Blog - FunCycled - Interior Design, Kitchen Cabinet Painting, Furniture Repurposing in Upstate NY

Posted on November 19, 2024November 14, 2024 by Meg Booth — Leave a comment

Four Kitchen Designs: Farmhouse, Coastal, MCM, and Industrial

Hi, friends!

Today, I am excited to share about four unique kitchen styles – all of which have been inspirational to me over the years! I want to break down some of the distinctive design elements for each style that help you understand how to get this look in your own kitchen. NOTE, this is not meant to be a comprehensive list for each style. It is a quick overview and guide to each of them. Take a look, and don’t forget to leave a comment about which style most reflects you!

Farmhouse Kitchens

Distinctive Elements: apron sinks, open shelving, exposed brick & wood beams, mix of wood and metal, cup drawer pulls & mixed hardware, “aged metals” matte black or oil rubbed bronze, Shaker style cabinets, white subway tile, and butcher block counters

Farmhouse Kitchen by FunCycled

Coastal Kitchens

Distinctive Elements: light airy colors, baskets & shells, natural elements & light, natural fibers, beachy decor & nautical elements, woven elements like rattan and jute, clean lines, linen fabric, matte paint finishes, and white walls

Coastal Lakehouse Kitchen by FunCycled

Industrial Kitchens

Distinctive Elements: stainless steel, open shelving, exposed brick or piping, concrete, open storage, utilitarian layout, colors are limited to very neutral palette (grays, whites, browns, blacks), simple pendant lighting

Industrial Rustic Kitchen by FunCycled

Mid Century Modern Kitchens

Distinctive Elements– clean lines, use of warm tones ranging from earthy to bold, a lot of wood elements, tile in stacked pattern, flat paneled cabinets, geometric patterns,

Mid Century Inspired Kitchen by FunCycled

I hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about these kitchen styles! If you would like to find out how to create one of these kitchen styles into your home, I would love to help you. We provide FREE quotes for our kitchen cabinet painting services. Just email me at sarah@funcycled.com and let me know you want your FREE quote today. Or, if you aren’t sure if you can use your current cabinets and are considering starting fresh, maybe starting with a design consult is better for you. You can book a 1 Hour Design Consultation with me by clicking the link below.

Schedule Your 1 Hour Design Consultation

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page.

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations.

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Posted on November 12, 2024November 8, 2024 by Meg Booth — Leave a comment

A Place to Gather

Hi, friends!

Well, my guess is that in a few short weeks, many of us will be hosting people for Thanksgiving Day. I am not sure about you, but I have often found that this holiday is sometimes glossed over, being sandwiched between a growing emergence of halloween and harvest festivities and an earlier and earlier onset for Christmas prep! All good things mind you, but they don’t exactly carve out the right tenor and tone for as special a holiday as Thanksgiving. After all, if there is one attitude in life we should all be pursuant of it’s an attitude of thanks.

So today, I am sharing some beautiful design ideas with you as you plan for your day and get ready to host guests. I think it’s important to create a space that draws people in and allows them to gather and be grateful together! To do this, I like to create a warm & welcoming atmosphere that has a few touches of nostalgia for my holiday gatherings.

Below, I have outlined, step by step on how to do this your home. And by the way, Step Four might just be my favorite part!

STEP ONE: GET INSPIRED

Below are two beautifully dressed tables set for guests to come, eat, and commune with one another.

STEP TWO: ASSESS TABLE & SEATING

Maybe you don’t need a new table and chairs, but in case you are looking, here are some ideas for you:

Custom Tables from FunCycled

You could also consider having FunCycled custom build a table that fits your style and needs exactly. I am sharing just TWO of SEVERAL that we have designed and built over the last several years. I encourage you to browse all of our options on our Custom Built Furniture page.

Custom Builds by FunCycled

STEP THREE: TIME TO DECORATE

LAYER ONE: Table Runner & Garland

This layer should introduce some low texture to the table. I like table runners and garland for this job.

LAYER TWO: Place Settings

Some may choose to do this after creating a centerpiece, but I think it works better to understand the flow and space needed for plates, napkins, glasses, etc. first.

Placemats or Chargers

Napkins (cloth or paper)

Flatware

Glasses

LAYER THREE: Create the Perfect Centerpiece

Start with something large for the middle. I like to start with something vintage, like a vintage pitcher or vase and add fresh flowers or even dried florals. Adding touches of mercury glass or faux dried stems will help create this effect if you don’t have something readily available.

