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Transforming unloved secondhand furniture

February 18, 2014

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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

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This Noosa riverfront abode just won Home of the Year in the 2022 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards. 

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We've entered an exciting phase in our home: non-s We've entered an exciting phase in our home: non-synthetic rug land!

With two young boys, I've always advocated for the synthetic and easily scrub-cleanable rug! Now they're a bit older and observing the shoes-off and no-food-in-the-living-room rules, I thought it was time! And I'm in love with our bold new @castleryau Lorenzo Wool Rug.

You can't beat the luxurious look and feel of wool and I've also stepped outside my comfort zone with a design that stands out rather than blends in. Get me!

Can someone remind the kids about the keep-the-toys-in-the-playroom rule though?!

Would you be brave enough to go for a cream wool rug in your house?!

This rug is on display at Castlery's popup at Moore Park SupaCenta until October. 

#athomewithcastlery #rug #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #statementrug #gifted
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And all the other cost-saving tricks I used as well as everything featured with links, on the blog today.

Our bedroom isn't perfect. A bed under the window isn't ideal. We don't have a walkin robe. It's a slightly awkward shape. But I really feel I've made the best of it and love its fresh new look and feel!

So glad to swap the carpet for laminate too. Are you team carpet or team hard floor in a bedroom? Please comment carpet or hard floor below!

With thanks to the cammellia hedge for fitting the colour palette perfectly 🤗😆

On the homepage now via link in bio.

#kmarthack #kmarthacks #masterbedrooms #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #laminatefloors #aluminiumwindow
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Today's home, a new build duplex in Sydney's Dover Heights, is nothing short of incredible. Bravo 28 year old interior designer Shona McElroy of @smac_studio 

See the rest, including the statement staircase, on the homepage now. Via link in bio.

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And her fiance Koden teamed up with their good friend Jake to do just that, pooling their finances.

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Read more about how Naomi used timber mouldings to achieve a consistent look, feel and flow between the original cottage and the modern extension on the blog now. Via the homepage (link in bio).

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Our new podcast is launching soon🙌🏻 The bas Our new podcast is launching soon🙌🏻

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Please comment below and it could become a podcast episode!

#heartyourhomethepodcast #interiorsaddictheartyourhome
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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.

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