Innholdsfortegnelse for Upstyled Home 2016 i Upstyled Home

Looking for some décor inspiration? Welcome to a magazine jam-packed with upcycling projects for your home. Upstyled Home will help you transform household items and furniture you thought fit only for the tip into home furnishings you can really be proud of. And, best of all, our ideas (compiled by the team at Craftseller magazine) are inexpensive and one-of-a-kind! We have easy-to-do projects for every room to give your home real character. And don’t worry about needing any complicated craft skills – our projects are perfect for beginners as we walk you through every step with clear instructions. So roll up your sleeves and get stuck into your first upcycling project! What a corker! Make your own notice board – page 62…

INFORMATION Materials * 3 frames of various sizes and shapes * 3 paint tester pots in colours of your choice * 3 picture hooks * Mini pegs * Wire (thin enough to be able to manipulate and turn into knots) * Drill and 3mm drill bit * Sandpaper Size: Varies Rating: Easy Peg picture frames are fantastic for creating a unique place to keep reminders, photos, birthday cards and other keepsakes. They are super-quick to make and, better still, these frames can easily be revamped to suit every season with just a simple lick of paint! Pastel shades are perfect for spring and summer, but if you fancy a change come autumn, a mix of red, orange and other earthy tones will give these frames an entirely different feel. You…

INFORMATION Materials * An old drum lampshade * Old map * 2m (80in) ribbon * PVA glue * Small brush * Hot glue gun * Clothes pegs Size: Varies Rating: Easy Give an old lampshade a new lease of life with this easy upcycling project. The map we’ve used here is a Bartholomew cloth map found at a boot sale – it has a thin material backing that makes it easier to stick to the original shade and the folds produce a lovely panelled look. You could use more modern maps though, and if you’d rather have a smoother finish look for ones that are rolled, not folded. The lampshade base is an old cream drum shade which was still in good condition. If your shade is a bit battered,…

Our experts There’s no question that’s too big or too small for our upcycling gurus ALA PEŁDA specialises in handmade projects made from recycled paper. Look for BluReco designs are on Folksy and Etsy. VICTORIA TAYLOR revives mid-century furniture and can be found at Handsome Vintage on Not On The High Street. SARAH ROWLANDS is a bookbinder, reviving well-worn classics at her site vintagenotebook.com. JANE FOSTER is an illustrator and textile designer, whose work can be found in Ikea, John Lewis and at janefoster.co.uk MELANIE ROSEVEARE is founder of Melody Rose. Take a look at her globally acclaimed ceramics at melodyrose.co.uk Paint me a picture Q Despite my best efforts, my painted upcycled furniture never looks quite right, and often ends up clumpy, stained or peeling. What am I doing…

INFORMATION Materials * Suitable photographic images on your computer * Self-adhesive magnetic sheet * Craft knife, metal ruler and a cutting mat * Photo editing software (we used Picasa, from picasa.google.com) Size: 4 x 5cm (1½ x 2in) Skill level: Easy How to make picture magnets 1 Import the images into Picasa and then select ‘picture collage’ in the menu. Select a grid, choose white as the background colour and widen the grid lines. 2 Choose ‘custom aspect ratios’ from the menu bar and set measurements to 29 x 18.5cm. This will print 15 square images. 3 Cut out the images leaving a 2mm border around the top edges and a 1cm border along the bottom. Cut the magnetic sheet the same size as the images, stick to the back…

INFORMATION Materials * Jam jars * Rust-oleum Multi Purpose Surface Primer spray paint * Rust-oleum Painter’s Touch Craft Enamel spray paint in Blossom Pink, Buttercup Yellow and Tranquil Blue * White opaque sticky-backed plastic * Craft knife * Cutting mat * Template from page 128 Skill level: Easy Time to make: 4 hours TOP TIP Why not paint the lids too and use the jars to hold little gifts? Fill them with sweets or small toys. Jam jars are the mainstay of the avid upcycler as there are literally hundreds of uses for these great little pots. Our spray-painted jars can be used not only as storage, but also as planters, utensil holders and are perfect for displaying flowers with their candy colours. The technique of using a cut-out of…