Candlesticks

Using a variety of heights, materials and textures adds warmth to the table.

Table Scatter

STEP FOUR: Time to Give Thanks

Set aside some time to remind your guests why everyone is gathered on this day. Here are some ways to do this:

Leave a personal note of thanks to each guest.
Add special quotes about gratitude and thankfulness at each place setting.
Provide a prompting question at each guest’s plate & then ask quests to share their responses with the table.

Notes and messages could be added to a napkin ring or out of a personalized cornucopia stuffed with greenery or even lined with parchment paper and filled with a small fruit salad. Have fun with this and make it your own!

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Posted on November 5, 2024November 4, 2024 by Meg Booth — 2 Comments

Customized Table with Reclaimed Wood & Vintage Chairs

Hi, friends!

If you struggle with pulling ideas together, this post is for you! When our client, Sandy, reached out to us, she asked us to help pull all of her ideas and various pieces of her project together. And just what was her idea? To use reclaimed barn wood as a table top for a new (much friendlier) dining table for her family! For the better part of five years, Sandy had a vision to use 200 year old boards from her barn as a table top to replace her current (not so useful) high-top table.

“…I have a base for a dining table, and I have 200 year old barn boards from my barn that I love. I have had a vision for the last 5 years of making a table out of them…”

Sandy is a creative person and she could imagine the end result, but she was lacking a couple of things: first, she needed the right base to accompany the (what she knew would be) gorgeous top; second, she needed to find some new chairs that would work with her vision; and finally, she needed someone to get the project done. Well, as things would work out, Sandy scored the perfect base for her table. Sure it was in rough shape, but it was sturdy…it just needed the right top! (This is where the barn wood comes in!) So Sandy reached out to us and got her project rolling.

Shortly after meeting with us, Sandy sent an email and shared that she found some cool, vintage chairs that would work perfectly. Just like the base, the chairs were sturdy but needed a refresh. With the pieces in place, we got to work!

Before Photos

On the left you will see the base that she found second hand. It was a little scuffed up, but the base was well constructed and was sturdy. Similarly, the chairs (one shown on the right) were in pretty good shape with just a few scuffs, but solid in construction. Now that Sandy had all of the pieces, it was time to pull together her ideas into a plan of action!

A really neat part of completing a project

Bonus: Using Reclaimed Wood

It is important to understand that if you have or are considering using any kind of reclaimed wood as Sandy did with her barn wood, you need to know a few things:

Condition – assess the integrity of the wood; does it have so many splits that it will not be functional?
Prepped Appropriately – make sure the wood has been dried out and has been cleaned/cleared of any mites or small bugs that would potential damage the wood or would be harmful if not remediated; consider having the wood milled to ensure smooth and consistent lines.
Ensure the Finish – you do not necessarily need to finish reclaimed wood, but it does depend on where/how it is going to be used. Be sure you double check with a professional to see if it should be sealed or oiled.

And now the after photos.

Just take a look at the top of the table. In working with Sandy, she was able to identify and communicate to us the edges she was hopeful to keep in tact as well as the spot of character she desired to have part of the finished top. We were able to incorporate and preserve those details and incorporate them into the design and finished outcome. It is stunning!

For Sandy’s project, we left the wood as is. It did not need to be sealed since Sandy had a glass top to put on it. Adding glass is a great way to keep things protected while enjoying the ability to see the beautiful wood. And, again, Sandy already had the glass, so she was able to reuse yet another piece to this project!

We used Benjamin Moore Black for the chairs and table base and distressed both so the details and history of each could be honored.

Here’s a picture of the newly customized table and refreshed chairs back at home. Oh, and Sandy also found some vintage Cushman chairs to accompany the set we customized for her. Due to the rareness of the Cushman chairs, Sandy chose to keep them in their original form. We love the combination of new mixed with old!

I love the table! It looks amazing at night with the reflection from the glass. It turned out beautiful!
Sandy – Cohoes, NY

There isn’t really anything to NOT LOVE about this story, but what makes my heart smile a little more is how beautifully all of the components came together! Sandy reused and repurposed and stayed patient to watch her new table and chairs come to life! Right?! Doesn’t it just make you happy!

Thanks, Sandy, for choosing FunCycled for this project! We are so excited for your “new” table and chairs and hope they will be a place where many treasured memories are made!

