A bit of make do and mend

[BertieFox]

Every time we visit our local 'dechetterie' or recycling centre, I take a look inside the containers for general waste. It always amazes me just what people will throw away. Once we found a complete Dyson vacuum cleaner, in perfect working order apart from a cracked case. It is now in regular use chez nous. I also built a conservatory out of a ruined building with three existing walls, using windows and doors reclaimed from the same place for the front. It is still in use ten years later and the doors and windows are still in fine shape. Last week I saw a metal and glass door in the skip, in perfect condition, but unfortunately it was right at the bottom and I wasn't allowed to get into the skip to remove it. What a waste!

[Farmer_Gyles]

In January, my missus set up a business selling vintage / shabby chic furniture etc - she's really good at painting it - naturally, I have to do all the repairs and any modifications (some things are completely changed) - coupled with my collection of valve radios, sewing machines, shop scales etc, it's all good - things have sold well - she'll be starting 'shabby chic painting courses' soon and we'll be looking for a shop in the new year

We watch that Kirstie programme, but she is so talentless and kak-handed, it ruins the whole programme - and I don't believe that everything they claim was given away free, really was free - a Rayburn cooker? An armoire? Really?

[Alison]

We watch that Kirstie programme, but she is so talentless and kak-handed, it ruins the whole programme - and I don't believe that everything they claim was given away free, really was free - a Rayburn cooker? An armoire? Really?

Sums up my thoughts perfectly

[Moopmoop]

It was more the idea of reusing something old than buying something new that I like the idea of. Not everything they do is great but it gives people ideas on how to decorate on a budget, which is what I did.

[BertieFox]

I don't believe that everything they claim was given away free, really was free - a Rayburn cooker? An armoire? Really?

Judging from the second hand price for rusty old ranges and even broken wood stoves here, I can't imagine anybody parting with a Rayburn without a considerable sum of money exchanging hands. These programmes like so many other 'reality' shows have little connection with reality.

[Farmer_Gyles]

It was more the idea of reusing something old than buying something new that I like the idea of. Not everything they do is great but it gives people ideas on how to decorate on a budget, which is what I did.

yes, programmes like that can be inspiring ... not sure i can see many people dropping the gearbox out of the car to make a table though ....

[Farmer_Gyles]

Every time we visit our local 'dechetterie' or recycling centre, I take a look inside the containers for general waste. It always amazes me just what people will throw away.

Same here .... except the local recycling centre is very strict that once it's in the bins, it doesn't come out .... i think the staff there raid the bins after closing time ....

[Bill HH]

Old G-Plan is very good. Modern furniture tends to be chipboard, with veneers.

My parents had a lot of G plan which we inherited, the huge dining table in light oak had got a bit tatty so I decided to rub it down and re varnish it. I then realised the top was actually a veneer on top of some sort of particle board and I completely ruined it. So not all G plan is solid wood.

My brother in law dumped a tiny wardrobe on me to burn on the farm, it had been painted several times and looked a real mess but I sat looking at it for a while and thought that's actually a very well made piece of furniture. I stripped all the paint of to reveal a fine solid oak wardrobe and obviously very old, the back was solid oak panels too which is a sure sign of quality, it had hand made screws. Now quite excited I French polished it using shellac and an antique dealer I know said it was a captains wardrobe. Sold it for £700. Yea!

[Moopmoop]

In keeping with the positive note I started the thread on, I've been enjoying the sun in the garden this morning and painted an unloved bedside cabinet that was a mahogany colour and didn't fit in with any of my furniture. It's now lovely and white and glossy, and will be a bathroom storage cabinet which I've been needing.

There's a lot of negativity about this programme, that the stuff isn't free, the stuff is rubbish, etc etc etc. Please also realise that it gives some people ideas of how to decorate their homes at a low cost. To some people the only option is a free table with odd chairs and it's nice to see that they endorse that and don't just go to barker and stonehouse and buy a dining table for £2,000. It may be nice to do that if you can afford it but this is aimed at people who either can't or don't want to spend an obscene amount of money.

[teakdesk]

To some people the only option is a free table with odd chairs and it's nice to see that they endorse that and don't just go to barker and stonehouse and buy a dining table for £2,000. It may be nice to do that if you can afford it but this is aimed at people who either can't or don't want to spend an obscene amount of money.

I've just mentally walked through our house and in 37 years of living with other half the only furniture we've bought new is 3 beds (I made the fourth!).

The rest I've made or restored from second hand shops or we've inherited.


Yes, I'm from Yorkshire!!!!

[Alison]

In keeping with the positive note I started the thread on, I've been enjoying the sun in the garden this morning and painted an unloved bedside cabinet that was a mahogany colour and didn't fit in with any of my furniture. It's now lovely and white and glossy, and will be a bathroom storage cabinet which I've been needing.

There's a lot of negativity about this programme, that the stuff isn't free, the stuff is rubbish, etc etc etc. Please also realise that it gives some people ideas of how to decorate their homes at a low cost. To some people the only option is a free table with odd chairs and it's nice to see that they endorse that and don't just go to barker and stonehouse and buy a dining table for £2,000. It may be nice to do that if you can afford it but this is aimed at people who either can't or don't want to spend an obscene amount of money.

I don't think it does give ideas though and if a conversation I overheard the other day is anything to go by then at least some people are finding it off putting. As already stated you can't get many of these things anyway and most of the refurbs aren't exactly what most people would want in their houses so it's not accessible. Reusing etc us a brilliant thing to do (we have always done it without realising it was a trend or whatever) but it would have been so much better to gave not used KA (who a lot of people find to be posh and out of touch) and do a series showing people what they could realistically achieve themselves. Don't forget they ignore the cost of the work done by professionals when they do their coatings at the end which makes it a pointless assessment.

[Bill HH]

A lot of people don't want old furniture because it doesn't fir in with their other stuff, but we are fortunate in having a Victorian home and we decorate accordingly, My wife was looking for a glass cabinet to display some ornaments and looked in MFI and IKEA etc, but I took her to a local antique shop and we bought a brilliant cabinet, beautifully made for the same money, and it will appreciate in value.

[NatalieCooke]

I needed a vase to put some sweet peas in. Had a quick look around the shop but couldn't find one I like. Got home found an old jar, wrapped some jute string around the middle and added some stones to the bottom. It's looks great. You have a look at the finished jars on the link at the bottom.