We ran into a problem with our kitchen design when we couldn’t fit two pantries along the fridge wall. Due to traffic flow issues, there was no choice but to change the plan. From this angle it looks great!
Upcycled Ikea Cart: Hello Storage!
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Category Archives: DIY
Keep Calm and Carry the Kit
If you were a Boy Scout or Girl Scout growing up, you’re likely familiar with the motto ‘Be Prepared’. Today’s post is about being calm and ready – in more ways than one!
The minute the weather improves (and even when it doesn’t), Hubs and I are on the hunt for things to upcycle! Our favourite outdoor jaunt is Aberfoyle Antique Market in Guelph Ontario. One day when Hubs was carrying an item back to the car while I browsed, he came across an old metal tool box buried amongst the wares. It was similar to this one: 
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Succulent ‘Seat Cushion’: Hypertufa DIY Planter
I have to say that hypertufa planter chairs are my all time favourite DIY upcycle project for the garden! What could be better than a ‘seat cushion’ made of succulents?
Roadside Rescue
Look what we stumbled upon discarded at the side of the road! Hubs and I couldn’t wait to turn it into a hypertufa planter chair! Today we’re giving you the low-down on how you can make one too!
At first glance, we both thought the chair was cast iron. But on closer inspection it turned out to be a plastic imitation. Hubs and I loaded it into the car; luckily we grabbed it before anyone else did!
Upycled Wedding Decor
‘Tis the season for weddings! If you are about to wed – or know someone who is – today’s post will give you some creative ideas on how to DIY your own decor for your special day.
We spent months on the lookout for vintage pieces we could upcycle for our wedding day. Just before the big day, Hubs needed a break (from DIY, not me!). So he and his brother treated themselves to a weekend camping trip deep in the wilderness. I was beyond relieved when they made it back safe and sound. After all, what would I ever do with 70 rolling pins (you’ll see what we did to them further ahead).
Our venue was like home away from home – a grand old manor called the Heintzman House. It’s purported to have a ghost! I wasn’t expecting any wedding crashers but you never know with old properties!
Heintzman House
Hubs and I love to upcycle. So it only makes sense that our wedding theme would be pulled together with vintage objects to fit with the history of the house. We also both love to cook, so what could be more perfect than a kitchen-themed wedding that combines both our love of the hunt and our love for food?
Resand a Walkway with Polymeric Sand
All good things must come to an end; nothing lasts forever. Today that sentiment is twofold: we’ve updated our logo and are replacing the sand in our front walkway!
10 Outside the Box Planter Ideas
Whenever we find an item that needs a little TLC – whether it’s found curb side, at a garage sale, thrift store or an antique show, I rarely know in advance what we’re going to do with it! Yet more often than not, I always find a way to transform our finds into a vehicle to show off plants! Plants make me so happy: there’s no better reason to upcycle than that!
Now that the weather has FINALLY caught up with the season it’s the perfect time to showcase some of our favourite before and after planter upcycles to inspire some out of the box thinking – or should I say outside the planter! These ideas are all original to Birdz of a Feather and just about all of the tutorials are Pinterest firsts. We’re revealing every detail so you can successfully make your own! Follow the DIY links to spark your own one-of-a-kind creations!
1. Blue Jean Planter
Some people think this planter is the bees knees and others think it’s creepy, but it’s still our most popular post ever! The video was our first to go viral when it was shared on Facebook with over 11 million views!
China Cabinet Makeover Using Fusion Mineral Paint
My niece Melissa, aka Knotty Momma Woodworking, is at it again. One day while scanning the online market on her phone, she found a listing for the upper portion of old hutch for only $30!
She did what any woodworker-in-training would do. She snapped it up before anyone else could and brought it home!
Oak Swivel Chair Makeover
I’ve always admired the solid construction of vintage office chairs. They don’t build ’em like they used to! Every time we go to an antique market, I’d always point them out to Hubs. He knew one was on my wish list, so I was pleasantly surprised when Hubs showed up one day with one in-hand!
Double Pocket Doors
When we built the mancave and craft studio in the basement, double door access was a must have so we could easily move my industrial equipment into the space. We used a sliding door kit elsewhere in the house and were so happy with the result that it was a no-brainer to install a similar system in our basement. This time, we chose to do pocket doors since we were dealing with new construction.
This isn’t an affiliate post so you can trust our unbiased opinion; we just have to sing the praises of quality products when we come across them. One big advantage in investing in a quality system, like the K.N. Crowder pocket door kit we used, is that the door can be hung AFTER all the work is complete. You don’t have to build into the wall during construction. Another advantage of the K.N. Crowder system over those you can find at the big box store is the steel components. The steel is strong and durable. Since K.N. Crowder provides awesome instructions with their kits, we’re just going to show some highlights of our install.
Framing
For a double access pocket door, you need two single frame kits. Hubs started with the wooden frame structure before adding the steel header and uprights from the kits.
Pond Maintenance: Get Your Pond Ready for Summer!
Opening up the pond for the season is a dirty job. But somebody has to do it – and thankfully, it’s not me! Someone has to be behind the camera 🙂
Flashback to last Fall: we tie off the grass (to be cut down in the Spring) and cover the pond to protect it from the elements. This is how we leave it over the winter:
Bathroom Light Fixture Planter
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, I think it’s appropriate to showcase something green and this project is ‘green’ in more ways than one!
If you’re anything like us, you try to complete your inside renos during the winter months so you can enjoy the great outdoors once the good weather arrives. We just finished an accessible bathroom renovation for my Mom, so in this tutorial we’re showing you how to turn an unwanted bathroom light fixture into a planter for the garden. At Birdz of a Feather, we’re all about turning trash into treasure! Whether you find your fixtures in the trash or upcycle your own post-renovation, repurposed bathroom staples can make a great addition to any backyard oasis!
We had a blank section of fencing at the entry to our backyard that needed a little somethin’ somethin’. When Hubs came home with another curbside find – a discarded mirror – it completed my vision perfectly!
