It turns out, there’s an unusual yet effective way to transform those old coins into unique decorative pieces that can enhance your home—thanks to a mixture of salt, vinegar, and a little bit of elbow grease.

Here’s how it works:

What You’ll Need:

• A jar of coins (preferably old ones)
• Pan
• Strainer
• White vinegar
• Salt

Step-by-Step Process:

• Clean the Coins: Begin by washing the coins with soap, water, and a pinch of baking soda. This initial cleaning removes grime and tarnish, giving the coins a fresh base.
• Strain the Water: Once your coins are washed, strain the water so that only the coins remain in the container.
• Salt and Vinegar Solution: Now, add a mixture of white vinegar and salt to the container with the coins. Stir it gently, ensuring that the coins are well-coated with the solution.
• Let It Sit: Allow the coins to sit in the mixture for about 30 minutes. This will help the vinegar and salt react with the coins, enhancing their rustic, aged appearance.
• Dry and Decorate: After the 30 minutes are up, drain the coins and spread them out to dry. Once dried, the coins will have a weathered, vintage look—perfect for creative projects!
• 

Creative Uses for Your Refurbished Coins:

• Decorative Letters: Use the rustic coins to decorate wooden letters or shapes, which you can then hang on your front door or display around your house.
• Lawn Decorations: Glue the coins to a glass dish and place them outside as a quirky, eye-catching decoration for your lawn or garden.
• Craft Projects: You can also use these coins for a variety of other home crafts, like creating coasters, framed art, or even using them to add a bit of flair to old furniture.
• 

While it might sound like an odd DIY project, the results speak for themselves. Old coins, when given a touch of salt and vinegar, transform into charming little pieces that can add a vintage feel to your home decor. Whether you’re into rustic design or looking for a fun project, this technique offers a creative and practical way to repurpose old currency into something beautiful.

So next time you find a jar of old coins gathering dust, remember that a sprinkle of salt and a splash of vinegar could turn them into something truly unique!

Among the most curious architectural features of this era were the servant staircases—narrow, often hidden stairways that allowed staff to move quietly and discreetly between floors without being seen by their wealthy employers or guests.

These staircases were a vital part of the social hierarchy of the time. While the upper class moved freely through the grand, sweeping staircases of their opulent homes, servants were relegated to cramped, service-focused corridors and stairways.

Often tucked away behind walls or disguised within the structure, these hidden stairs were a physical manifestation of the strict class distinctions that defined the era.

The design of servant staircases was often practical, serving as both a means of access to different parts of the house and a tool for maintaining the separation of classes.

Some were made so narrow that two people could hardly pass each other, while others spiraled up into tight, forgotten corners of the mansion. The secrecy surrounding these stairways was part of a larger effort to keep servants out of sight, maintaining the illusion of grandeur and refinement for visitors.

In many cases, these staircases were placed behind walls or hidden in corners of hallways where they could be accessed by the staff alone. In the event of a gathering or party, servants could easily slip away unnoticed to tend to their duties without crossing paths with guests or masters.

Today, many of these staircases still exist in historic homes and castles, some even preserved as part of the structure’s historical integrity. Visiting one of these homes now can give a glimpse into the complex social systems of the 18th century—where grandeur was for the few, and invisibility was the fate of the many.

Though these staircases were built for function, they also carry an air of mystery and intrigue. In some ways, they represent the physical embodiment of a time when social mobility was severely restricted, and class divisions were rigidly enforced—often hidden just out of view.

Halloween is the one time of year when you can transform your home into a creepy haunted house or a spooky graveyard without anyone batting an eye.

But finding Halloween decorations that aren’t just the typical cheap plastic spiders or inflatable pumpkins?

Now that’s a real challenge. Sure, it’s fun to get into the spooky spirit, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying mass-produced, over-the-top decorations that just feel… cheesy.

This year, however, some homeowners are taking their Halloween game to the next level.

While most of us are scrambling to assemble a half-hearted spooky scene in our front yard, there are some neighbors who are going all-out with innovative, jaw-dropping decorations.

Think you’ve seen it all?

Think again. Imagine stumbling upon a “zombie apocalypse” scene in the front yard or a lifelike skeleton spewing “acid” from its guts.

These aren’t your average haunted house props, these are next-level creepy creations that are bound to leave your neighbors talking (and maybe even a little scared).

To help you get inspired for this year’s Halloween celebrations, we’ve rounded up a collection of the most surprising, hilarious, and downright eerie Halloween displays that have caught people off guard.

From a skeleton vomiting neon “toxic goo” to lifelike dioramas featuring gruesome zombie attacks, these homeowners are clearly making sure their decorations not only go viral online but also become the talk of the neighborhood.

