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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.
Cleaner Multi-pack – Amazon
Microfiber Cloth Multi-pack – Amazon

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

Foam Brush – Amazon
  • 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.
Cabinet & Drawer Bumpers – Amazon
Clear Paint Containers with Label – Amazon

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.

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.

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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

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

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!

Pillow Similar to Mine
Rug from my Living Room
Pillow Similar to Mine
Woven Planters Similar to Mine
Tall Black Planter Similar to Mine
Hammered Brass Planters Similar to Mine

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. 

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.

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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.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore

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:

Drawer Pulls from Amazon
Knobs from Amazon

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!

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. 

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.

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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 ; )

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Prepping Your Home for Fall in Upstate New York

Hi, friends!

Now that we are approaching cooler temperatures, it ‘s a good time to review some steps to get our homes ready for the next season! Today, I want to give you some practical guidance as well as some design inspo to set the stage for a happy and safe season ahead!

First, I want to share a check list for getting your home ready for fall. If you are a list maker, this is right up your alley, but I assure you, even for our “let me go where the wind blows me” sort of friends, this list is brief and quite doable! Here you go!

PRACTICAL TO-DO’S

  • clean gutters
  • clean up shed or storage area for storing pool & other outdoor equipment
  • tidy the garden and make a plan for fall planting or landscape changes for spring
  • paint exterior areas: window trim, garage door, or front door
  • schedule inspection or routine maintenance of your fireplace (it’s not too early for this! Anyone remember October 4, 1987?!)

FUN THINGS THAT MAKE IT FEEL LIKE FALL

My guess is you may already be sipping your fav go-to fall drink (Pumpkin Spice Latte, anyone?), but in case you have never paid attention, not only do our drink choices help us welcome in fall but there are also some routine go to design elements that bring on fall and help us get that cozy vibe we are looking for!

I have found a couple of inspiration photos to share with you. What I love and appreciate about these living room designs is that they are decidedly NOT over the top and actually serve as good examples for designing your space to allow for change with each new season. And, even though the design styles are different, each exhibits warmth and creates a cozy atmosphere. Let’s break it down.

Warm Hues – Okay, before we go any further. This does NOT mean you have to abandon your main color palette nor change out large items in your room. If you want to do this, okay, that’s fine. But that may not be practical for most of us, and truthfully, I don’t think it’s necessary.

Adding warm caramels & tawny browns, as in the first pic, or pairing muted burgundy with light beige tones BOTH add that touch of warmth to each of the spaces. Here are some options you may want to consider for your home

Velvet Lumbar Pillow Amazon
Magnolia Home Lumbar Pillow Amazon
20″ Textured Pillow Ahttps://amzn.to/3MwuNSCmazon
22″ Velvet & Linen Pillow Amazon

Cozy Textures – woven poofs and baskets along with chunky, knitted blankets

Knitted Chenille Throw Amazon
Jute Braided Ottoman Amazon

Natural Botanicals – dried flowers, such as hydrangeas or gypsophila (babies breath) add muted color and natural texture to a vase or piece of pottery. Here is a little inspiration for you that I found on Pinterest:

Photo c/o Pinterest
Photo c/o Pinterest
Photo: Jeff Herr c/o Better Homes & Gardens

Layered Styling – yup just like your wardrobe right now (anyone else leaving the house in the morning with a jacket and then ditching it by the afternoon?!), so, too, should your styling be. Check out this inspiration!

  • Try propping pictures in front of a mirror
  • Layer books and place a treasured heirloom or vintage piece on top
  • Plants add natural warmth and serve as great anchors when placed toward one side of your display
  • Add seasonal finishing touches like these cute little pumpkins

And below is a go-to for me when I am styling a counter or shelf in the kitchen. Grab a beautifully patterned cutting board, turn it on its side, and add a plant (say some herbs) in front. It’s lovely and practical!

Rustic Elements – adding elements like stone or pottery is a huge trend right now. And even if you can’t find or don’t have the real deal, there are some really great look alike options. A really practical way to do this is with your lamp choice. Below I have linked some options for you.

