• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australia’s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      We’re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesn’t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • AFTERKitchen and bathroom updates extend the life of Sydney home
    • Living and diningRun-down period home given new life in Melbourne
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other people’s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether you’re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • AFTERKitchen and bathroom updates extend the life of Sydney home
    • LaundryStylish laundry no longer hidden behind a door
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? We’re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • 4473037a-ef84-4db1-8449-e15b219e2cebJen’s best ways to cosy up your interior
    • Screen Shot 2023-08-13 at 8.51.43 pmMelburnians will love this colourful art inspired by their city
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jen’s a legitimate interiors addict, she’s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the country’s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • AlfrescoA light-filled NSW coastal holiday abode from SOUL Home
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      We’re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks you’ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • Penne-Alla-VodkaFoodie Friday: Penne alla vodka (dairy free & vegan)
    • Palazzo Segretti design roomDream holiday? Check out this design lovers’ tour to Milan
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Transforming unloved secondhand furniture

By Guest Poster •

FacebookPinEmailTweet

By Fiona Gavan

I am an avid believer in the beauty of vintage furniture — good quality, well made and well-loved pieces that have stood the test of time and come with a little history; pieces that are a little different and you won’t find in hundreds of other homes. 

2013-08-13 Graphite Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Before and after

With my business Lilyfield Life, I spend my time finding unique pieces of secondhand furniture and, using paint and a little elbow grease, I create beautiful pieces that really speak to you, as well as being very functional items in your home. I absolutely love that paint can update discarded old furniture into treasures that will still be loved in years and years to come.

2011-05-10 before bird
Before and after
javi lounge chair Lilyfield Life
Before and after

Here is a little video of the furniture I painted in 2013…

The power of paint never ceases to amaze me. I initially started painting furniture as I was living with a lot of cheap pine pieces that I’d bought in my youth. I have since painted many pieces for my home as well as teaming them with unpainted vintage pieces such as a French oak table that I bought at auction for $105. It’s incredible what you can buy for a reasonable price secondhand.  All the furniture in my dining room below was sourced secondhand at auction or on eBay.

CHI_0944_010

As well as selling my painted furniture, I also write detailed tutorials to instruct and inspire those DIYers who want to improve their painting skills and learn specific techniques. If DIY is not for you, Lilyfield Life can also provide a custom painting service for your furniture.

Lilyfield Life Painted Furniture 2
More Lilyfield Life makeovers

FacebookPinEmailTweet

February 18, 2014

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • New Kaboodle range embraces vibrant colour for kitchens
  • AFTER Kitchen and bathroom updates extend the life of Sydney home
  • Darren Palmer Darren Palmer’s new sustainable, ethically made rugs
  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Steph & Gian’s almost perfect Block master bedroom score

Follow us on Instagram

GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Bl GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Block master bedroom walk ins on the blog now.

Which was your fave?

Via latest posts link in bio now.

#walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #wardrobes #wardrobe #wardrobe #bedroomstorage #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #theblockroomreveals #theblock #theblock2023 #kinsman #kinsmankitchens #kinsmanwardrobes #dressingroom #dressingtable
A home that got all its extra special details AFTE A home that got all its extra special details AFTER handover with stunning results!

When Emma Fuller built her family home five years ago, she went with the ‘basic’ package with a view to elevating the spaces in a more budget-friendly manner down the line. Knowing that she couldn’t afford her entire wish list upfront, she made allowances within the plans so that she could add all the special details later.

“Although the builder could have incorporated every detail we asked for, we knew it would have blown our budget, but that didn’t mean I was going to let the dream go,” says @hamptonsinhighfields 

Patience and hard work have definitely paid off and today on the blog we are showing you how she did it from adding a fireplace, bench seat, wallpaper, french doors, a mudroom, built in bookcases, fretwork, kitchen island trim, IKEA wardrobes and more!

Via link in bio now.

#newbuild #hamptonsaustralia #hamptonsnewbuild #fretwork #benchseat #benchseating #fireplace🔥 #fireplacedecor #ikeahacks #diymudroom #mudroom #kidsroomwallpaper #frenchdoors #frenchdoor #hallwaydoors #frenchdoorpantry #butlerspantrydesign #newbuildupgrades
Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or bo Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or boring!

The latest @kaboodlekitchen trends release, in collaboration with stylist @jono.fleming, are anything but. These are just 4 of 6 new colours for the brand, sold in Bunnings.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the others (hint: one of them might be pink! 🩷). You'll also find out how to get a free copy of the latest Kaboodle edit magazine sent to you, chock full of inspiring real projects like my navy laundry!

Which of these is your pick? Would you venture outside of a white kitchen? What colour is yours?

#kaboodlekitchen #kaboodlelaundry #kaboodle #flatpackfurniture #flatpackkitchen #bunningskitchen #flatpackcabinets #budgetkitchen #ontrendkitchens #colourfulkitchen #colouredcabinets #kitchencolourtrends2023 #colourtrends2023 #boldkitchen #jonofleming #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #bunningsdiy #heartyourhome #realreno #realrenovations #kitchenbeforeandafter #kitchenonabudget #colourfullaundry #flatpacklaundry
Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own rug range this week and they're a bit gorgeous! 😍 These are the kind of beautiful, neutral, textured, natural, ethically and sustainably produced rugs that will stand the test of time.

Pop over to the blog via link in bio to read our chat with him.

“I believe in the democratisation of good design,” says Darren, who wanted the rugs to be affordable. “It was very important to me that they were ethically made, and they are all Good Weave certified ensuring that no child labour is involved in their creation."