I had just finished setting up the Halloween decorations at my new house, feeling a little proud of how it all looked. Orange pumpkins, spider webs, and cute ghosts lined the front yard, ready for the kids who would come trick-or-treating.

It felt good to be settled after moving to this town just a month ago. My job was great, the house was cozy, and the town itself seemed charming—except for one thing: my neighbors.

Since the day I moved in, it felt like they had it out for me. It started with small things—comments about where I parked or how I didn’t trim my bushes the “right way.”

They would glance at me disapprovingly if I said “hi” in a way they didn’t like. It didn’t take long for the hostility to grow. One evening, they even called the police because I had my music on—at 7 p.m.! I couldn’t believe it.

The worst of them all was Catherine, who lived across the street. She was relentless, always coming over to complain about something. Once, she even stole my flowerpots, claiming they “didn’t fit the neighborhood vibe.”

I was beyond frustrated. Still, as I looked at my newly decorated house, I hoped at least this would be left alone. Just one thing that could bring some joy.

I’ve loved Halloween for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t just about the decorations or the candy; it reminded me of simpler times, warm childhood memories.

But this year, it felt different—darker. There was a hole in my heart where my dreams of having children used to be. It hurt to know I’d never create those special memories for my own kids.

Halloween, though, allowed me to heal a little, one bag of candy at a time. I poured it into a pumpkin, setting it out for the kids, and went inside, hoping for the best.

The next morning, my heart sank. All my decorations were gone. The only pumpkin left had been smashed, and the candy stolen. Tears welled up as I covered my mouth, overwhelmed by frustration and sadness. This was too much. I wasn’t going to let it slide. I knew who had done it, and I was determined to make her pay!

I stormed across the street and pounded on Catherine’s door, my anger bubbling over.

“Catherine! Open up! You’re a real witch!” I shouted, not caring who else heard.

After a few moments, the door flew open, and there she was, glaring at me.

“Have you lost your mind?” she yelled, hands on her hips.

“What did you do with my decorations?” I demanded, my voice shaking with fury.

“I didn’t touch your stupid decorations! Though they looked awful, if you ask me!” she shot back. “But I’m not ruining Halloween for the kids.”

“Just like you didn’t steal my flowerpots?” I screamed, stepping closer.

“Maeve, you’re crazy! You have no proof it was me!” she shouted, her face red. Then, with a loud slam, she shut the door in my face.

I stood there, shaking. “Witch!” I yelled at the closed door.

As I stood there, I realized that some of the neighbors had come outside, watching the whole scene. Their curious eyes were fixed on me, and I could already imagine the whispers behind my back.

They probably thought I was the crazy one now. I just wanted to do something nice for Halloween, and it had all been ruined. My throat tightened, and I could feel the tears building up again. Without another word, I turned and walked back home, my chest heavy with sobs.

Inside, I sat down, wiping my eyes. I couldn’t let this go. Halloween meant too much to me. I refused to let Catherine or anyone else destroy it. That evening, I made up my mind.

I went to the store, buying new decorations and candy. When I finished putting everything back up, I carefully placed a small camera among the decorations. This time, if she messed with them, I would have proof.

In the middle of the night, I woke up to a strange noise. My heart raced as I looked out the window. All my decorations were gone. Again. Anger bubbled up inside me as I quickly threw on my slippers and rushed outside.

The cool night air hit my face as I ran to grab the camera I had set up earlier. This time, I was sure I would catch Catherine in the act.

I hurried back inside and turned on the video. My eyes narrowed, ready to see Catherine, but to my shock, it wasn’t her. Instead, it was a boy—no older than 12—taking my decorations and candy. I stared at the screen, confused. I didn’t recognize him from the neighborhood.

Without thinking, I grabbed my coat and followed the direction the boy had gone. I passed house after house, but none of them seemed like his home.

I knew all the local kids, and he wasn’t one of them. Finally, I found myself standing in front of an old, abandoned house. A strange feeling came over me, urging me to go in.

Inside, it was dark and cold, the air damp and heavy. I pulled my cardigan tighter, my steps careful on the creaky wooden floors. Suddenly, I saw a faint light coming from a room. I walked in and froze.

There, huddled together, were two children—the boy from the video and a little girl, barely four years old. They were trembling, surrounded by my Halloween decorations.

“Please, don’t turn us in to the police!” the boy cried, his voice shaking. “My sister loves Halloween, but we don’t have any money. I didn’t want to steal, I swear! You just had the best decorations,” he said, his eyes wide with fear.