Cream Textured Lamp with Beige Shade
Amazon
Terracotta Lamp with Linen Shade
Amazon

TRENDS THAT ARE COMING & STAYING FOR FALL AND WINTER

Photo courtesy of The Junk Parlor

Below, I have detailed some other fall trends that are popping up right now. The wonderful part about these is that they will have staying power! I hope to share more about these different design elements in a future blog, but for now, let me share this photo to inspire you! Guess which one of these I just love (oh, and I have been doing for years!)

  • Curved Lines
  • Vintage Accents
  • Handcrafted Items & Natural Materials
  • Jewel Tones Mixed with Warm Neutrals

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.

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Dirty Kitchens are the Latest Design Craze!

Hi friends!

I hope you had a great weekend and Labor Day! One thing I love about this time of year is getting things in order for the year ahead. Last week, I shared some tips on getting your kiddos and home ready for the BACK to School season and staying organized for the year ahead. If you missed it, you can check it out here. In conjuction with getting organized, I like the idea of planning out my house projects for the year, and back to school season is a great time to begin this process.

In this Tuesday’s Treasure, I am sharing about a new design craze that people are adding to their list of home projects: Dirty Kitchens. That’s right! Your eyes are NOT deceiving you, I am here to talk about Dirty Kitchens. While I am sure many of us can relate to the words, dirty kitchen (especially coupled together), let me clarity that I am not talking about the tidiness and cleanliness of your kitchen. We can all relate to the mess that seems to find its way to kitchen counters, overfull sinks, and ….. That, my friends, is just part of living!

So what do I mean when I say Dirty Kitchens are the latest design craze? Well, let’s begin with defining what is a dirty kitchen. According to a quick Google search, AI defines a dirty kitchen as “a secondary kitchen that’s used for food preparation, cooking, and cleaning, while keeping the main kitchen clean and tidy” (AI Overview, 08/22/2024). This type of space may also be referred to as a back or mess kitchen, a working butler’s pantry (a little different than a butler’s pantry), or even a modern scullery kitchen-not that anything with the word ‘scullery’ in it sounds remotely modern! Ha! But nonetheless, there you have it, dirty kitchens defined!

Examples of Dirty Kitchens

In my search, I found these three beautiful examples of dirty kitchens, found on House Beautiful’s website. Most noticeably, is the overall design aesthetic, ranging from the bold and rich green to the warm mid-tone taupe to a bright and classic white with striking gold accents. Each has a unique character just like a main kitchen. But upon closer review, each of these kitchens is laid out a little differently, indicating they may function differently. Hmmm…makes me ponder….

Photo by Eymeric Widling c/o House Beautiful
Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
c/c House Beautiful
Photo by Isaac Bailey
c/o House Beautiful

But What is the Purpose?

You might be thinking, “but I already have a kitchen…why would I need another one?” The answer to this question is maybe not as straightforward as one might think, but simply stated, having a second kitchen takes the stress off of the main kitchen–a room which (in our modern era) has grown to be a function as a cooking space while serving as as a place to gather and entertain! When I consider this, I actually find great value in having a second kitchen (even if just a zone) to help take some of the stress off…become more of a gathering space than

but I already have a kitchen…why would I need another one?

How Can I Add this to My Home?

So for many of us, we may not have the budget to add a whole second kitchen (dirty or otherwise!) into our homes, so what options might we have to help alleviate the pressure we often experience in our main kitchen area? Well, I think the first step to tackling this is to identify what it is…ask ourselves, “what is it the becomes the proverbial cog in the wheel?” Consider evaluating these questions:

  • Is it dishes being piled in the sink?
  • Is it because I have too many pots and roasters going at one time and my kitchen can’t accommodate all of that?
  • Is my challenge that I just simply don’t have enough storage?
  • Do I need additional counter space for prepping?

