repurposing

Tag

Fri
07 ^th

One Kid’s Trash…

Posted by Erin — 4 Comments

My kids are still fairly young, but I cannot believe the things that we have accumulated over that time. Every once in awhile, I step on one too many Legos while barefoot decide it is time for some decluttering, and the kids and I go through their toys and get rid of what they don’t play with anymore.

One day, when declutttering, I found this amazing box that used to house some sort of puzzle. The puzzle got moved to a more appropriate container with a lid (who would give a kid a puzzle box with no lid, don’t they know how frustrating it would be to lose a puzzle piece?).

I immediately decided that this box, would make an awesome tray for storing all kinds of things around the house. One kid’s trash is this mom’s treasure. So, using some paints, I already had on hand, I had a free craft project.

The sides of the tray I painted with chalkboard paint to indicate what I would be using the tray for at any given time. The inside of the tray, I thought it would be fun to use several different colors and possibly a pattern.

Using the light blue paint, I painted the entire inside of the tray with two thin coats. Then, when it was completely dry, I used Frog Tape, and taped a chevron pattern. I thought about using directions like this, but ended up eyeballing it myself.

Next, using the yellow and turquoise colors, I painted in between the taped off sections.

I let the paint dry over night, and removed the tape.

Now, I have a fun little storage box or tray I can use for all kinds of fun things, and I can label it for whatever I happen to be using it for at the time.

And it didn’t cost me anything but some time.

Linking up at Serenity Now

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Mon
21 ^st

Gradient Dresser: You’d Never Guess its Garbage

Posted by Erin — 7 Comments

A few weeks ago on the way home from dropping off one of my children at school, I saw this fantastic dresser sitting on the curb. I circled the block a few times trying to take a closer look, and finally parked and gave it a full inspection.

I pretended I was at a furniture store instead of someone’s driveway, and gave the dresser a full look over. It seemed solid, and I opened and closed all the drawers. There were even dovetail joints on the drawers (a tip from my favorite designer Sarah Richardson), and even though there was some hardware missing and the top drawer stuck a teeny bit, I thought I could give this dresser a new life in our home.

Another Mom who happened to see me stopped, and offered to help me put the dresser in the back of my car. So I moved aside all the sporting equipment and stuff, and we put the dresser in the back.

After a couple of weeks of mulling it over, I decided that I would do a gradient style dresser. Ever since I saw this one on Young House Love.

And this one on Red Hen Home.

And this one that I pinned a million years ago on Pinterest.

I have wanted one of my own.

I made a quick trip to Home Depot, and picked up a gray toned color card with four colors (Sparrow, Anonymous, Dark Granite, and Stealth Jet) like the one below and had a color sample made for each color. (Note: Behr can only create color samples for flat paint, so I made sure to pick up some water based Polycrylic to apply over the flat paint for extra protection and easy cleaning).

After taking off the hardware, giving the dresser a good sanding and wipe down, I painted the dresser two very thin coats of glossy white. Then, going from lightest (top drawer) to darkest (bottom drawer), I painted the drawers a few thin coats and let it dry for two days.

After the dresser and drawers were fully dry, I put three coats of water based Polycrylic on the drawers according to the manufacturers instructions and let everything dry for a few more days.

Once I thought the dresser was ready to be moved inside, I added some new pretty hardware that I had also bought at Home Depot.

Here is my new (to me) Gradient Dresser.

I have to say, I a thrilled with the results, and I cannot wait to find the perfect place for it in my house. I bet you’d never guess this was once garbage.

You ever do any garbage picking?

Wed
25 ^th

Repurposing Furniture and Other Things

Posted by Erin — No Comments

Who doesn’t love something repurposed? It just means money in the bank. Already owning something and being able to use it in another way is awesome for saving some money, or making something more beautiful.

I have to introduce you to my friend, Ernie Lopez. I met Ernie back in our high school days, and he, now, is an amazing floral designer and the brains behind New York’s The Oak Leaf. Ernie has taken repurposing to the next level. He often takes every day objects to make the most beautiful and elegant floral designs you have ever seen. Take a look at some of these gorgeous arrangements made from things like tin cans, soda cans, and pallets.

Photos Courtesy of The Oak Leaf and Martha Stewart American Made

Gorgeous, right? Ernie Lopez is now finalist in the garden category in the 2013 Martha Stewart American Made Awards! I couldn’t be happier for my friend! If you think Ernie’s creations are as wonderful as I do and would like to make sure he wins you can VOTE HERE!

Speaking of repurposing. I have a few things up my sleeve lately. Here is a little preview of something I’m working on.

I may or may not have garbage picked this dresser…

Stay tuned for the full story and a finished product!