the Philos and keeping them nice and bushy or pinning back the ivy, I've let them drape and climb like misbehaved children at the playground.
This creates an interesting cooking dilemma. If I choose to use my vintage, Cecilware cookstove, then I'm literally cooking amongst the leaves. I'm sure others would find this to be a hassleβperhaps even worrisome, particularly having the leaves so close to the stovetop, but I adore the ecosystem. In fact, my kitchen, though tiny, may actually be one of my favorite rooms in my apartment. In my opinion, it's the one room, which the plants have become most integrated into their surroundings. They essentially made it their own. πΏ
Using my vintage cookstove often means cooking between the ivy and philodendrons. Photo: Joey L.
Cooking through the forest canopy. You'll notice the philodendrons in the foreground, the English ivy in the mid-ground, and the crown-of-thorns and herbs in the background. Photo: Joey L.
Link some S-hooks onto the flyer's tracks so you can hang your cups, pots and pans.
I like when "living art" is multifunctional. The flexible flyer not only serves as a plant shelf, but it's a useful way to keep my pots, pans and cups on hand for cooking.
Oftentimes artists will sell their wares on the side of the street and I really loved the raw, grungy look of this art. I decided it would complement the home, and since it's facing the window, I wouldn't be dismayed if the art faded a little. I think it complements nicely with the toboggan.
You may have a flexible flyer in your attic or garage, but if you don't, you can often find beautiful vintage ones on eBay, at estate sales, or at auctions. In general I love the look of them and they are tremendously well made. A perfect plant shelf if you ask me!