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Weekend Trip to an Off the Grid Tree House Stay

Hi Friends!

As you probably know already, I’ve been doing 40 new experience before I turn 40! My birthday is October 7th so it’s quickly approaching! One of the things on my list was sleeping in a tree house! I looked at tree houses all over the country and the pricing was really high! Since I’m trying to do quite a few new experiences, I had to be careful with the cost for each adventure. Then I found this tree house stay in Pattersonville, Ny!

If you’re having trouble loading the photos on this post, click here.

The pictures don’t do this tree house justice. You can tell it was created by an artist! The stonework and twigs woven throughout the staircase were beautiful. Since there was no hot water and only a composting out door toilet so we only stayed one night which was perfect. We have been pushing our energy levels a bit by pressing hard to get the CO of our trolley house, while also having company staying with us for a week, and of course normal work that pays the bills. :) We went into Friday night all feeling like we didn’t even want to go to the tree house, but the whole stay was so refreshing!

We arrived and were surrounded by creation, animals, quiet, creativity, and kindness. It was just what our family needed. We all agreed this was probably our favorite stay of the year! (And we did a lot of fun things this year.)

They also had what felt like an art installation in the woods filled with old cars, broken mirrors, and a trampoline. I couldn’t decide if it was creepy or cool. Harmony loved the trampoline!

When we woke up and started our campfire to take the chill off. We were quickly surrounded by sheep and goats who wanted to be a part of the party. While we sat there soaking it all up, the owner came out and brought us a hot breakfast. Boiled eggs, fresh hot biscuits with local jam, delicious cider in a mason jar, coffee, and fresh fruit and yogurt.

We met one of the owners, Ed, who lives in this little house (off the grid as well).

The shed next to it is for the goats to live in!

If you like the outdoors, trying something new, unique artistry, and farm animals, this is an experience I would recommend… unless you’re not nice. Ed says only nice people are welcome. :) Visit Mariaville Goat Farm for more information.

I hope you this helps you have some fresh new ideas if you’re looking for a weekend trip from upstate Ny! If you have any other spots you love in these areas, please share it in the comments below for others to enjoy! 

There is a box at the top right of this page to enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Please sign up today! 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

If you like what you see, please like FunCycled’s Facebook page to keep up to date on the newest travel tips, interior design trends, and kitchen and furniture repurposing projects. 

Send us a note with if you’re interested in our design services or custom furniture using our contact page. Or buy something that we’ve already designed from our furniture for sale page.

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Deb’s Inspired by the Sea Kitchen Design

Hi Friends,

If you’re having trouble seeing the photos on this post, click here.

It’s been over a year since I started the design work for Deb’s kitchen, and I’m elated to share the story with you. If you’ve met Deb, and you’re reading this, you know why I’m saying that getting to know her and call her friend by the end of this design journey is the highlight of the job. She is such a kind, thoughtful, caring person with a spirit of adventure. I loved sitting with a tall cup of her sun tea, talking through the why behind each decision, hearing about her 15 grandkids gathered around the island, and even the smallest details that she took time to appreciate. Like how the sun hits the glass shelves and creates a rainbow reflection on sunny days.

The inspiration for this kitchen came from these items that Deb showed me during her first consult.

She loves the ocean, calming blue and green tones, and hints of gold, but she also wanted the house to feel period appropriate for her 1890’s home. Deb asked me to select items locally and made in the USA as often as I possibly could. So no online shopping here! I went to local lighting, tile, and appliance stores to pick everything out.

This was the kitchen before I started working on the designs:

This before and after may be a little confusing because we moved walls, doors, and windows. The space really needed that change to be a better layout for Deb and to be able to increase the island size. The radiator also came out and they installed radiant flooring instead!

I’ll go angle by angle by angle and try to explain the changes in the layout that was done.

In this picture you’ll see that the microwave was moved to the island, a larger door was installed, the window above the sink was removed, and the sink and dishwasher were moved.

In this photo you can see that the fridge was moved, the wall next to it was taken out, and the opening into the dining room was widened.

This shows that the stove stayed in the same spot, but all the other appliances moved. They also added in a wine fridge.

This shows a wall that was taken down so we could fit a larger island in the space. The wall included a brick chimney that had to be completely removed (and is no small task).

On to some of my favorite details in the kitchen!

I love this counter top SO MUCH! It looks like you’re watching the ocean waves swirling in smokey gray and pale turquoise colors. It’s Maldive Quartzite in a satin finish. Mined in a mountain next to a lake in Brazil.

This backsplash… I can’t get enough of it! It’s a recycled glass, basket weave pattern that doesn’t use any grout. It’s definitely the show stopper when you walk into the room. My 2nd favorite part of the design!

This flooring… It’s soft green/gray color and a pattern that would have been used in a home from the 1800’s. It’s just perfect in my opinion. Mix the design with the fact that it’s now radiant heat flooring and you have a winner!

Running the counter up the back of the stove and adding the brass pot filler was another part of the design that I liked! Also, the new appliances and hood vent are beautiful! The hood vent was not only beautifully built, but the company had excellent customer service, and the items arrived ahead of schedule.

