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.

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!

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!

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

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...

Post holiday regroup, and a look ahead!

This holiday season I found myself spending some much needed time with friends and family, even though that wasn't necessarily the plan. But now that the festivities are over, I'm back to work planning some great stuff for 2017!

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 project: modern styled dog bed on a budget!

 OK we've all been there, at the pet supply or local big box chain... staring at the mountain of pet beds thinking: "which will go better with my living room decor; pink bones or black and red paw print?" The answer is neither, they are both ridiculous... Now I'm not saying you can't find some really nice options out there, but have you seen those prices?!? Equally ridiculous if you ask me! If you want to create a special spot all for your pup, that doesn't hurt to look at AND doesn't break your budget... you've come to the right place. I'll share multiple options, at various skill levels, using things you already have (or can purchase for no more than $20)!

Outdoor lighting experiments: flame powered options

July is the height of the summer season for outdoor entertaining... and one of the reasons is that the days are long, and evenings are so beautiful! So who wants to end the party just because the sun's going down? In order to get the most out of my summer, I'm going to test out a few simple (no outlets/plugs/rigging), affordable (like almost free!), and even a little sophisticated (date worthy!) DIY lighting options to keep my guests comfortable during our gorgeous summer nights ;D