the ReFab Diaries

Giveaway: Make Garbage Great

in , by Candice


If you've spent any time at all on my blog, you know that a lot of my upcycling isn't glamorous. I'm most interested in what I can do with trash! I've worked with juice and milk bottles, beer cans, toilet-paper rolls, an old frisbee, negatives, plastic lids and lots of alley-grab furniture. So you can imagine how much I'm loving this brand new book from the minds behind Terracycle. 

Find out how to win a copy! This giveaway is open to all citizens of planet earth, 18 and older. If you are able to receive a book in the mail, you can enter. 

VIEW the POST
0 comments

Reloved Mag Feature: The ReFab House

in , by Candice

My home is featured in the August issue of Reloved Magazine. Just typing that sentence makes me a little giddy. Why? So many reasons. Because upcycling is something now deemed worthy of print. Because I really LOVE this magazine. Because the little girl in me who always wanted to be a journalist, just got something published in a magazine. Thank you to my amazing friend Julia Brenner for shooting EVERY picture you see across the 4-page spread. Also mentioned in the piece are artists Meg Peterson and Heidi Shedlock, both of whom inspire me and have gifted work to me that makes my life better. 

Ok ... if you're actually here via Reloved, hello and welcome! Scroll down for links to all the upcycling projects mentioned and/or pictured in the feature:

In case you're wondering, my dress is from my favorite consignment store (Crossroads Trading Co) and my earrings are South African 1c coins lovingly upcycled into hearts by The House of Kallie.

Books:

1. Book planter / vase

2. Hardcover "bud vase" 

3. Book clocks

4. Folded book art

Behind the scenes ... Julia Brenner at work :)

Furniture/Decor:

1. Bamboo desk (mod podge refab)

2. Hollywood regency chairs

3. Metal plant stand to bookshelf

4. Vintage wood art hangers

5. Drawer-front shelf and salvaged mirror



Vintage sheets repurposed:

 1. Shower curtain

2. Thrifty kid bedding

Organization:

 1. Kitchen organizer

2. Pallet organizer





VIEW the POST
0 comments

Upcycle: Book Clocks

in , , by Candice

Once upon a time ... a friend and I ran a little business called Rebooked. It involved a LOT of work for very little return, but we were unemployed... we had nothing but time. And we learned a lot about upcycling old books! So much, in fact, that I've enjoyed working with them ever since. When we set out to make book clocks (2004), there were no online tutorials to be found. So there was a lot of trial and error (and swearing) involved. The first ones were so much work, I still have one on the wall (above) as a reminder. Today, it's pretty easy to find really good instructions from lots of talented people. Keep reading for my instructions, and a list of my favorite tutorials. 
VIEW the POST
0 comments

Repurpose: Thrifty kid's room

in , by Candice

If you're a regular reader (thank you!), then you know I moved in February this year. It was a significant move, from a one-bedroom basement space to a two-bedroom apartments for rent in alexandria va on the third floor. So, I acquired a LOT more space overnight. Including a room for Ms R, when she stays over. It's taking me a long time to make all this new space feel like home. In part because I don't have the money to "just furnish" it all. And, more to the point, that's not how I function. 

Ms R's room has taken an especially long time to come together because I knew what she wanted, but it took time to find it. It's now complete thanks to a $12 sheet from the 1970s! 
VIEW the POST
0 comments

Upcycle: Pallet organizer

in , , by Candice

Confession: the whole pallet fad left me cold. In part because pallet wood (when you can get it) is mostly terrible wood. I mean TERRIBLE. So I avoided that particular bandwagon. Until I found this one, left in my alley (the provider of all things). This pallet was almost brand new. And made of solid, beautiful, mostly smooth pine. So this pallet came inside with me ... and the movers got to move it for me. And then I went to work and turned it into a workbench organizer.  
VIEW the POST
0 comments

Refashion: Upcycled T-shirt dress

in , by Candice


This amazing T-dress isn't the first Of Dreams and Seams project I've featured (see here), but it might be my favorite. I love the color mixing and the attitude in everything Katya makes. Click through for the whole project and stay for the vision!


VIEW the POST
0 comments

Fab: Remix Chicago 2015

in , , by Candice

In only its second year, and plagued by unpredictable weather, Remix 2015 still delivered a few unexpected discoveries for me! 
VIEW the POST
0 comments

Upcycle: Old drawer media console!

in , by Candice

Creative repurposing of old drawers is one of my favorite things. This extraordinary media console by Kara Paslay is an oldie but a wonder! I love the mixture of vintage wood fronts, metal and color. She even managed to build in a hiding place for a DVD player.

Find the complete tutorial here.

Lots more images on Kara's blog.






VIEW the POST
0 comments

Fab: What's your method?

in , by Candice



This is an unusual post for me - one in which I overtly promote a consumer product. Why am I doing it? First, because I love the product: a new, 4x concentrated, laundry detergent from method. Second, because I've been a loyal method customer since their products first appeared on shelves in 2002. And guess what? They just opened a soap factory on the south side of Chicago!


The South Side Soapbox is to conscientious manufacturing what Wonka is to chocolate. For example, the roof isn't just green. It's a massive hydroponic farm that will provide tons of fresh produce to a neighborhood considered a food desert. Can you tell I'm a fan?

The final reason I'm happy to write this post; it involves laundry. In the last year, I've found myself saying (a lot): stop drying your clothes in a dryer. Hang them! Why? Because your clothes will last longer and it's more energy-efficient. If you're at all like me - more interested in quality and longevity than trend - you want clothing to last as long as possible!

Actually, if you're looking for ways to be a little more "green" and a little less wasteful in general, overhauling your laundry routine is good place to start.

1. Water: we waste a ton of it washing clothes. So making sure you've got a full load before you run the machine makes sense.

2. Energy: do you wash everything in hot water? Not necessary. Because a powerful, concentrated detergent, like method, works just as well in cold water.

3. Pollution: what chemicals are you wearing and sending down the drain with every wash? Make sure you're using a detergent that's naturally derived, biodegradable and hypoallergenic.

4. Packaging: Are you buying detergent in huge plastic bottles? Wouldn't it be nice if the stuff came in a container made from 100% post-consumer plastic? And wouldn't it be nice if that container was, itself, 100% recyclable? Yup, method.

5. Locally made! If you live in Chicago, method is now being made in your backyard. So support local manufacturing.

And shop online right now with a coupon! Click here and enter the code THREEFORME for $3 off your online purchase.


Does this all seem familiar to you? Then go test your laundry knowledge and win $1000 worth of beautiful clothes from method and Asos.



I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

VIEW the POST
0 comments

Regal ReFab (hollywood regency chairs)

in , , by Candice

These chairs were listed on a local Facebook trading post as "faux bamboo" - $35 for the pair. When I picked them up they were bigger and heavier than I expected them to be. Because, as it turns out, they're solid wood with their original sprung cushions in place. I have since read up on this Hollywood Regency style club chair; once very popular and apparently making a comeback in my living room. :)  
VIEW the POST
0 comments
© the ReFab Diaries · THEME BY WATDESIGNEXPRESS
–>