Many would look at a vintage dress and simply see a reminder of a fun party, but to Kathleen Hackett and Mary Ann Young, the garment's vibrant print is the basis for a perfect seat cover.

These real-life sisters have spent decades turning street-side finds and backyard relics into unusual decorative accents.

Now, they have pulled some 50 of their projects into "The Salvage Sisters' Guide to Finding Style in the Street and Inspiration in the Attic" (Artisan, $22.95).

In addition to their lifelong love of decorating with flair, the sisters have solid backgrounds in the decorating field.

Hackett, who lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., is the former executive book editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and has written books for Pottery Barn and Budget Living magazine. Young, who lives in Rockport, Maine, has written "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decorating Your Home" and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Needlework." She is also a freelance designer and stylist.

Their familiarity with the field and their willingness to take decorating chances are at the core of this collaborative effort.

The book is divided into four chapters, with the first devoted to architectural salvage. Here, a birdbath's basin is transformed into a rustic fruit bowl and a cast-iron mold in the shape of a lobster becomes a one-of-a-kind door knocker. Another chapter looks at new uses for discarded furniture. Mismatched drawers found curbside, for example, are stacked to form an unusual bookcase.

A section on clothes, curtains and cloth follows the creation of an elegant table skirt that was once the bottom half of a ball gown and a chandelier made of torn silk and an old lamp shade.

Finally, the book addresses "humble bits and pieces." This last segment includes a holiday wreath made from recycled newspaper.

The book includes detailed instructions and plenty of whimsical photographs.