If you have a piece of furniture and would like us to restore life back into it, contact me today by visiting our Contact Us page! You can also learn more about our process on our Custom Furniture Painting Page.

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Posted on October 29, 2024October 29, 2024 by Meg Booth — Leave a comment

Balboa Mist – The Perfect Gray for these Dressers in Waterford, NY

Hi, friends!

I never grow tired of sharing makeover stories with you! You might think its because everyone loves a good makeover, and while that is true, it is NOT the reason I want to share them with you. When clients ask FunCycled to take on a project, we sign on for way more than just some pieces of furniture or outdated cabinets. We step into people’s lives, hear their history, learn their challenges, and help discern their dreams! It is always an honor to be part of this journey – for our clients and for you! I love having an opportunity to help all of us grow and that is exactly what we do when we enter in like this! What a privilege for FunCycled!

In today’s makeover, I want to introduce you to Anne and her, well, maybe a little outdated but dearly loved dressers. You may share common ground with Anne. Dressers or furniture that has been part of your story for a long time but has come to a place where it is time for a change. I often find when clients come to this realization, they are almost so eager to embrace the change that their mind runs wild with possibilities for revitalizing their beloved pieces, sometimes leaving them in a place of decision mania. Thankfully, we at FunCycled know how to help sift through ideas and guide them to decisions that will honor the integrity of their furniture and its history, breath new life into them, and become a refreshed piece that they can enjoy for their next season of life.

In meeting with Anne, she conveyed a few challenges surrounding her dressers: 1) they were spread out among her home and where her mother lives, 2) she would like the option of using any and all of them interchangeably in the various rooms of her home and also where her mother resides, and 3) she had so many ideas that she did not know where to land. And that’s when our team stepped in!

Here are the pictures of her dressers before. It is not shown here, but there is a taller dresser that matches the one on the left.

Change the Hardware (or Keep it?) & Selecting the Right Color

We decided to keep the hardware that is currently on the dressers because all of it was in good condition and the styles coordinated well with their respective pieces. This is an important element to consider when weighing out whether to change the hardware on a piece of furniture. In order to achieve a cohesive look, we decided to paint all of the pieces the same color. I love Benjamin Moore’s Balboa Mist. Although considered part of the off-white collection, I would still consider Balboa Mist in the gray family. It has a gentle warm undertone but pairs well with most finishes and serves as a beautiful backdrop for a large variety of colors, cool and warm alike. Here is a swatch.

And here are the after photos of the matching set

And here is the stand alone dresser (which can now stand alone or be mixed in with the others as needed!)

A huge thanks to Anne for working with us and for letting us be part of this furniture project. We are so glad that these pieces have new life and you are able to mix and match in whatever spaces they need to be used!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Posted on October 22, 2024October 21, 2024 by Meg Booth

Caring for Your Painted Furniture

Hi, friends!

Without question, adding a special piece of furniture that is custom painted adds character and charm to any space, making it a popular choice for all design styles. However, to keep it looking its best, proper care and maintenance are essential. In today’s blog, I am sharing practical tips and guidance to help preserve the beauty of your painted furniture, ensuring it lasts for years to come. Let’s dive in!

FunCycled Furniture Painting Projects

Take a look at some fun furniture transformations over the years!

Routine Cleaning

Maintaining painted furniture starts with regular cleaning to prevent dirt and grime buildup.

Dusting: Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to dust your furniture weekly. Avoid feather dusters, as they can scratch the surface.
Wipe Down: Once a week or every other week, go ahead and wipe the furniture down with a warm, damp cloth that has been well squeezed or rung out. Wipe all exterior surfaces.
Mild Soap: For more thorough cleaning, use a damp cloth with a mild soap solution. I suggest a small bead of dawn dish detergent diluted in 32 oz of water. Avoid harsh chemicals, which can damage the paint. Always follow up with a dry cloth to prevent moisture damage.

Protecting the Finish

To keep your painted furniture looking fresh, protect it from potential damage:

Coasters and Placemats: Always use coasters for drinks and placemats for hot dishes to prevent heat and moisture damage.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Position your furniture away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and discoloration over time.
Keep a Consistent Temperature: If your furniture is exposed to extreme cold and heat, your painted surface may become damaged. Make sure your furniture is kept in a zone with a consistent temperature.