INFORMATION Materials * White ceramic rimless dinner plate * Ceramic pens * Pencil * Tracing paper Size: 27cm (10½in) Skill level: Easy Over the years, we all accumulate stacks of mismatched kitchen plates and homeware. But rather than hiding them in your cupboard or throwing them out, why not get creative and give them a crafty makeover? The easy and effective technique explained here will transform old plates into beautiful and unique pieces of homeware. And don’t worry if you don’t feel confident in your artistic ability – you can keep it simple and still turn neglected dinnerware into something special, bringing a bit of fun to otherwise mundane mealtimes. The bunting design we’ve created here is a great way to add a vintage vibe to ceramics. Although if you…

INFORMATION Materials * 100 x wine bottle corks * 60 x 45cm (23½ x 17¾in) magnetic dry-wipe board * Jigsaw tool or hacksaw * Glue gun and glue sticks * Neutral coloured bias binding * Newspaper * Whiteboard pen * Wall hanging fixtures * String * Wire cutters * Measuring tape or ruler * PVA glue * Screwdriver Size: 41 x 37cm (16½ x 14¼in) Rating: Intermediate Projects that help you get organised are always welcome in a busy household. This multipurpose magnetic whiteboard perfectly fits the bill – not only is it practical, but the rustic edging made from wine bottle corks makes it a real talking point as you welcome people into your home. And what better excuse do you need to drink wine? Get drinking and upcycling!…

INFORMATION Materials * Round mirror * 500cm (197in) of rope * Glue gun * Glue sticks * Blu-Tack * Ruler * Scissors Size: 50cm (19¾in) in diameter Rating: Easy A length of old rope is the perfect accessory for transforming a mirror project and giving it an instant nautical theme. And a suggestion of the seaside is sure to bring a suggestion of sunshine and fresh air to any hallway. The beauty of this project is that you don’t need an awful lot of craft skill to attempt it – just a steady hand and a glue gun! If you have any spare rope, though, it’s definitely worth practising a bit first so that gluing the rope around the mirror doesn’t faze you too much – you don’t want to…

TOP TIP Attach the wheels last otherwise the drawer will round around as you’re trying to paint it! INFORMATION Materials * Old wooden drawer with handles * 4 x small-sized mount caster wheels and 8 screws to fit * Drill and 4mm drill bit * Screwdriver * Sandpaper * Masking tape * White wood primer * Turquoise wood paint * Orange wood paint * Paintbrush Skill level: Moderate Time to make: 6 hours Storage is an essential part of easy living in a modern home but can also prove very costly and sometimes not too pleasant on the eye. Sprucing up old drawers from a neglected chest will add a touch of gorgeous colour and quirkiness to the under-bed storage tucked away neatly in your bedroom. Adding wheels to the…

TOP TIP Use different wood finishes and colours to tailor the height chart to different bedrooms INFORMATION Materials * Plank of wood measuring 182 x 28cm (6ft x 11in) * Tape measure * Craft knife * PVA glue and paintbrush * Set square (with measurements) * Natural beeswax and rag * Pencil * Grey paper * Letters and numbers printed from a computer – our designer used a retro font at a point size of 250 Skill rating: Easy You don’t have to keep all your upcycled makes to yourself – let the kids in on the fun as well! You (and they) will love the chance to record their increasing height on this old-school ruler that will add a touch of vintage charm to any nursery or playroom. It’s…

INFORMATION Materials * 50cm (20in) cotton fabric (makes 3) * Wire coat hanger * Dressmaker’s chalk * Thread * Seam ripper (optional) Size: 41 x 14cm (16¼ x 5½in) Skill level: Easy We always like finding new ways to upcycle even the most mundane objects, and you don’t get much more mundane than a wire coat hanger! There are usually a handful rattling around in your wardrobe, but these simple covers can give them a whole new lease of life. Made from cotton fabric, not only are they practical but cheap too. You can easily make three covers from a half metre of material, meaning you can knock out a few in one go. You could also use up oddments from your stash and sew together different fabric for the…

INFORMATION Materials: * Old clay garden flower pots * 2p coin * Super glue * Candle wax * Wicks * Metal wick tab * Coloured dye * PVA or ModPodge * Saucepan * Ceramic bowl (or double boiler, insert optional) * Scales * Old spoon for stirring wax * Scissors * Pliers * Measuring jug * Pencil * Blu-Tack For candle supplies visit makingyourowncandles.co.uk Size: Varies Rating: Easy These cute pre-loved garden pots would make perfect outdoor table decorations for summer weddings. Old pots have a beautiful patina about them, but check they don’t have any hairline cracks. Also make sure you coat the whole of the inside with a sealer, like PVA glue, to prevent the wax seeping into the clay – otherwise the clay can become flammable! How…

