WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
That’s such a real struggle—there’s a razor-thin line between “vintage charm” and “yard sale reject.” I’ve had clients bring me upcycled pieces that looked amazing in photos, but up close, the finish just wasn’t there. That said, I’ve seen upcycling work wonders, especially when people invest in proper restoration. For example, I once worked on a project where we took an old, battered credenza and had it professionally lacquered in a deep navy. Swapped out the hardware for some sleek brass pulls, and honestly, it looked like something straight out of a boutique hotel.
I think the trick is knowing when to let the original character shine and when to give it a total facelift. Sometimes you just need to splurge on new materials or finishes to get that luxe feel. But if you find a piece with good bones—solid wood, interesting lines—it can absolutely be elevated to “designer showroom” status with enough care (and maybe a little professional help). It’s definitely not always the cheaper or easier route, though...
WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
You nailed it—upcycling can go either way, and it’s all about the details. I’ve seen “restored” pieces where the hardware didn’t match or the finish was uneven, and it just killed the vibe. But when someone takes the time to do it right, like you described with that credenza, it’s honestly hard to tell it wasn’t custom built. Sometimes, though, starting from scratch is just less hassle if you want a specific look or function. Still, there’s something satisfying about giving old materials a second life... even if it takes more work than people expect.
WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
I totally get what you mean about the details making or breaking an upcycled piece. I’ve definitely seen some “upgrades” that just looked slapped together, and honestly, I’d rather have something plain but solid than a mismatched project that feels half-done. That said, I lean toward upcycling most of the time, mainly because it’s easier on the wallet and sometimes you just can’t beat the price of free or cheap materials. But yeah, it can be a pain if you’re trying to match a specific style or size—sometimes it ends up costing more in time and supplies than just building new.
One thing I’ve found helpful is keeping a stash of random hardware from old furniture or thrift store finds. It’s saved me more than once when I needed a matching knob or hinge. Anyone else do that, or is it just me hoarding stuff in jars?
WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
One thing I’ve found helpful is keeping a stash of random hardware from old furniture or thrift store finds. It’s saved me more than once when I needed a matching knob or hinge. Anyone else do that, or is it just me hoarding stuff in jars?
I hear you on the upcycling being easier on the wallet—usually. Thing is, I’ve actually run into the opposite problem more than once. Like, I’ll pick up a busted dresser thinking I can turn it into a bench or something cool for next to nothing, but by the time I’ve bought the right paint, new screws (because the old ones are stripped), and maybe a couple of those “vintage” pulls to match what’s missing, it ends up costing more than if I’d just started from scratch with cheap lumber and basic hardware.
I do have a box of random bits—mostly because I’m too stubborn to throw out anything that might “come in handy.” But honestly, half the time when I go looking for something, it’s either not quite right or I can’t find it at all. Maybe my system’s just chaos compared to your jars.
There’s also something kind of satisfying about building from scratch, knowing every measurement lines up because you made it that way. Upcycling can be fun and creative, but sometimes it feels like wrestling with someone else’s mistakes before you even get started.
Still, there are times when you find the perfect piece at a yard sale and it just needs a little TLC—those moments are great. But if I’m being practical (which is most of the time), sometimes starting fresh saves me both money and headaches in the long run.
Guess for me it depends on whether I want a quick win or I’m willing to gamble on a fixer-upper.
WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had better luck with upcycling cost-wise—at least when I can salvage most of the hardware and avoid fancy finishes. If I’m careful stripping stuff down and reusing what’s there, it usually comes out cheaper than buying new lumber around here. Plus, old wood is just… better sometimes? Less warping, more character. Sure, there’s the occasional headache with hidden damage or weird measurements, but I kind of like figuring it out as I go. Guess it depends on what you stumble across and how picky you are about the end result.
