Upcycling a Thrift Store Poster to Create DIY Art

I love when random thrift store items I have bought come together to create something lovely and wonderful. Such was the case with this stained and tattered art poster and the frame that I had purchased awhile ago. I bought the art poster because I liked the colors and subject. The frame had a floral painting in it that I took out to prop on my picture ledge in my sunroom.

A little trimming and some Mod Podge and I now have an upcycled, gorgeous art piece.

Keep reading to see the how-to and where I hung this upcycled, thrift store art and why.

I started by figuring out which part of the poster I wanted to use since the frame was slightly smaller. I then cut it using a straight edge and a box cutter. This was probably the hardest part since the cardboard the art print was glued on was extra thick.

I saved the print information that was cut off to attach to the back of the picture. I love knowing who the artist is, or that is was printed with a copyright in 1951. 

Next, I used a stiff bristled brush to apply Matte Mod Podge all over the poster in different directions. This is nothing new in craft land. Last time I did the Mod Podge trick was about six or seven years ago and I applied it in a grid pattern to make the picture look more like canvas fabric.

Here is the texture up close when it is dry. You will see in the other photos that you don't see it this clearly from a distance, but the Mod Podge rally adds texture and elevates a stained paper print.

I decided, at least for now because my home style is ever-changing and rotating throughout my home, to hang this upcycled art piece on my reclaimed wood headboard in our primary bedroom.

I think breaking up all of the wood, even though it is beautiful, adds more personality and warmth. Hanging art on a headboard is a bit unexpected.

I hung it with one nail and secured it with command adhesive strips because I do about 10 full turns a night and we don't need in falling on our heads.

I love the colors and the subject matter--trees, a beach, a sweet cottage. The frame color enhances the art perfectly.

Here is the view from the side of the bed of the reading nook and art wall. But, you don't see the reading nook at all from the bedroom door. instead you see the wood headboard. Adding some art to it creates more interest.

I didn't straighten the pillows that the dog climbed into, but I will show you more of my bedroom in the next few days. I actually still have an entire blank wall to work on. I read a quote today from Robert Hadley that said, "A room should feel collected, not decorated." I couldn't agree more! Take time to find pieces that you love. Use vintage, previously loved items, add color, use art rather than signs, even if it is amateur art or art prints to really give a space personality, and hang it in unexpected places. If you want your home to be unique and reflect you, do not got to a home decor store or Hobby Lobby and pick out an entire room's worth of Made in China decor. Take it slow, add, rearrange, try pieces in different spots, and enjoy the process.

Thrift Store Stool Makeover and Thrifted Comfy Chair

I am a thrifter through and through. I don't think that is a surprise to many of you. I love the hunt, adore finding vintage and one-of-a-kind items, enjoy saving money, and I do use thrifted items throughout my home. I tend to be picky about second hand fabric finds. I mean fabric can be ewww. It holds odors, microscopic bugs, hair. But, when I find a piece that appears very clean (or can be washed like removable covers, blankets, etc.) and I have a use for it, and the price is right, I do purchase it. Such was the case with this recent, super comfortable chair I bought at our Habitat Restore.

This is a spot in our home that seems kind of purposeless (is that a word?). It sits next to the narrow steps that go up to our lofted library space. On the other side of the chair there are sliding doors that hide the storage space under the library, at the opposite end of our great room and kitchen. When we moved back into our home in Montana 18 months ago, a big, grey comfy chair from World Market got plopped here by default. We ended up calling it the second row seating as it is behind our 

couch and main sitting area in our family room. I wanted to get rid of the grey chair since I am phasing grey out of my home. Dear daughter wanted a comfy chair for their college home study so off it went to her house. The next day I found this one.

The chair was very clean, did not smell, and was solid and in great shape. It was only $40 and is so comfortable, it was a definite yes! We can sit here and still be part of the great room action, but a bit removed. This spot also faces the bar we have in this space so it is a great seat while we play cocktail hour. A comfy chair needs a side table and a few days later I found this stool/side table for $5 at the thrift store.

