Upcycled Style Feature

Oh, my gosh!  I’m sooooo excited today because Matthew Mead’s Upcycled Style is out on shelves EVERYWHERE now!  Can you believe it?!?

It feels like only yesterday that he arrived at our home (before all the blizzards and snow) with his arms filled with flowers.  That was back in January and you may remember my recount of my day with him here.

We had a wonderful day together, chatting about upcycling and antiquing and flowers and food.

I went to Barnes & Noble this weekend, with my boys, to my pleasant surprise found his brand new magazine on the shelf!  Conor actually spotted it first.  I will admit to you all I screamed in the middle of the store and I’m sure the man at the counter thought it was strange that I was buying so many copies of the SAME magazine.  I didn’t tell him I was featured in it.  I need to send some copies to family in England and Australia. 🙂

As soon as I got home, I cozied up with a cup of tea and read it cover to cover.  Matthew’s writing and images are breath-taking.  It feels like reading a gorgeous coffee table book but in a magazine.  In his letter at the beginning he writes:

“Scour your home, grab a can of paint, give yourself creative license to reinvent and live your dream.

Let these pages be your guide, but let your creativity know no bounds.” 

Creative ideas for floral arranging, furniture makeovers and beautiful spaces abound!

I am still drooling over these cupcakes and his ideas for hosting a bake sale and an affordable and easy brunch for friends!

These sweet little cupcakes with their soft, delicate petals make my heart happy.  His photos make you feel you’re there at the bake sale or in a a featured artist’s studio.  The images are so vivid.

There are so many amazing and talented people in this issue – Annie Sloan, Michelle Graham, Lee Repetto, Ellen McHale and, of course, Matthew Mead himself. I am so honored and humbled to be amongst them.

My little home is my canvas where I test out ideas or shine up unwanted, forgotten pieces of furniture and make them just a bit better than when I found them.  As many of you know, who read the blog regularly, my paint brush and paint cans are my favorite way of transformation.  Upcycling has enabled me to turn our home into my dream on a small budget.  Realizing I could transform someone’s unwanted items into my treasures has been liberating to say the least.

Matthew captures this in his writing.  I think you’ll fall in love with this magazine and all the homes and ideas featured.

Please pick up a copy and spread the word to friends and family!  Spring is alive and well in these pages (as many of us, me included, are done with winter).

A huge thank you to Matthew Mead for a fabulous magazine and feature of my home and work.  A million thank yous!