Upcoming Toronto Fall Home Show

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN..... FALL HOME SHOWS

The fall brings a sense of rejuvenation and we all gravitate back inside after spending many hours enjoying the wonderful outdoors during the spring and summer months.  We also look at what needs to be done in our homes and of course we attend Home Shows and Trade Shows to see what is new and exciting.  This year I am proud to be one of the decorators taking part in the Habitat for Humanity Upcycle Challenge at the upcoming Toronto Fall Home Show which runs from October 3rd to 6th and is being held in the Better Living Centre, at Exhibition Place .

I have always believed in re-using and re-making items even before it became common to do.  My son was always saying 'why do you bring home all this junk', why not just buy what you want like other people do'. Of course he was the person who got stuck lugging it around when I had my bi-annual 'shifting of the junk' as he referred to it.  I believe he sees what can be gained by re-cycling now and even if it wasn't something smart to do, I still enjoy re-creating things.  I have a fantastic turn of the century sofa that I found in the garbage and of course it was my son who had to bring it home.

Drop by the Habitat display.  You will be inspired!!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY UPCYCLING CHALLENGE at THE TORONTO HOME SHOW

If you are reading this you most likely will have seen me mention this event on my face book and linked in pages.  This year I am participating in the challenge where everyone involved was given the challenge to recreate/up cycle an old door into something new and useful.  Don't forget to vote for me...     http://a.pgtb.me/7vXrK

I had tons of ideas at first but then realized I had to select a door that I could carry and that would fit in my vehicle so that changed my thinking a lot.  I decided on a light weight door which I in turn created a fun Child's Creative Art and Organization Centre.  I had so much fun checking out what could be found at the Habitat Restores and a Reuse Centre I am familiar with.  Basically everything on my project is recycled except the tiny white board and chalk.  One doesn't find used chalk usually.  Some of the pieces I picked up were really ugly but I picked off the 'uglies' and sanded, painted and made them look good.  There was a box with tons of wooden cylinders with holes in them that nobody at the Restore  knew what they had been used for originally but I had a 'lightbulb' moment and took them off their hands. They were painted and the alphabet attached to them and they now adorn the top of my creation.   I also added a couple to the bottom to be used to hang a bag or hat on.   Below are the before and after photos .....

                

                    

       

 Opps!     I forgot to take a before of this little basket
   

My Final Creation