Tag: upcycled

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Designers DIY Expert Tips

Upcycled desk ideas: from drab to fab for under $100

By Naomi Findlay

We’ve probably never looked more closely at our desks and home offices than we are now.

Have you previously worked on the lounge, at the coffee table or maybe even the kitchen bench? Now you may find yourself in the position where you’re having to work from home on a more regular basis and suddenly your desk and storage has become a focus, as has how you feel when you are working.

At the same time, not everyone is in a position to go and splash out on a beautiful big new desk, so I have a challenge for you. I want you to look around you for a fixer-upper. It might be the desk you already have, maybe one on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, a roadside find or from an op shop like Vinnie’s. See if you can find a desk that is the perfect project for you.

BEFORE: This op shop find was pretty bland

Here’s my how-to so when you find that desk, you know exactly what to do and what you need. The desk pictured is one I recently did up for a client. I got it from a local Lifeline store for around $50 and took it from bland to sensational!

What you need

  • 1 litre of Porter’s Chalk Emulsion in French Slate
  • Small roller tray or roller pot
  • Small roller
  • Medium paintbrush
  • Sanding pad/sponge (flexible is good for the curved shapes)
  • A sharp edge
  • Baby wipes
  • Dry clean cloth
  • Screwdriver
  • New handles
  • Wax
  • Wax brush

How to do it

Remove the drawers

Remove the hardware

Clean any obvious dirt and high grease areas.

Use the sharp edge and baby wipes to get the old wax, grease and years of dirt out of the finer detail on the desk, this will allow for the new paint to sit right into the details rather than on top of the old gunk, making for a sharper and more refined final product.

Use the sanding sponge to give the whole desk a sand, making sure that you get right into the corners and the routed details. The flexible sanding sponge also makes sanding the round legs easier.

Use a clean dry paint brush to then dust all of the sanding dust out of the detailed areas and also the ornate rose area and drawers. You can also vacuum out the drawers if you have one handy.

Then wipe down with a clean and dry cloth to make sure you are ready for your first coat.

Apply the Porter’s Chalk Emulsion using a paintbrush for the detailed areas and then a roller over the top. This allows for a flawless finish.

Once the first coat has dried (approx 2 hours) do a very light sand and then apply a second coat.

Once the final coat is fully dry, get a fine grade sanding pad and very minimally distress the edges and the details on the desk.

Always stand back and reassess this as you go. Start super light!

Once you are happy with the level of distressing, use a tiny amount of antique black wax on the rose motif to give it some depth and definition. Finish it all off with a clear wax covering over the whole piece.

Finally, attach your new handles.

This was such a simple but amazing makeover. The desk was not an antique which meant that the drawers slid with a lot of clearance and hence I was able to paint the drawer side and also inside the drawers. This always looks better if it doesn’t affect the function of the drawers.

This really is simple and achievable for all levels of experience. All you need is some time (it is something you can do with the kids), some know-how (now you have it!) and the want to surround yourself in beauty, starting with your desk.

See more of Naomi’s projects

Categories
Expert Tips Furniture Homewares Styling

How to style a room using both new and vintage pieces

By Samuel Clarke

The popularity of vintage homewares and furniture has undeniably increased over the past few years, and with good reason. In addition to being budget-friendly and good for the environment, using pre-loved vintage pieces that have personality and a story, helps to create unique interiors that are as individual as the people who reside within them.

ANewWall
Photo credit: Anewall

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about creating period perfect vintage homes. Rather, I’m talking about how adding a little old in with the new, produces refreshing, eclectic interiors that challenge those common catalogue reproductions. Because let’s be honest, that’s just lazy and no fun at all!

So, how does one actually do this? There are no steadfast rules in this game, much like a round of pool at your local, but here are a few tips to guide you through and help create a space that speaks to you and your own personal style.

1. Select the right pieces

Like with any interior scheme, it’s important to achieve the right balance in your space. So the first thing to consider (apart from the space itself!) is what furniture pieces you’ll need for a functional space.

Identify a few extra special vintage pieces that will ‘carry’ the room, for example a beautiful Mid-Century sideboard, or an Art Deco armchair. They don’t have to match, or even be from the same style or era. Think of them like celebrities; when rappers hang out with country singers. Everyone can get along in the right setting! Once you have these pieces, fill in the gaps with simple contemporary designs to allow your celebrity pieces to really take centre stage (sorry, celebrity analogy is over now).

When deciding on your vintage pieces, make it personal. What makes you smile, what makes you think, and what is just too cool to pass up?