Deb loves plants so I also liked that she wanted to incorporate them into the space and liked the design (which isn’t common) of putting glass shelves in front of the window for her plants to thrive.

Deb’s dishwasher wasn’t old so I also love that she let us paint it to match the rest of her brand new appliances instead of scrapping something that worked well!

She also added a skylight to let more natural light into the space and added light blue shiplap on the ceiling.

All the cabinets are brand new, but Deb gave her old cabinets away to be repurposed again! Which is another win in my opinion!

What a beautiful transformation!! Thank you so much for working with me, Deb! You are such a beautiful soul! I’m sure Deb is going to read this post so let her know your favorite part of her new kitchen in the comments below. Also, a huge thanks to the contractor who made this happen, Charlie!

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!

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 ;)

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Orange Retro Bathroom Design

Hi Friends!

How are you? I hope you had a great weekend! We had friends in from out of town and went to the Washington County Cheese Tour on Saturday. It was so much fun!!

If you have trouble viewing this post, please click here.

For this week’s makeover, I wanted to show you a bathroom design that I recently did for an airbnb in Schenectady! If you’d like to rent this airbnb, click here. 

Here’s the bathroom before:

Pretty bad, right?

First, I came up with the design board for the client. We tweaked the vanity because the one I picked went out of stock.

My favorite part of this design was the floor tile! It brought a retro vibe and the orange we wanted to have in the space.

Ready for the afters?

Could your home or airbnb use design help? I’d love to be a part of the project! Please message me today to set up a consult and get the project started! 

Check out more details about our Interior Design Services. 

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 ;)

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Airbnb Sophisticated Modern Bathroom Design

Hi Friends! 

How was your holiday weekend? I hope all my upstate friends are enjoyed their last full week of summer!

If you’re having trouble viewing the photos, please click here.

For this week’s makeover, I wanted to show a bathroom that I designed in Schenectady, NY as part of a complete design layout, furniture selections, and decor for 5 airbnb’s. I want to say a huge thank you to Adnan for working with me on all of these projects and trusting me with the designs. If you’d like to rent this airbnb, click here. 

I don’t have a before photo of this bathroom unfortunately, but I’ll share links to order any of the product to make it up to you. How does that sound?

Here are the product links if you’d like to order anything.

Shower tile
Shower Faucet System
Towel Hangers
Wall Tile
Bathroom Mirror
Faucet
Vanity
Floor Tile

Could your home or airbnb use design help? I’d love to be a part of the project! Please message me today to set up a consult and get the project started! 

Check out more details about our Interior Design Services. 

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 ;)

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Kitchen with Posts and a T Shaped Island

Hi Friends!

If you’re having trouble viewing the photos on this post, click here.

How are you? I hope you had a nice week. We just got back from our 14th annual Ocean City, NJ trip with most of my family. The weather was perfect and spending time with family was even better!

I’m excited to share this week’s kitchen makeover with you because it’s something out of the ordinary! We completely refigured the island, did the interior design, installed some new cabinets, and painted the existing cabinetry.

Here’s the kitchen before:

We started with the design board and then Laura asked for a 3D rendering of the space so she could visualize the changes.

Once she gave the OK for this layout, we got to work!

We painted the main cabinets with the color Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace and the island was painted with Kendall Charcoal. The biggest layout problem was the posts in the kitchen (that had to stay). They made the island spacing odd so I decided to incorporate them in the island, and paint them to match the cabinets. It helps them blend into the space instead of blocking portions of the island and feeling like an eye sore.

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

Ready for the after photos?

We added shallow cabinets to the one side of the island for extra storage.

We added shaker paneling along the front of the island to tie it into the rest of the design.

Kitchen with awkward posts Kitchen island with posts White kitchen with gray island T shaped island

What an beautiful transformation!! 

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!

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 ;)

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Green and Gold Airbnb Bedroom Design

Hi Friends!

How was your weekend? I hope all my upstate friends are enjoying their last few weeks of summer, and I hope all my southern friends who have kiddos are enjoying the rhythms of the new school year.

If you’re having trouble viewing the photos, please click here.

For this week’s makeover, I wanted to show a room that I designed in Schenectady, NY as part of a complete design layout, furniture selections, and decor for 5 airbnb’s. I want to say a huge thank you to Adnan for working with me on all of these projects and trusting me with the designs. If you’d like to rent this airbnb, click here. 

Here was the bedroom before:

I know, not the best photos, but it’s what I have friends. lol

Here are the after photos:

Could your home or airbnb use design help? I’d love to be a part of the project! Please message me today to set up a consult and get the project started! 

Check out more details about our Interior Design Services. 

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 ;)

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BM Dakota Shadow Buffet Makeover

Hi Friends!

We had a busy work week and then a restful weekend up at Indian Lake staying at our friend Tanya and Aaron’s cabin! It was such a relaxing, beautiful spot!

If you’re having trouble viewing this post, click here.

For this week’s makeover, I wanted to share a buffet that we recently redid as part of an interior design project. I love when I can redo furniture instead of buying new as part of a project.

Here’s the buffet before:

We painted the whole piece with Benjamin Moore’s Dakota Shadow and sprayed it with a protective clear coat. We also added this hardware.

