Upcycle!: Turn Everyday Objects Into Home Decor

by Sonia Lucano

Have a bunch of mason jars in your cupboard but not sure what to do with them? Have some fruit crates laying around? Upcycle is a fun, contemporary project book that will show you how to take a range of common objects, many available cheap or free, and craft them into stylish home furnishings and décor. 

The projects are practical and attractive, with full-color photography and easy-to-follow instructions. Turn an old wooden pallet into a stylish coffee table or a charming, rustic headboard, a leftover jam jar into an accent light or a hanging plant holder, and dozens more simple home crafts. The lovely “farmhouse chic” esthetic brings a rustic yet modern flare to any home. Each project has a complete list of tools and materials needed, and handy illustrations that even the beginner to DIY projects can follow with ease.

The book focuses on 8 everyday items you may find at a flea market or even free—perhaps in your own home, and shows how each can yield a wide range of projects. Bonus section includes ideas for stencils to trace, or be inspired by to create your own.

Wooden Pallets: Coffee table, Floor lamp, Headboard, Shelves, Fun wall hangings, End table, Key rack, Building blocks, Candle holders

Fruit Crates: Firewood box, Banquette, Book shelves, Shadow boxes, Planters

Cotton Sheets: Round tablecloth with festive matching napkins, Embroidered wall hangings, Stencilled table runners, Dip-dyed curtains, Tote bag, Throw pillow, Light shade

Glass Jars: Accent light, Wall lamp, Suspended vases, Indoor garden, Terrarium, Christmas lights

Wine Bottles: Vases, Planters, Hanging lamps, Mood lighting

Tin Cans: Cozy planters, Stencilled candle holder, Desktop organizer, Hanging silverware holders, Hanging lights

Old Lampshades: Dreamcatcher, Mobile, Revsamped hanging light

Dishes: Candle holders, Wall décor, Working clock, Serving tray

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2016

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, I see, this was French. My library's American edition is subtitled "Turn everyday objects into home decor." But many of the little mottos that are to be embroidered, stamped, or inked onto the objects are in French and confused me.

Anyway, I quite liked this. Most of the objects are ones that many of us actually do spend money on. And most are made from materials that are readily available. And most are relatively easy to make with tools that many people have. And most are attractive (imo). Some do require basic knitting skills.

The cover project is one of the most appealing, especially for me. My dad made a 4-square version of that when I was little for a dollhouse (I'll have to ask him; it's possibly still in the barn). I really liked the pallet projects, especially the simple wall organizer which would work great for knit hats, gloves, sunscreen, etc... and with cup hooks screwed to the bottom would also hold ball caps and keys.

The most exciting thing was a technique for cutting glass bottles. Using yarn and rubbing alochol you can make a cut that needs only minor sanding. Burn the yarn, then use a cold-water bath to 'shock' a separation. (Check youtube if you can't get a copy of this book.) Then you can make vases and pendant lamps from wine bottles!

[Starbubbles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am currently very interested in repurposing items already in my posession to a fashionable way to look less cheap. This book, like all of the other upcycling books I have read, has failed me. This might sound harsh, and maybe it is. But there was two chapters devoted to repurposing crates, and another on repurposing wooden pallets. I feel most home owners do not have pallets laying around, waiting to be broken apart, painted, and made into shelves. These projects would require me to purchase these items, and then make them into something else. The items often didn't look very transformed, leaving me more than a little disappointed.

[Marlena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really nothing special. Very basic projects that did not really need to be compiled into a book.
Also it claims to be a book about turning “everyday objects into home decor.” I feel quite certain people don’t just have wood crates and pallets hanging around.

And I found a typo soooooo...

[Tara Weiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful photos but overly simplified projects.

[Dena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good, practical tips for upcycling some common everyday items.

[Martha]

repetitive