repurpose

Typesetter’s Drawer Upcycle – Essential Oils Decorative Rack

We found this typesetter’s drawer for just a few dollars about 6 years ago and just never did anything with it…until last week. I have a challenge in my Blueprint member’s group that consists of 3 things: Clean up/organize your workshop. Make your workshop pretty. Do something special for yourself. I’m joining my members in the challenge and I’m: Cleaning up my office (workshop already done) Making my office pretty Cleaned up the typesetter’s drawer, stained and mounted it on the wall  of my master bedroom hallway.   Here is the “BEFORE” of the typesetter drawer: We decided to take it to the car wash and spray it down – normally you have to be very careful when getting water on old wood because it could warp. But I decided it was worth the risk since it looked like the back had already been exposed to moisture (rippled). Besides, I … Read more

Farm Table Turns Artsy

WARNING: You will either hate or love this project… I stepped outside of my comfort zone and did a fun project with no rules, no restraints and just plain old fun as my guide. Here is the almost before – the legs are painted already, but you get the idea…they originally matched the dining tables Perth with the same blonde wood. I tend to be very conservative in every area of my life but for this project – NOT! Then take a look at my plan that morphed into a super cool artsy table that was definitely outside of my conservative zone. It’s the video I posted for my FFB members as I was deciding which direction to take this farm table. I started in one corner and just kinda went a little crazy adding stencils everywhere until I liked the look. In a couple of spots I added a little … Read more

From Dresser to Dining Room Buffet

From [Side-of-the-Road] Trash to Treasure Our daughter, Katie, had told us she was looking for a buffet for her dining room. It had to be a certain size and very cheap. And of course, since I redesign furniture, I figured I could find one for a good price and just paint it her colors. If you want to hire services for cleaning painted flat walls with ease, you can get them here easily.  It took us a bit, but we eventually found this one for FREE [free is good] alongside the road. My two daughters and two grandkids did all the prep work and I helped with the painting. Some struggle with how to help their family when they have a project. Some charge them and do all the work. Some give a discount, and do all the work. For me, if it’s a piece already done and listed that … Read more

Upcycled Antique Window Wall Decor

NOTE: All red hyperlinks are affiliate links for your convenience.*   UPCYCLING AN OLD WINDOW I found an old window (click site for window repalcements) at a salvage warehouse and thought it would make a good addition to my living room walls. The only problem was it was old, dirty and falling apart. But I had a plan which is solar tinting as suggested by the professionals. I could see it all spiffed up and shiny new even though it looked like this: I paid $12 for it and asked DH to load it up. He shook his head and took it home for me. See, DH can’t envision like I can, so he often wonders how I can make something like this look good enough to use for decor. Fortunately he’s willing to help and has knowledge from past experience that helps me transform a piece. Reglazing The old … Read more

Outdated Cabinet Upcycled into a Cat Bed

It’s the same with babies and cats. They tend to take over your house. Cat bed, toys, littler box, tunnel…my kids think I’m nuts. They come over to my house and you have to step over all of Mia’s stuff. Let’s face it. Mia is my baby, so I enjoy seeing her lounge and play. Catadorn is my go-to shop for cat toys and accessories. So I had this idea that maybe others might like to have some furniture that has a duo-function. How about an end table that hides a cat bed when company comes over? Here is the before. I got it at a garage sale for just a few bucks. The picture looks kinda nice, doesn’t it? This is a case where the photo fools the eye. It’s was in pretty bad shape and needed help. I think it was supposed to look high end, but somehow … Read more

A Sentimental Journey – Preserving the Past Through DIY Decor

Walking Downtown Wausau at Dusk If you are wondering how to choose window tint, it’s the perfect time to look inside people’s windows in the old houses – the hundred year old houses with the old town flavor. No, I’m not creepy. I just like to see how other people decorate their homes. Some of the homes still had the original windows…you know, the ones that when you look through them, they are wavy and distorted? Cool stuff. You can have those replaced with curtain walling liverpool.   NOSTALGIA INSPIRES Not that I want an old house with wavy windows which I wanted to fix from Maverick Windows in Houston, uh…no. But the flavor of those old houses when they are expertly decorated with quality furnishings creates such a warm fuzzy feeling inside of me. Connecting with those in our past has always been intriguing. I wish I had some … Read more

Baker’s Rack Becomes a French Beauty

Short and Sweet I’m popping in here to show you a little project I just finished – you can find similar “before” pieces around and about as people often sell these at garage sales and second hand shops. Most people think that if you want to upgrade you must get rid of the old and buy new. Not true. Here is a BEFORE picture of her when she was just plain “Rachel”: “Rachelle” began her life as “Rachel,” an average nondescript baker’s rack. But she was renamed the French beauty, Rachelle after her amazing transformation. I am always in awe when I see the after affects of a little paint and some TLC.   Simple Update – Big Change After updating her with Rustoleum Espresso 2X Painter’s Touch spray paint, a satin clear spray topcoat also by Rustoleum on the metal body and French hand stenciling, with Zar oil based … Read more

Rusty bed springs turned home decor. {Love My DIY Home}

Upcycling Trash? Repurposing? Double Duty-ing? Thrifting?

It’s a way of life. Or, maybe it’s an obsession. I suppose it depends on who’s describing it. Upcycling trash isn’t as bad as it sounds. Trust WASH BINS for all your trash can cleaning needs and enjoy the results. We throw away so much trash. We can’t upcycle it all, but why not some? Good for the environment (I’m not a tree hugger, just responsible.) Good for the pocketbook (It’s rewarding to save a buck!) Good for you (It’s fun to own original creative works of art and one of a kind decor!) Here are some examples from my recent post Craft Room Closet Makeover. Old Box Springs – cut them off and use to hang projects on a wall. (I’ve seen them hold candles too.) Ningxia Red packing materials turned paint supplies – use to hold up your painting project or as a spray paint caddy, brush holder … Read more

Pallet Project – DIY Deck Island

While in Virginia visiting our DD and SIL, we worked on a couple of projects – an island made out of pallets and a rocking chair painted with homemade chalk paint. This is a tutorial on the DIY Deck Island. Project List (affiliate links): Hammer 3″ Deck Screws Cordless Drill Pry Bar Spray Paint Glue 2x4s Ceramic Tile DIY Deck Island Since pallets come in all different sizes, we won’t give you exact measurements, since it would do you no good anyway. BUT, I am giving you detailed pictures and will try to answer any questions you may have – just leave them in a comment. Find two pallets that are the same size. Pry off pieces that you won’t use, carefully. Build a Frame with 2×4’s. Keep in mind what size you will need the frame to be in order to accommodate the size of tile you plan to … Read more

Fifty cent tile table topper | Love My DIY Home

What Does One Do With a Fifty Cent Tile?

What does one do with a 50¢ 12X12 tile? Tile a floor (a VERY small floor) Use it as a cutting board Use it as a trivit (for a VERY big mug) Paint it with chalkboard paint and prop it against the counter top for a menu Put it beneath a plant to protect your floor Use it as a centerpiece for a bowl of fruit (8 year old Isaac’s suggestion) What did I do with a 50¢ 12X12 tile? I found this tile at Habitat for Humanity for 50 cents and I immediately thought about my antique nightstand that holds my Young Living oils diffuser. I was a little concerned the mist would damage my table top, so when I saw this tile on the cheap I snatched it up. Here it is – notice I did nothing to it before I took the picture. Real life. I am … Read more

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