Tackling the Issues

Even in the examples above, we can see that our needs vary and therefore, there is no one right way of tackling this issue. Let’s consider ways to tackle the challenges

Too many dishes piled in the sink? Find a spot for an additional dishwasher or another sink to at least take the edge off. This could be in a hallway or pantry area near your kitchen or maybe consider (don’t throw something at me!) removing a section of cabinets and adding in a compact dishwasher (or a full size one). Here are some portable sinks that can be stationed in another location. I like the one on the left because it’s TOTALLY portable. It can accommodate a water tank right below the sink-pretty clever! Or, if you have the capability of connecting to a waterline, the option on the right is a great, practical (and attractive) option.

General storage issues?. Find a nearby wall, potentially only serving as a pass through, and add a supplemental pantry cabinet. This could be next to an eating area that adjoins your kitchen or even a wall that connects the kitchen to the next room-whatever that might be. Here are a couple of options that really look nice!

This cabinet is versatile with drawers (could be used for pots/pans or for trays) and adjustable shelves good for canned goods, appliances, or serving dishes. I wanted to share it with you displayed in a couple of different ways.

Amazon Cabinet
Connecting Kitchen to Eating Area
Amazon Cabinet
Amazon Cabinet
Situated by the Adjoining Room

This next cabinet is specifically designed with kitchen storage in mind, so it is not as versatile. But it does come in 2 heights (displayed below) to accommodate your space.

Not Enough Prep Space? The easiest way to tackle this is to add a portable kitchen island to your kitchen or adjoining room. I like the options below because they both have a trash bin (easy pull-out) as part of the design-perfect for scraps! Depending upon your room and layout, this feature is on the side or on the front. I point this out because it is something that should be considered.

Amazon Island
Amazon Island

My Final Thoughts

  • 1 – Okay, so dirty kitchens are not necessarily essential, but they can be really helpful. If I had space for one, I think I would add one!
  • 2 – Adding a dirty kitchen is not feasible for everyone. The good news is there are ways to add “dirty kitchen functionality” in our homes without putting on an addition (or breaking the bank).
  • 3 – If after reading this and doing your own search (even if just to drool over your dream dirty kitchen-haha!) and you conclude that having a whole separate kitchen in your home IS the right decision, I can help! Maybe you have a spare room near by or you can consider converting your basement or garage. The right design could help lighten your entertaining and cooking load!

Adding Style to Your Kitchen

Below is a design board that I created for a client earlier this year. The design was for my client’s main kitchen, but it could serve to inspire for any kitchen.

I love this design! The soft green and rich, gold accents add an elegant touch to a kitchen. If you would like to have help designing your kitchen, I would love to help you create a space that functions well and is a perfect reflection of you and the home you want! To learn more about design appointments, visit our Interior Design 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 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.

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Let’s Get Organized for BACK to SCHOOL!

Hi friends!

We just got back from a beautiful week away with my family, sneaking in one last quick hurrah before the new shcool year starts! I love this annual trip, and I am so thankful for the memories we make!

With the start of school upon us, I wanted to share some helpful design ideas and organizational tips for getting back into the groove of a new school year. Even if you don’t have children in your home, there is something unique about this time of year that can bring a smile to our faces and energize us to get organized for a new routine! Today’s Tuesday’s Treasure will share ideas mostly geared toward keeping our kiddos organized for the school year routine, but certainly, we can all take a few hints and tips that translate into any home! Enjoy!

MUDROOMS & ENTRYWAYS

One really cool idea for your entryway or mudroom are is to convert a closet into a mudroom or entryway station. I love this idea for two main reasons. NO. 1 – because for many of us, we have limited amount of real estate to designate for this purpose, so using a closet means we don’t have to find a new place. We really only need to rethink the way it is used! NO. 2 – using a closet means we have the option of having closed in storage. This is HUGE for many of us because we know that entryways and mudrooms often house a lot of clutter, so just keep the doors in place OR as is shown in these examples, install a barn door to create visual interest and save on space! If you don’t find a barn door that will match what you need or are looking for, FunCycled can do that for you! Check out our Custom Built Barn Doors.