#darrenpalmer #darrenpalmerofficial #darrenpalmerinteriors #theblock #rugshopping #rugdesign #ruggoals #rugmaking #naturalrugs #sustainablerugs #ethicalrugs #jute #juterug #juterugs #handcarved #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #goodweave
Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost pe Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost perfect score on the Block last night.

Even if their bedsides weren't exactly generous, they were bigger than most last night. What was going on there?!

As ever, love to know your thoughts. See more, read the judges' comments and shop the looks via link in bio now.

#theblockroomreveals
#theblock #theblock2023 #blockshopper #masterbedroomdecor #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #mastersuites #walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realreno
The latest pieces from @mockaaustralia are designe The latest pieces from @mockaaustralia are designed to give your home an endless summer feel ☀️

The Dilllon rattan bedhead is $399, the Blair buffet (swipe) is $469 and (swipe again) the rattan Canyon cabinet is $259.

See more on the homepage now via link in bio.

#rattanlovers #rattan #rattanfurniture #rattandecor #rattanbed #rattanbedhead #timberbuffet #mockaaustralia #mocka #affordablefurniture
My home is not always photoshoot ready, guys! Bu My home is not always photoshoot ready, guys! 

But check out my navy laundry looking perfect in the new issue of @kaboodlekitchen's edit magazine (and the reality!).

Two years on, we're still loving this room!

You'll also see the entertainment unit we created with the same Berry Blue Kaboodle.

Get a free hard copy sent to you (it features many other gorgeous projects using Kaboodle flatpack) or download the digital version via link in my bio now. Enjoy!

#kaboodlekitchen #kaboodle #kaboodlelaundry #flatpack #bunnings #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #barndoor #laundryroomdecor
▶️ Swipe for before! Bathroom of my dreams 😍

Overcrowded with fixtures and with very little natural light, this main bathroom was in need of an update. The existing window was removed and replaced with custom steel bi-fold doors with clear glass above and ribbed for privacy below. “They provide an abundance of natural light and connection to the beautiful garden and incredible view. Indoor or outdoor bathing is now optional!” says Darren Genner of @studio__minosa 

Head to the blog via link in bio to see this home's KITCHEN transformation.

#outdoorbath #outdoorbathroom #outdoorbathtub #gardenbathroom #gardenviews #bifolddoors #steelbifold #blacksteeldoors #blacksteeldoors #bathroombeforeandafter #studiominosa #bathroomdesigninspiration #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome  #indooroutdoorflow
IKEA laundry GOALS! Swipe to see the enviable bank IKEA laundry GOALS! Swipe to see the enviable bank of cupboards opposite and the very uninspiring before!

We love this makeover by @hamptons_inspired_ 

Moving the back door and replacing it with a French door to add natural light was a game changer but adding all that storage, for school uniforms, her Dyson, ironing board and much much more, made the biggest difference!

"We love the laundry so much that we no longer have an internal door on it. We leave it open to allow the natural light to pour in the hallway and it’s great being able to access the wall of cabinetry without having a door in the way. We couldn’t be happier with it all.”

All the finer details and where everything is from on the blog now via link in bio. Enjoy!

#laundryroomdecor #laundryroommakeover #laundryappliances #laundrybeforeandafter #laundryroomgoals #ikealaundry #ikeapax #ikeapaxsystem #ikeahacks #hamptonslaundry #hamptonsinteriors #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #theinteriordaddict #farmhousesink #herringbonetile #herringbonetilefloor #herringbonetiles
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Avatar

About Guest Poster

If you have high quality, original, relevant content to share, we might be interested in publishing your guest post on Interiors Addict. Please email [email protected] with your submissions.

More from Furniture

Joncols range

Spanish outdoor furniture collection hits in time for summer

Mocka unveils new collection reminiscent of Australian summer

The Styled Sofa

Latest IKEA furniture hack will elevate your sofa

New homewares wholesaler aims to be a refreshing change

Gus* Modern announce exclusive new Jamie Durie collection

King Living reimagine 1970s sofa, proving it really is timeless

How to use colour & layering to make your home a winter…

Win the entire new 90s Neutrals collection from Gigi&Tom!

How to upcycle your daggy timber bedsides

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarLyn Griffiths says

    February 18, 2014 at 9:38 am

    Hi, I love your paint transformations. You mentioned tutorials. Can you give me information on these please?
    Thanks
    Lyn

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      February 18, 2014 at 9:43 am

      Hi Lyn. Please check out Fiona’s website at the bottom of the article and contact her via that. Jen

  2. AvatarKathryn Bamford says

    February 18, 2014 at 10:43 am

    The top dresser is absolutely gorg!! What a transformation!! 😀

  3. AvatarDesire Empire says

    February 19, 2014 at 6:41 am

    I love how Fiona is reviving old pieces. Apart from looking ab fab, she is helping not to create waste for land fill.
    Carolyn

  4. AvatarSomething Gorgeous says

    February 19, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    How lovely to see Fiona featured on your blog. She is not only very talented and creative, but a nice person as well. We love her blog and enjoy following her Instagram account. xT

  5. AvatarRobyn and Jason says

    March 22, 2014 at 1:21 am

    Beautiful! We love old furniture and agree so much nicer than common everyday furnishings.

  6. Avatargeorgemaxewell says

    June 27, 2014 at 6:43 pm

    Beautiful! We love old furniture and agree so much nicer than common everyday furnishings.

Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!