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The decorated yellow bowl on the left is actually a cleverly designed ashtray from Morocco; the portion where smokers can rest their cigarettes lifts up so spent butts and ashes drop inside

Earlier today, we blogged how to handle guests who smoke. Although we don't smoke, we've inherited a lot of smoking paraphenalia from our parents who lived through the "Mad Men" era (in fact, our dad was a mad man)...

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We use this cigarette box to hold laundry change

From ashtrays to match holders to cigarette boxes, old smoking paraphenalia, beautifully crafted, can find a second use in your smoke-free home.


  • Ashtrays: can hold detritus on your landing strip, work as coasters for drinks or to catch water under plants; the large deep ones can be used as shallow planters for succulents or hold nibbles for guests.
  • Match Strikers: use them to hold candles or as small vases, for toothpicks or paperclips or thumbtacks or pens.
  • Cigarette Boxes: jewelry, coins, receipts, pens can all be stashed in these.
  • Cigarette Cases: can be repurposed as a sturdy, albeit streamlined, wallet or use them to keep business cards at the ready
  • Cigarette Holders: often enameled or jeweled, collect them and display them as a unusual centerpiece and conversation starters or, if you're dextrous, twist them into your hair to hold it in a neat chignon.

[Images from LA House Tour: Abby's Cozy Boho Pad]