I stood there, staring at them. Two small kids in this awful, broken house. They looked so scared, and to be honest, I was scared too. The decorations didn’t matter anymore.

“Why are you here? Where are your parents?” I asked.

“We don’t have any,” the boy replied. “We ran away from our foster parents because they weren’t treating us right.”

I knelt down to their level, trying to understand. “What are your names?”

“I’m David, and this is my sister, Nicole,” he said, putting his arm around the little girl.

“My name is Maeve,” I told them, trying to sound reassuring. “You can’t stay here. It’s too cold. Come with me.”

David looked up at me, fear in his eyes. “Are you going to call the police?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m going to take you home,” I said, reaching out my hands to them both.

David and Nicole had been staying with me for several days now, and during that time, I had learned more about them through social services. It broke my heart to hear that their foster parents hadn’t even reported them missing.

How could anyone just forget about two children? I knew right then that there was no way they could go back. So, I filed the paperwork for temporary custody.

It was a bit of a process, but the social worker said the kids could stay with me even while we waited for everything to go through. That was a relief—I wasn’t ready to let them go.

The kids were amazing. At first, Nicole was so quiet, barely saying a word. She would just sit by herself, hugging her little stuffed bunny. But as the days went by, I saw her slowly start to relax.

She began to smile, laugh, and even talk a little. David, too, seemed happier. He helped me around the house, always asking if there was anything he could do.

Having them there made the house feel different—warmer, more alive. I hadn’t realized how empty it had felt before. It was as if David and Nicole had always been a part of my life.

In the evenings, I would read them bedtime stories. Every time, I felt tears welling up. I never thought my dream of having children would come true in such an unexpected way. But here we were, and it felt right.

On Halloween night, there was a knock at the door. Expecting trick-or-treaters, I smiled as I opened it, but instead of kids in costumes, I saw two police officers standing there.

“Can I help you, officers?” I asked, feeling my stomach drop a little.

“Your neighbor reported some strange screaming coming from your house,” one of the officers said. I followed his gaze across the street, where Catherine stood, arms crossed and a smug grin on her face. Of course, it was her.

Just then, a loud shout echoed from inside my house. I smiled sheepishly. “Oh, that. I’m showing the kids a scary movie for Halloween. You know, something fun for the night,” I explained, stepping aside. “Would you like to come in and check?”

The officers nodded and followed me inside. As we walked into the living room, one of them asked, “Are these your children?”

“Yes,” I said, the word slipping out naturally. “These are my children.”

It was the first time I had said it, but I realized it was true. In such a short time, they had become my family. I couldn’t imagine my life without them now.

The officers glanced at David and Nicole, who were sitting on the couch, eyes wide as they watched the scary movie. Every so often, they would pull the blanket over their heads, then peek out again.

The officers smiled, clearly seeing there was nothing wrong. “Have a good evening, ma’am,” they said, heading out the door.

As they walked out, I stepped onto the porch and waved at Catherine, who was still watching from across the street.

She looked furious, her face red with frustration. With a loud huff, she stomped her foot and marched back inside. I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

The next morning, I did what I had been thinking about for days—I applied to adopt David and Nicole. From that point on, I never spent another holiday alone. Every day was filled with laughter, love, and the warmth of family. I finally had what I had always dreamed of: I could call myself “Mom.”

However, just because Halloween is near doesn’t mean we can’t show kindness. One Halloween fan shared this message in a TikTok video that has since gone viral.

Salena Webb loves Halloween. She is a mother of four from South Carolina, and like many others, she celebrates by decorating her yard with Halloween items. Salena created a whole graveyard scene in her front yard, complete with ghosts, spiderwebs, pumpkins, a witch, tombstones, and skeletons carrying a casket. It took a lot of time to set up the display. But when her neighbor came to ask her to take it down, she agreed.

Her neighbor asked her to remove some decorations to make things easier for his elderly father.

Salena shared the moment her neighbor visited her to make the request in a TikTok video. In the video, the neighbor explains, “Hey, I know you’re celebrating Halloween. My dad just got diagnosed with lung cancer. He thinks the decorations are a bit scary.” He then points to the graveyard scene and asks, “Would you mind taking just the casket out?”

Salena felt sympathetic right away. Since her neighbor’s dad often spends time in his garage, which faces her yard, she understood why removing the casket was important. “I didn’t want to be a reminder of what could happen if he doesn’t beat cancer,” she told Insider. “I didn’t want to add stress to someone else’s life.”