Dealing with Scratches and Scuffs

We all know accidents happen, and thankfully, there are ways to address minor imperfections that come with wear and tear:

Touch-Up Paint: Keep a small amount of your original paint on hand for quick touch-ups. I like to use this angled sponge tip brush. It keeps the paint focused to one area.
Buffing: For surface scratches, lightly buff the area with a soft cloth. This may help to blend the scratch with the surrounding paint.

Handling Major Repairs

For more significant damage or wear, you may want to consider having your piece repainted.

Repainting it Yourself: If your furniture has become dull or heavily damaged, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders. If you want to handle this type of project on your own, check out this blog post, How to Paint Furniture Like a Pro.

Here are some beautiful choices you could select!

Or maybe you want to consider a little bit of color…I love these two! They are rich and elegant!

Having FunCycled Repaint it for You: We are glad to work with you again and would be happy to refresh your furniture in the same color, or you can choose to have it repainted in a new color. You can contact us with all of the details here: Contact Us

Contact FunCycled Today!

Well there you have it…some helpful hints to help you care for your painted furniture item so you can enjoy its beauty for years. By following these maintenance tips—regular cleaning, protective measures, and timely repairs—you can keep your pieces looking fresh and vibrant. Whether it’s a cherished heirloom or a trendy DIY project, a little attention goes a long way in preserving the charm of your painted furniture. Enjoy!

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Posted on October 15, 2024October 14, 2024 by Meg Booth

Heartwarming Before & After: China Cabinet Painted Sweatshirt Gray

Hi, friends!

I am so excited to share today’s Tuesday Treasure with you! Before I get to that, I want to give a shout out to my team and all they did for helping FunCycled host the 2024 Fall Festival a couple of weeks ago! It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed spending time with old and new friends who stopped by! Check out some sweet photos from the event.

At the event, the 336 Food Truck really delivered on their latest offering…extra creamy hot cocoa with perfectly toasted marshmallow topping! I mean I had to try it! : )

Take a look at that crew, hard at work!

Today, I am featuring our latest furniture makeover story which was actually the winner of our most recent Broken to Beautiful free furniture makeover initiative. For all of the details on FunCycled’s Broken to Beautiful, please read our full blog post here: FunCycled’s Broken to Beautiful.

This heartwarming makeover story relays the tale of a china cabinet passed down from a beloved grandparent to her adoring granddaughter. In Jessica’s own words, “it is a treasured heirloom that carries deep emotional and familial significance. This elegant piece embodies not only the craftsmanship and style of its time but also the warmth and love of my grandmother’s home.” Jessica also shared that her hope would be to use a restored version of the cabinet to display the fine china collection that had been curated by her grandmother on her father’s side. Both of these women have passed, but Jessica wanted to honor the heritage and legacies of each through this one piece of furniture, sure to keep their history and memories alive in a new way. Exactly the heart of Broken to Beautiful!

Here are some pictures of the china cabinet before it was refreshed.

When we first spoke with Jessica to share with her that she had been selected as the recipient of the Summer Broken to Beautiful Initiative, she was beyond elated at the prospect of having this precious piece rejuvenated! I still recall her voice as it choked up with joy and overwhelm.

One really important component to the Broken to Beautiful initiative is that we desire to breathe new life into old or broken pieces of furniture in order to bring joy and hope into someone’s life! We are so glad that we got to do this for Jessica and her family.

Take a look at some after photos of the china cabinet redone.

Here are the photos of Jessica with her now refreshed china cabinet filled with the treasured china given to her! What a beautiful honor to both of her grandmother’s legacies!

And here are some additional details of the cabinet.

We painted the inside of the cabinet in Benjamin Moore Simply White and the whole exterior in Benjamin Moore Sweatshirt Gray. Those swatches are below, so you can see how these beautiful colors work together! Plus, as you see in the last photo above, we lightly distressed some of the edges around the door, the drawer, and molding of this item. When you take time to appropriately distress, it will emphasize and draw (well deserved) attention to all of the right details! And, we decided to keep the original hardware for this item. Keeping the same hardware is a way of preserving history and often is the only complement for an older piece like this cabinet.

A huge thank you to Jessica and family for entering the Broken to Beautiful Initiative and for allowing us the opportunity to refresh this cabinet that you may begin creating new memories that honor and cherish those from your youth!

