Trash to Treasure Tuesdays

I'd like to introduce you to my new weekly feature, Trash to Treasure Tuesdays. Today, on Earth Day,  I'll visually show you how to reuse your...mind.  

Recycling and reusing is vital to our environment. We all know that.  And, we can be guilty of not following through with reducing waste.  I am, as much as I try not to. 


Whether something is broken or no longer desired, it generally requires a little bit or a whole lot of changing it out rather than tossing it out. If you follow me, you know I utilize that theory often.  

Before you toss out that old chair in the garage or shed, or before you pass by that chair on the side of the road, think about what it could be if you put your mind to it.  What do you like about your trashy piece? What needs to be done to it to repair it or change it to the new life for you have in mind for it?  Don't be afraid to use your favorite colors or textures.  If you aren't accustomed to repairs, take your time with it. Look for resources or inspirations to help you along your creative way. You may find while doing one step you could totally change your first idea to another anyway. And that one afterthought could be the best idea yet! Don't rush yourself. Ask for help when you are stuck. 

I promised some visual enticements, so let's go ahead and expand our minds with these inspirations: 

BEFORE:  Kate and Joey's curbside find... 

AFTER: and isn't it darling?  You can find their tutorial at Mr. Kate.  I truly love how they added the branch pieces!  

Margaret reused this gate (in its former life), and now hangs between two 8-by-8 posts she had lying behind her barn the last who knows how many years. It wasn't her first attempt at this type of structure in her garden glory...

...this was. Some 25 years ago, when she first bought her place, she explored the woods around it and found two home foundations and an iron bed a decorative headboard and footboard rusting among collapsing stones. The headboard became a beautiful gate  posted by Margaret at A Way to Garden. 








BEFORE: Would you pass by this pile at the curb?  Tami didn't. 






AFTER: And this is why she didn't.  
Tami of Curb Alert saw a new functional life for that patio set. 











BEFORE:  Annie of Unexpected Treasures salvaged this dresser from getting tossed out.

AFTER:  And she wasn't afraid to use a some paint and design after she recreated a whole new transformation of that beat up dresser. 

If you are new here, this is one of my road rescue pieces. 

With a little determination, what was trash is now treasure. 

Hopefully with these ideas,  and many more coming up each week, you've been inspired to enough to start  your own "Before and After" creations.  It can be anything from a photo frame to a massive armoire! Be brave; you can do it.