Old Oak, New Purpose
Used wine barrels take interesting new shapes.

Chances are, you've read a back label or two describing how the use of French, American or Hungarian oak impacted the wine's flavor. Turns out, an oak barrel can affect so much more--especially your posture.

From lounge chairs to stools to benches to dining room chairs, there's no end to what barrels can be recycled into once they've outlived their usefulness to winemakers. If it can be made out of an old wine barrel, web sites such as Napa Style and California Vines probably sell it.

But what if you're truly obsessed with oak? Book a stay at the Hotel de Vrouwe van Stavoren in The Netherlands, which has four rooms made of 14,500-liter wine barrels. The casks are outfitted with sitting areas and fully functional bathrooms. Hotel Lindernwirt in Drosselgasse, Germany, and the Waldmeier's Fasshotel in Trasadingen, Switzerland, also offer barrel accommodations.

OK, sleeping in a barrel might be excessive. But it seems there's a stylish, useful old-barrel item to suit just about everyone. Napa Style and California Vines offer tables, candle holders, platters, backyard swings, clocks, wine racks and even a doghouse. Tiger's mistresses never saw this much Wood(s). Speaking of which, he could probably use the doghouse....

If you have a cool idea of what to do with old staves, share it with us here.