Vintage-Inspired Milk Bottle

Feb 16, 2011 · written by Amy · Organize

Doesn’t milk poured from a glass bottle sound 1950’s-fabulous? Plus, the milk I buy here in Prague comes in cartons, which always end up sploshing around and accumulating little piles of milk flakes in the fridge. So I thought a milk carafe was in order, but of course I didn’t want to spend money on one. Olive oil to the rescue! It’s the perfect shape, it has a lid and a nice pour spout, and it makes me feel like it was just delivered by the milkman. Then I realized the second olive oil bottle I emptied about two weeks later (maybe I need to cut back) was perfect for my homemade salad dressing! I covered the lids with fabric and mod podge, inspired by this great tutorial from design*sponge. (My only advice on this tutorial is not to overlap the fabric/paper inside the lid too much because you’ll cover the threads and the lid won’t screw on easily.) So Milkman, you can’t have your bottles back now. I’ve decorated them. But you can come in for coffee.

You may also like

7 Comments

  • Aimee Llewellyn Feb 16, 2011
    Very cute idea! I used to get milk delivered (by a real milkman) in London, and it was a hoot - except the Magpies would wait patiently while the milk was being left, and then swoop in to peck out and steal the little foil lids. Then, of course, every cat and fox in London would help themselves. Still, it was pretty charming.
  • Alissa Feb 16, 2011
    Pour spout geniusness! You're completely brill, Amy. And your milkman is completely adorable. May I call him Jerry? He looks like a Jerry.
    • Alissa Feb 16, 2011
      Hmm, I just realized I used "completely" twice in my comment. I believe that makes me a complete dork.
      • momma Feb 17, 2011
        no it doesn't, Alissa! I love the word "completely" and think we should use it more frequently!
  • Amy Feb 17, 2011
    So sweet! I just love all your thrifty, desperation-era crafts! More, please!
  • momma Feb 17, 2011
    And you know what? A glass bottle chills its content colder than plastic or waxed paper cartons. So, have you noticed the milk is colder in the bottle??? I love the decorated lids! I would open your fridge just to look at the pretty lids!!! You know me - can't resist a couple of tips. 1) be sure to wash the empty bottle using a little bit of bleach to sterilize before refilling. 2) it's recommended to store milk in the cavity of the fridge rather than the door; the door has more temperature variances whereas the fridge interior is more constant.
  • momma Feb 17, 2011
    Well, I'll be derned - I just recognized the fabric! COMPLETELY (that's for you, Alissa) missed it the first time I looked at the pictures!