The top was a little rough and it had some paint on it, so I decided to sand all of the finish off from the top. I rough sanded the legs so that paint would stick to them.

I cleaned it with white vinegar and then painted the legs a navy blue color.

I clear coated the natural top.

It is small enough to not take up space or be in the way, but big enough to hold a book (this is one of my current reads--I tend to read 4-5 books at a time.) and a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, or a singing bowl and a candlestick.

It is easy enough to move the chair into the main sitting area or circle when we have a large group over.

The pillow and blanket on the chair were thrifted as well.

Short stools make fantastic side tables so be sure to keep your eyes open. They also are nice for plants or an extra seat at the table when needed.

Recovering a Cat Scratched Craigslist Settee

I have wanted a cozy bench or settee for my kitchen table for a good three or four years. I love the cozy, coffee shop vibe that a comfortable bench adds to a kitchen table. I found a fabric settee on Craigslist this past summer for $10. It looked a little rough, but since I knew I was going to recover it, I decided to go for it.

I didn't realize how bad it really was until I handed over the money and got a view of the side.

I wasn't sure if I could save it, but I loaded it up and stuck it in my garage for seven months. I decided it was time to try and tackle it and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. 

Keep reading to see how I recovered this and what I used for fabric.

First thing I did was bring it in the warm house and make sure that it didn't smell like cat pee. It would have taken a trip to the dump if it did. I took off the legs and then unzipped the bottom fabric on the seat and unscrewed eight bolts to separate the bottom seat from the settee back.

I was so glad I had access to these and could separate the two pieces as it made recovering it so much easier. It did get a good vacuuming when I separated it.

Next, I used a box cutter or carpet knife to cut the upholstery off along the edges. 

I was careful to do this in such a way that I could use the old upholstery as a pattern. The green fabric was sewed to the black material in some spots, but they were hidden places where I would use a staple gun so I cut the green away from it.

I cut apart a washed, thrift store blanket shown in my post below this one to get two pieces of fabric, one sherpa and one a velvety velour. Both fabrics had some stretch to them which was helpful in creating a tight reupholstered piece. The blanket was just a throw blanket so I didn't have a lot to work with. I sewed the corners on the bottom sherpa, seat cover.

I then stretched it onto the bottom seat and staple gunned it to the underside and the back section that butts up against the back of the seat.

I didn't take any photos of the creating the cover for the top part, but I used thee same procedure with the velvety fabric, utilizing the sherpa for the sides. 

The cover fits nicely and came out looking pretty darn good. The back in the velvety material looks fantastic as well, even though you can't see it where I am using it right now. I re-attached the bench seat and back. HINT--keep bolts, screws, etc. that you need in a baggie or bowl or safe place. I have lost too many over the years. Since I did this makeover in about a three hour span, I didn't lose anything.

I sanded the legs, which took only minutes,

I liked the look of the natural wood, so I left them, finishing them with some Johnson's Floor Wax.

I like the light, natural wood.

A few disclaimers about my kitchen table and this cozy spot: the settee is about an inch or inch and a half shorter than I would like. I am getting taller leg/floor protectors that should help with that. Also, we are a tall family--I am the shortest at 5'9". The table, a thrift store find from 5-6 years ago now needs the apron and legs repainted from the light grey color since I am getting rid of most of the grey. As I have the table right now, with one leaf in it, you have to crawl in a bit to get seated on the settee. This doesn't bug me at all as I will be the one sitting and working here mostly. If it does get annoying, I might add the second leaf to the table as we do have the space for it.

This space is warm, cozy, comfortable, eclectic, and personal thanks to these essential elements: layers, textures that come with different materials, color, and curated items that make  me smile.

This wool rug from a garage sale does a lot to meet the requirements to making a home warm and personal. The gold in it ties in well with the newly recovered settee.