Photo generated by AI
Photo generated by AI
Amazon
Amazon

Hall Trees – Another option to consider is adding a hall tree to an empty wall area inside your entrance. Whether at the front or back of your home, whether a big or small area, there are several options and varieties of hall trees. Check out these two great options. When considering what to purchase, be sure to think through hooks for small bags, scarves, etc. as well as a place for shoes and shelving which can be used to hold baskets for tucked away storage or even display a special tchotchke!

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

The key ingredient to keeping things organized is to have the right storage solutions. A variety and sizes of baskets is a great plan, and I have pulled together some picks that serve a variety of purposes.

Baskets

Amazonhttps://amzn.to/470ghvS
Amazon

Freestanding Shoe Storage

Baskets are just one part of the organization and don’t account for one of the biggest culprits of clutter (not to mention a major tripping hazard!) For this reason, I would also suggest considering your shoe storage. As seen above, this is something often “built into” the hall tree, but the number of shoes that can be accommodated is somewhat limited with this. I like the options below. Both are compact and fit easily into an entryway!

Amazon
Amazon
Picture courtesy of Pinterest

With either of these shoe storage solutions, you could put a calendar or bulletin board above to house reminders or important paperwork for school or even for work!

I also saw this cool idea for the shoe storage. In the image to the right, you will see how one mom used a drawer to hold binders and notebooks for her kiddos to have at the ready to grab for school! Such a great idea, right?! I love thinking outside the box : )

Wall Hooks

A quick note on wall hooks. Most of them are not designed to hold a full backpack. So if you intend to have your kiddos put their backpacks on a designated hook, make sure the backpack is NOT full. I strongly recommend you use cubbies or oversized baskets for backpacks and let the hooks hold coats, scarves, and lighter weight items! Here are some hook options that are clean and streamlined and allow the colorful coats do all of the talking!

Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon

Finding Their Names

There are many options for signage, but I like the simplicity of custom metal names to help designate zones and let’s your child find their name and keep all of their stuff together! Look at this nice option, totally customizable on Amazon.

WORK ZONES

Okay so when considering work zones for kids, the KEY to this is organization! It is a must – everything has a place and everything in its place (thank you, Benjamin Franklin, for coining this important mantra!) In keeping with the idea of unused or hidden spaces, converting a closet into desk and work space for kids is a great option! Check out this inspiration photo below.

Photo Generated by AI

Of course sparing a closet for this may not be possible in your home, so here are some other ideas for capturing unused areas and turning them into a work zone.

  • NO 1 – A small or narrow landing area
  • NO 2 – A small corner or alcove area
  • NO 3 – An unclaimed wall that only serves as a pass through for traffic
Small or Narrow Landing Area Photo courtesy of Decor Pad
Small Corner or Alcove Area Photo courtesy of The Spruce
Unclaimed Passthrough Wall Photo courtesy of Classyclutter.net

If you have this kind of unclaimed space and want to convert it to a work area, check out these floating desk options. Floating desks are functional and they help preserve floor space which is a critical factor when considering small space work zones. And because of their smaller scale, they can work side by side if you want a “line” of desk areas.

Amazon
Amazon

Desktop and Wall Storage

This is always an important component. When purchasing and planning, keep in mind accessibility. The options below are great because they are compact but can hold a lot of things and can function in one designated section even if it is an area that has to be shared with others!

Amazon
Amazon

Lighting

Wall sconces are the way to go for adding lighting to a work area. Here are some good options to consider. Keep these things in mind when planning and purchasing:

  • Compact
  • Direct lighting
  • Whether you can hard wire or need something that has to plug into the wall
  • Make sure the “on/off” functionality is easily accessible (I like the pull chain on light option 3!)
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon

KIDS ARTWORK

Well, it likely goes without saying that our kids can generate an overabundance of artwork throughout the school year. Keeping up with it, organizing it, and evaluating what can be displayed is altogether overwhelming! While there are a few good solutions, I want to share the solution I found to be super user friendly, fast, and streamlined for my kid’s artwork!