Please keep an eye on our social channels for our next Broken to Beautiful campaign. We encourage our community to not only consider their own stories for submission but to also submit on behalf of a deserving individual who would be deserving of this furniture makeover. Again, full details for the Broken to Beautiful Initiative can be found in the link below.

FunCycled’s Broken to Beautiful Initiative

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Posted on October 8, 2024October 9, 2024 by Meg Booth

How to Keep your Kitchen Cabinets Fresh for Years to Come!

Hi, friends!

I hope you are having a great week! Today, I want to share some helpful and practical tips for keeping your kitchen cabinets fresh and in good condition for the long haul. Whether you have a new kitchen or an older kitchen, making sure your cabinets stay clean and free from damage will keep them lasting for years and will help them hold value. Really if you think about it, just like anything else we do, if we put time and energy into keeping the things in our home tidy and fresh, it is like making an investment into our homes!

Let me emphasize that the recommendations I have laid out for you are true for most cabinet surfaces, but FOR SURE they are tried and true for the kitchen makeovers we have done over the years, including our own. That said, let’s dive into it!

Here are some of our past kitchen projects that feature the cabinets and surfaces that I am talking about today. Plus, you will some photos of my own kitchen where I definitely employ these measures to maintain beautiful cabinets!

SOME OF FUNCYCLED’S FAVORITE KITCHEN PROJECTS

MY OWN KITCHEN

BASIC CARE

Make sure you wipe them down daily with a mild spray cleanser. I recommend Mrs. Meyers all purpose cleaner.
For best results, I suggest spraying onto a soft microfiber cloth and then wiping down the cabinets rather than spraying directly onto the cabinets. This multipack of cloths is so helpful for all of my cleaning needs.
Definitely be sure to avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive sponges.
If you need to quickly wipe an immediate spill, your best bet is to grab a paper towel and quickly wipe it up. You can go back later to address any residue. I like Bounty or Viva. They really are the some of the softest and most absorbent options.

DEEPER CLEANING

For grimier project or to help cut down on grease build up, mix warm water with a mild detergent such as dawn dish soap.
You can use a microfiber cloth or a non abrasive sponge. I like these biodegradable and colorful sponges.
After cleaning with the detergent, you should rinse with just warm water and wipe dry with another microfiber cloth.
To avoid buildup, schedule a deeper clean every 3 to 4 months.

TOUCHING UP PAINT

For minor scratches, very gently wipe just around the edge of the scratch with a dry cloth to remove any loose paint pieces. I recommend using a basic washcloth for this.
Make sure all loose pieces have been removed by wiping again with a lightly dampened cloth and letting dry for 5 – 10 minutes to ensure no moisture.
Be sure to mix your paint thoroughly before applying any to the surface of the cabinets.
Gently apply a small amount of matching paint. (If your project was completed by FunCycled, you should have received extra paint.) Use a small angled wedge foam paint brush for application.
Let paint dry for 60 minutes. Apply another light coat as needed and let dry for another 60 minutes.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Use clear cabinet door bumpers, applied to the inside top and bottom corners of the edge of your cabinet door opposite of the hinges.
Make sure you store leftover paint in a well sealed, container. I like these that are clear and you can write on them. Each container also includes a stainless steal mixer.
Avoid letting spills or high amounts of moisture sit on the surface of your cabinets for long periods of time.
Avoid situations where your cabinets will have direct contact with heat.
Use protective shelf liners to prolong the life of inside surfaces as well. I like this option because it is non adhesive but it stays in place so it is less prone to moving around.

LARGER REPAIRS AND PROJECTS

Over time, wear and tear will happen. It comes with the beauty and blessing of living in our spaces! For projects that require a larger scope (large scratches or well worn areas), FunCycled offers touch up services for our former cabinet clients.

I hope you will begin to employ some of these tips for your kitchen. Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture.

To shop ALL of these products in one place, click here.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Posted on October 1, 2024October 2, 2024 by Meg Booth

Shop My Home: 2024 Product List for the Repurposed Idea House First Floor

Hi, friends!

I can’t wait until October 5th when we get to host you for the 2024 FunCycled Fall Festival, hosted at our Repurposed Idea House. To get all of the information, visit (link to the blog). One of the things I like most about hosing Festivals and Open Houses is to give people an opportunity to come inside and tour our home. It is so special and has been such a blessing to my family! This home has been so much more than a place to live for us, we have built memories beyond compare, we have poured blood, sweat, and tears into reimagining it from what it once was and it has served as a haven for our friends and family. And I have been able to design every room into a place that captures the heartbeat of the Trop family!