A thrifted green cotton blanket (that was brand new) and a green velvet pillow add a bit more color. I loved sitting on my new settee, sipping tea while writing this post. I am so happy I was able to save this $10, cat scratched settee with a $5 thrift store blanket and a few hours of work. Come have coffee with me here!

Warm and Moody Thrift Store Finds

This winter I am all about warm and moody and cozy decor. The stark whites can stay outside on the ground (i.e. snow). I want golden sunshine and warmth inside my home. Darker, moody tones are definitely on trend in the new year. I am using more brown, tan, and gold along with green to create a feeling of comfort and hominess. Here are a few recent (recent, as in the past few days) thrift store finds that help to create the mood I am looking for.

The throw blanket will probably be used as fabric--the velvety side and the sherpa are both a golden mustard color. The original painting is fall-like, but autumn is my favorite season and I love the yellows and greens in the painting. 

The wood utensils and hand carved bowl add texture and an organic touch. The little box with a decoupaged art print on the top has a gold base. It is older and was probably a vacation souvenir. 

The Pfaltzgraff brown dip pottery were first introduced in the 1940's and were retired in 1988. I got 6 coffee cups and plates, a couple creamers and sugar dishes. Each piece is unique. 

The mirror reflects the candle it holds beautifully. I added the gold to it. These are just few items I wanted to share. Remember to choose what feeling you are trying to convey in your home and keep key words in your mind as you go thrifting. Think about adding different textures and colors that help speak and express the feeling you are looking for in your home. Happy hunting!

Creating a Warm Winter Centerpiece with Thrift Store Finds

As Christmas has been put to bed for another year, I have been slowly redecorating and restyling my home. I am continuing my Christmas theme for winter--warm browns and greens and antique gold. I started with some simple thrift store finds--an oval basket, a plaid wool square, and some faux pine branches--to create a warm, cozy, winter centerpiece.

To these three items, I added thrift store amber bottles, candles, and a chunky wood and gold garland to create a warm, rustic elegant table centerpiece. Keep reading because I show you how to use the same three thrift store items to create centerpieces in a couple different styles. 

Everything except the bottle lights is from a thrift store. I put a thrifted candle in an amber brown glass growler (that has no writing on it!). 

A chunky candle sits in a brown crock and bottle lights give an antique brown bottle a lovely glow.

I made a wood bead garland using wood beads from a thrifted foot massager and antique gold colored napkin rings, also from the thrift store.

I got a FREE bag of pine branches from the Restore. they are the rubbery type of faux branches that I like because I think they look the most authentic.

The keys to creating a great, simple centerpiece: 1) something to place or set the centerpiece on so it can be removed from the table easily 2) varying heights of objects 3) light--candlelight or twinkle lights 4) something natural (or faux nature) 4) movement or draping of an object so that the eyes move or flow.

Using the same three starter pieces, you can create a centerpiece with different looks. 

I would call this a boho glam style. Everything is still from the thrift store--brass candlesticks, and a baby blue and gold speckled jug.

Thrifted gold candles give a more elegant touch. The antiqued brass candlesticks and wood and gold bead garland lend tot he boho feel. I left one candlestick without a candle because it is tall and its twisted design is beautiful on its own.

This third centerpiece look is definitely farmhouse.  

Chippy white, an all natural wood bead garland, a vintage flour sifter with a weathered red knob all say classic farmhouse style.

I could create more styles--cabin with barnwood or rusted tin candlesticks, black enamelware, and an antler added instead of a bead garland, industrial would use metal or galvanized pipe candlesticks and maybe a wood square bead garland or one made with chunky metal screw nuts, or vintage style with jadeite green candlesticks, a red berry or bead garland, and a candle in a cheery teacup. 

Decide your style, look up images online that match your preferred style, keep those image and key words in your mind as you go thrifting or shop your own home, and create a centerpiece to warm up your winter table.