Vintage Wood Stirrup Napkin Holder
When I was a child both my mom and aunt used vintage wood stirrups as napkin holders.
My mom’s napkin holder is now in the kitchen at the lake.
Earlier this summer, Lakelyn, one of my former students, was visiting me and complimented me on my napkin holder.
Knowing that I had three wood stirrups from my grandfather’s shed in my basement, I promised to make a napkin holder for both Lakelyn and her sister, Kristin, who I also taught.
How to Make a Wood Stirrup Napkin Holder
My stirrups came from my grandfather’s shed. For some reason, he brought them home from the family farm in Maryland. Why I have no idea because he definitely didn’t ride horses.
Stirrups for Sale
The first thing that I did was give the stirrup a good cleaning, then I applied Tung Oil.
The Tung Oil really brings out the grain of the wood.
The last step was to seal the wood with polyurethane.
This stirrup is now holding napkins in my kitchen.
I can’t wait to give Lakelyn and Kristin their napkin holders. Kristin is building a house and I hope she enjoys using her napkin holder in her new home.
That is adorable! I have my one stirrup sitting in my living room and haven’t figured out what I want to do with it yet. It will come to me. I really love what the tung oil did for yours. It really makes it stand out. I’m adding a large cabinet that will be a bar to my living room. I thought this would be cute as a towel holder for the bar but again, I’m not sure yet. Anyway, well done!
I think that using your stirrup for a bar towel holder is a great idea!
Oh, how I love this. Not only is the napkin holder amazing…but, that you are gifting things that bring you joy.
Thank you so much, Leslie!
Oh how I love this. I would use these allover the house in decorating.
Pinned!
You may see mine in a vignette in the future!
This speaks to my reinventing heart!! Love it so much! Pinned!
Thank you so much, Cindy!
I would have never thought to use a vintage wood stirrup as a napkin holder but what an amazing napkin holder it makes. It has so much alternative decorating potential too, like an air plant holder. Love it!
An air plant holder is a great idea!!
Hi
I would love to make the stirrup napkin holder, but have no idea where or how to purchase one and the ideal size (assuming there are different sizes)
Do you have any suggestions?
I have 4 daughters and think they would love them
Under the picture of the stirrup before I cleaned it, there is a picture with arrows on either side that you can scroll through. These are stirrups for sale on Etsy. I would love to see the stirrup napkin holders that you make for your daughter.
We have the horses…but no vintage stirrup holder. Guess I will HAVE to go antiquing now! On the hunt for one or two!
Good luck with your search! I miss being an equestrian.
Love this napkin holder you made from an antique stirrup! It’s very ‘you’! For a minute there, I couldn’t figure out where the kitchen picture was taken! Lakehouse! Love it!
Thank you so much, Julie! Looking forward to you coming back to the lake for another visit.
Love it…. so much character!
Thank you so much, Amy!
I had never seen a wooden stirrup; my daughter has always loved horses and I will now keep any eye open for one. I thought fingertip towel holder; I once used a glass banana boat on my bathrooom sink! Have never used tung oil before either; very informative post!
Thank you so much, Kathy!
That’s such a clever reuse or upcycle , I’m not sure which word describes it best! I love items with a bit of history.
Thank you so much, Julie!
What a great idea!! I’m so glad you joined the Share the Wealth party at My Big Fat Menopausal Life.
So clever! Love that your mom and grandmother used to do this. I need to buy tung oil now that I see how good it works!
Thank you so much, Marie!
I absolutely love this, Paula! Thank you for sharing at Party in Your PJ’s – you are being featured on my blog Tuesday evening.
Thank you so much, Ann!
Seriously, this is the most unique upcycle I’ve seen in a very long time. Excellent!! I love it.
Thank you so much, Kim!