If you want to see how we paint furniture, check out our How to Paint Furniture post. 

Here are the after photos for you:

This piece isn’t available to purchase, but be sure to visit our SHOP page to check out what other pieces we have available for purchase or custom order. 

Or contact us to get a quote to let us redo your furniture for you! 

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 ;)

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Weekend Trip to Ipswich, MA

Hi Friends!

This past weekend, I was able travel to Ipswich, MA to attend Soulfest which was one of the things on my 40 by 40 list! It was so much fun going to a multiple day music festival! While I was in the area, I loved so many of the surrounding towns that I thought I’d share about it.

If you’re having trouble viewing the photos on this post, click here.

If you enjoy old homes and quaint towns, heading to Ipswich is a no brainer. The houses made me drool and the landscapes were just as beautiful. Pretty gardens, old farms, and right near the ocean. So within a couple minutes, we could have been at the beach, shopping in a quaint town, going to a polo match, or even sailing the seas.

We stayed in a BEAUTIFUL airbnb that was the chauffeur’s quarters at a mansion. You can check it out here. One of my favorite parts of the stay was that they gave us a private tour of the gardens!

This is the house!

This is the chauffeurs quarters where we stayed:

We spent one of the mornings visiting Newburyport, MA. The town is so quaint and beautiful and also has plenty of beaches you can go to if you’d prefer a day on the sand.

You could also visit Gloucester or Essex!

We really enjoyed breakfast at the Ipswich Inn Bed and Breakfast. It did take a while to have breakfast served, but we didn’t mind because we met up with our friends Kori and Kristine so there was plenty of time to chat. Mary Grace and I went to Fox Creek Tavern for dinner which we loved. The design is beautiful, the food was delicious, and the server was so attentive and kind. We also had lunch at Street, and enjoyed that, too!

We went to quite a few concerts at the music festival, but we also were able to fit in another 40 by 40 by going sailing on the ocean for the first time. We went on the Fame of Salem with Kori and Kristine after breakfast and a tour of Gordon college where Kori works (loved it!).

Chapel at Gordon College

Sailing the ocean with these beautiful souls!

My pal Aubrey also loves this area and recommended things that we didn’t get to try, but thought you might find helpful if you’re headed to the area!

Ipswich:
Christchurch Mansion
Crane Beach
Crane Estate/Castle Hill

Glouchester:
Whale Watching
Hammond Castle
Cute Shops Downtown
Beauport Hotel’s Restaurant for lunch/dinner

I hope you this helps you have some fresh new ideas if you’re looking for a weekend trip from upstate Ny! If you have any other spots you love in these areas, please share it in the comments below for others to enjoy!

There is a box at the top right of this page to enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Please sign up today! 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

If you like what you see, please like FunCycled’s Facebook page to keep up to date on the newest travel tips, interior design trends, and kitchen and furniture repurposing projects. 

Send us a note with if you’re interested in our design services or custom furniture using our contact page. Or buy something that we’ve already designed from our furniture for sale page.


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Airbnb Sage Living Room Design

Hi Friends,

How are you? I hope you had a nice week! I was in Georgia last week helping with an airbnb layout/design and while I was there, I was able to do a couple more of my #40by40fun where I’m trying to do 40 new experiences before I turn 40!

If you’re having trouble viewing the photos, please click here.

I flew an airplane and visited a cat cafe for the first time.

I loved flying the plane so much and even though the cat cafe was a little…um, underwhelming, petting kittens can never be a bad thing! I wanted to take them all home!

For this week’s transformation, I’m sharing the living room design that I did for an airbnb in Schenectady! Here’s the room before:

The contractors had to completely redo the flooring since it was so uneven! It was a blank slate otherwise.

Here’s the initial design board for the space:

Ready for the after photos?

I want to say a huge thank you to Adnan for working with me on all of these projects and trusting me with the designs. If you’d like to rent this airbnb, click here. 

Could your home or airbnb use design help, I’d love to be a part of the project! Please message me today to set up a consult and get the project started! 

Check out more details about our Interior Design Services. 

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 ;)

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Apothecary Dresser Makeover

Hi Friends!

If you’re having trouble viewing the photos on this post, click here.

Happy mid summer to all of you! I hope your week is going well! Our kids are away at a summer camp this week so the house is so quiet as I type this. I miss their cute faces, but I’m excited to see how they grow closer to God and make new friends throughout this week.

For this week’s makeover, I wanted to share a before and after of a dresser that we just redid for my Bestie to use in her new house. She moved to Georgia, and even though I miss her every day, I’m so glad she’ll have something to think of me sitting in her new home.

Here’s the dresser before:

We repaired the door and painted the whole piece with Valspar’s Lincoln Cottage Black. Then we lightly distressed the whole piece and sprayed it with a protective clear coat.

If you want to see how we paint furniture, check out our How to Paint Furniture post. 

Here are the after photos for you:

This piece isn’t available to purchase, but be sure to visit our SHOP page to check out what other pieces we have available for purchase or custom order. 

Or contact us to get a quote to let us redo your furniture for you! 

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 ;)