Salena removed the casket and gave the skeletons badminton rackets instead. She moved the more scary decorations to her backyard. “I was a little sad at first,” Salena wrote in her TikTok caption, “But I realized that taking away the casket wouldn’t hurt me, but it might help my neighbor feel better as he deals with this news. Kindness is free, and compassion goes a long way.”

Many people praised Salena for her kindness. She posted the video and asked her followers what they would have done in her situation. While some said they wouldn’t have taken down their decorations, many praised Salena for her compassion.

@thatsnorthsense

My family knows i loveeee Halloween and my decorations took me awhile to make and put up. I had just purshased the skeleton carrying the casket to go along with my graveyard to really set my halloween decor off this year I was a little sad at first but i thought about the bigger picture. Me removing my casket isnt hurting me at all but it may ease and bring my neighbor a little bit of peace as he adjusts to this news. Kindness is free and compassion goes a long way. Now what to replace it with#Thatsnorthsense #dailyvlog #compassionforothers #halloween2023 #loveyourneighborasyourself

♬ Kindness Is Free! – Music with Michal

“Now this is what being a good neighbor is all about. Kindness doesn’t cost anything. Thank you!” one user commented.

Another person wrote, “This was beautifully handled. The world needs more people like you! God bless you!”

Salena’s neighbor also appreciated her gesture. After she took down the casket, she brought him a card and some balloons. Even though there was a language barrier between them, she could tell he was thankful. He told her, “You’re good people.”

A couple weeks ago, I posted my reveal of my 1990’s bathroom and I promised a follow up with how to stencil that almond ceramic tile floor.

When I told my darling hubster some of my ideas of what I wanted to do with this baby, he was like, “Whaaaatttt????” icon

Again, he was up at the cottage for the majority of this makeover. No meals to cook for this girl, yup, see ya buddy….don’t let the door hit you on the way out…icon

This is what the bathroom floor tile looked like in February.

I couldn’t resist the challenge and I LOVE stencils, so what the heck, after a little research, I jumped in.

It is truly amazing what paint can do for a home. You guys, this is such an easy makeover and the impact is crazy awesome!

Before you start painting…CLEAN! You want to clean the floor really good. I used TSP on my floor.

Once it is dry, sand the floor. You don’t have to get too crazy, you just want to rough it up so the primer will grab it. After sanding vacuum and wipe up all the dust really good. You don’t want anything on this floor before you start.

Looking better already with Primer and Paint!

These are the supplies that I used.

I used the Oil Based Kilz for this project. Prime the floor first, followed with the Behr Concrete and Garage Floor paint.

Leave the floor dry over night. I don’t care if it is dry to the touch, I think you need to leave it sit and cure for the night.

I moved the stencil around so that I would not smudge the paint and in between I would wipe the stencil off with paper towels.

You can see where the stencil bled through a little bit on some of the stars…be sure to dab your brush off on paper toweling to the point of not having as much paint on it and you will get cleaner, sharper lines.

I spent quite some time on this stenciling project and I will add, my hips were killing me by the time I got to this point. I had to touch up a lot of my stars because of bleeding and the stencil not matching up.

It was around 5:00 p.m. and I am sitting back in the door way and I was thinking about how I am going to do the outer edge and the idea came to me, “Why Don’t I paint it black?” icon

I am so happy that I went with the outer edge being black (used the same chalk paint), I felt added a little more character and depth to the floor.

Again, this is a super easy project and I would do it again in a heartbeat! The stencil from Cutting Edge was an awesome stencil to work with and truly, the floor looks fabulous in person.

I hope this post gave you an idea of something different to do for your home. It adds so much of an impact to this bathroom.

Thanks for reading!

Our foyer had a chair rail, but it didn’t have enough character. First thing we did was remove the chair rail.

We needed something to break up and camouflage our wall of many doors and we thought adding shiplap part way up the wall would help

We used our Kreg Jig rip cut to cut underlayment into 8 inch strips. To maximize our materials and minimize waste, we cut on the longer side for the long walls. On some panels we cut on the short side for the shorter walls.

Any edges that were rough, we used the electric sander to smooth out.

For this project we measured up the wall and marked how high we wanted the panels to go. We did this on all the walls so it would be even all the way around. We started with the longest wall at the bottom spacing the boards with nickels and securing them with the brad nail gun.

Once everything was installed, we patched all the nail holes and painted.

To give a finished look on the corners, we used trim pieces for the inside and outside corners. We caulked the seams to give a finished. look.

After the paint had dried we added a 1 x 2 accent piece and stained it Classic walnut to finish off the look. We also updated the door knobs to give more of a rustic feel.

We absolutely loved the way that it turned out and definitely gives more of the coastal farmhouse look that ties into the rest of our home.

