Ottoman to Toy Box Upcycle

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on July 22, 2026.

Instead of selling or giving away an unused wooden ottoman, I decided to repurpose it and turn it into a toy box for my daughter. By turning a dull and neutral piece of furniture, into a fun-filled splash of colour in my daughter’s room!  Here’s what you’ll need:  I like to buy all my paints in metal cans, they are great for transport – […]

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Creating A Feature Wall With Panelling And Lick PRO Satinwood Paint 

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on June 30, 2026. Tags: , ,

This tutorial is all about adding character and putting your personal stamp on your bedroom, and the best part is, it can all be completed in just 48 hours, making it the perfect weekend or bank holiday DIY project. It’s especially ideal for those of us juggling busy lives, balancing work, family, and the many day-to-day demands […]

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Turn a Tired Shelving Unit into Cute Craft Supplies Storage 

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on April 30, 2026.

Project by My Thrifty Life by Cassie Fairy, Photography by Andy Greenacre  If you’re a keen crafter, you’ll probably find that the supplies for your hobby creep into all areas of your home, and sometimes you might mislay a key piece needed to complete your creation. It’s therefore a great idea to create a handy storage unit for all your yarn, sewing kit, art supplies, craft books and […]

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Renovating A Metal Patio Chair With Hammerite Direct To Rust Metal Paint 

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on April 28, 2026.

We have four patio chairs which we have had for about five years and they are all starting to look very tired and worn out. They’ve also started to rust in places due to the fact that they are out in all weathers, but having said that, it’s a lovely patio chair set. The chairs are very robust and have a very […]

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Upcycling an old mirror in a weekend using Rust-Oleum furniture paint 

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on April 2, 2026.

There is no doubt that we all lead incredibly busy lives these days, typically juggling work, children and the challenge of fitting everything into our weekly schedules. Often, there simply isn’t enough time to accomplish everything, which leads us to frequently postpone those DIY projects around the house.  In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to upcycle a dated brown wooden mirror and refresh it […]

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Create a cosy reading nook for wellbeing with a simple table makeover using Rustoleum & Rustins  

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on August 4, 2025. Tags: , ,

In today’s fast-paced world, we all need a little sanctuary, a space where we can truly switch off, unwind, and take care of our wellbeing. One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to do this? Create a cosy reading area in your home! And even better – why not make it sustainable by upcycling […]

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Little Tikes ‘Cosy Coupe’ Glow Up

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on July 21, 2025. Tags: , ,

If you’ve got a well-loved Little Tikes Cosy Coupe hanging around in your garden or playroom, don’t rush to replace it just yet. With a little creativity, you can transform a basic toy car into a unique and fun vehicle to keep your little one busy for hours! Step 1: Prep, Prep, Prep! The most […]

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Brighten Up Your Child’s Room with Colourful Animal Storage Jars 

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on July 21, 2025.

Looking for an easy, family-friendly craft that tidies up the clutter and adds a splash of colour to your child’s bedroom or playroom? This DIY animal jar project is a fun and practical way to reuse empty jars and transform them into personalised storage pots for crayons, sequins, glue sticks, and all those little odds […]

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Balcony Glow Up: DIY Pallet Planter Using Recycled Metal Packaging

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on July 21, 2025. Tags: ,

There’s something incredibly rewarding about turning a small, overlooked space into something beautiful and even better when you can do it sustainably. Our balcony had been in desperate need of a refresh, so we grabbed a few tools, got a little creative, and got to work. The highlight of our makeover? A DIY pallet planter […]

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From mud pies to mint leaves: How I turned an old mud kitchen into a fun patio herb garden! 

Posted by Jessica FriendBartlett, on June 10, 2025. Tags: , , ,

We live in a world that moves fast, and often, we throw things away just as quickly. It’s become all too easy to discard and replace, especially with so many disposable products at our fingertips. But our planet is feeling the consequences. Global warming, climate change, and too many landfills are just some of the […]

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  • A 6 step tutorial of how to get the perfect finish on painted skirting boards. Through my tutorial I will be able to show you how you can achieve the perfect finish and it’s really very simple as I will show. #skirtingboards #painting #paintingwood #woodpaint #diy #doitwithcans
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  • I have been a professional painter and decorator for over twenty years. During this time I have learnt many tricks that make the job of painting and decorating much easier and save time and effort. It can be something very simple or something that can make a difficult job easier to do. So here are some simple tips and tricks that I have learnt and have been taught over the years. #painting #decorating #diy #homedecor