Let's talk UPCYCLING!

Hey to all my Rustic but Refined crew!!! Happy Sunday and welcome to blog #2!! Tonight I wanted to talk to you about what it means to upcycle furniture!Since I have started my buisness I have actually had many people ask me this! So what better way to tell you right!!! So tonight in this blog I'll explain what upcycling is , why you should do it , and how does it really benift you!!! So let's begin....

What is UPCYCLING?

To myself there is a diffrance between upcycling and repurposing so tonight let's talk about upcycling !!! So I could go on and give you the Websters dictionary , word for word, what the meaning is but instead ill make it simple!!! My personal definition is very easy UPCYCLING : “revamping the unloved OR unwanted into something much more useful or beautiful and fun“.  

Upcycling is a great way of personalizing and making unique things to brighten and add interest to your home.Think about it a minute... we have things in our home that have sentimental value but are a bit ....let's face it old, lifeless and dated, they no longer fit in with what we have now ... likkkeeee Grandma Gertrude gave you a gorgeous china cabinet but years later it's taken a bit of a beating .... but you hate to not have it!!! This is where a little bit of TLC comes into play!! Brush on a little chalk paint ( wise owl and Junk monkey are my faves) maybe some new handles or line the shelves with some paper and TA-DA you have a beautiful new piece but you still have the same heart felt feeling behind it !!!

So why UPCYCLE?

Now to me this is where this statement holds all the truth,  “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” . So yes absolutely you can head out to the store right now , drop hundreds , heck , even thousands of dollars on a new table or hutch or buffet or TV stand ... or you could take something you have and snaz it up ... or head to your local fleamarket or thrift store and find some for much less and with just a little time and effort and tad more money you have your very own unique piece of furniture! I was brought up around a hard working family ... from the blue collar working class! We worked hard for what we had ... was there and is there times we can go and buy something brand new absolutely but to me , for my taste anyway, I would rather spend less and still get the wow factor (maybe even more so) out of a unique one of a kind piece only you have!!! A prime example... when i moved into my new home about a year ago I didnt have much furniture wise .... but there were many items left by the previous owner ... they were older and outdated (now it was a woman that was in her 90s that lived here ) but again I didn't wanna go drop all this money on expensive things, I work to hard for that money plus things are not made as they used to be.... So I took some things that were left, that had good bones to them and I upcycled them all. They look like completely diffrent items ... I probably spent no more that 100$ for chalk paints, stains and hardware!!! Now who doesn't love that savings !!!

UPCYCLING our minds !

As our lives become more and more about the computers and internet and phones there is a need to balance this by being creative with our hands and minds .  Whether this is through craft, baking, art, DIY or upcycling, we like to make things.

The rewards of upcycling aren’t just about producing unique pieces of furniture and accessories for your home. There are also benefits of the actual crafting process.  It’s very relaxing and works a diffrent part of our mind that nowadays gets pushed aside!!!

Personally, I find upcycling and repurposing very relaxing as much of a buisness as it is I truly love and enjoy doing it . I can really get lost in my crafting and DIYing forgetting about my other worries for a while, and let's face it we all have them !!! Especially during this crazy time in the world!!!

Slowing down and taking the time to revamp and upcycle something can not only be very relaxing but also a confidence booster to boot.  Just saying “I made that” can make you feel really good and that you have created something new from something old.... like I said in my Bio I love what I do but my favorite thing is seeing my customers face when They receive their custom order piece or getting pictures after they placed them in their home or when someone comes to my home and compliments a piece I have done for myself !! When my pieces catch my eye, they still make me smile with pride.  I’m definitely more attached to the upcycled furniture in my home than stuff I’ve bought, which wasn't much at all!

Till next time .....

I hope this has helped you all understand a little more about upcycling, it's process, it's benifts and in general what it means!!! Don't forget to feel free to send me any questions you may have or ideas for future blogs or even post in the comments section some upcycling of your own , I'd love to see them!We all inspire each other !! Now you go on and upcycle your heart out !!!