Category Archives: Upcycle projects

Projects where we take found items and turn them into new and useful objects

Distressed Furniture: The China Hutch Experiment

The Blue China Hutch Experiment

The China Hutch Experiment is our latest project in distressed furniture.  We found it on Craigslist for $20. It needed a few minor repairs, but everything was there, no broken glass and no missing parts!  (This is no antique, it is a cheap Chinese knock off, so we’re not “ruining” anything) After cleaning,  and sanding it, I sprayed it with a couple of coats of light blue paint. Continue reading Distressed Furniture: The China Hutch Experiment

Build a Vintage Desk

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Build a Vintage Desk

So, I decided it was time for a new desk.  I spent a lot of time on the internet and Pinterest looking for ideas.  I thought about an industrial design, or up-cycling found objects.  I decided that I wanted to build a vintage desk, styled from this one that can be seen on “brown dress with white dots”.

Continue reading Build a Vintage Desk

How to Build a Table From Reclaimed Column for Less Than $35

Moprom 2015 (1 of 1)-3

From the moment we moved into the new house, the wife has been looking for a side table for the living room.

She looked everywhere, and we tried several tables of various shapes and sizes to no avail.

Finally, while at a furniture store, she found a table made from what looks like an old baluster, that she thought was a great inspiration piece.

Continue reading How to Build a Table From Reclaimed Column for Less Than $35

11 Ways to Find Cheap Furniture & Other Stuff to Paint or Up Cycle

When it comes time to find a new piece to make over or materials for making something, there are a lot of places to look besides the high priced stores. Here are some ideas for ways to find cheap furniture and other stuff for your next project.
Continue reading 11 Ways to Find Cheap Furniture & Other Stuff to Paint or Up Cycle

A Quick Padded Headboard – Or another Ikea Hack

Our move was quick, and in the winter. We needed additional storage, so… we bought an Ikea Brimnes bed frame. It has large drawers under it, but it’s very plain. Not how I would have built one at all, but very workable.

The problem is that we needed it to be about 4″ off the wall. I hate when my pillows fall behind the bed! Solution, a short, padded headboard.
Continue reading A Quick Padded Headboard – Or another Ikea Hack

Upholstering a Chair ain’t so bad – Learn the Basics

Re upholstering a chair 1
Re upholstering a chair

My wife decided that the side chair in our sun room, just didn’t work for her anymore. So… let’s upholster it she says. (We???  I know what that means)  Just how hard can upholstering be?

Here is the chair we started with. I didn’t think it was too bad.
Continue reading Upholstering a Chair ain’t so bad – Learn the Basics