The ReStoration Corner

Guest blog by Rae Fleming, an independent blogger and DIYer in Minnesota.

Let's have a seat, rest, and catch up! It's been a busy summer for me: moving my folks to town, keeping up with baseball schedules, running to hockey clinics, a working teenager, starting a new job, and raising two teenagers. Even with everything going on, I'm thrilled to have partnered with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore again on this SUPER easy DIY project! Nothing is quite as easy as reupholstering a simple chair, so I'm hoping you give it a try.

Keep reading to see the steps I took to make the transformation with a $5 chair found at the ReStore in New Brighton.

Topics: DIY, Upcycle, 2021

ReStore Manager Jan Hagerman shared some tiling tips and encouragement to start your own project on a recent DIY Friday segment on WCCO. It can be scary, but jump into a small tiling job and build up to a larger project.

Topics: DIY, DIY Friday, 2021

We are amazed at the creativity and ingenuity of the entries in our Birdhouse Upcycle Challenge. Materials were old wood, metal, plastics, and the designs were modern to rustic. Thank you to all who contributed and shared your work with us. 

We asked everyone to vote for the best on social media, then took the top three to WCCO's studio so on-air anchors, Jason DeRusha and Heather Brown, could rank them first, second, and third place. Here are the results:

Topics: ReStore, DIY, Upcycle, DIY Friday, 2021

This is an updated version of a previously published blog, written by Kaitlyn Dormer.

Do you recognize that face? Maybe you’ve seen her at the State Fair? Or was it on her regular DIY Friday segment on WCCO? You could’ve spotted Jan Hagerman in either of those places, or where she spends quite a bit of her time—at the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore in New Brighton where she’s the Assistant Store Manager.

Topics: DIY, ReStore Staff, 2021

Don’t let a tiny space deter you from growing the backyard or balcony garden you’ve always wanted. Whether you're a horticultural hobbyist or your thumb isn't even a little bit green, you can grow a space to be proud of with these cute, easy DIY garden ideas – the secret is to use your limitations to your advantage.

Topics: DIY, Tips and Tricks, 2021, Project Ideas

So you've decided to refurbish a piece of furniture – great! Refurbishing is a rewarding experience that lets you breathe new life into vintage and antique pieces. It's also great for sustainable living, because every piece of furniture you reuse or upcycle is one less piece of furniture that could end up in a landfill.

Topics: How To, DIY, Tips and Tricks, 2021, Project Ideas

Backyard barbecues are a classic way to visit with family and friends. With COVID-19 still hanging around they are a great way to get together safely this summer. After a winter indoors, we could all use a breath of fresh air. You can start getting the yard in order with some DIY patio furniture for a one-of-a-kind aesthetic that won't break the bank. You can do it all yourself – all you need is a bit of imagination and the right materials.

Topics: DIY, Tips and Tricks, Upcycle, 2021, Project Ideas

We've had several upcycle challenges but are thrilled to announce that this next one is for the birds! Unleash your creativity and build a birdhouse using materials you already have or can find at ReStore. Not only will we be providing homes (for birds), but we're giving away some fantastic prizes to the top three winners!

Topics: DIY, Upcycle, 2021

Jan Hagerman, ReStore Assistant Manager, shared some fun projects you can tackle using old cabinet doors or spare lumber on a recent DIY Friday segment on WCCO. All it takes is a steady hand and some paint. If you have one of those vinyl cutting machines like Cricut, you can create endless designs with ease. You can also use stencils or other embellishments to make it your own.

Topics: DIY, DIY Friday, 2021

Blog Update (4/15/2021): It was brought to our attention that the project idea using window wells is not recommended. High-heat can cause the zinc coating on galvanized metal to come off and be harmful if inhaled. Be mindful when DIY-ing, and learn something new everyday. We did!

There's a reason s'mores and smiles are all common sights around a backyard fire pit. The backyard fire pit is kind of a national symbol of warm weather togetherness: friends, family, and neighbors can all huddle around for warmth and welcoming conversation under clear skies.

Topics: DIY, Upcycle, 2021