Brass Couplings and Card Catalogue

My dream living space has these two items in it: 

Brass fire hose couplings, as bookends or paper weights:

An old library card catalogue, as a storage space for desk supplies and odds and ends:

I love the idea of using an old item meant for one thing as something else. Also, recycled items. I think it brings a nice ambience and karma into your home to have items that were used and loved by someone else.