Links to the FunCycled Fall Festival, October 5th, 10 am to 2 pm

FREE Tickets to Attend
Tickets for a Candle Making Class (10:30 am & 12:30 pm)
Tickets for the Arched Wreath Making Class (11:30 am)
Link to peruse the latest FunCycled Furniture for sale that day

Whether you are able to join us for a tour, or have already been on a tour, I have detailed some of the downstairs rooms for you to browse and actually shop for yourself! Enjoy, but as always, even the best pictures can’t quite capture the full essence and beauty of anyone’s home, so I hope you will be able to join us for the day and to tour our home!

Entryway

One of my favorite things is to share my favorite vintage finds with our guests as soon as they walk into our home. In our Repurposed Idea House, we have the pleasure of greeting friends and family with treasured finds which tell of the cherished moments we have had as a family!

Here are some of the products, up close and personal.

Product List & Links for the Entryway

Custom Vintage Furniture by FunCycled
Rug – Amazon
Light – Amazon
Wallpaper – Amazon
Coat Rack – Stoffer Home
Runner – Annie Selkie

Family Room

If you walk through the doorway that sits just to the right of the mustard yellow vanity in our entryway, you will enter the family room and adjoining dining room area.

This room is a pretty large, but by breaking it up with a cozy seating area, we are able to designate the rest of the room for our dining area. I love that this allows for adults to engage with the kids!

PRODUCT LIST & LINKS FOR FAMILY ROOM

Rug – Amazon
Couch – Amazon (this is a similar one to what we have, but is not an exact match)
Leather Chair – Wayfair
Pillows – Amazon
Coffee table, dresser and armoire – vintage repurposed by FunCycled

Dining Room

One thing we needed to consider with our dining area is that the space was very open but because of the layout and placement of the doors, we needed a long and narrow table. So, my husband, John, built this custom table to fit the room exactly. We often think of creating built -ins for our homes, but making custom fitting furniture items is not a usual go-to when we are planning out the room, but it can make such a huge difference!

Wood Chairs – assortment of vintage finds painted in Simply White
Metal Farm Chairs – Amazon
Table – custom built by FunCycled

As I said, the Dining Room and Family Room are actually in one larger room. Below, you will see a picture of the whole space, as well as a paint swatch of the color that is painted on the walls: Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

Living Room

As can often be the case, the flow of the room can be interrupted by the need to create a walkway or to account for an area for a pass through. I have a few of these areas in my home, but I think the most frequently passed through area in our home is walking through the living room to the kitchen. Check out the pictures below which show how to

PRODUCT LIST & LINKS FOR LIVING ROOM

Couch – Joybird
Vintage Art – curated and sourced by FunCycled
Custom Live Edge coffee built by FunCycled
Chair – Amazon
Pillows – Home Goods (similar items linked below)
Rug – Amazon
Planters – Home Goods (similar items linked below)
Credenza – vintage repurposed by FunCycled

Since some of my furnishings are not able to be linked, I have found some similar products in case something inspires you!

Kitchen

Cabinet Color – Benjamin Moore Dark Harbor (featured here)
Rug – Amazon
Sink – Amazon
Faucet – Amazon
Island Pendant – Amazon
Hardware – Amazon
Stools – Wayfair
Mug Rack from post office cabinet – custom by FunCycled & PERFECT for FunCycled mugs!
Counters: Klassic Marble and Granite Quartz Island with Soap Stone Exterior Counters
Vintage home decor sourced by FunCycled

Well, there you have it…the first floor of our beloved Repurposed Idea House!

I hope you find some inspiration for your home, and if you don’t know where to begin, I would love to help you! Feel free to set up a 1 Hour Design Appointment with me, and we can walk through some design challenges and questions together. You can select a Virtual or In Person appointment.

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Posted on September 24, 2024September 20, 2024 by Meg Booth

Oak Dresser Painted in Dark Harbor by Benjamin Moore

Hi friends!

I hope you had a good weekend! We had a really full weekend, as is typical for us, but it was good!

Today, I want to share about one of our recent furniture makeover stories. Having been the jumpstart of FunCycled, a good furniture flip really is my first love! What I happen to love even more about this particular story is that is features one of my favorite colors: Benjamin Moore Dark Harbor. In case you don’t know or haven’t been following for very long, our Repurposed Idea House features this color in our kitchen, specifically on our kitchen cabinets.

