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

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

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!

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

Finding new passions: something old is new again

It's that time again... time to resolve to do all the fantastic things that we just couldn't get to last year! This year I've challenged myself to learn new things. For me, this could mean trying something completely new, but it can also mean building on the things I already know... or even re-learning something I haven't done in a really long time. From woodworking to needlework, get ready for a preview my 2017 project plan!

London calling! Footstool makeover part 1

I do love to mix things up! Contemporary with vintage, soft with sleek, handmade with industrial. I think the dichotomy just accentuates the best of both worlds. So, do I think of punk rock when I think of foot stools... Well, maybe not right away. But when I saw this strange, plastic covered thing in the thrift shop I just had a vision! A monochrome Union Jack, in needlepoint... it just had to be ;D

Thanskgiving at the grown up table: vintage folding chair upcycle

It wouldn't be a holiday if I wasn't working up to the last minute on some kind of project... this year it's a little extra seating, vintage style. I picked up these adorable little wooden folding chairs over the summer, at the request of my Mom (actual quote): "I wish I had some extra chairs for family dinner night". Well that's all I needed to hear... So the plan is to show up with these 3 upcycled seats to share with the family!

Upcycled upholstery: round tufted ottoman

We all know by now, I'm a sucker for a sad and discarded piece of furniture... especially one that's seen more years than I have, or one that simply has so much potential! Well, this project is just one more example of why I can't let those little treasures go. If you've ever been out shopping for that perfect little accent piece, small bench seat, or foot rest, than you know it's not only difficult to find... it will cost you! In this post I'll show you that you can get that high dollar perfect look for less, with a bit of work and creativity!

DIY sewing: handmade pouf ottoman from one yard of vintage fabric

What do you do when you come across a single yard of vintage linen velvet at the flea market? Buy It! There are a million projects you can do with one yard of great fabric, not to mention all the things you can do by pairing it up with other materials... Today we'll take a look at what I did with my amazing flea market find; and how I turned it into this little gem of home decor!

DIY upholstery rescue: biscuit tufted ottoman transformation

So sometimes I just get this bug... the urge to pick up one of those wayward projects and get it done. This was one of those weekends! It all started few months ago (yeah, I said months), I was up at the Elephant's trunk flea market in CT. It was not the best day, and as I was preparing to leave almost empty-handed I saw this sad little foot rest. When I asked about it, the seller said she had tried (unsuccessfully) to re-upholster it, but was ready to see it go to a better home. Being a sucker for sad furniture, I happily took it home with me dreaming of the beautiful accent piece it would one day become... And that day is today!

Unique and unexpected flea market gifts for friends and coworkers!

Remember when part of going back to school meant bringing a gift for your new teacher? And how picking the right gift was so important... It was almost as if that gift was some sort of guarantee that the year would go well (**cough, cough, bribe**) Anyway, I'm not sure if this is still a thing... but I used to love the challenge of finding that unique thing that I knew would surprise and delight; and I still do! But now that everything is accessible to everyone online, finding unique and unexpected items is really tough! That's why I turn to flea markets. I'll show you some of the best and easiest to find "off the shelf" flea market items, as well as some awesome flea market transformation ideas that will have everyone asking "where did you find that!"

DIY chalkboard sign with vintage style

Chalk board art is some of the most creative and prominent on pinterest these days... and I can totally see why; it's so much fun! Maybe it's because it's so forgiving; just erase any mistakes,  and start over. Well this week I have fun not only creating chalkboard artwork, but chalk boards themselves. As usual, I'm reaching into my big stack of flea market finds to create a one of a kind DIY project with a vintage twist ;D

Kitsch to chic: vintage dog themed decor

Dogs have been man's best friend for... ever? As far back as ancient times (and maybe even farther) people have been sharing their homes and hearts with canine companions; So it should be no surprise to see their likeness incorporated into art, textiles, and home decor throughout the ages. To this day, dog themed decor can be found in homes around the world, including mine! From bookends to door stops, we'll take a look at how to pull off this classic look on any budget ;D

DIY project: homemade dog treats

There are so many different treat options out there for our furry friends... but which ones are worth the cost? Which are really good for them? And which are good for the budget? Forget all these questions, because the answer is: homemade! You can create nutritious, delicious, and inexpensive dog treats at home with items you probably already have in your pantry. Not only are the great for your dogs... but they make awesome gifts too! In this post, we'll check out a few of my favorite recipes ;D