Revamping

It seems the prevalent trend right now with interior decor is all about reusing, achieved by slight revamps, refinishing, retooling, renovating or reconfiguring.  The July issue of Canada’s Style at Home   has some great ideas, and features two women after my own heart. According to Kathleen Dore’s article, Josephine Guidolin and Shannon Shorter have made an art form of  refashioning and repurposing finds from flea markets, antique shops and street corners. At a time when there is much emphasis on going green by conserving, reducing and reusing, what better way to adhere to these convictions than by finding something old and making it new again rather than taking the easy and now frowned-upon path straight to the box stores. Don’t get me wrong. I love perusing the sky high aisles of Home Outfitters, Pier 1  or Linens and Things as much as the next gal, but there is something to be said for accidentally discovering a hidden gem in the least likely of places, putting a personal touch on it, and enjoying the refurbished item as much for your hand in finding and refashioning it as for its more earth friendly aesthetic.

Like the gang at Style at Home, I jump at the opportunity to breath new life into older, perhaps dated pieces. A few years ago, I had this huge antique cherry dresser that used to be my mom’s. It was heavy looking, and never really blended with my more rustic and eclectic style, so I decided to refinish it. Initially I wanted to strip the whole thing down and either paint or restain it, but I didn’t actually have to do all that work. Halfway through the sanding process, I achieved the look I wanted. That now distressed, graceful old piece is still part of my bedroom suite today. I think sanding is highly underrated!  I’ve managed to revamp several tables over the years simply by sanding down the tops and leaving them natural or brushing on a subtle stain and sealer.  There is always an accompanying sense of achievement when something with little more than sentimental value is saved from a burning pile. 

Speaking of sentimental value, what about Grandmother’s treasured figurines, statuettes or vases?  Maybe you have some in the basement, up in the attic, or you’ve seen the like at a flea market or second hand shop. Give them a quick spray with an all purpose primer then the colour of your choice, and you have a fresh new accessory for any shelf or table top. This idea is definitely nothing new, but I highly endorse it after growing tired of the look of some realistically portrayed horse statuettes I had kicking around. A quick coat of black high gloss paint, and those two horses are now stylish bookends.

Really, the only limitation in this much endorsed art of revamping is imagination.  Sometimes it’s hard to see the potential at first, but the challenge will make the finished product all the more rewarding.