WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
Man, you nailed it about the hidden fasteners—nothing like thinking you’ve got a clean board and then hitting a nail with your planer. I’m all for the look of old wood, but sometimes I just want things to line up right without fighting warped boards for hours. I’ll admit, though, when you get a piece of barn wood that fits just right, it’s pretty satisfying. Still, if it’s gotta be square and strong, new lumber saves me a lot of headaches... and cursing under my breath.
WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
I get where you’re coming from, but isn’t there something to be said for the quirks and imperfections of old wood? Sure, it’s a pain sometimes, but I find those odd angles and knots can add character you just can’t fake with new lumber. Does everything really need to be perfectly square if the end result feels more authentic?
I totally get the appeal of those quirks—old wood’s got a story, right? Sometimes I’ll spend more time sanding and leveling than actually building, but it’s worth it for the character. Plus, upcycling saves cash and you end up with something unique. Doesn’t always have to be perfect to be good.
WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
Couldn’t agree more about the quirks—those little imperfections are what make a piece feel lived-in. I always tell clients, don’t stress about every nick or uneven edge; that’s the charm. When I upcycle, I usually start with a thorough cleaning, then tackle repairs before even thinking about paint or finish. Sometimes the prep takes longer than the fun part, but it pays off. Not everything needs to look like it came off a showroom floor... sometimes “good enough” is actually perfect.
Not everything needs to look like it came off a showroom floor... sometimes “good enough” is actually perfect.
Funny, I used to be all about precise lines and perfect finishes—probably a side effect of staring at blueprints all week. But last year I salvaged some old barn wood for a coffee table. The knots and scrapes ended up being the best part. It’s wild how much more character that table has compared to the “from scratch” stuff I’ve built. Prep work definitely takes patience, but there’s something satisfying about giving new life to old materials, quirks and all.