Artkive– this is a great option for “saving” your children’s artwork throughout the school year without having to actually save it! Simply snap some pics, upload and select from Mosaic Artwork or an Art Book. I love that it is not overcomplicated. Below is an example of the Mosaic Artwork and the Art Book.

Well, I know we looked at a lot today and this blog post is certainly not a comprehensive review of back to school organization, but I do think having a few ideas to inspire and encourage is important as we look to another school year season! As you embark on a new season and routine, remember to have grace for yourself and for your family because even the best of organizers may have a moment or two of disorganization! Have a great year!

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.

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Green Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Clifton Park, NY

Hi Friends!

It is so exciting when I get to share with you stunning makeovers that display the correct way to add color to a home! This summer, I have focused on incorporating color into your design which I know can be a scary or intimidating idea. That’s why I am glad to share today’s kitchen makeover story with you. Julie and her family reached out to us knowing they wanted to update their kitchen but needed some guidance on making the right selections for their project. Thanks to our team, we were able to completely change the look of their kitchen while keeping the cost down.

Here are a few before photos of Julie’s kitchen. This kitchen is what I would call a busy or disjointed kitchen. There are 2 different colors of wood tones between the cabinets and island, 2 different countertops, and 2 different colors of hardware used throughout the space. The good news…everything was in good condition, so we knew we could use the existing cabinets and drawers.

Here are a couple more photos

Next we determined that Julie and her family were going to keep the counters and backsplash. Yes, the two different counters were mismatched, but they are solid surface and in really good shape. As for her backsplash, it actually contained all of the colors that were present in her heavily veined granite counter AND the even, streamlined dark gray countertop. Now, we just needed to make all of the elements tie in together.

Here is a close up of the backsplash and the paint swatch we decided to use for the cabinets.

It was great that their tile actually contained ALL of the elements that we needed to pull together a cohesive plan. Plus, it helped to confirm our color choice!

This color is by Behr. It’s called Black Evergreen. It is a rich, deep green and can be used to add a dramatic element to a room or to provide a moody space that helps warm and welcome a room.

And here is the beautiful outcome with our cohesive design plan!

In addition to selecting the right paint color, we decided to paint the underside of the cabinets. For Julie’s kitchen, this was an important component in achieving a cohesive design plan. It’s a good idea to do this when you want to ensure the visual appearance is not interrupted and the colors are evenly spread out around a room. Choosing the right color, ensuring a continuous visual presence, and selecting matching hardware were the essential

See how well this paint color works with both counters?

Look at how well the color works with both counters…and check out the rich tone of the deep green next to the movement of the granite on their island. Isn’t is just stunning?!

And the last detail to complete the cohesive plan was to ensure we used the right hardware. Sometimes using one kind for your doors and another for your drawers is a good idea, but since Julie’s kitchen plan was to pull everything together, we decided the best option would be to select all of the same hardware. And to add just a little more interest, we decided on these black and gold handles. Here is the link where you can purchase them: Black and Gold Cabinet Pulls.

We just loved completing this project! Thanks, Julie, for working with us and for trusting FunCycled with your design plan!

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.

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Charming Troy Kitchen Makeover with Brand New Cabinet Doors

Hi friends!

I hope you had a great weekend! My family and I are continuing to enjoy being outside and enjoying the days of summer!

It has been a while since I shared a kitchen makeover story with you, and today, I certainly will do that! But as I do, I want to make sure that I help explain (and show some good examples of) knowing when upgrading your cabinet doors is the best decision for your kitchen refresh. Typically, with most of our kitchens, we are focused on upcycling the current kitchen cabinets and giving them a refresh by painting them and changing out hardware. However, sometimes when evaluating the whole kitchen project, the best decision is to change out the cabinet doors. It may surprise you, but this not only gives a fresh look to really outdated or beat up cabinet doors but it also can often be the most cost effective option when considering repair costs or labor costs to ensure the right outcome.