2. Keep an open mind

When selecting and collecting your vintage pieces, keep an open mind. You may never find the vintage piece of your dreams, so in some cases, you may need to roll up your sleeves and create it yourself. Look to the pieces’ best features; if there’s a winning case that makes you think twice about leaving it behind, then think about how you can repurpose it to suit your needs. This may be a lick of paint, some simple recovering, or a sand-back and refinish, but there are some pretty thrifty ways to get the look you desire — just ask old mate Google!

3. Tie it all together

Tie It IA
Phot credit: Apartment Therapy

Once you have a collection of pieces you love, think outside the box when putting them together. Display your pieces in unlikely places, group together in unlikely pairings, and layer for interest and depth.

Achieving the eclectic vintage look is about not being afraid to clash styles and eras, but also consider how you can use colours, textures and themes to build a road between them and tie them all together for a cohesive, harmonious space.

4. Don’t overdo it

When decorating with different eras and styles, there can be a lot going on. So here’s the big tip — just because there’s an empty space, doesn’t mean you have to fill it! Consider yourself somewhere between minimalism and maximalism. Would that be mediumism? Anyway, work with your canvas, allow some of it to peek through, and leave some negative space for the eye to rest.

5. Take your time

IA- Take Your time
Photo credit: Emily Henderson

Finally, it’s worth noting that collecting takes time, so be patient. Your look won’t come together over night. Keep your eyes peeled for vintage pieces that really speak to you and collect them along the way. Add-and-subtract and mix-and-match them in your space and let it constantly grow and change as you do, over time.

— Samuel is a Melbourne-based interior stylist and the founder and curator of Kitsch please — Australia’s first dedicated online marketplace for buying and selling vintage homewares and furniture. 

Categories
Homewares

Brisbane stylist Tahn Scoon’s latest book: The Thoughtful Home

Here at Interiors Addict there are two things we’ve always been big on: style without the snobbery (so your home doesn’t have to be full of designer or expensive pieces to look fabulous) and your home being a reflection of the people who live in it, with real personality. So stylist Tahn Scoon’s latest book, The Thoughtful Home, really appeals.

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“Basically, the idea behind the book was to show people how to create fresh, simple and pretty interiors, even on a tight budget – it includes heaps of insider advice and a handful of super easy how-to projects,” she says.

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The Queensland interior stylist and decorator, who also wrote New Vintage, shares all her insider tips and tricks on how to create thoughtful, authentic and beautiful interiors – homes that are kind to the purse, kind to the planet and a pleasure to live in.

Insider tips include how to achieve bespoke style cabinetry at a fraction of the cost, how to give children’s rooms the vintage treatment and how to professionally style your home so it’s magazine shoot ready!

FloaterTubchair-Gap

How-to projects include a designer fabric cutting cushion, crystal decanter light fitting and ‘chalk’ painted vintage frame.

While being a mum doesn’t give me much time to read at the moment, I’ve flicked through my copy and found it a lovely browse.

The Thoughtful Home is published by New Holland. Buy a signed copy online from Tahn’s website.

Categories
Design DIY RENO ADDICT Shopping

How to: upcycle a timber rocking chair

Sponsored by Feast Watson

In this new regular feature, Feast Watson show us how to revamp and upcycle pre-loved furniture pieces. What do you make of this cool rocking chair by Made on the Left independent designers Nicole, Rebecca and Steff?

Products required:

  • Feast Watson Prooftint traditional stain: Brown Japan
  • Feast Watson Mastertouch Wipe-On Poly in Gloss
  • Feast Watson Crackle Lacquer top coat in Opal Gleam (paint colour only, not crackle)
  • Feast Watson Proofseal

Made on the Left before and after grouped images

Planning:

  1. Choose a piece of furniture that is a bit different. It should have a bit of character and offer you a challenge!
  2. Think of ways you can make the piece modern without detracting from its authenticity. Pinterest is a fantastic source if you’re stuck for inspiration.
  3. Always remember its original function, your finished product should be usable and look good!
  4. Decide on the finish and colour to make sure you achieve the look you want.

“Enjoy the process, seeing it all come together is the best part.”- Made on the Left

Preparation:

  1. Prepare the surface by sanding to remove any existing varnish.
  2. Make sure all dust is removed prior to coating the furniture.
  3. Prime the surface with Feast Watson Proofseal.

Achieving your vision:

  1. Apply Feast Watson prooftint stain in Brown Japan on the legs and head-piece using a brush.
  2. Apply Feast Watson Opal Gleam on the arms.
  3. For the varnish, using a rag, apply a few coats of Feast Watson Mastertouch Wipe-On Poly. Lightly sand in between the layers, using a fine grit sandpaper.

NB: Always test colours and stain on an off-cut or inconspicuous area of your piece prior to coating the whole area to ensure you’re happy with the colour.

