UPCYCLE FURNITURE
Try some DIY hacks to upcycle old furniture: you can get great bits off ebay or try charity shops, then transform them cheaply with some new paint and hardware.
Preparation is key to upcycling. Plan ahead and ensure you have the tools and equipment needed to do the job from start to finish. Give all furniture a wipe down before you start, and always factor in time to make any corrections to your project, and most of all, don’t rush it!
Craig & Rose gold spray paint is a dream for adding the Midas touch to table legs, picture frames or even creating patterns on pieces of furniture. Just remember to work in an open space to allow lots of ventilation when spraypainting. If you’re making patterns – especially geometric ones – use low-tack masking tape to stop the design running.
Spend a few extra pennies on good paintbrushes. Cheap ones leave bristles and don’t give good coverage. All good paint brands now have their own brushes, which often work wonderfully together.
‘Once I’d recovered the headboard, I layered up the bed with lots of clashing cushions and throws, which really stand out against the painted bedhead wall’
‘Add impact with bold statement lighting in a bedroom’
‘I customised my desk and spray-painted the table legs for that individual touch’ ‘My sofa bed is from Ikea and is really comfy – ideal for when guests come to stay’
mirror. I liked the idea of blocks of colour and I’ve used a lot of my own artwork to brighten up the white walls.
Furniture update
I love upcycling furniture as the old stuff is always such good quality. I found the drinks cabinet in the kitchen on Facebook Marketplace and after treating it and rubbing it down, I gave it a lick of salmon paint and echoed the arch from the wall design on the cabinet doors. I’ve often made cushions from leftover fabrics or sprayed legs of furniture in gold to add some interest. The unit in my office was a dark mahogany shade, which I also updated with furniture paint and added some new handles.
Picture walls
Over the years I’ve built up a huge collection of prints and pictures, which I used to create gallery walls all over the house – the staircase, dining area and sitting room. I feel every image reflects me and my style and the things I love
‘ NEW-BUILD PROPERTIES TAKE TIME TO ADD STYLE, SO MY TIP IS TO LIVE IN IT FIRST BEFORE YOU START PAINTING OR WALLPAPERING WALLS’
‘Rowan’s room is full of “stuff”, so we agreed that a funky chest is a great place to keep things tidy’
space to paint. I really don’t think this house will ever be finished as I’m always changing or adding something new. I’m thinking of painting the wall in the sitting room behind the shelves but I’m struggling with what shade to go for. I’d also like to add colour to the bathroom walls, maybe by replacing the tiles with some funky styled ones. For now, though, I’m happy living in a house that’s full of pattern, style and colour – even if it can feel a little chaotic with three boys!’
Find more clever ideas to style up your home by going to
pinterest.com/ styleathomemag