TOP TIP Make up baskets and store in a greenhouse to give them time to ‘plump up’ before they go on display INFORMATION Materials * An old colander * Hanging basket chain * Multi-liner for hanging baskets * Pot tape (optional) * A selection of plants (French marigolds and viola work well) * Compost Size: Varies Skill level: Easy This quirky hanging basket is perfect for home-lovers who enjoy a bit of upcycled, shabby chic gardening. Bursting with marigolds and viola, this simple arrangement is so easy to make and will look stunning if you make a set to hang around your front door – especially in the summer. Scour markets and town hall plant sales for suitable flowers (fuchsias, begonias and pansies are good ones to go for), but…

INFORMATION Materials * Cup and saucer * Small glass bud vase * Extra strong glue suitable for glass and ceramic Skill level: Moderate Make your feathered friends feel as welcome in your garden as your human friends with this ingenious bird feeder. In just half an hour you’ll be able to finish this clever double upcycle that’s also really cheap to make. Our tea cup and saucer were an online steal at 50p, and the bud vase base cost just £1 from a charity shop. Look for tea sets with hairline cracks or chips to add to the vintage feel – and they’ll be cheaper to buy, too! How to make the tea cup bird feeder 1 Give the cup, saucer and bud vase a good wash in hot soapy…

INFORMATION Materials * Sheet of MDF at least 35 x 35cm (13¾ x 13¾in) (3mm thick) * Stanley knife * Cutting mat * Drill with 8mm bit * Wood effect wallpaper * An old set of dominoes * Clock mechanism with medium spindle and 86mm minute hand * PVA glue and extra-strong glue Size: 35 x 35cm (13¾ x 13¾in) Rating: Easy Mundane objects often make the best upcycles and this cool clock is no exception, as it uses an old box of children’s dominoes to great effect. This project is also a great example of an upcycling make that’s as quirky as it is practical – it’ll be a real talking point in your living room. The background ‘wood’ is in fact wallpaper, and although a roll is quite…

INFORMATION Materials * Sewing box (or appropriate alternative) * Victorian paper downloads from fringeart and EdwardianScrapbook on Etsy * Sandpaper or electric sander * PVA glue * Dulux Made by Me Furniture paint in Duck Egg Blue * Clear satin varnish * Paint brushes * Craft knife Size: Varies Rating: Moderate The living room is where clutter can easily accumulate, particularly if you’re a crafter who likes to sew, knit or crochet in front of the TV. Now you can keep that mess in check with a unique upcycled chest. Decoupage is back in fashion, and sewing boxes can be found in junk shops and car boot sales. Here we’ve used printable sheets from a couple of Etsy shops, but original vintage books could also be used. Try a combination…

INFORMATION Materials * Old kitchen chair * 2 x Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint Sample Bags in Ironstone * Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint Bonding Agent * Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Wax * Dressmaker’s paper * Dressmaker’s chalk * Scraps of cotton material * White cotton material * Thread * Staple gun and staples Size: Varies Skill level: Moderate Searching around junk shops usually throws up lots of bargains, which is great for keeping the costs of a project down. This dining room chair only cost £5 and yet the finished product looks like something that could easily set you back a lot more in a furniture shop. We used Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint, which gives a lovely finish and requires little prep, so you can cut your making…

INFORMATION Materials * An old frame * Piece of plywood * Chalkboard/blackboard paint * White paint (Dulux Made by Me in Cool White Satin) * Undercoat/primer paint * Decorative moulded hardwood bead (from DIY store) * Shabby Toulouse Rose Cluster Swag & Bow Drop, chicmouldings.com * Panel pins * No-nails glue * Framer’s tape * Pencil Size: Varies Skill level: Easy Old picture frames make fantastic upcycling projects and can be easily found in junk shops, car boot sales and charity shops. Just add shabby-chic mouldings and some paint for a quick transformation into practical, pretty homeware. You can even try something similar with cupboard doors, especially ones with ornate features for extra character. How to make the framed chalkboard 1 Measure the inside of the frame and cut a…

INFORMATION Materials * Stool * Tea towel large enough to cover the seat of your stool * Staple gun and staples * Sandpaper * Natural beeswax * Glue gun and glue sticks * Fabric glue * Ribbon or trim Skill rating: Moderate Novelty tea towels are the ultimate British holiday gift, but did you know that the durable fabric they’re made from is also the perfect material for using in upholstery projects? We’ve all got a kitchen drawer stuffed with these forgotten tea towels at home, so give them a new lease of life when you use them to transform a tatty old stool into a quirky seat. You can pick up pre-loved stools at reclamation yards, car boot sales and second-hand shops. If you can remove the seat from…