To find out more about Feast Watson products and their application, visit their website and for more inspiration, check out Feast Watson on Instagram.

–Made on the Left created this chair as part of last year’s Feast Watson’s Re-Love charity project.

Categories
Expert Tips Furniture

Upcycling – what is it, why it matters and how you can use it

Bowling alley dining table by Rubble Designs

By Helen Edwards

Upcycling is a buzz word of the moment, but do you know what it actually means? In the pure sense, upcycling means reusing a product or material over and over again – it is taken back up the supply chain of production and can be reused as something else once it is finished with, in a perpetual cycle. Things like aluminium cans and newspaper can be upcycled in this constant cycle, meaning there is no need to create or use new resources. Once finished with, the material is simply turned into something new.

Bowling alley dining table by Rubble Designs
Bowling alley dining table by Rubble Designs

Upcycling has also come to be seen as “repurposing” or the act of taking something and making it better than it was before. Examples include old bicycle wheels being made into amazing light fittings, light globes being turned into pretty terrariums, crates and pallets being made into furniture, ladders used as shelves and old tyres being upcycled into belts and bags. The idea with upcycling however, is to always be considering what you can do with that object once it is no longer needed, otherwise you are just prolonging its trip to landfill.

Recycled timber pendant by Giffin Design
Recycled timber pendant by Giffin Design

There is really no limit to what you can upcycle yourself in this way, except your imagination! A simple way to upcycle a piece of furniture you might find on the side of the road, or at the op phop for example, is to decorate it with decoupage, chalk paint or stencils. You don’t have to be a welder or carpenter to create an upcycled piece for your home, a simple paint job can breathe new life into many things. It is rewarding and fun!

Lamp by Patturn Studio
Lamp by Patturn Studio

Incorporating an upcycled piece, or material, into a contemporary home, adds character, individuality and warmth. A clean contemporary interior looks fabulous with a salvaged timber floor or a rustic table handmade with recycled timbers. I have seen people building furniture from an old dance hall floor and even a basketball court! A floor that has been created from old hardwood timbers taken from an old pier or jetty, has not only already been grown and chopped down, they also contain gallons of character and look fabulous.

TV unit by Michael Hayes
TV unit by Michael Hayes

There are now lots of designers, woodworkers and creative small businesses using recycled and salvaged materials in their work, or selling items which have been made from waste materials. Many are small businesses and run from their own studio and website, or you can find them at local markets, or online at places like Etsy.

A sample of upcyclers I love include:

The key to having an Upcycler’s eye is to consider objects not as they are now, but what they could become. Look at things from all angles and let your imagination run wild! Consider if an old drawer could be hung on the wall as a shelf or used in an open shelf as storage units for example. And keep your eyes peeled. You never know when you might come across something you can turn into a masterpiece for your home!

–Helen Edwards is a blogger, stylist, author and wellbeing expert. Check out her blog, Recycled Interiors.

www.recycledinteriors.org

Categories
Expert Tips Furniture

Create your own unique upcyled furniture masterpiece

It’s an old and arguably tired adage, but the saying: ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ couldn’t be truer in the case of Feast Watson’s Re-Love Project. The initiative brought together eight designers who donated their time and expertise by ‘upcycling’ worn timber furniture items into unique, one-off designer pieces, all in the name of charity. For those new to upcycling, it involves turning used or useless furniture or other household items into something far more glamorous.

Simone Barter
Simone Barter

The project was an undeniable success, raising an admirable $5,000 for Salvos Stores Australia after Feast Watson agreed to match the funds raised from the eBay auction of the pieces earlier this month. James Fisher, brand manager at Feast Watson, notes that the success of the auction was a great reflection of both the strong support demonstrated by the public, and the delivery of such stunning products from the designers.

The project also shines some light on a craft form that, while popular, has yet to come into its own; with many seeing upcycling as a task best suited to smaller furniture pieces. Salvaging a larger item of furniture from the trash heap and showing it a little TLC, can in fact yield fantastic results and doesn’t require a lot of hard work.

According to Simone Barter (above), who fashioned a stylish chair and desk combination as part of Re-Love, it all starts with the search. And once you’ve purchased your piece, creating a masterpiece is as simple as planning, preparing and then achieving your vision.

Simone Barter before and after grouped image

Check out Simone’s step-by-step guide to achieving the look:

What you need:

  • Feast Watson Timber Primer
  • Feast Watson Stain & Varnish Black Japan Satin
  • Dulux Super Enamel in Tango Semi Gloss
  • Dulux Super Enamel in Malay Grey Semi Gloss

Planning:

Decide where the item will be placed in cohesion with the rest of the space and then choose a desk that will enable a large workspace. “Shop around and explore old and loved stores, you never know what you might find or what bargain you could stumble across!”

