In honor of Earth Month and ReStore's commitment to keeping building materials and household items out of landfills, we introduced a Spring Upcycle Challenge! We invited crafty DIYers to submit their before & after photos of an item they've upcycled. We received a number of amazing entries, and we are so impressed with everyone's creativity and vision! Take a look at the entries below and gather some inspiration for your next project.
Derek Lee Miller is a local Twin Cities carpenter, artist, theater set designer, and former professional puppeteer. He’s also an avid ReStore shopper. Over the years, Derek has completed many projects using materials and products found at ReStore Home Improvement Outlets. This DIY master shared with us his passion projects and what keeps him coming back to ReStore.
Looking for a creative outlet that doesn’t break the bank? Maybe during lockdown you busied yourself with remodeling a room (or many) in your home. Since then, you have been on a hunt for the perfect dresser (couch, table, what have you), but just can’t seem to find the right one. Instead of replacing your current furniture, you should consider all of the unique upcycling ideas.
The practice of upcycling is when you take a pre-owned item and turn it into something new! Furniture is a great place to start your upcycling adventures. While you are giving an item a second life, be considerate about what items you choose to upcycle. Take the time to select a quality piece of furniture either from your home, or a secondhand store, such as ReStore). Material quality, design, and structural integrity are three key things to look for when deciding whether or not a piece of furniture is worth upcycling.
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.
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
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!
| 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.
Guest blog by Rae Fleming, an independent blogger and DIY-er in Minnesota.
I love to garden, but I hate rummaging around the garage for my supplies. Pots here, soil there, tools everywhere! I wanted to create a station to park my tools and supplies that was easily, but discreetly accessible. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore was the perfect place for inspiration. Enter the secretary desk. Two of my favorite things collide: writing and gardening! My partner in crime, Maria, was more than happy to explore the aisles of the ReStore for embellishments and adventure!
When we announced the Workspace Upcycle Challenge last month, we thought we had a winning idea. People were working from home a lot more, school was starting up again and many children were distance learning and needed a workspace too. The goal was simple. Upgrade your workspace no matter what or where it might be. Trish submitted photos of her entry, and as you can see, she's the real winner (of a brand new workspace)!