Shortly after we finished, we added hooks to the corner by the bench and it was the perfect finishing touch.

Enjoyed the project?

Additionally, although this is the best, most accessible place for this appliance in my kitchen, it is located in a busy area between my sink and stove, and keeping it clean and not subjecting it to all types of food prep splatter and crumbs was important as well. Furthermore, the mixer is quite heavy, so storing it deep inside a cabinet was not the ideal solution for me.

I researched many types of appliance “garages” that are designed, of course, to do exactly what I was looking to do here – keep an occasionally used appliance handy but out of sight. I did not find much that I liked, and I realized (2) things: (1) I did not want to permanently install anything to my cabinets or countertop and (2) I did not want to drop that much cash on this. So, I thought I might try to solve this little “problem “ on my own.

The beautiful handmade cutting board that I have displayed on my countertop caught my eye. It so nicely blends the colors of my cabinets, countertop, and backsplash. If I could only find something similar to assemble a small “screen” to decoratively and subtly camouflage & protect that mixer! I took measurements of the height and width of my mixer and set out to find just the right pieces.

Luckily, I found these 3 beautiful rectangular Acacia wood cutting boards for around $8.00 each at The Christmas Tree Shops. They were tall enough vertically to hide the mixer and fit under the cabinet above, and the colors worked great in my kitchen. They were also decently thick, so they would balance well on their edges.

Then, I purchased (4) 1 1/2” utility hinges from Home Depot for about $5.00.

Back at home, I arranged them side by side the way I wanted them, flipped them over to the back, and installed 2 hinges on each side of the middle board, approximately 1 1/2”- 2” from the top and bottom edges. (I drilled small pilot holes first to avoid any wood splintering).

That’s it…Project complete!

I love the result! Using the wooden cutting boards gives me surfaces that are very easy to clean, as this is not an out-of-the-way corner, as mentioned previously. This handy little screen is also adjustable to accommodate something wider if necessary, and it is not permanently installed so it can be removed or relocated quite easily.

Once I found the cutting boards I wanted, this project took no time at all. At one point, I was considering buying unfinished wood and cutting, sanding, staining, etc… for this project. Although I would have ended up with basically the same solution, using the cutting boards was a more time efficient solution and gave me a more durable, more aesthetically pleasing result.

Materials Needed:

• Plastic box with a lid (e.g., for chocolate eggs or candy)
• Wooden rolling pin
• Aluminum foil
• Vinyl glue
• Scissors
• Decorative paper or napkin (for decoupage)
• Water

Instructions:

• Prepare Your Box: Start by choosing a plastic box with a lid that fits your desired storage needs.
• Smooth the Aluminum Foil: Roll out a piece of aluminum foil using a wooden rolling pin. This will help remove any static electricity and wrinkles, making the foil easier to work with.
• Cover the Box: Apply vinyl glue to the bottom of the plastic box. Carefully place the rolled-out aluminum foil over the glued area, smoothing it down and cutting off any excess foil around the edges.
• Decorate the Lid: For the lid, use a picture from wrapping paper or a decorative napkin. Apply a mixture of water and glue (decoupage medium) to adhere it to the lid. Be sure to smooth out any bubbles for a polished finish.
• 
• Finish the Inside: To give the box a cohesive look, cover the inside of the lid with aluminum foil using the same method as before. Apply vinyl glue, smooth the foil down, and trim any excess.
• Final Touches: Allow everything to dry completely. Once dry, your box is ready for use!

Result:

You’ll have a stunning, functional storage box that not only looks great but also adds a unique touch to your decor. This project is perfect for organizing small items, gifts, or even crafting supplies.

It had been built in the 1820s and was on the National Register of Historic Places, but after years of neglect, it was a shell of its former self.

Historic Mississippi house circa 1825 AFTER renovation

They were determined to do it right, and that meant hiring a crane to lift the 2,770-square-foot house onto supports, “where it sat for more than a year during repairs to its foundation and the installation of new insulation, plumbing, and electricity.”

Country Living reports: “Each wallboard was removed and numbered, then put back in place after the electrical updates. Scraping away decades of paint revealed original artistic details, including marbleized baseboards and faux bird’s-eye maple panels, which a restoration painter was able to revive.”

An old journal from the 1800s described what the interiors had looked like at the time, and they recreated as much of the white and wood palette as possible. The heart pine floors were lightly sanded so you can still see scars and burn marks in places. “Those imperfections are part of the story,” Tere Thomas says. “Besides, Laurietta’s not a grand house.”

The couple transformed Laurietta “from a dilapidated buzzard’s nest into a roost where their extended family could come together for weekends and holidays.”