Preparation:

Prepare the wood by sanding it back, first with a coarse sand paper, followed by a finer one to smooth the timber. When selecting paint, “choose colours that will add a ‘wow’ factor – I chose Feast Watson Black Japan, Malay Grey and Pop of Tango from the Dulux range for a dramatic effect.”

Achieving your vision:

After applying the primer and allowing it to dry, remove all drawers and apply the first layer of stain and varnish, building up coats until the desired colour is achieved. For the chair, apply the Dulux Super Enamel in Tango Semi Gloss then allow to dry. When it comes time to paint, tape approximately 10cm from the bottom of each chair leg, evenly wrapped all the way around each leg. Then paint the bottom section of each chair leg. Remove the painters tape when the paint is completely dry.

 Find out more about Feast Watson products and where to buy them.

Categories
Furniture

Transforming unloved secondhand furniture

By Fiona Gavan

I am an avid believer in the beauty of vintage furniture — good quality, well made and well-loved pieces that have stood the test of time and come with a little history; pieces that are a little different and you won’t find in hundreds of other homes. 

2013-08-13 Graphite Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Before and after

With my business Lilyfield Life, I spend my time finding unique pieces of secondhand furniture and, using paint and a little elbow grease, I create beautiful pieces that really speak to you, as well as being very functional items in your home. I absolutely love that paint can update discarded old furniture into treasures that will still be loved in years and years to come.

Continue reading “Transforming unloved secondhand furniture”

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Interiors Addict

5 ways to accessorise your home by upcycling

By Brianna O’Neil

Even in tough economic times, your home and office can still look great and be environmentally friendly with the use of recycled and upcycled materials. Melbourne property styling expert Brianna O’Neil says it’s not difficult to use recycled items to add personality and flair to your home whilst reducing your carbon footprint.

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Wall hanging made from recycled wrapping paper, clock made from industrial letter P (formally Hoyts movie signage), telephone table and typewriter from eBay (secondhand), books from thrift shop, faux fur throw from Kmart.

“When styling a home, it may surprise you to hear that places like eBay and the Salvation Army are one of my first ports of call for artwork and decor,” she said. “Sometimes the most interesting items can be found where you least expect it and don’t cost an arm and a leg. Vintage items are not a new trend and many blogs and websites give ideas on how they can be best used.”

Continue reading “5 ways to accessorise your home by upcycling”

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Interiors Addict

Newlyweds take over at Lakota Trading

Vintage and used furniture emporium Lakota Trading embarked on a new beginning last month as Alexandra Cornish handed over the keys to longtime customers Jen and Kash Ziaei.

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The newlyweds fell so deeply for the store’s vintage charms and covetable collectibles that when the opportunity arose for them to buy it, they didn’t hesitate. With their love for vintage furniture and an eye for scouring markets, they are about to begin an exciting new chapter in their lives.

Continue reading “Newlyweds take over at Lakota Trading”

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Interiors Addict

Vases and glasses from recycled beer bottles

Tumblers made from beer and wine bottles

With a background in graphic design and a passionate eco sensibility, Pete Dobson has launched his own label of recycled glassware. He collects wine and beer bottles from bars and restaurants in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and hand cuts and polishes them to produce glasses, tumblers, carafes, and vases.

Tumblers made from beer and wine bottles
Tumblers made from beer and wine bottles

The eco-friendly aspect of his business is important to Pete, who can be found on a weekend scouring local bars, restaurants and cafes in Coogee for bottles. “I think there are more than adequate amounts of new products on the market,” he explains. “I love the idea of owning something with a story – reusing something that has already had one lifetime.”

Continue reading “Vases and glasses from recycled beer bottles”

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Interiors Addict

Theory of Willow combine recycled timber with colour and pattern to make unique homewares

Theory of Willow are a husband and wife team making stylish and colourful homewares from recycled timber.

Theory of Willow 1

They started with 2nd Chance Tables, a custom-made recycled timber table business started by Chris Booth. Building on the concept of using recycled timber, he and wife Hien developed Theory Of Willow’s homewares range. “We incorporate colours, shapes and patterns into our homewares, which we feel compliment and accentuate the beautiful characteristics of recycled timbers,” says Chris. “Blending these elements results in striking, eye-catching products that otherwise might have been quite ordinary.”

Theory of Willow 2

A carpenter by trade, his love affair with carpentry started from an early age. Through the influence and guidance of his father and grandparents, he developed a fondness for building things from scratch. In 2012, Chris first tried his hand at making and selling tables using recycled and reclaimed timbers.

Continue reading “Theory of Willow combine recycled timber with colour and pattern to make unique homewares”