INFORMATION Materials • Picture frame at least A4 size • Wallpaper • Posca Uni PC-1M bullet shaped 0.7mm nib pen in black • Cutting mat • Rotary cutter or scalpel • Metal ruler • Pencil • Low-tack masking tape • Computer and printer • Font of your choice (we used Rossellina from myfonts.com)  Size: 35 X 43cm(14x17in) Skill level: Easy Our shabby chic wipe board is a great example of a double upcycle – not only was the picture frame a bargain car boot find at just £2, but the wallpaper was from a leftover roll. Choose a font that matches the feel of your board and creates the character you feel best suits you and your home. Play around with different looks to create a range of boards that…

Search ‘upcycled’ on Etsy and you’ll find over 200,000 bespoke, handmade crafts that started life as bottles, books, side tables… unwanted items transformed into desirable products. It’s a popular trend that’s standing the test of time – so now’s the time to start turning unwanted clutter into saleable crafts. The term ‘upcycling’appeared in the 1990s when people started to realise the importance of using sustainable resources, and its popularity has grown as people become more environmentally aware. Rebecca Proctor, who’s written numerous books on upcycling, including Recycled Home and Upcycle: 24 Sustainable DIY Projects (laurenceking.com), is an expert in making new from old. “There’s been a natural move towards sustainability in design,” she says. “We have all woken up to the fact that it’s not possible to continue consuming at…

INFORMATION Materials * Quickdry snow concrete * Silver sand * PVA glue and water * Wooden dowel – 3 x 150cm (1¼ x 59in) * Plastic bin * Rose gold metallic spray paint * Masking tape * Sandpaper * Saw Skill level: Easy Need somewhere to perch when you’re putting on your shoes? Try this simple stool for size. If you’ve never worked with concrete before then you’re in for a treat – it’s cheap, easy to sculpt into whatever shape you choose and extremely satisfying to work with. The rough urban look it creates gives our stool a cool industrial appearance that will sit pretty with interior-lovers who adore the minimalist look. We’ve mixed materials by adding wooden legs in a tripod style that keeps the seat light and…

INFORMATION Materials: * Old drawer * Sandpaper or electric sander * Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Ironstone (sample bag) * Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Wax * PVA glue * 50cm cotton lawn fabric * Old cork board * Paint brushes * Hot glue gun * Craft knife and mat * Brass plate picture frame bracket 2pk * Paint sourced from beautifullyboho.co.uk Size: Varies Rating: Easy It’s lovely to have a statement upcycled piece of furniture in the hallway as it gives visitors a sense of your individuality – and this project is so simple to do. We sourced a single kitchen drawer and made it into a handy shelf, covering the old base of the drawer with cork board and pretty fabric so that it doubles as a colourful…

INFORMATION Materials * Terracotta plant pots * Fabric pieces large enough to wrap around each plant pot * Bias binding (to fit round the top edge of each pot) * Felt scraps, string, tags, paper and buttons to finish * PVA glue or Mod-Podge Size: Varies Skill level: Easy These fabric-covered plant pots are such a pretty addition to any bedroom – and as they’re so easy to make you’ll be able to produce several in one evening. They can be put to all sorts of uses, so they’re more than just plant pots! They’re fab for storing all the bits and pieces that accumulate in a bedroom – accessories, jewellery, loose change, beauty products… And why stop at the bedroom? Make another set for your home office, kitchen or…

INFORMATION Materials * Old footstool * Fine sandpaper * Furniture paint * Paint brush * Screwdriver and claw hammer * Fabric to fit the top, plus a 12.5cm (5in) seam allowance on all sides * Padding * Staple gun and staples * Lace ribbon trim * Glue gun and glue sticks * Clear furniture wax Size: 33 x 52 x 36cm (13 x 20½ x 14in) Skill level: Moderate Footstools are a great item for your first upcycled upholstery project, and can also provide useful storage in any room. They’re easy to source and, with a little imagination, easy to update. Choose a style you’d like to recreate for your footstool – the vintage vibe is still really strong – and pick fabric and trims to suit. We’ve taken you…

