Interior Design with unexpected and unusual items

I posted these two pictures on my Facebook page a few days ago because I love the use of an unexpected item as a functional piece in these two rooms.

The first is a birdcage used as light ‘fixture’ or more of an encasement to the light bulb itself. Birdcages seem to be coming out of the woodwork in consignment stores here where I live.

This birdcage was turned upside down and affixed to the ceiling to form a light fixture (DesignSponge)

The designer and owner of this home used an old barn door as the door to their pantry in this next picture and this creates a bit of tension between the old and the new.  They used period fixtures, such as the flush mount ceiling light in the pantry and the beautiful barn door, however they do have a beautiful new wine fridge and other contemporary pieces in the pantry itself.  They also chose to keep the counter area inside the pantry in the style of a sideboard, further keeping with the period.

The chalkboard wall is a clever, inexpensive way to decorate the wall around the pantry, especially with children in the home, and you could dress it down or dress it up! (pinterest)

What do you think? Do you like using unexpected items in the design of your space?  Do you find it to be an easy process or difficult to incorporate into your space?