Today’s kitchen features the story of Patricia and her husband who were moving into a new home and part of their plan was to include a refresh to their kitchen. When we met, there were a few challenges to talk through. First the color or their kitchen was a dark black. Black cabinets can be an elegant option, don’t get me wrong, but the cabinets in Patricia’s kitchen were in rough shape. doing that thing that many of us do…we know we need to get things updated, but we are really trying to stretch our dollar and make sure we make the best and wisest decision for our families. When I first talked with Patricia, she mentioned that she was concerned the doors in on her kitchen cabinets When we met with Patricia, she brought one of her ca

Here is a picture of the kitchen before our FunCycled team was able to work our magic

It might be hard to see because I had to zoom in on one of the before photos that our client had taken of her kitchen. The cabinet doors were in pretty rough shape. A previous owner had them painted with heavy duty deck paint. This kind of paint is COMPLETELY WRONG for cabinet doors!

As we reviewed the condition of the cabinet doors, we determined that the number of hours to get these doors to a smooth surface (in order to help the paint adhere) would be well beyond the cost of building new doors for the project. Not to mention, we were not even guaranteed to ever get them fully smooth and could not really guarantee the paint would full cure and adhere to the doors.

Here are some more photos that we took the day John installed the new doors. Take a look at that rough texture! As I said before we probably would not even able to get a smooth even finish to repaint these doors and the process of attempting to do so would prove costly. The better option here is to select having new doors built. Another thing to note is that this texture and paint were on BOTH sides of the door.

Before Photo
Before Photo

Here are some photos of the new doors that we took the day of install. These new doors are a shaker style door. Shaker cabinet doors are very classic and work with just about every design style, so it will work in most homes no matter what other decor you may have. Notice how much smoother the cabinets are. Isn’t that so much better? Plus by changing the doors, Patricia and her husband were able to upgrade the hinges. So rather than having to keep her hinges which were really old and not in the best condition, she was able to upgrade to new soft close hinges. The hinges we like to use for our kitchen projects when a client asks for soft close option is linked here.

Front of New Door
Back of New Door

Here are the before and after photos of sections of the cabinets. Notice how much better it is to have the cabinet hardware NOT in the middle of the doors?

The color of the hardware is somewhat skewed in this bottom photo. They are a rubbed oil bronze finish which coordinates with the tones and colors present in the counters. And the color of the cabinets is Benjamin Moore Seashell.

Seashell is a neutral, warm white with beige undertones. Benjamin Moore describes this color as a luminous off-white. You can see a swatch to the right. If you are interested in this color, it has 2 codes. You will find it filed as #OC – 120 or #926…just a little tip for you!

And, of course, here are some great after photos which shows the whole kitchen. What a difference!

WHEN TO UPGRADE CABINET DOORS

  • Rough Texture – if the surface of the doors has so much texture that it will become hard to smooth out, it could interrupt the ability for paint to cure and bond with the surface of the door and lead to peeling
  • Damage – if there are large parts of the door that have been heavily damaged, this could be water damage or major dings and dents that would impair the process of creating a smooth surface
  • Splitting Wood or Materials – there is no good way for major splits in doors to be repaired to a place that will allow for
  • Outdated Doors – if your doors are really outdated or have odd lines and features, even a coat of paint may not provide the kind of update you are looking for
  • Looking for New Style – if you know you are already seeking to change the look of your kitchen, when evaluating options for paint colors, discussing new door fronts may also be the best choice. I would recommend considering this if you know you are already going to update your backsplash and counters. You are already making an investment and by changing the doors, you still save money but you will be able to change the look and style of your home easily and will feel like you have a whole new kitchen!

Thank you, Patricia, for choosing us to be part of this special project and for hiring FunCycled to do the kitchen cabinet painting! What a wonderful transformation! We are so glad you decided to upgrade your cabinets.

If you’d like to see how we paint Kitchen Cabinets, click here to check out our video on YouTube. 

