I turned a pile of old kitchen cupboard doors into a modern, stain-finished timber headboard—an upcycled build that looks custom. My sister wanted a headboard for her granddaughter’s room at her place, but she didn’t want it painted. She needed a piece she could dress with playful kids’ bedding, yet still feel right for adult guests.
I’m always on the hunt for free furniture to upcycle, and this old study desk was perfect for a DIY LEGO desk and activity table with storage. My plan was simple: cut the desk to toddler height, reinforce the frame, turn the drawer fronts into LEGO-style bricks, and keep the top flexible so it works for building, drawing, and crafting.
Patio coolers made from old eskies are all over Pinterest, but I wanted to make something larger and more eye-catching. That’s why I created this Ned Kelly-themed patio cooler using a broken freezer—a fun, functional and totally unique addition to any outdoor space. With plenty of room for drinks and ice, a drain tap, and rustic style, this DIY patio cooler is perfect for your next backyard party.
If you want Christmas magic without a full tree, this Corner Christmas Tree Shelf is a smart alternative. The triangular shelf hugs any corner, looks like a minimalist tree once decorated, and doubles as everyday storage after the holidays. It’s a fast build from plywood, strong enough for décor, and easy to paint to suit your style. A corner footprint saves space in small rooms. The shelves give you styling zones for baubles, lights, and keepsakes. After Christmas, remove the festive decorations and style the space with plants, books, and frames.
I’ve been saving a stack of old wood slices for years, waiting for the right project. Today I’m turning one into an African Sunset Wooden Suncatcher that pairs a warm resin “sky” with a vinyl silhouette of the bush. The colours shift with the light, so the view looks different from every angle—just like the real thing. Although I live in Australia, I grew up in South Africa, and those long drives through game parks inspired this piece.
I’ve always admired Marilyn Monroe’s timeless style and wanted to try decoupage on furniture. When a friend passed on this vintage‑style dresser—worn, with peeling veneers and dated colours—it was the perfect candidate for a makeover. As part of this month’s International Bloggers Club(IBC) Painted” Furniflips” challenge, I’ve refreshed it with sleek black and copper paint and added Marilyn‑themed decoupage, giving it a modern look that’s ready to sell.
This DIY Shou Sugi Ban picture frame marries the ancient Japanese art of wood charring with my love of the South African bush. After discovering the technique on Pinterest, I couldn’t resist giving it a go, even as a complete beginner. I kept things simple; I chose a Shou Sugi Ban picture frame as my first project. I used dramatic burnt timber to frame a ‘Walking in Savannah’ canvas sponsored by Photowall, bringing my bedroom to life.
DIY Upcycled Toddler Craft Table with Storage turned an old veneer table into an art station that my great‑niece loves. The craft desk offers a dedicated spot for all her art supplies, keeping the mess contained in one area. A built‑in kraft paper roll lets her draw or paint, then tear off the used sheet for a fresh canvas. I also added a whiteboard for her felt‑pen sketches and a play‑dough station that keeps squishy dough off the carpet.
DIY Shou Sugi Ban House Numbers with Unicorn Spit Stain merges the time‑honoured Japanese wood‑burning method with vivid Unicorn Spit colour to create a truly eye-catching outdoor sign. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to craft a wooden house number with a Shou Sugi Ban textured finish and single‑colour stain that reveals stunning colour variations—perfectly suited to modern rustic décor.
Workshop benches bursting with free timber offcuts left me with barely any room to work. To clear the clutter, I designed the DIY Black and White Recycled Wooden Wall Hanging. Using every scrap of wood, I crafted and assembled each layer by hand, improvising shapes for a one‑of‑a‑kind effect. Painting contrasting black and white stripes across the recycled pieces added a fresh, modern twist. This simple but creative project didn’t just reclaim my workspace—it turned scrap into sustainable art.
As a self‑taught DIY enthusiast with a passion for learning how to restore an antique dresser, I’ve built many pieces of furniture by improvising rather than following plans, because sometimes creativity thrives in chaos. While I lack formal training, I have a knack for spotting hidden potential where others see only rubbish.