And speaking of Repurposed Idea House, don’t forget about the Fall Festival we are hosting on Saturday, October 5th, from 10 am 2 pm. Join us for house tours, lawn games, and warm waffles from our 336 Food Truck! To get all of the details, including your FREE tickets, go to FunCycled Fall Festival.

For client, Melissa, we have been meeting and working on design ideas for her home. Part of the plans included giving an old oak dresser a facelift. Take a look at this BEFORE photo. As you can see, the finish and hardware are pretty outdated, but the lines are good and it has some really interesting detail on the front of the middle drawers. I knew a painted refresh and some new hardware would bring it back to life!

And here are some after photos.

Notice how the blue allows those details to come through? And, of course, adding the right hardware is key!

Sometimes paint colors are hard to tell based on photos, but Dark Harbor is a rich jewel tone and can be classified as a teal color, meaning it is a mix of blue and green. Here are two swatches to share with you.

We selected coordinating knobs and drawer pulls in brushed gold finish. I love both of these! The texture is beautiful and they are reasonably priced! Find them linked below:

A huge thanks to Melissa for working with us and for letting us be part of this furniture project. We loved breathing new life into this special piece for your home!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Posted on September 17, 2024September 27, 2024 by Meg Booth

FunCycled’s 2024 Fall Festival

Hi, friends,

Well it is official! I have begun the countdown to the start of fall…now just 6 days away (counting today)! If you missed my blog about getting your house prepped for fall, you can read it here!

One of my most favorite parts about fall is the changing leaves, and I have found that at our house, the best time to really enjoy the colors of fall is early October. That’s why I am so excited to invite you to a Fall Open House event on Saturday, October 5th, from 10 am to 2 pm! We have hosted open house events before, but this year, I am extra happy because it is also my birthday weekend, and I can honestly say I would love nothing more than to celebrate with our beautiful community! I hope you can come : )

WHAT TO EXPECT

Enjoy outdoor activities, order a delicious warm waffle prepared from our own 336 food truck, take a tour of the latest designs at our Repurposed Idea House, visit our furniture shop, and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather with your whole family at our historic farmhouse!

FREE tickets required for this event. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

FEATURED ACTIVITIES

Tour of Our 1805 Repurposed Idea House
336 Food Truck Selling Waffle Creations (savory & sweet selections)
Marshmallow Roasting Stations
Lawn Games
Candle Making Class (paid tickets required)
Arched Wreath Making Class (paid tickets required)
Fall Photo Backdrop Area

GETTING TICKETS

This is a free event, but we are asking you to get tickets, so we can best plan! Get your tickets HERE. Plus, if you would like to create that perfect scented candle (either for you or for a gift), you can sign up for the Candle Making Class HERE. I would like to give Jessica from Thoughtful Gardner for sharing her skills and candle expertise with us!! We are also offering an Arched Wreath Making Class, using vintage iron and wood decorative arches adorned with fall themed accents, just perfect for the door or wall hanging, or simply propped on your mantle nestled by some cute little pumpkins. Links to purchase tickets below:

Candle Making Class Tickets

Arched Wreath Making Class

WHAT IS THE 336 FOOD TRUCK?

The @336foodtruck was just launched, and we could not be more excited about how my husband’s waffle creations are being received! Check out this great photo of my guy and his truck! So proud of you, John!

Here’s a peek at the yummy selections of waffles. Get your tastebuds ready! And a bonus, we offer GLUTEN FREE waffle options as well!

I can’t wait to spend the day together!

Sarah ; )

Farmhouse Kitchens

Farmhouse Kitchen by FunCycled

Coastal Kitchens

Coastal Lakehouse Kitchen by FunCycled

Industrial Kitchens

Industrial Rustic Kitchen by FunCycled

Mid Century Modern Kitchens

Mid Century Inspired Kitchen by FunCycled

STEP ONE: GET INSPIRED

STEP TWO: ASSESS TABLE & SEATING

STEP THREE: TIME TO DECORATE

STEP FOUR: Time to Give Thanks

Bonus: Using Reclaimed Wood

FunCycled Furniture Painting Projects

Routine Cleaning

Protecting the Finish

Dealing with Scratches and Scuffs

Handling Major Repairs

Entryway

Family Room

Dining Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Sarah Trop