greenliving Upcycled Décor
Old and Oh-So-Stylish by Avery Mack
O
ld furniture used to go to college dorms and stu-
dent apartments. At grad- uation, it was moved to the curb to be picked up by incoming students or the trash man. Now, with the influx of TV shows like Flea Market Flip and American Pickers, the DIY Network, HGTV and complementary books and magazines, vintage and mid-century recy- clables barely touch the curb before being reinvented. Lighting, storage and seating provide ample opportunities for one-of-a-kind creations of imagination, vision and innovation.
Lighting Search the words recycled, repurposed and upcycled on Pinterest, Etsy or any search engine to picture results ranked from simple-to-do to how-in-the-world astonishment. Light fixtures can be made from almost anything. Cookie jars and books turn into lamps, wine bottles become a chandelier—go homespun or industrial, follow a theme or incor- porate a hobby. Freshen lamp shades using old sewing patterns, vintage fab- rics or ribbon applied as découpage. A coat of paint transforms tacky, tarnished brass chandeliers into elegant décor. At a flea market, look for boxes of stainless forks, knives and spoons— avoid costly sterling silver that can tarnish. A drill, frame, wiring and bulb later, we can have an intriguing hang- ing light or lamp. Combining a chafing dish, silverware and assorted tea cups in a chandelier creates artful lighting.
Seating
Chairs are plentiful in garage and whole-house sales, flea markets and on
Craigslist. Sometimes all that’s needed is a coat of paint and fun fabric. New cushions, bought or made, are easy upgrades. Recov- ering a padded seat only requires the right amount of fabric and a sturdy staple gun. Mismatched chairs, painted a neutral color and redone with the same fabric, turn a mishmash of styles
into a coordinated set. Chevron (zig zag) or checkerboard patterns in black and white are popular—understated, yet posh. Bright colors in a pop art style or 70s florals brighten any room and give the owner style points. Benches created from a bookcase, shortened dresser or car parts can be padded or plain and incorporate storage capac- ity. A child’s bench may have been a skateboard in its former life. When buying reclaimed wood, ask
about its origin; factory piec- es might still retain unhealthy contaminants.
Storage
Old dressers and desks are frequent throwaway finds. Often big and bulky, scratched and ugly, it’s easier to set them out for pickup than list them for sale. Paint can transform a desk that shows its age into a welcome addition to a home office. For added interest or to hide imperfections, découpage with maps,
postcards, kid’s artwork, pages from beyond-repair cookbooks or old sheet music. Need a shelf above the desk? A pair of old shutters works well; cast iron brackets add flair. Matching or com- plementary paint colors will make the pieces look like they belong together. Broken pieces of furniture can live on if cobbled together. A coffee table’s sturdy legs and frame, an old window and a little paint combine to furnish a unique table with built-in storage. To protect fragile glass and create an even surface, top with a sheet of Plexiglass or sturdy beveled-edge glass. Look beyond what is there and
imagine what it could be. Ideas are everywhere, especially with spring cleanouts, garage sales and flea markets. Expect upcycling to become an obsession, because everything will become a possibility.
Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at
AveryMack@mindspring.com.
HEAL YOUR GRIEF & TRAUMA
Induced Aſter Death Communication
is a miraculous psychotherapy which can heal your pain from losing a loved one – including a beloved pet. With this amazing therapy you can recover from your sorrow and trauma rapidly and to a degree never before possible.
612.910.1191
GaryRexBeaver@gmail.com www.GaryRBeaver.com
Gary R Beaver, MA, Licensed Psychologist
natural awakenings May 2015 25
photo courtesy of Lit for a Queen/Etsy
photo courtesy of
Jessica-Allyn.com
photo courtesy of Restoration Alley
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40