Denise Sabia of The Painted Home repurposes furniture to create new looks.
Looking for the latest in home improvement and decor? Check out the 33rd annual Philadelphia Home Show.
This year the Home Show mixed it up by only being open for two weekends. If you missed it last weekend, you have another chance this Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
John DeSilvia of DIY Network’s “Under Construction” and “Run My Renovation” and owner of Brooklyn-based Design Tech will be there, along with interior designers, professional organizers, over 300 vendors, and local Philly experts.
One expert is designer/home blogger Denise Sabia of The Painted Home, who put together one of the show’s designer rooms and is also speaking about one of her favorite topics: upcycling.
We talked to Sabia about why she loves DIY, her own design aesthetic — and picking through trash.
How would you describe your design style?
Cozy, clever — and inexpensive when I need to be!
Where do you get your inspiration for new projects?
Flea markets, thrift stores and along the side of the road.
What made you start upcycling?
Well, first, it’s always better to make beautiful things from what you already have — but it’s also a necessity these days. I love to freshen things up in my home but I don’t have the additional income to go out and buy something new all the time. So if you already own it, sometimes it only takes a can of paint and it’s new to you!
How to upcycle:
1. Become a trash picker. “You’d be surprised at what treasures you can find,” says Sabia.
2. Visit local salvage or old-school antique shops. Sabia’s favorite in Philly in Philadelphia Salvage.
3. Hit the web. “Pinterest and bloggers — like myself — give you great ideas!” Sabia says.
4. And more important, says Sabia, have fun: “Consider upcycling a way to be creative. Anyone can paint!”
2014 Philadelphia Home Show
Jan. 24-26
Pennsylvania Convention Center
12th and Arch streets
$10 online, $13 at the door; $3 for kids 6-12; free for kids under 6
www.phillyhomeshow.com
