If you’ve never heard of the term “upcycling,” it is the new and chic way of saying “fixing up old junk”! I started out doing it years ago to save money and furnish my home, now I’m addicted to everything that comes with it and would much rather do it then buy something new. First, there is the hunt for a bargain. Next, comes the creative design and crafty part. Finally, and most fun of all, comes the bragging rights!We are getting ready to turn our youngest daughter’s nursery into a big girl room and I couldn’t be more excited to have a project…or in this case four projects…on the go! I love our oldest daughter’s room so much for the simple fact that almost every piece in it we created for her. Her chandelier was brown and ugly and purchased for $5. It now is a one of a kind light fixture that matches her room exactly.
Her dresser was bought off http://www.kijiji.ca/ and I painted it and put on new flower knobs for a cute and custom dresser…for under $50! Joe made her headboard for under $20, a cute picket fence, and all the picture frames are from the dollar store and painted to match her room. All in all, the room cost under $500 for everything (we splurged on nice new bedding and a good mattress), but best of all it is filled with pieces made for her with love.Now I want to do the same thing in Abby’s room. Of course we could just go and buy her everything nice and new, exactly how I imagined it, but it just wouldn’t have the same meaning! So let the bargain hunting and projects begin! Last night we just picked up an old ugly daybed that I am going to transform into a beautiful princess bed with a little spray and craft paint! I am also in the middle of painting her a picture for her wall (not sure about this one). We have a pair of old birdcages I’m going to make into lamps and I’m on the hunt for a little antique dresser! My dad made Abby a beautiful castle bookcase and her pink chandelier was my first ever mother’s day present bought just after my first daughter was born. Everything in Abby’s room will have a story and be made for her with love.
I know this blog has nothing to do with being organized, but I just wanted to share one of my other favourite hobbies with you. When I look around my home, I see great recycled pieces everywhere I look and I love each one of them more then all the new expensive pieces put together. Give it a try in your home, I promise you that you’ll be hooked!
