ReStore celebrated summer's arrival with our Spring Into Summer DIY contest! For this contest, we asked participants to highlight their endless creativity by sharing their best lawn art, yard furniture, summer supplies, or upcycled items. The results? Amazing, creative, and summer-inspired projects.
Keep reading to see before-and-after photos from our winners and contributors!
This anonymous participant brought their lawn to life with this intricate quilt design made from old set of folding doors and some trim wood from ReStore, along with some old cedar fence boards from a fence.
"The finished product is a riff on a barn quilt for some outdoor décor. Thanks—this was a great experience and so much fun!”
This anonymous participant made a unique rolling planter with a trellis, made from a file cabinet and mop heads.
“A couple of my favorite details are the original Sears Roebuck label on the cabinet, as well as the repurposed drawer handles that were moved to the sides for rolling. This was fun!”
Linda creatively constructed this lovely bird using the wood and PVC pipe, as seen in the photo on the left below. It's a colorful lawn addition!
We're so grateful for everyone who entered our Spring Into Summer contest. We had many talented DIYers participate! Here are the rest of the entries:
Alice brought new life to this shelf, making it look like sparkling while featuring the original wood.
Check out Anna's cabinet purchased at ReStore. She gave it a sleek new look that is hard to come by.
This anonymous participant used their skill to add some colorful new homes to their backyard by using old shingles, a wood pallet, and some old paint. All the tools used to make this were bought at ReStore.
“My main goal was to find a way to upcycle ropes from an old tree swing. Given their age, I didn’t feel comfortable using them for their intended purpose anymore. Hanging birdhouses seemed like a fun solution!”
This anonymous participant creatively used empty wall space to entertain their furry little friends.
Check out this anonymous participant who completely revamped their patio door, creating a rustic entryway made out of ReStore's thick pickled oak valance.
“My wife calls it the gateway to her gardens, which is the real beauty of it. We’re big fans of ReStore. Keep up the good work.”
This anonymous participant made a practical addition to their yard by repurposing a light fixture into a solar-powered garden fountain.
“Flipping the switch on this item! It's a bit hard to photograph the fountain in action, but it's cool to listen to. Thanks for this opportunity to find new ways to look at items.”
With some creativity and elbow grease, Bronwyn turned this old dresser into a dream dress up wardrobe.
Christen constructed a cozy condo out of some cabinets purchased at ReStore, and the cats are already making great use of them!
Dori brought made a new, unique chandelier using different chandeliers and crystal pieces purchased from ReStore.
Elle creatively upcycled this chair, making it the perfect summer lounging spot.
Check out Janelle's solar-powered light and planter. She repurposed a light fixture into the perfect decoration for the house's exterior.
Jessica made this ordinary table into a delightful statement piece.
Jilian completely changed the aesthetic of her porch with luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, baseboard trim, and paint from ReStore.
"This project was quick, but it totally changed the look and feel of the porch!"
Joelle built this beautiful flower wall by repurposing two wood room dividers from ReStore.
Lisa created this console by using a large table: a table leaf, a base piece, and a pedestal, along with a used board and some paint.
Nikki made this coatrack out of an old stair banister. She sanded and stained it to give the appearance of driftwood.
Pat created a new path for traversing the garden, making a safe way for everyone to enjoy the yard.
“My husband was an avid gardener with a passion for hostas, spending most of his spare time in his garden, nurturing and caring for his plants. Unfortunately, after suffering a stroke several years ago, he hasn’t been able to go out into his garden. The cost to have a paver path installed was not in the budget. We tried to make a dirt path, but he often got stuck in ruts and mud, even after we added mulch. After seeing heavy-duty mats with drainage holes at ReStore, we decided to make our own path with the necessary traction. It works great and even helps our grandkids know where they can walk and run!”
Rebecca repainted this table, giving it a brand new look.
Summer is a great time to finish those house projects or experiment with a creative DIY! Explore our DIY Headquarters, where you can get the latest tips and tricks for your home improvements projects. Then, stop by one of our ReStore locations to pick up materials for your own upcycle creation.
Your gift unlocks bright futures! Donate now to create, preserve, and promote affordable homeownership in the Twin Cities.
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