INFORMATION Materials * Sandpaper * Water-based white wood primer * Water-based grey silk finish topcoat for wood * Water-based pure white silk topcoat for wood * Paintbrush * Gloss-finish mini roller and tray * Scalpel * Cereal box * Old wooden chair * Stencil (p128) Skill level: Moderate Time to make: 5 hours Good-quality wooden chairs can stand the test of time but every now and then we all fancy a change. Painting your furniture is an economical and easy way of updating any room in your house, and we think this pretty stencilled chair is perfect for a feminine bedroom. The huge variety of colours and finishes available in wood paint gives you the chance to experiment, so choose your shade, use our gorgeous stencil and create design magic!…

INFORMATION Materials * Kilner jars * White spirit * Martha Stewart Liquid Fill Paint in Polar Blue and Sweetgrass Green * An old baking tray * Toilet roll tubes * Baking parchment * Oasis silver metallic reel wire * Wire cutters * Small pliers (jewellery ones are ideal) * Dried pinto beans * Tea lights Size: Varies Rating: Easy Summer evenings sitting outside are made even more enjoyable with some outdoor lighting – and these hanging lanterns couldn’t be easier to make. As well as bright garden decorations, they also make great table centrepieces (just leave out the hanging wire). We’ve used Kilner jars for this project but to keep costs down you could just as easily use old jam jars instead. If you're using jam jars, thoroughly soak off…

TOP TIP You can buy trays of mixed plants for hanging baskets for a quick way to get a co-ordinated look INFORMATION Materials • Old toolbox • Compost • A selection of plants, herbs and greenery • Broken terracotta or graved Rating: Easy You don’t need a garden these days to enjoy some lovely horticultural surroundings. Balconies, terraces, porches – they can all be transformed with this bright and easy-to-do upcycled toolbox planter. If you don’t have an old toolbox lurking in the garage or under the stairs there are loads online that you can pick up for just a few pounds, and plenty of bargains to be had at garden centres, so scour everywhere to keep costs low. Just go for bright arrangements of blooms and don’t worry if…

TOP TIP Stick your upcycled wellies on the doorstep as a cute alternative to a hanging basket! INFORMATION Materials * Wellies, old or new * Compost for pots or containers * Plants * Drill or screwdriver * Pebbles or broken terracotta plant pots Size: Varies Skill level: Easy We love the idea of taking something ordinary and turning it into something really special. These cute welly planters are a great little upcycling project, but equally as good with new boots. For those with green fingers, you can grow plants from seeds or take cuttings from well-established plants – whatever suits your gardening ability most! We’ve planted herbs in our wellies, which could fit on a kitchen windowsill, but we think they’re just at home outdoors. And if you’re feeling extra…

INFORMATION Materials * Chest of drawers * Old maps * Sandpaper or electric sander * PVA glue * Furniture paint (we used Rust-oleum Painter’s Touch in Heirloom White) * Clear satin varnish * Paintbrushes * Craft knife Size: 74.5 x 66.5 x 45.5cm (29½ x 26¼ x 18in) Skill level: Moderate Map prints are always popular, so why not think big and use vintage maps to turn boring brown furniture into something stylish? Boot sales are great for old OS maps or A-Zs, and you can pick them up pretty cheaply too. Look for a variety of colours to add interest, or alternatively use street maps – they tend to be smaller, so this will give more of a collage effect. The technique here is easy but take your time,…

INFORMATION Materials * Old tiles * Patterned paper * Pencil * Scissors * PVA glue * Rustoleum Crystal Clear Semi Gloss Finish Spray * Felt * Tailor’s chalk Size: 8 x 8cm (3 x 3in) Skill level: Easy Bring a new lease of life to a coffee table with our colourful coasters. They’re quick and easy to make, and with very little outlay they’re perfect for the novice upcycler on a budget. If you want to keep costs down further, sample tiles are a great way to try out a shape or colour before you commit to buying a box. We used bright origami papers to add a blast of colour to our coasters, but you can use wallpaper or wrapping paper – just choose something smooth for a neater…

INFORMATION Materials: * Small mirror, 30cm diameter * 0.5cm thick MDF board, 50cm diameter * A3 sheet of paper * Assorted driftwood * No More Nails grab adhesive, or similar product * Scissors * Jigsaw or hacksaw * Glue gun and sticks Size: Varies Rating: Easy This natural, sun-bleached frame, made with free finds from the beach, makes this beautiful mirror a complete bargain! With the only outlay being some MDF and a recycled mirror, this cost-effective project is an immensely enjoyable task. A mirror makes a great focal point for your living room, and also adds light and a feeling of space. We've created a heart shape, but you could make whatever shape you like. Feel free to adorn the frame with other bits collected from the beach too,…

