INDUSTRIAL CHIC goes SUBURBAN!

Industrial Chic Is HOT right now! So much fun, and a great way to add some flair to your decorating! 

I'm working on four or five new INDUSTRIAL CHIC items for my etsy shop now... stayed tunded

Check out this article from MELISSA RAYWORTH - Associated Press

The builders of the early 20th century's factories and warehouses would be amazed. Elements used back then to create sparse, utilitarian work spaces — things like rough wooden tables, rolling carts, metal filing cabinets and industrial lighting — are now hot items in home decorating.
These pieces, along with exposed brick walls and cement floors, first became popular when urban industrial spaces were being transformed into chic loft apartments.
But the trend has made its way from downtown lofts to suburban living rooms. Homeowners are adding industrial flair to even the most traditionally decorated houses.
Emily Henderson, host and designer for HGTV's upcoming series "Secrets from a Stylist," is giving an industrial makeover to a Spanish-style house for an episode due to air in April.
Decorating with industrial elements "is so much fun," she says, and is becoming popular nationwide. Edison-style light bulbs are back. And current offerings from retailer Restoration Hardware include chairs and tables meant to look as though they were built from old airplane parts.
It may sound challenging to mix items that evoke century-old manufacturing into your modern-day house. But designers say it's less complicated than you'd think: Industrial style blends easily into houses that already have a clean-lined, modern look.

 Find This and other fun Industrial Chic Items... on T PARTY DESIGNS' ETSY

Something OLD is NEW again...

My new latest PASSION, is finding all kinds of "thing-a-mabobbie's"- and what others consider to be "junk", and transforming them into LIL' GEMS! We all have tons of stuff laying around (especially in the garage) from past projects or room makeovers. Well... why not turn them into something you can use again. Here is a couple of my latest projects. Hope you enjoy this beautiful day.... I'm looking forward to Spring- and some warmer weather!

I'm linking up to these Super Duper fun parties, Y'All!

UP-Cycle! It's FUN & Good for the Enviroment!

As most of you know by now, I LOVE to UpCycle, Repurpose & Reuse, Old items, that many others consider to be "trash!" I really enjoy the process & the outcome of taking something old and rusty, and making it into something FAB! With a little "vision" and "elbow-grease" WE ALL can do this, and it really CAN make a difference on the environment, and the amount of waste that goes to landfills. I actually did a little research on the topic and was amazed at what I found. So I wanted to share it with all my friends! 

Upcycling is a process in which disposable or discarded items are repurposed to make them valuable, useful, or simply aesthetically pleasing. Upcycling is designed to work in opposition to consumer culture, encouraging people to think of new and innovative ways to use things, instead of simply buying new consumer goods. It also benefits the environment, by promoting reuse over discarding whenever possible.

  

UPCYCLING VS. RECYLING~

Unlike traditional recycling, in which materials like plastic and paper are gradually degraded and can be reused only a limited number of times, upcycling turns waste into products of greater value. That offers hope for achieving the biggest goal of environmentally minded design, using materials again and again to keep them out of landfills. Supporters call it “closing the loop.” 

It’s trying to change that mind-set, so that people move from a disposable mind-set into a constant reuse mind-set. 

I've NEVER been one to ReCycle really or take the time to even learn the benefits of it. But I have learned A LOT from my Sister-in-Law, Lana! She has always been a big recycler, and the small things I've done in the past have been because of her. 

Now it's become a passion of mine! I just love the transformation of taking something from "trash to treasure!"

I also think it's an amazing way to teach our kids about the environment and "Doing our part" to help it. I wanted to share a couple of my latest UPCYCLE projects, these both came from old shutters, wood and other lil gems I found at one of my favorite Thrift Stores; 

Habitat for Humanity's -ReStore. You should check it out, it's kind of a Goodwill meets Home Depot! It's Fab!

Hope you like my projects, and I hope you try an UPCYCLING project of your own!

ETSY Bonanza!

I have been having SO much fun~ creating new Treasures from Recycled Finds! Just wanted to share with you all, what I've been up to! Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend!

Recycled, Revamped, Renewed & Rewarding!

I love this time of year, and I am truly the happiest AND most grateful, I've ever been! I'm always "crafting" it seems, but lately... I'm in "CRAFTING OVERDRIVE!" We just bought our dream house in March and from the first time I laid eyes on this beauty, I KNEW that decorating it for the holidays was going to be SO much fun! But with the new mortgage, I've tried to be careful about my crafting expenses. So "repurposing" has become the name of the game around here! Now- the cheaper I can make it...the MORE I seem to love it.  I wanted to share two of my latest little projects that I made... hope you enjoy!

RENEWED URNS & PUMPKIN TOPIARY

Here's how I did it...

These were an adorable addition to the front porch Halloween decorations, but I thought I could

 Re-Reuse them for my topiary!

Then I did some more rummaging around, and came up with these...

**NOTE- For plastic, you MUST use primer made for plastic**

 If you don't, the spray paint will chip off, and then you'll start to cry and then nobody's happy! 

 The pumpkins also got a coat of primer, to cover the pattern that was on them. 

How does the saying go? "She who has the MOST spray paint WINS!?" 

Then I went thru my left over ribbons, and fall accoutrement, and "prettied" her up!

I love the way it came out, and the best part is....it was FREE! 

What do you have laying around the house that you could "Revamp?" I bet you have more than you realize. Try it for yourself, and share the pictures with me... I'd love to see them. 

Have an amazing day! 

I'm linking up to these Super Duper fun parties, Y'All!

The Gypsy's Corner