Could your kitchen use an update? We’d love to help!! We can help pick out colors, finishes, product and do the cabinet painting, tiling, add new hardware. You can use our Contact Us form to request our design services or a quote for painting your kitchen. Please check out other kitchen projects on our For Sale page. We’ll need to see a picture of your kitchen, a list of how many doors and drawers there are, and where you are located to email you an estimate. This change ups the value of your home and gives you a whole new look at a fraction of the cost of new kitchen cabinets!

Broken to Beautiful by FunCycled

I am also excited to share that we are launching our Broken to Beautiful initiative again. Broken to Beautiful is FunCycled’s way of sharing love and kindness. Saying thank you to our customers and community!  We want to bless someone in the Capital Region by upcycling a furniture project for them for FREE!

Submissions are being accepted from August 1, 2024 to August 15, 2024. If you would like to submit a project for consideration, fill out this form: Broken to Beautiful Submission Form.

To learn more, visit Broken to Beautiful by FunCycled blog post.

We can’t wait to see what is submitted!

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. 

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. 

In addition to kitchen cabinet painting, we offer interior design, 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 ; )

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French Provincial Design with One of FunCycled’s Vintage Dressers

Hi friends!

How are you? Let’s welcome the month of August with joyful anticipation of sunflowers and colorful zinnias ahead! There is nothing like simply every day enjoyments! : )

Today, I want to share one of our latest before and after stories with you. If you follow us on social media you have already been introduced to these beauties, but if not, get ready to be inspired! The thing about this before and after is that you may not be able to appreciate the outcome without really understanding a bit more about these pieces of furniture and how they fit into one of the most beautiful design styles: French Provincial Design

Here are the after photos, beautifully glammed up and painted in Lincoln Cottage Black.

What is French Provincial Design Style?

Sometimes design styles are hard to define. But if you’ve ever heard the expression “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then you might know the best way for me to answer the question ‘what is french provincial design style?’ is with pictures! Before I get to all of that, I want to share some of the elements that have proven essential to this design style. Oh, and my best definition…french provincial design is a romantic style that strikes a balance between rustic elements of the countryside (of France that is) and the elegance and grandeur of Paris.

Elements of French Provincial Design

Rustic Woods and Finishes
Furniture with Curved Lines
Gilded Accents
Natural Fibers
Mixed Mediums
Touches of Romance

Some Examples of French Provincial Design

Photo: Anita Joyce
c/o Architectural Digest
Photo: Anita Joyce
c/o Architectural Digest
Photo: Anita Joyce
c/o Architectural Digest
Photo: Amy Mings c/o HGTV
Photo: Pinterest
Photo: Edith & Evelyn Vintage

As you can see from above, French Provincial design includes a variety of textures, incorporates layers and soft edges, and can be characterized by low or high contrast. What I love most about it, though, is that French Provincial design is not limited by “doing it just one way.”

I have put together a curated design board which features one of our very own black French Provincial dressers. I absolutely love this combination! I decided to maintain a color scheme rooted in neutral tones (a common choice with French Provincial design), but I wanted to mix it up with items that have a high contrast, so the dark dresser and the light chair for example. I would love to help you implement this beautiful bedroom into your home!

To purchase either of these beautiful vintage black dressers, you can go to our SHOP page where you will find the Tall Black Dresser and the Long Black Dresser

Below you will find links to some of the products I selected for this design! Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

If you are interested in all of the products seen in this design board, I would love to share them with you and help talk through general color and style selections with you at a design appointment! Reach out to me today by visiting our Contact Us page. To learn more about my Interior Design Services, click here.

Broken to Beautiful by FunCycled

I am also excited to share that we are launching our Broken to Beautiful initiative again. Broken to Beautiful is FunCycled’s way of sharing love and kindness. Saying thank you to our customers and community!  We want to bless someone in the Capital Region by upcycling a furniture project for them for FREE!

Submissions are being accepted from August 1, 2024 to August 15, 2024. If you would like to submit a project for consideration, fill out this form: Broken to Beautiful Submission Form.

To learn more, visit Broken to Beautiful by FunCycled blog post.

We can’t wait to see what is submitted!

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.