INFORMATION Materials • Old wine or champagne bottles • White sticky back plastic • Small sharp scissors or a scalpel and cutting mat • Pencil • Printer and A4 paper • Font (we used Populaire) • Fairy lights (we used 20 white LED silver wire micro battery fairy lights) Skill level: Easy These quick and easy wine bottle lamps are as money-efficient as they are effective. We got our bottles for free as they were leftover from a party, so ask friends to save their empties! We used sticky back plastic to create the wording for our lamps, which is a speedy way to achieve the look and perfect for anyone nervous of painting on glass. How to make the bottle lights 1 Wash out the wine bottles in hot…

INFORMATION Materials * Wooden pegs * Patterned paper * Small magnets * Extra strong glue * PVA glue * Clear varnish * Craft knife * Cutting mat Skill level: Easy A fridge door without shopping lists, children's paintings and suchlike is like toast without butter or Morecambe without Wise – it just isn't right! These peg magnets are so quick to make you can easily whip up several in just a few hours, and they can be easily updated if you fancy a change of look. We've chosen a classic floral print to give our pegs a springlike feel, but you could always use leftover kitchen wallpaper to suit the style of your home. You could also use the pegs to hold family snaps for a cute, personal touch. How…

PLANT UP Once decorated add a little soil, then your plant and more soil. Press down firmly to secure in place. INFORMATION Materials * Wine corks * 10mm x 2mm strong magnets * Pen knife * Cuttings soil * Succulent plant cuttings * Metallic thread, thick gauge silver florist wire or paint to decorate * Paint brush * Strong glue Size: 20mm x 40mm Skill level: Easy Time to make: 30mins Cork planters attached to magnets are a novel way of bringing a bit of the outdoors into your kitchen. As succulent plants survive on very little soil, they’re perfect because they’re hardy, but you could also experiment with air plants or fake flowers. We’ve decorated our corks with metallic paint, thread and wire, but you could decorate to suit…

INFORMATION Materials * Selection of branches and twigs * Glue gun and glue sticks * Saw * Drill and bit * Picture hooks and screws * Screwdriver * Wooden frame Skill level: Moderate Time to make: 4 hours Once this quirky upcycle project is made, it’ll really get conversations going – it’s a clever show-stopper of a piece, packed with nature’s charm and fabulously practical to boot. If you’re new to upcycling, you’ll get acquainted with some traditional upcycling tools, like a small saw, glue gun and screwdriver. And when you’ve found the perfect frame, it’s just a case of hunting out the right twigs. Hang it near the front door for maximum impact! TOP TIP Sand and paint alternating twigs in pastel shades for a cool, contemporary finish How…

INFORMATION Materials: * A vinyl 12-inch single or album * Old sheet music * Clock movement from Vinyl Guru on eBay * PVA * Clear waterproof varnish * Brush Size: Varies Rating: Easy Music-themed accessories give an interior a classic, individual touch. And this upcycled clock is so easy to make. Better still, it’s really wallet-friendly too because it only uses an old record as the clock base and discarded sheet music to cover it – your only real outlay is the mechanism. A clock is such a useful addition to any hallway, helping everyone to get out of the house on time, but with this project you can ensure that it’s stylish as well as practical. To make it a really personal item, try to find sheet music for…

Watch one of Annie Sloan’s many online tutorials, as she upcycles a piece of furniture with a few swift strokes of her globally renowned Chalk Paint, and it’s easy to see how she now has a worldwide following and huge business success to match. Her unfazed manner, as she turns something fit for the tip into a pride-of-place piece, is infectious and inspires the most novice of upcyclers to get stuck in. And, unsurprisingly, her talent has also caught the eye of a few famous names including Kate Middleton and the queen of craft herself, Kirstie Allsopp. Suffice to say, her name is fast becoming the most synonymous with upcycling. We caught up with Annie, whose growing empire began with her small Oxford store, and found her passion for upcycling…

