upcycling

At a time when we are all being encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle, it seems that upcycling is particularly fashionable at the moment. Well, it's nothing new to me. I've been getting my hands on other peoples cast offs and giving them a second chance at being loved for as long as I can remember. It all started with my Mum coming home one day and saying she'd seen a nice little bathroom cabinet in a skip up the road. I've still got the cabinet, although it's due for a repaint and somewhere to live so I haven't posted it here.

This little set of drawers was next which has seen several reincarnations and is currently enjoying life as a bedside table with smart new handles.

This kitchen cabinet was saved from a farmhouse which was being renovated. It began life painted an insipid yellow but is now ivory with mismatched knobs for a bit of fun. The cupboard underneath was made by my (clever) husband and the solid beech top was from the same farmhouse kitchen.


I got this table through Ecycle – the Guernsey equivalent of Freecycle. The door is reclaimed and the painting is by me.


And a friend gave me this chair when she emigrated to Canada. I made the striped cushion from a pair of curtains that I picked up in a charity shop and the little tapestry number was also from a charity shop.


Last but not least, this handy box came from the local recycling yard. A little light sanding and a coat of polish was all that was required to make it a useful place to keep DVDs.


I'll be posting other rescued things at a later date, so keep visiting.