Inspiring upcycle: glass bottle diy projects

Have you ever looked at your recycle bin full of glass bottles (don't judge) and thought: "What a waste!". I had this revelation the other day as I passed all the neighborhood bins on my morning walk... "We can do better", I thought to myself. So I grabbed a couple bottles when no one was looking, and I committed to figuring out a new way to upcycle this amazing resource. Here's what I learned, and some tips if want to give this a try ;D

Inspiring upcycle: rustic wooden crate furniture

Vintage advertising is something that will always catch my eye. There's so much to learn about history from the colors and fonts, to the materials and language they used. You can almost imagine what it would've been like to live in that time. This is why I get so excited at the opportunity to take something like an old shipping crate, restore and upcycle it, and ensure that story can continue. Here's the story on my project... and maybe some inspiration for your next upcycle project!

Boxed corner cushion sewing project

Beautiful fabrics deserve to be made into beautiful products... so when I find something like this vintage velvet remnant, it's project time! And the perfect choice for this vintage fabric, is a vintage style pillow. Piping, zippers, and boxed corners are all part of today's DIY.

Making a cottage style woven reed footstool

I love the french country look, and I know I'm not the only one... Pick up any decorator magazine and you can find those rustic natural elements accenting even the sleekest of modern designer rooms. So today I'm going to show you how I created one of the most versatile pieces of furniture; the cottage footstool.

Wood + cement = modern farmhouse cake stand

I love finding inspiration in unusual places... especially when it means avoiding a large retail price tag! This project was inspired by a beautiful slate topped walnut pedestal dining table from a high end retailer.  I loved the shape and presence of the table, but (1) I don't need a new table, and (2) not looking to spend a few thousand today. And voila, the design for this stylish little cake stand was conceived. From casting the cement top, to turning the wooden base, to sealing a food-ready surface, I'll show you how it's done ;D

Upcycled ottoman from vintage parts

How many times have you seen that worn out table, chair, or bookshelf, and thought "with a little paint, new hardware, it could be so awesome"... But what do you do when you have an amazing piece that's simply beyond repair? Why not re-purpose those salvaged parts for something completely new!

When I found this jenny lind chair it had already been mostly dismantled, but I fell in love with the classic curves immediately! So I gathered what I could in a box knowing that one day I would have the perfect project... and here's how it all came together ;D

Making picture frames from reclaimed barn wood

Reclaimed wood is such a great resource for so many of us; from old fences, to industrial palettes, and in my case old barns! But what can we do that really makes the best of this upcycling gold? Well today, I'm turning some of my favorite barn wood slats into gorgeous picture frames!

Furniture redesign: Replacing upholstered seat with woven rush

Rush seat weaving is really becoming one of my favorite things to do for a couple reasons: ability to restore something to it's original form, accessibility of materials... But what really appeals to me is the ability to create something completely new using time tested materials and techniques. In this post, I'll share how to find, clean, and re-imagine a vintage upholstered vanity seat or foot stool into a classic farmhouse chic accent for the modern home!

How to restore a vintage child's chair

If you look at this chair and think "where's the dumpster", then we really need to talk! Restoring little treasures like this is my passion, and in this post I'll show you how easy it can be... From start to finish, in 2 short days, we'll turn this into an heirloom that can be handed down for 100 (more) years ;D

Creating an heirloom pet bed

If you know me, you know I love dogs... so when I came across a vintage, handmade, wooden doll bed frame at the flea market you can probably guess what I saw: french country, four post, woven rush dog bed! So here's the story of how the broken doll baby bed became the farm-chic puppy perch ;D

Magazine rack makeover

It's no secret I love the look of vintage woven rush furniture... so it should be no surprise that my latest transformation went from shabby and dated, to farmhouse chic in a hurry! This makeover is so complete, I almost didn't even recognize it... So check out one of my favorite makeovers to date, and let me know what you think!

Shupp's Grove opening weekend 2017

April marks the start of flea market season where I live, and this year it couldn't come soon enough! As the winter fades away, it's time to get outside and shop... Starting with Shupp's Grove outdoor flea market in Adamstown PA. If you've never been, you're in for a treat; this is my favorite outdoor market for everything you'd ever want to upcycle!

#WomeninBiz : ladies in small business

So many great designers and shop owners out there, and so many are women! This is Women's History month, and I'd like to share with you some of the great ladies around the world making their dreams a reality... Let's appreciate all the hard work they do, and do what we can to support them!

How to finish your fiber rush crafts

This will be a quick (but hopefully informative) post for those of you dabbling in fiber rush crafts. For me, that's been all about restoring adorable stools and footrests... and bringing these heirlooms back to life! Whether you're looking to customize the color, or simple protect your work; I've tested a few options to help you get that project done right ;D

Puppy love: canine inspired decor

Who doesn't love puppies? They're cuddly, loyal, and they make us smile... and that's why they also make great decor! From book ends, to art work, to cast iron, I have have a knack for sniffing out doggie decor anywhere I go. This month I'll share some of my favorite vintage puppy themed finds from my collection, and even a few that you can add to yours!

DIY project: wooden crate upcycle

This story starts like so many of my stories, someone was getting rid of this adorable little wooden box! Sure it's missing pieces, had paint spilled on it, and has a hole in the bottom... but that's not what I see. I see a bedside table with storage, a simple upholstered top in clean canvas with top stitched details, and nail head trim. Let's make that happen ;D

Furry Knits: 10 free knitting patterns for pets

designer: Jacqueline Cieslak

Who loves us more than our pets? From dogs and cats, to guinea pigs and ferrets, we welcome all kinds of furry creatures into our families... so why not show them how much they mean to us with some hand knit gifts? I've made it even easier by puling together 10 great patterns that are adorable, quick to knit, and best of all... FREE ;D

Shop vintage kitsch with JunkYardBlonde on etsy

If you're looking for mid century mod, with atomic flair, and just a touch of Mad Men... you'll find it at JunkYardBlonde! I was able to catch up with this kitschy shop owner to find out a little more about their HUGE collection (almost 1000 items in stock), and here's what I learned...

Shop french vintage with CabArtVintage on etsy

If you're looking for vintage home decor with a European flair, you'll find it at CabArtVintage! I was able to catch up with this unique shop owner to find out a little more about their collection, and here's what I learned...

DIY project: pouf ottoman

Maybe it's the cold weather, but I find myself drawn to sewing projects lately. I also happen to have a stack of upholstery fabric (left overs from other projects, or flea market finds) that's just been begging to be put to good use! So this week I'm working on a simple, functional, and stylish project that can be completed in a day: my classic pouf ottoman.