TOP TIP Make sure the jars are tight in the clips, but be careful not to overtighten as the glass may crack INFORMATION Materials * 4 small jam jars * Old kitchen drawer front * 4 jubilee/hose clips to fit the diameter of your jars * 4 screws * 2 eye hooks * 50cm (20in) jack chain * Drill * Pliers * Pencil Size: Varies Skill level: Easy It’s amazing how many ways you can upcycle jam jars, and they’re perfect for storing bedroom bits and bobs. Whether it’s for useful things like cotton wool balls or hair elastics, or keeping small accessories tidy and easy to find, this project is really versatile. It’s also a great space-saver because it can be hung up – just make sure the clips…

INFORMATION Materials * Old cashmere jumper * Sewing thread * Scissors * Needle * 100cm jute cord * Toy stuffing * Template on page 128 Skill level: Easy Time to make: 2 hours for all 3 hearts Felting is a great way to use up any old moth-eaten jumpers or a cheap purchase from a charity shop. Our designer has used cashmere here, but you could use any 100% wool jumper or wool mix (it has to have at least 70% wool to work). Check the washing instructions before you buy a jumper for this project because anything labelled ‘machine washable’ won’t shrink in your washing machine. For the best results, use jumpers that have dense patterns for different effects, and try enlarging or shrinking the template to create different-sized…

INFORMATION Materials • Wooden birdhouse • Vintage children's books (or wrapping/decoupage paper) • Clawhammer • Metal ruler • Scalpel and blades • PVA glue and paint brush • Glue gun and glue stick • Ribbon • Pom-pom trim Rating: Easy Create a characterful decoration for a child’s room with this cute, retrolooking birdhouse that’s decorated with the covers from old books. You can buy wooden birdhouses from most hardware stores, but also look in reclamation yards where you can pick up some bargain buys. You could also try making this project with old maps or scrapbook papers for a completely different effect. And if you’re feeling particularly handy you could adapt our instructions to include hinges inside the lid so that the birdbox could be opened up to store trinkets…

TOP TIP When watering, pour the water close to the centre of the plant to make sure it goes into each pot INFORMATION Materials: * Wine crate * Herbs/plants – we’ve used thyme, lavender, rosemary and viola * Moss * Cellophane * Old cardboard box Size: Varies Skill level: Easy These boxes make great gifts for gardening enthusiasts and are often used at weddings for decorating entrance doorways or under-used nooks and crannies. The herbs give a wonderful scent, and combined with some colourful garden plants they can make a striking display. They’re a great way of upcycling old wine or cheese boxes and if you’re a gardener yourself then you can easily grow the contents for an even cheaper make. We used a wine crate for our herb box,…

INFORMATION Materials * Doormat * Clear sticky-back plastic * Craft knife * Cutting mat * Marker pen * Pencil * Spray paint in green and red * Masking tape Size: 60 x 40cm (23½ x 15¾in) Rating: Easy First impressions count, and this applies to your home as much as anything else. So what better way to cheer up your doorstep than with this sweet doormat, to give both you and your guests a wonderful welcome. It’s so easy to do with just spray paints, a stencil and sticky-back plastic. And if you don’t fancy this apple motif you can cut pretty much any shape you fancy to upcycle your doormat into something unique. How to make the doormat 1 Cut a piece of sticky back plastic 3cm (1¼in) bigger…

INFORMATION Materials * A selection of herbs * Potting compost * Terracotta plant pots * Black chalkboard paint * Masking tape * Chalk writer pen * Paintbrush Skill level: Easy These rustic herb pots are a quick and simple project that will look and smell great in any garden or on any kitchen windowsill. And it’s a sensible idea too – you’ll be able to quickly identify your fresh herbs so you can grab a handful while you're cooking. The pots are so easy to do that you don’t need a lot of skill to make several, and even an unsteady hand with the chalk paint pen adds charm when labelling each of them – so don’t overthink writing on the pots! How to make the herb pots 1 For…

1 It’s kind to the planet Apparently in Britain alone we chuck out 1.6 million tonnes of socalled bulky waste every year. Of that, 42% is thought to be unwanted furniture and over half of that could be reused. That’s not good. So when upcycling breathes new life into household items that might otherwise sit apocalyptically on a landfill, what’s not to love? Upcycling makes a ‘statement’ piece of furniture actually mean something. 2 It’s cheap! Both literally and metaphorically, upcycling doesn’t cost the Earth. Forking out a fortune for new furniture can hit your bank balance hard, whereas restoring and repurposing will cost far less – and if you’re really canny, come completely free! And there’s something really nice about knowing you’re not lining the pockets of a business…